Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

This was an amazing re-telling of stories during WWII that we have heard time and time again. But, from the musician's point of view, it's quite different. This is a story of a famous violinist who ends up in Auschwitz and becomes the conductor for the female orchestra in the camp. This story brings an entirely different perspective to the narrative, and I feel like I learned about the concentration camps and how they functioned more so in this book than in most I had read previously. This story shows how strength and courage in one person can help to save the lives of many others. Alma takes charge of the orchestra after one of the guards discovers who she is, and she bargains with the doctors there to spare their lives so that they can perform for them at Christmas. And so begins months of practice, brushes with death, and seeing things from the 'privileged prisoner' point of view. Extra rations were given to them, they were allowed their own barracks and showers and even given warm clothes and extra goods that most prisoners weren't allowed. So much was made available to them, all the while, Alma never forgot where they were. Even in the midst of all the death and tragedy, prisoners showed tenacity by doing all they could to stay alive. This is truly a different story, told in a setting we are all too familiar with- definitely worth the read!

Thank You Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC! This review is based on my complete honest opinion.

This book is based on the true story of a talented violinist, Alma Rose, an Austrian violinist who is in Auschwitz. She is a Jew. This story tells about how Alma, creates a Music Block at Auschwitz and had saved many girls from the Quarantine Block so they could be a part of the girl's orchestra that she has created. This story talks about Alma's courage, bravery and her willingness to do whatever she wants even if it involves befriending SS soldiers.

This story is truly emotional and the ending made me cry. What makes this story so powerful and gripping is in fact that this story is based on a true story. The descriptions of Auschwitz camp in particular was too disturbing at times to read that I have to pause and try to understand how much cruelty and brutality these Jews and other prisoners had to face from ruthless SS people. The exchange of luxurious goods to bread or a chocolate bar, the hard conditions, the conditions in the hospital...it was all at time too disturbing and sometimes I had a hard time as to how such brutality existed. But what made this story standing is the fact that Alma would negotiate with the SS leaders--particularly the well known "Angel of Death", Josef Mengele--the girls who are in her orchestra will be kept alive and they had to perform in front of the SS leaders at Auschwitz. Through the Author's note, this story was told from the survivors, who was a part of Alma's orchestra at Auschwitz.

As usual, many Holocaust books I have read, this one is the most emotional and heartbreaking books I have read after Diary of a Young Girl - Anne Frank. The ending left me in tears but Alma's story is worth telling to the world--her courageous and determination to keep the girls alive by making them train and perform in her orchestra. Worth five stars.

The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood
Publication Date: November 18, 2020
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Description from NetGalley...
“Auschwitz, 1943: In the depths of hell, can hope rise? And can love triumph over hatred?

In Auschwitz, every day is a fight for survival. Alma is inmate 50381, the number tattooed on her skin in pale blue ink. She is cooped up with thousands of others, torn from loved ones, trapped in a maze of barbed wire. Every day people disappear, never to be seen again. This tragic reality couldn’t be further from Alma’s previous life. An esteemed violinist, her performances left her audiences spellbound. But when the Nazis descend on Europe, none of that can save her…

When the head of the women’s camp appoints Alma as the conductor of the orchestra, performing for prisoners trudging to work as well as the highest-ranking Nazis, Alma refuses: “they can kill me but they won’t make me play”. Yet she soon realizes the power this position offers: she can provide starving girls with extra rations and save many from the clutches of death.

This is how Alma meets Miklos, a talented pianist. Surrounded by despair, they find happiness in joint rehearsals, secret notes, and concerts they give side by side––all the while praying that this will one day end. But in Auschwitz, the very air is tainted with loss, and tragedy is the only certainty… In such a hopeless place, can their love survive?
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Thank you to @NetGalley @bookouture for the digital ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
This book was inspired by the true story of Alma Rosé who was a renowned Viennese violinist. I was surprised at what happened in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp from the perspectives of Alma and the Birkenau women’s orchestra. Was there truly a glimmer of humanity in those horrendous camps? This was heartbreaking all around, but yet it was a poignant and beautifully written story. The story told was chilling, engaging, terrifying, sad, heartbreaking and courageous. It was filled with details that brought the women’s situation to life. I really appreciated the additional historical facts and information Midwood added at the end. You are going to need a box of tissues.😢

(4.5 ⭐️) Inspiring, endearing, heart wrenching, and thought provoking. Ellie Millwood has written a devastatingly beautiful story based on the little known life of violin virtuoso and Auschwitz-Birkenau women’s orchestra conductor, Alma Rose. In a place where death was literally in the air, thanks to continuously working gas chambers and crematoriums, Alma used the power of music to bravely defy her German captors, save many lives, and renew a sense of hope amongst her peers. This evocative story is well researched and eloquently blends fact with fiction to introduce us to a woman worthy of immense admiration.

