I loved this book. It’s based on a true story which made it more poignant.
Alma arrived in Auschwitz in July 1943 and was initially placed in the experimental block and after speaking to the block elder Magda Hellinger, she got her a violin to play.
Alma was a famous violinist and once she starts to play for small groups of people, word travels fast so she then gets moved to the musical block and is asked to run the orchestra at Birkenau.
Alma meets some kindred spirits and together make wonderful music together.
They are treated better than the other prisoners but still are held captive against their will.
Alma meets Miklos, a concert pianist and soon they fall in love. It’s lovely that something so special came out of such an awful time in history.
There are some heart wrenching moments in this book but with the subject matter, it is to be expected.
This is a great book and one that will stay with me for some time.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Based on a true story, The Violinist of Auschwitz is the story of Alma Rose, talented Viennese violinist who used to play to audiences across the country, alongside her father. When her father was sacked from his position in the orchestra because he was Jewish, Alma removed him safely to London. But instead of staying with him, she returned to Vienna, which eventually saw her imprisoned in Auschwitz.

When it was realized who Alma was, a violin was found for her and after much agonizing thought, she formed an orchestra of which she conducted. Extra rations and exemption from outside work meant Alma and her girls could practice; most of the Nazis appreciated good music and when a talented pianist was brought to Alma’s attention, she met Miklos. The two prisoners – in a place where there was no hope and no happiness – found love together. But would their plans to play together on the world stage after liberation, come to fruition? Auschwitz – the stench, the despair, the horrors, the degradation and humiliation – would anyone survive?

The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood is a heartbreaking story from a different perspective than others I’ve read previously. The horrors are all still there; Doctor Mengele – the Angel of Death – was a large part of the story. But Alma’s story, the sacrifices she made so her girls would be safe (as safe as anyone could be), the suffering they went through, and the friends she made in the time she was incarcerated, made for a special read. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

Alma Rose - Jew by descent, Christian by religion, concert violinist by profession - grew up loved, cared for and never wanting anything. As a gifted violinist, she forged her own path even when it was difficult due to the society she lived in. Then the world turned upside down for Jews, and her rights were taken away one by one. Finally, after sending her father off to safety in England, she returned to Holland as a gesture of defiance - and got away with it for a while. At last, though, she landed in Auschwitz. With all she's ever known stripped from her and surrounded by desperation and brutality, she begs for the opportunity to play the violin just once more, an action which eventually puts her in charge of the orchestra in the women's block. Her mission: to turn a very amateur band into an orchestra to be proud of - and save as many musicians (and others) as she can in the process. But failure will mean death for them all, and even success may not be enough...

This is definitely not a light read, but it is a compelling story - the sort that some may find inspiring, but others may find depressing. That makes it quite hard to review! On the positive side, the story is basically what I would call clean, and though there's necessarily a lot of horrible stuff going on (it is a concentration camp...), it's not presented overly graphically. Those with a vivid imagination who like to picture what's going on may find that this is not the best book to read because there are some pretty brutal scenes, but it felt like a necessary part of the story given the setting. On the more negative side, it can be hard at times to see past the horrible things people can do to each other to find any sort of hope - though there are definitely times when the way Alma stands up for 'her girls' is amazing. The writing itself is good, and I found the book surprisingly hard to put down, given the content. The historical details at the end are definitely worth reading - I was impressed with how much of the story is actually based on fact. All in all, while I probably won't read this story again, I'll probably try more by the author in future - just not too soon. 3.5 stars.

Summary: it's a good piece of historical fiction, but not recommended for those looking for anything lighter or with any sort of Christian message (it's not anti-Christian, God just doesn't really come into it) or happy ending. Readers should also be aware that while the horrors of concentration camps aren't glorified, they're not sugar-coated either, though Alma was spared most of the worst of things herself.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Every book that I read about the holocaust leaves me both horrified by the injustice of it all and stunned by the sheer strength and determination that some people have, in spite of incredible obstacles. This book only added to my awe.

The titular "violinist" is Alma Rose, a true-life Viennese performing musician who was sent to Auschwitz due to her Jewish blood (though she was raised as a protestant). The book begins on what purports to be Alma's final day, and reveals her intent to commit suicide after that evenings performance. The next page reverts to the previous year and details the story of how Alma was recognized in Auschwitz as a famous musician, and how she parleyed that fame into the creation of a 40 piece womens orchestra and saved nearly every woman in it from almost certain death. While author Midwood uses some creative license, most of the book is faithful to the true story of Alma, as told by the women in the orchestra.

