Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for a review.

Synopsis: In 1943, the celebrated violinist, Alma Rose, is sent to Auschwitz, the hellish concentration camp of the Nazis. When her considerable musical talent is discovered, Alma is placed as the conductor of the Women's Orchestra, tasked with turning a group of amateurs into fine musicians who will play beautiful musical pieces for high-ranking SS officers. Alma begins to use her music and sheer iron will to secure greater comforts for her orchestra while also saving other inmates by giving them a place with her girls. Music, friendship, and love act as a barrier between them and the daily horrors of Auschwitz, but how long will it last?

I hadn't known anything about Alma Rose before picking up this book. The author penned an incredibly moving story. I was already quite emotional by the time I finished it, and then I found out that almost all the plot points in the book are based on real events, survivors' and eyewitness' accounts! I loved Alma's characterization; this dignified, elegant woman who did everything in her power to protect those under her care. Her love for music resonated with me, too. Over and over, I kept marvelling at how music was keeping these people sane amidst the atrocities committed at the concentration camp, how a few notes from an instrument could soothe the constant fear and pain in the inmates' lives.
While it was a well-written book overall, certain phrases were overused here and there, making the prose feel a bit redundant in places. However, it was still a hauntingly beautiful, insightful read. The author seems to have done a tremendous amount of research for this work, which is always commendable. I would recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction with a dash of romance.

The Violinist of Auschwitz was a beautifully written book. It tells the story of a woman sent to the camps and how she started an orchestra. She literally saved so many people by doing that. As you can imagine the story is very hard to read but necessary. It is beautiful and tragic. It really brings out the emtion in the reader. I went from furious to sobbiing in the flip of a page. It is a very powerful book. Fantastically written with great characters.

I was very excited to learn about Alma Rose, the acclaimed Viennese violist who built the woman's orchestra in Birkenau, and in the process, saved the lives of many of her musicians. Telling the stories of individuals who suffered monstrously in the Nazi concentration camps helps us remember that these are real people with real families and talents and wishes and dreams. I appreciate the author's diligent research in bringing Alma's story to us.
However, this book was not for me. I did not connect with the style of writing. I felt it was much more plot-driven than character developed. I kept wishing for more detail on Alma's backstory - her life in Vienna, her determination to stay in Europe to play the violin, helping her father escape to England. I also wanted to find out about the camp through Alma's eyes rather than what the other characters told her. The long explanations from other characters could have been shown through other elements of storytelling, rather than just told to us. Many of these explanations were not essential to the main focus of the story. Finally, much of the dialogue felt overly sarcastic and provoking. It was jarring to me and seemed an unconventional way for Nazi prisoners to speak to and about the highest officials in the camp. It is possible that this is actually how Alma spoke to the officials, however, it did not evoke the emotional response in me that helps me to connect and commiserate with a character.
I realize that Ms. Midwood is a best-selling author, and for those who like and appreciate her writing style, this will be an excellent choice of books. It just was not an excellent choice for me.

A captivating story...
this very emotional story is based on the true story of Alma Rose', a famous violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Austria along with her famous father. When the Jews were being rounded up, Alma was arrested and sent to Auschwitz. This is Almas story about her will to survive against insurmountable odds.
Thank you to net galley for my advanced copy of this book prior to publication.

I don’t know if in all the books I have devoured recently of WW2 and the Holocaust there was one more soul wrenching than this one. I have been through boxes of Kleenex. You read and with all you have, hope that this didn’t really happen. That Alma and the others didn’t go through this. Then you cry for those that you know had it worse. Because how could it be harder, more painful. How can we call people human who believed in this. How we need to learn from the past. Even writing this review I have tears. Knowing the strength of these girls and knowing I would in no way ever be that strong.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Harrowing and horrifying, when I pick up a book with Auschwitz in the title, this is what I have come to expect. The story of Alma, the violinist of Auschwitz, isn’t just harrowing and horrifying, but full of hope and steely determination.

Through the eyes of Alma, I was immersed into the life of the inmates, how they survived, how they worked and how they fostered relationships with each other, and their superiors. Alma, a renowned violinist, is saved from the gas chambers to become the Kapo of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz. The book revolves around her need to perform for the SS, and to escape the finality of the gas chambers. An incident within the camp begins an uncomfortable relationship with the tyrant Doctor Mengele. Typhus threatens to cripple the group but Alma, repeatedly protects those around her, The much awaited Christmas Party will not disappoint but I will reveal no more!

Death lingers on every page yet Ellie Midwood’s style of writing is captivating and full of passion. This real life story is one that I will not be able to forget in a hurry. Midwood has given life to Alma’s story and has left me with a desire to find out more,

Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of The Violinist of Auschwitz. This novel is based on the true story of Alma Rose. It was devastating and beautiful. Highly recommend for historical fiction lovers!