This story brings a vividness to the realities of life in a concentration camp while keeping the focus on the power of perseverance. Living not only in a patriarchal society but in Nazi captivity, Alma was able to demand respect of her captors and create beauty out of horror. I found myself cheering for Alma as well as wanting to fight for her. Her sarcastic internal dialogue added an extra layer to her character and greatly endeared her to me. And while Alma surely was a person and character able to stand alone, the icing on the cake in this story is Alma finding love in such a dire situation.

This indeed is a difficult read at times, thanks to the horrors of the Nazi ideology. But it is also a captivating and (dare I say again) beautiful narrative of the resilience of the human spirit.

Also, don’t miss the author’s notes at the end of the book. It gives incredible detail to how she expertly wove facts from her wealth of research into the astutely created characters and storyline.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story is based on the true story of Alma Rosé, a violinist caught up in the hell that was Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943, but still retained her humanity and fighting spirit, and in the process managed to save many lives. The story is based upon first hand testaments from the few survivors from the camps after the war, but many testified that if it wasn't for Alma they wouldn't have survived. At times the story will leave you smiling, and at others heartbroken, but it is a tale that needs telling, and needs reading, and is extremely well written. I believe that this book, more than many, gives an accurate account of life in the camps at this time.

Alma knew the war was coming, and thoughtfully took her father to England so he would be safe, but the pull of playing her violin in Europe was too strong and she went back into Europe to play jn concert halls. As far as Alma was concerned she was baptised Catholic, and had married 2 different non Jewish men, but when each saw the writing on the wall they didn't want to be married to a Jew and divorced her. In fact it was a non Jewish homosexual man who then married her to try to keep her safe, but to the Nazis she was still a Jew and she was picked up and taken to Auschwitz.

When they find out that she is a famous violinist across Europe, she is taken to the pitiful women's 'Orchestra' and made Kapo - their leader. She works with the previous Kapo to improve the orchestra beyond recognition as she realises it's the only way to keep her girls safe, and give her some power in that he'll. Indeed she manages to double the size of the orchestra and appoint other girls to do tasks to do with the orchestra, so manages to save more girls.

I believe the part that is more fictionalised is where Alma meets Miklos, a pianist and composer who was himself talented and celebrated in Europe before the war. The two fall in love over their shared love of music, and this gives Alma the strength to keep going each day.

A beautifully told story, with some difficult parts to read, but showing love can bloom in the most hideous of places, and love can sustain us and keep us going against all odds.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3630274436

5* I highly recommend this book.
A new author to me, thanks to Netgalley and bookouture for the chance to read an arc
I’ve read several other of the Auschwitz books and found them fascinating but harrowing reading.
This author has written several historical novels a lot concentrating on Auschwitz.
This book is the story of Alma Rosé. A socialite, with a privileged upbringing and a famous violinist virtuoso. She had made the journey to safety in London with her father. She chose to return to Holland as she wanted to maximise her income from performing, and she was still able to be employed. Holland fell to German occupation and she was soon rounded up and sent to Auschwitz then transferred to Birkenau.
The wretched conditions, the despair and wanton cruelty from individual SS officers for amusement make for harrowing reading.
There is also determination, courage, hope and love. Alma is described as a woman of immense strength and dignity who commanded the respect of everyone.
This book is heartbreaking, it had me in tears.
It is beautifully written and if you are fans of the other Auschwitz books you will love this.
At the end of the book the author explains which parts of the book are fact and which are fiction.

