Over the years my reading habits have changed and I no longer reach for historical fiction as much since my brain can't seem to follow along with all of the variety of characters. I do no feel like I can give a fair review for this book because of this so I am just going to move it onto my "in the future when life slows down" tbr.

A poignant and gripping novel inspired by a true story, a talented violinist who found herself in the horrors of Auschwitz during World War II. This book offers a powerful narrative that educates readers about resilience, courage, and the human spirit's ability to find beauty even in the darkest of times.

Synopsis:

In Auschwitz, Alma is tattooed with the number 50381, cooped up with thousands of others. She was previously an esteemed violinist and when she's appointed conductor of the orchestra performing for prisoners and the highest ranking Nazis. 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?

Review:

This is such a tragic story but at the same time shows the power of the human spirit to continue to wish, dream and hope when everything seems hopeless. I loved the use of music as an expression of this. We can all speak different languages but somehow we can all understand/feel the power of music. I can't believe this is based on a true story! A historical fiction book that you must read!

I loved this book, based on the heartbreaking true story of Alma a Violinist. Kept me hooked from the first page and i shed a tear or two!

Based on the true story of Alma Rose and her fight for survival. I have read many books based on the horrors of the Holocaust but non have quite captured me like this one. It’s simple heartbreakingly beautiful. Tissues are definitely a must.

An absolutely beautiful and poignant novel set in the time of the Second World War and the atrocities which took place. This dealt with some very powerful issues in a sensitive and beautiful way whilst keeping in touch with the history.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction books set during WWII. This was an emotional read and I enjoyed learning about Alma Rosé and her time in Auschwitz. Her willingness to stand up for “her girls” was astounding. This view of life in a concentration camp during WWII was a little different. Yes, you still experience the horrors and the way the people were treated. But you also got a more focused picture of a few particular areas of the camp. The strength and sheer bravery displayed by so many of the inmates was so admirable. Once again you will be shocked at how a person’s genetics will have them judged as unworthy. I continue to be amazed at the ability so many displayed to face each day with hope.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookoutre for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Didn't capture my attention and engagement. I'll hopefully try again in the future. Didn't capture my attention and engagement. I'll hopefully try again in the future.

This beautifully written book was both moving and heartbreaking. It was a hard read because of the horror that occurred in rhe camp. It almost feels wrong to rate such a harrowing account as 5 stars, because what these individuals had to live through was truly awful. However, Ellie brings these account to life in such a way that makes it hit home even more. I'm not sure if it is possible to get through this book without some tears! It is based on the true story of Alma Rose's time in Auschwitz and she bases her depictions of the camp on accounts of survivors. While it is a work of fiction as some creative liberties were taken, most of the events and people are based on facts. She weaves the story together seamlessly and it isn't one that the reader would soon forget!

A beautiful heartbreaking true story of Alma Rose a world class violinist being incarcerated in Auschwitz and the strength of character as she fights for her life, finds love and does what she can to help others. A story that will stay with you for a long time

A beautiful empowering painful read, it’s hard to describe books like this as enjoyable, because it seems insulting, but hearing about survival is which makes books like these important, so the horrors of what people went through is. Or forgotten.
This is a book that will stay with you for a long time. .

I love every story written about Auschwitz. As soon as I see a book on this subject, I have to have it! I felt so emotional reading this well written book. Im glad that I was given the access to this book - it felt like a window has opened on this horrible past.

The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood was an OMG read. This book was beautifully written and is based on true events and real people. It's a book you will need tissues and lots of them. I am so glad I had a chance to read it.
Stories about Auschwitz-Birkenau should never be stopped written about

In Auschwitz, every day is a fight for survival.

This book is 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. Alma’s bravery saved countless lives, bringing hope to those who had forgotten its meaning….

A must read and I highly recommend this book! 5/5 star read! Just Amazing

Big Thank-you to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion

I don't know why I took so long to read "The Violinist of  Auschwitz". Maybe there are too many historical fiction books set against the Nazi travesties of WW2 and thought I had read all scenarios. How wrong was I.....

Based on the true story of Alma Rose, who played the violin in concert halls of Europe.

Sending her father to safety (relatively) in England, Alma Rose stays in Europe.  She is eventually captured by the Germans and sent to Auschwitz in 1943. 
When it was realized who Alma was, a violin was found for her and from the prisoners constantly arriving on the trains, she formed an orchestra, which she conducted. But more importantly, Alma  took on a motherly role, as a  mentor, teacher and protector to the young women members. With extra rations, special clothes and exemption from outside work, Alma and her girls were safer in the Music Block, than most in the camp.  The trade off was performing to the German officers....many who did appreciate the music. Including the notorious Doctor Mengele – the Angel of Death. The beauty of the music and ugliness of the horrible atrocities co-exist in a bizarre way.