Heartbreaking and sad, this very emotional story is based on the true story of Alma Rose', a famous violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Austria along with her famous father. When the Jews were being rounded up, Alma was arrested and sent to Auschwitz. Alma was recognized by the head of the women's camp and appointed as conductor or the orchestra that played as the inmates marched to work. At first she refused, but them realized that she would get better treatment along with more rations for herself as well as the girls in her orchestra. Alma puts together an orchestra that plays for the SS officers and then she meets the famous Hungarian pianist Miklos Steinberg who helps tutor her students also plays in their concerts.

I really enjoyed this story and marveled at how courageous and fearless Alma was.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this very emotional book. It is definitely a page-turner.

The Violinist of Auschwitz is based on a true story of famous Violinist Alma Rose from Vienna with her famous musical father played in Holland before the war until the day she was arrested and sent to Auschwitz. Alma a Jew was caught with a fake passport. She was sent to an experimental block where she bravely asked for a violin which started an orchestra. She played for the governor of Auschwitz and the SS guards of the camp. Between the atrocities that they performed on the Jews, Polish, Hungarian, Czech and others that were classed as defectives.
This story is an incredibly detailed account of Auschwitz and a shocking account of what they did to the men women and children in the camp. You could feel the pain and the fear from these people, wondering what will happen to them. Will they be next to die? Also, the bravery of Alma who by building the orchestra saved people from certain death and helped get them better living conditions. I have read books of this type before but some of the details in this book was new to me. This is a brilliantly written book but also a sad telling of what happened in 1944. After reading this it made me want to research Alma and find out more about her and her bravery. 5 stars from me

Okay, I love horror of all descriptions and I read a hell-of-a lot of gruesome crime, but war stories, especially those based on real life people really make me buckle. There is nothing more horrific than the devastation of war and the holocaust. I avoided watching ‘Schindler’s List’ for so many years as I thought I wouldn’t be able take it. I spend so much time mulling over documentaries about what happened in the concentration camps, they play on my mind (and so they should).

I really struggle to read this genre as I find it upsetting. However, it happened and there are stories to tell and I chose this book to read. Why? The people who ended up in those concentration camps deserve to be heard however hard people like me find it to listen.

Ellie Midwood has written a brilliant, well researched book based on the time violinist, Alma Rosé, spent at Auschwitz and believe me, it’s heartbreaking. I see a brave woman, someone who still managed to be herself throughout and someone who helped so many. The reader letter at the end and the section about Alma’s actual life was interesting and I’d recommend that if you read this book, don’t skip those bits. There’s so much more to think about and process.

As for this novel, it’s raw, it’s sad, it made me angry - everything you’d expect a person to feel after reading this book. It’s brilliantly written and stories like this need to be written. They need to be read. They scare me because they tell of a truth, a real life atrocity that happened.

I’d say, read it! It’s a must, that’s for sure and the end - oh my goodness - definitely have your tissues at hand!

This book is not my usual choice to read. This book shows mans incredible cruelty along with the incredible courage shown by the prisoners. This is not an easy read, have your tissues ready. It is very emotional and heartbreaking, especially since it is based on a true story. Thank you tonet galley for an advanced readers copy.

THE VIOLINIST OF AUSCHWITZ by ELLIE MIDWOOD tells the story of a famous violinist, Alma Rosé, who used her skills to keep the girls in her orchestra safe and to endear herself to even some of the most wicked Nazis in the camp. This woman, who was ready to give up when she first arrived at Auschwitz and saw the atrocities taking place, went on to bravely play the violin for the enemy and form an orchestra out of inexperienced girls, saving them from the ovens.
The novel is based on a true story. It is well written, giving us an idea of the unbelievable wickedness of the Nazi régime and the horrors of the Holocaust. The author has obviously done a great deal of research. She has also given us insight into Alma's character and feelings.
It is a story about courage in the face of man's inhumanity towards his fellow man. It is also a story about hope and shows that love can change things, even when someone is facing death at any moment. I recommend the novel as a most inspirational read.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bookouture. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

This book invokes so many feelings in you when you are reading it enjoyment, anger, hope, sadness, happiness and even guilt; guilt for all those other feelings as you wonder if you have any right to enjoy a story that is about very real human suffering and very real people? This book is so well written you can lose yourself in the story and it is easy to forget that this story in firmly based on fact although it may be fiction. Amazingly, alot of what happened in this story is true, and it never ceases to amaze me how many inspiring stories there are still to be told about the spirit of World War 2 prisoners of war. I think one of the best things about very good historical novels like this one is that they make you feel quite emotional and then ultimately leave you reflecting upon the past and hopefully give you hope for the future.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for an early copy in return for an honest review.