After reading the VERY high reviews for this book, I was 100% positive that I would love it. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I expected. I am in no way going to give this book a negative review due to the content and how historically accurate and painful it is to read about the subject matter. What a remarkable woman Alma Rose was. It was interesting and eye opening to hear her story. I just did not connect to the writing style. I just didn't connect to the characters like I did when I read The Nightingale or Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Heartbreaking and entrancing; breathtaking tale set durung the Holocaust. The story Alma Rose and her life in the women's prison camp. The novel appears to be well researched and is very well written. The story is immersive and engaging; an ideal read for fans of Kristin Hannah. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this book! I could visualize everything so easily - Ms Midwood is so descriptive in her writing. I felt very connected to the characters of the book and I appreciated that so much of what was written was based on actual people, events, and circumstances. Highly recommend!

If I could give this book ten stars I would! It impressed me that much! I had not read any other books by this author but I note that she has written quite a few and I will definitely be looking out for them.

As I write this review, we have just passed the anniversary of Kristallnacht which was a pogrom against Jews carried out by SA paramilitary forces and civilians throughout Nazi Germany on 9–10 November 1938. I viewed posts on my facebook wall today that reminded me of this and as we are approaching Remembrance Day, I think it is fitting to remember that the war was not just about soldiers, that civilians had no choice but to be involved and that some suffered exponentially simply because of their ancestry. This book is the story of one such civilian.

Alma Rosé was a real person, a well known musician of her time and while she was not raised in the Jewish faith, her ancestry led to her imprisonment in Auschwitz and the incredible story that Ellie Midwood tells in this book.

I don’t typically start my reading at the back of an e-book but somehow this time I did. I landed at the authors note and at the historical note section. Some people will have heard of Alma before if they viewed to movie “Playing For Time”, or read the book of the same name by Fania Fenelon. Apparently, it did not give an accurate depiction of Alma’s character, and on the movie’s release survivors of Auschwitz spoke up on Alma’s behalf. This inspired the author to tell a fictionalized version of Alma’s time in Auschwitz. Although some of the premises show creative license, the author used multiple resources to give as much accuracy as possible to the tale. We read of Dr. Mengele and other infamous names from the past. As I was reading I at times felt as if I was right there experiencing the horror along with Alma. Her descriptions brought the scenes to life. Although it was extremely well-written, I felt I had to spread my reading out and read something lighter as my bedtime reading in order not to dwell on it when I should be sleeping.

Because of her skill with a violin, Alma was placed in charge of the Women’s Orchestra at Auschwitz. Initially she had no inclination to take the job preferring not to play for the Nazi’s, but she eventually realized that if she took the job on she could potentially save multiple lives and this is indeed what happened. Her willingness to stand up against the evil around her and speak out for others caused even the Nazi’s to develop respect for her.

I was sorry when the book finally ended. Alma’s life story is one that will remain with me for a very long time. It is well worth reading.

Many thanks to #NetGalley , #Bookouture and #EllieMidwood for allowing me to read an advance reader copy. This review contains my honest opinions.

The Violinist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Alma Rose- one of histories most inspiring and courageous heroines. Before being sent to Auschwitz, Alma was an esteemed violinist who’s performances left her audiences spellbound. But when the Nazis descent on Europe, none of that can save her… The head of the women’s camp eventually appoints Alma as the conductor of the orchestra. At first, Alma refuses to work for the Nazis, but she eventually realizes she can provide starving girls with extra rations and save many from death.

Y’all- this book was beautiful! Every book about the Holocaust is heartbreaking and heavy, but The Violinist of Auschwitz captures Alma’s dedication, determination and bravery. She was truly such an inspiration.

I enjoyed reading this book. The writing was fabulous, the story moved steadily, and I was interested in knowing what happened next. It was obvious that the author did a fantastic job researching this story and life at Auschwitz.

Read this one if you enjoyed The Nightingale or the Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Five amazing stars!

Thank you NetGalley, Ellie Midwood, and Bookouture for an ARC in return for my review.

#TheViolinistofAuschwitz #NetGalley

thank you netgalley for letting me review this book early. i have always had a love of the holocaust and any book i can read about it intrigues me so much. this book did not disappoint at all. it was so beautifully written. the story of this strong amazing violinist that turned things around was so moving. i oved that it was based on a true life hero. her story was amazing. i loved how the author had notes and what happened after and more information about this story from real life. amazingly well done and i absolutely loved it!!!