Alma was brave, fierce and talented. Her celebrity could not save her from being sent to the camp but she cleverly used her notoriety and music skills, to save others. Her orchestra often bringing peace and calm to those that could not be saved from death; those ultimately dying from the conditions of the camp.

Written with great accurately and often graphically, you can get a real sense of the suffocatingly strong smoke and ash floating from the chimneys, along with the stench of human flesh being incinerated on a daily basis. The disease and the dispear of the inmates whose time was limited by the whims of the Nazi headquarters.

This heartbreaking story does reveal how love, even in the most desperate of situations, can prevail.....in life and death. A truely moving story.

Thank you to Ellie for this amazingly deeply researched telling of the true story of Alma Rose.

And thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A well known violinist is placed in a concentration camp in Auschwitz. As the Nazis discover her talent, she becomes "safe" as she entertains them and the fellow prisoners to the gas chambers, where they are told they are taking baths to cleanse themselves. She also saved quite a few fellow female musicians and conducted her own orchestra. She in real life was so many things to so many different people, savior, friend, lover, etc. The author did a great job of explicit details as to what it would haven been like. I did not enjoy this book quite as much as I do some others from this genre, but it may be just the fact this book had a more melancholy vibe the whole way through. It was not people hiding from the Germans, but more about people who were determined to survive. Thank you NetGalley. I received a copy for an honest review.

DNF- felt too similar to other reads with only 1 or 2 minor details changed. Would have loved a more unique story

Oh my goodness, what an emotional book. How could you not feel for the people everywhere in this book. The details of the book absolutely squeeze your heart. Details such as the inky black soot from the smokestacks. Soot from the burning of thousands of bodies. This book is worth your time. The story will stick with you long after you've finished it.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions are my own and this did not affect my review in any way.

“And the right thing was always worthy of risking one´s life for”

I requested this book from Netgalley because historical fiction books set in the context of World War II intrigue me and when I saw this was inspired by a real event made it much more appealing.

The Violinist of Auschwitz is set in Auschwitz 1943 and we follow Alma Rosé who brings to life one of history’s most fearless, inspiring and courageous heroines. Alma’s bravery saved countless lives, bringing hope to those who had forgotten its meaning.

This is one of my new favorite historical fiction books of all time. Historical fiction book such as this one are hard to read, you have to push yourself to read in spite of all the horrors, the violence, the inhumane actions but we have to do this in order to learn, we have to read all of these stories so we don’t forget.

This book hit me and it hit me hard as it is both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Alma Rosé´s story is raw and impactful. The author does a great job portraying what the living situations of Alma in Auschwitz were based on true testimonies. While reading you are able to fully picture what the life for those women was like and you are able to hurt, feel and connect with the characters.

By the end of this book I couldn’t stop crying, it is hard to imagine having to go through what these women went through. The story of Alma, even though it had some minor alterations for reading purposes was inspiring, it was heartfelt and emotional to see someone try to make the best out of a horrible situation and try to help as many people as she could.

Alma Rosé´s story is one everyone should read and I recommend everyone to pick this book up, I promise you won’t be disappointed. Thank you Ellie Midwood for telling Alma´s story in such a beautiful way, I will definitely keep an eye out for anything this author publishes in the future

Thanks so much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me read and review this book.

“For hatred never substituted talent or skill or intellect”

The story of Auschwitz and Birkenau, and indeed the Holocaust, interests me greatly however heartbreaking and at times incomprehensible it might be. This was another story of survival. It was well written and really tugged at the heart strings. Alma Rose, the violinist who was imprisoned in Auschwitz, like so many others, about whom this work was written, a woman who was made to play while hundreds of thousands were led to their death, and who found the strength to encourage others to play and not succumb to the horrors around them, showed an extraordinary amount of strength and resilience throughout her incarceration, This book, however sad it might be in parts, unavoidably so because of its setting, shows that love and kindness can exist even in the bleakest of settings. It was a very good read, one that has stayed with me since.

One sentence synopsis: The Violinist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Alma Rose, an esteemed violinist before entering Auschwitz who becomes the conductor of the orchestra performing to both prisoners and high-ranking Nazis.

This book is similar to The Tattooist of Auschwitz in many ways. They both break your heart while unveiling the horrid truth of what happened at Auschwitz. But there's also hope threaded into the narrative - in this instance, it's Alma's musical passion and bravery. She's an amazing protagonist you instantly empathise with and root for as the story progresses. Midwood is also a gifted writer and I look forward to reading her next novel.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.