First of all, The Violinist of Auschwitz is definitely in the running for the best book I've read in 2020. I've come to expect excellence from any Ellie Midwood book I read and this book most definitely delivers. I think it is so incredibly important to understand the big picture of the atrocities of World War II but also to read the stories of individuals and I feel so grateful to have learned about Alma Rosé. Based on a true story this story brought me to tears and represents the very best of historical fiction. As soon as I finished reading I set off to research Alma Rosé and her time at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

The only thing that could have made the book better is if I'd had a playlist to listen to while reading of songs Alma and the orchestra performed during the story.

I am crowning this glorious book my best read of 2020. I have to admit to my shame that I had never heard of Alma Rosè, I shall now never forget her. This story is utterly heartbreaking as it reincarnates the horrors of Auschwitz. Packed with characters from different countries living in sheer hell depending on whether they are sent left or right and the colour of their triangular badge. The selflessness and determination of Alma Rose is an inspiration to us all. Magnificent.

Book Review: a The Violinist of Auschwitz by author, Ellie Midwood
Expected Release ~ November 18, 2020

When an author pours their heart and soul, and then some, into a new idea through imagination, purpose and the grueling process of research, they bring to the reader a wonderful gift tucked within the pages. This gift is one that has left me breathless.

The Violinist of Auschwitz is a heart-rending look into a time in history where the dehumanizing regulations of WWII quickly turned into something much more~ pure evil.

Alma Rosé is an accomplished violinist from Vienna who finds herself in the most disturbing, despicable places on earth~ Auschwitz-Birkenau. Through strength, determination and heroics, she's able to bring a thread of peace to a select few amidst the chilling and gruesome surroundings by becoming a lead director and protector of the Auschwitz Women's Orchestra. By doing so, certain privileges were extended, music became a lifeline, and a love began to spark, even in a place where the horrors of war hung thick in the air, and the hopes for escape with lives saved were out of reach...

Based on a true story, Ms. Midwood has created a gem that outshines with its ability to seep into your veins through the intricate, powerful descriptions that deliver a masterful journey, one of compassion and pain, and one that moved me to tears.

The Violinist of Auschwitz is an exceptional repertoire of how one woman created beauty in the most hideous of places.

I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this wonderfully written story, one I cannot recommend highly enough.

5 Stars

#TheViolinistofAuschwitz
#EllieMidwood
#Bookouture

Wild Sage Book Blog

** spoiler alert ** THE VIOLINIST OF AUSCHWITZ
BY ELLIE MIDWOOD

When I was reading this fabulous story based on the life of Alma Rose I was thinking that this reminded me of a movie that I watched with my mother when I was a teenager called Playing for Time. As it turns out when I got to the end of reading this gorgeous depiction of Alma and everything she did to save lives and putting together her orchestra Ellie Midwood says that the movie I could never forget got Alma's character all wrong. In this historical novel the author has stuck to the facts as much as possible by testimonies of survivors and books written about the character's in this novel. She has kept to the factual narratives as much as possible which made me appreciate this wonderful work of the tragic circumstances that occurred during the Holocaust. I just read and reviewed the book called "Where Butterflies Go," and I said that was my favorite but this one is also equally compelling and I feel as though it is a privilege to have read this powerful depiction of Alma Rose's life and all that she was able to accomplish during her time in the infamous concentration camp in Auschwitz.

Alma Rose was a famous Viennese violinist virtuoso and the conductor of the Birkenau women's orchestra for less than a year. Because of Alma's intelligent interactions with high ranking SS officer's of the camp administration she was able to gain the girls under her charge more privileges was such an essential part of the camps life that even after her death, her girls were spared the dreaded SS selections. Practically everyone that was a part of the orchestra that she put together survived incarceration and were freed in 1945. I fell in love with reading about Alma for the person she was and the impact she had on improving the lives of the young women who according to their own words she saved from imminent death.

When I mentioned above that while I was reading this standout account of the women's orchestra that entertained even Dr. Joseph Mengele who is also known as the angel of death, I discovered that Fania Fenelon's memoir, Playing for Time, which was made into the movie I watched with my mother; falsely portrayed Alma as a cold and harsh woman prone to physical violence and hysterical outbursts. I was happy to learn from reading this book that according to other survivors who were members of the orchestra that Fenelon's memoir was full of "fantasies". She unfortunately distorted the truth about not only Alma but practically everyone who took place in her "drama". Some of the survivors wrote to magazines and newspapers protesting such fictionalizations of facts. So the movie that was unforgettable to me after all these years got Alma and her girls in her orchestra and other facets that took place all wrong. I would not have learned that if I hadn't read this valuable and inspiring book.