The Violinist of Auschwitz follows the path of Alma Rose and her life experiences during her time spent in Auschwitz. This book was well written and very easy to follow along. You are introduced to many characters and even home well known historical characters. You might even change your mind about some of these... if just a little. I am often times in awe of how lucky (I know that isnt the right word) some of the prisoners were during this time. Yes, absolutely horrific times, but these ladies in the book had some different experiences than others at the time had. You will fall in love with Alma, and will even have a little cry throughout the book. Well written, and was a new twist on other books that I have read in this genre.

Reading about WWII is always difficult. Especially when the story is based on a real person and you know exactly how it’s going to end.
But, this was a very interesting read. It was clearly researched and a lot of thought went into the writing.
I think it would have been cool to have had this novel written in first person. To really be in Alma’s head instead of on the outside looking in.
I think if you enjoy reading about WWII, this would be a novel novel to add to your repertoire.
Brought moments of resilience to a time where very little peace was to be found.

*special thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review!

Wow! What a read! This is based on the true story of Alma Rose, a violin virtuoso of the Vienna Orchestra who is sent to Auschwitz. Alma manages to convince her camp leader and SS officers to organize an orchestra inside the camp.to entertain the SS officers and fellow prisoners. Not only does she accomplish this task, but manages to save other musicians from the gas chambers by recruiting them to her orchestra, and get extra food rations and medical supplies to the sick while showing such strength amongst such sorrow. This book was so well written, intelligent and engaging. You root for these people and care about them. A very heavy hearted tragic read but so good.

This was such a sad book to read but brilliantly written, l knew a little bit about the violinist and what happened to her . I am still amazed by what happened in the war at Auschwitz and other camps. I do recommend that you read this book as it is heartbreaking but so interesting.

Thanks so much to Bookouture for the ARC of The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood!

I was specifically thrilled to read this book because it fits right into my journey as The Bookish Vegan.

The Violinist of Auschwitz is the story of real life heroine Alma Rose, a famous Viennese violinist who's career is complete halted by the occupation of the Nazis. After being sent to Auschwitz, her name and talent are recognized by both prisoners and guards, and she keeps herself and 40 others alive by conducting an orchestra within the camp. It is based on a true story.

As a Jewish person, I am always drawn to Jewish stories, and have read quite a lot about the Holocaust.. I also grew up in a predominantly Jewish community, so I am well versed in Jewish history. I definitely come into all Holocaust stories with a specific perspective and was interested to see what made this book stand out. I found The Violinist of Auschwitz to be a very informative read, especially for those who might not know so much about the atrocities of the Holocaust. Alma Rose's story is a lesser known one, and I think it is fabulous that Midwood brought light to her story. In the Author's Note, she shares that Alma's story has been convoluted in the past. I'm glad this book can do her justice.

What's important to note is that Alma was a Jewish woman who fought for power. in the camp. She stood up to SS officers and even Dr. Josef Mengele, one of the most notorious villains known to man. This is astounding and I loved Midwood's emphasis on her strength. It's valuable for readers to know that amidst this horrific event in history, there were an abundance of fighters and heroes. Alma saved many lives because of her humility and compassion. She was unafraid to challenge others; a good message for us all in these tumultuous times.

If you are looking to learn more about the Holocaust, I recommend this book. It will give you insight into a different kind of story through enticing and honest fiction.

The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction
Release Date: November 18, 2020

The Violinist of Auschwitz is a powerful story by Ellie Midwood and is based on a true story.

I typically do not read this genre because I prefer lighter books, but I was drawn to this story. It is emotional and heartbreaking and will stay with me for a long time.

This was beautifully written and grips you to the core. Incredible!


I'm so grateful to Ellie Midwood, Bookouture, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

“Based on the unforgettable true story of Alma Rosé, The Violinist of Auschwitz brings to life one of history’s most fearless, inspiring and courageous heroines. Her bravery saved countless lives, bringing hope to those who had forgotten its meaning.”
I loved this book so much. I thought the story was both beautiful and heartbreaking simultaneously. The author wrote about this tragic time in history and the lives that were taken with dignity and grace. She left me wanting to know more about the characters and their lives before and after the war. I would definitely recommend this book to those who are interested in WWII and tales of that time period. I found a lot of similarities between this book and “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” which I also really enjoyed. It did take me a little while to get into the story, but once I did I was hooked.
Overall, I gave this book 4.5 stars.
TW for death, assault and violence.