Alma was truly a remarkable woman who came from a privileged musical background who followed her own path instead of relying on her family's celebrated name. She was able to organize a highly successful women's orchestra in Vienna. This was a monumental accomplishment for a woman to be able to do during the time period which in a society that was predominantly patriarchal. Her orchestra was known as the Waltzing Girls and Alma defied the Nazi's discriminatory orders that prohibited the Jews from performing in occupied territories when the German troops marched into Vienna in March of 1938. After seeing to it that her father was safe in England Alma returned and her band continued to perform until her arrest in late 1942. Alma was detained for a short time in the French transit camp named Drancy, she was deported to the Auschwitz extermination camp where the life expectancy was approximately two months. Backbreaking work, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions along with constant abuse by the members of the SS and the "kapos" (inmate functionaries who were appointed by the SS to supervise order), meager food rations and widespread diseases and constant selections to be put to death made each day a fight for survival. Their were a few select "privileged" chosen inmates could live with some semblance of normality. Their barracks weren't overcrowded and some were heated and they might have their own latrines attached to their block instead of having to use the communal ones. They slept with their own bedding in their own bunk beds and their food rations were more abundant than the regular inmates. They could grow out their hair and wear civilian clothes and take showers daily and have their clothes washed once per week and deloused which was a matter of life or death in a camp plagued by epidemics of typhus spread by lice.

There was a place called Kanada which some of the elite inmates could work sorting the belongings and valuables of the newly inmates who just arrived. Fortunately for Alma she was assigned to one of the "privileged"details and she was in charge of organizing the camp orchestra that entertained the high ranking officials such as Mengele. She taught girls how to play classical music and saved many girls and women from selection for death. Alma completely reorganized the band that only knew how to play a few songs and simple marches, expanded it from twenty to forty members and transformed it into a highly successful orchestra. According to eyewitness accounts Alma was an excellent strategist when it came to dealing with the SS. She was able to protect many high-ranking members of the camp administration not only her immediate supervisor and benefactor, the infamous women's camp leader, Maria Mandl. Using her finesse and charm as a vehicle for improving her girls living conditions for the members of her orchestra she was able to get daily showers and naps after lunch, a stove to warm their quarters and cook food and for Aryan members they received parcels from home and the Jewish members parcels from the Red Cross. She arranged a grand piano for the Music Block and new uniforms which were different than daily wear and performances. Alma was not a collaborator she despised the SS but most importantly she single handed was able to save members of her orchestra from the regular selections for death held by the SS wardens and Dr, Mengele a practice that was honored and adhered to even after her death. I owe much of what I have written in this review to the research of this talented author's use of eyewitness accounts and many books written about Alma. This is a tribute to Alma Rose and I am grateful that I read this fantastic factual historical fiction based on a hero that for if not reading this masterpiece I would not have learned so much. I have been greatly inspired to read more about Alma Rose because of the beautifully written work by Ellie Midwood who has crafted one of my favorite books of 2020 called "The Violinist of Auschwitz." This was a pleasure and an honor to read and I highly recommend it to everybody. It will move you and you will be inspired by Alma as she was an incredible icon that many of us know little about. Anybody that could accomplish as much as she did among so much suffering deserves to be celebrated and her memory kept alive in our hearts. Thank you Ellie Midwood for writing this magnificent tribute to Alma Rose. I will read anything you write in the future,

3.5 Stars.
This was an emotional and thought provoking read, I was unaware of the story of Alma Rosé and her role in history. Although I struggled a little to fully connect to the writing, it was nevertheless powerful and conveyed the true horrors hidden in plain sight. Unlike other Historical Fiction novels I've read, this one was original and incredibly well researched by the author, it didn't feel like a casual novel by any means. If you're a fan of WW2 books, I recommend this one!

This powerful, emotional book based on the true story of the virtuoso violinist Alma Rose and her orchestra in Auschwitz is written by an incredibly skillful storyteller. I was gripped from the first lines and the power of the writing is compelling,,; you have to read it, it is impossible to put it down for long. The story is a hard read as any book written about this dark period in human history would be but Ellie Midwood is able to masterfully and with such sensitivity and understanding guide the reader. This book is a wonderful way to remember the lives of those we must never forget and that hope and love can be found even when there seems to be no light. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

My enormous gratitude goes to the publishers, the amazing author and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arv of ths truly amazing book.

Phenomenal! Absolutely brilliant! This book requires a standing ovation for sure!

This is a crushingly heart-breaking yet beautiful story about the violinist of Auschwitz, Alma Rosé. The writing is beautiful and the story, based on true events, is sad yet hopeful.

What I noted whilst reading this is the hierarchy of inmates within Auschwitz-Birkenau. The complete juxtaposition of certain inmates' existence and fate compared to others all depending on a variety of factors.

What is also noticeable is the care and attention that the author gave to this story. I can tell she did her research thoroughly and ensured that the events and the characteristics of the people rang true throughout the book.

If you are a fan of WWII historical fiction then this is a definite must-read!