The writing was well-paced, the story was well-researched and the cover is absolutely gorgeous (the significance of the cover design is only realized in the final pages of the book). This is an inspiring story that deserves to be told. Recommend.

My thanks to #NetGalley, author Ellie Midwood and publisher Bookouture for the opportunity to read an ARC of #TheViolinistOfAuschwitz in exchange for my honest opinion.

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 is a very emotional and heartbreaking story. I have read much about the horrible events taking place in Auschwitz and the atrocities placed on the Jewish, Polish, Hungarian, and Czech, among other’s that fit the Nazi’s definition of the defectives. It makes it even more heartbreaking when the story is a true story.

I will be posting to promote on my instagram tomorrow (16/11) @rach_the_reader

gorgeous book!

A Violin Virtuoso is caught in the deadly trap of Hitlers ferocious roundup of Jews. Alma, the sweet violinist is not only tattooed, but committed to one of the most famous of all horror death camps, Auschwitz! Few seem to ever come out of here alive!
Alma has a spirit that is so awe-inspiring and valiant! She tries to thwart the Hitler Regime, but when she realizes that she could do good for a few she agrees to become the band conductor! Alma was fierce and protective about the welfare of her band people! Alma tolerated no abuse of those under her safekeeping. Alma tried not to become seductive in the eyes of the guards, but she did find one man who not only helped her endure, but could see light at the end of the journey! Will they be able to make it through Auschwitz alive for a happy ending?

The author wrote such a openhearted compelling book the pages flew by without you seeming to turn them! This book is one of those books that is so Magnetic that you will reread it again and again! I have read this 3 times!

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone! I would love to give this more than five stars if it was a higher rating scale!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions!

A very beautiful story. I have found that all the "X of Auschwitz" books lately are quite lovely. A sad, but important piece to know about history. Even if about 1/2 of the stories are fiction, the ones that are true, pull at your heartstrings. As they should. This time in our past isn't just a German or Polish or single country issue. It's world wide issue and we need to read more stories like this that are heartwarming, and sad, and even a little haunting, so that we don't repeat the past.



Several times during my read, I really wanted to cry at the dark beauty. The story here is of a woman trying to survive, as so many did not. I really wish I could have heard her play her violin (as it's one of my favorite instruments to listen to).



Loved this book.



5/5 Stars

I'm rating this 3 stars just to keep it neutral. The truth is I cannot rate this book. That's the first time this has ever happened and I'll tell you why,

The story follows Alma Rosé, a famous Austrian violinist who ends up in Auschwitz during World War II. Unlike others, Alma's group wasn't sent to quarantine upon arrival, neither were they marched straight to gas; instead, the were sent to Block 10. The experimental block.

What I was expecting from this book was struggle. Lots of it. We're talking Auschwitz, World War II and possibly crazy Nazi experiments. What I got was a woman that was treated like a celebrity in a concentration camp. During the first chapters, Alma asks for a violin and gets one, the nurses make sure she is exempt from experiments, she basically challenges everyone, demands better treatment and gets everything she asks for. There was absolutely no sense of struggle. I couldn't connect with Alma or cheer for her because she was doing just fine on her own, having all her wishes granted.

I was about to DNF it right there, but then I flipped to the back of the book, where there's a note on the history. This is actually based on the true story of Alma Rosé. I read through the notes and historical facts and the book really tries to stick to what really happened, so there's nothing I can say.

I really didn't get that far into the story and, if it were a work of pure fiction, I would DNF it and forget about it, but it isn't. I think what I'm going to do is put it down for now and pick it up again when I'm in the right head space for a slower book. And that's why I cannot give it a proper rating yet.

I absolutely adored this novel! It was so incredibly moving I had tears welling up and my heart was racing. I did not want to put it down.
The violinist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Alma, who found herself in Birkenau, Auschwitz. Alma is a famous violinist who gets permission from the SS to create a women's orchestra. Along the way she meets both heroic and terrifying people.
My absolute favourite part of this novel was the heroism shown by so many of the characters, especially Alma, and the relationships they have with one another. Alma fights for what she believes is right, even if it puts her safety at risk. Some of her actions are so deeply moving and heroic that I had to put the book down to take a deep breath. Midwood managed to create such wonderful scenery I felt like I was actually there, I could practically hear the orchestra in the room with me. The characterisation was phenomenal, managing to mix good and bad within the same person, showing the complexity of the situation.
I loved the section on the true historic information that influenced the novel. It brought Alma and the other characters to life even more. Novels such as this one are so important, they highlight to the world how we can never let something like Auschwitz happen again.
I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in emotive true stories, historical novels or Auschwitz.
I want to send a big thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for sending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am so grateful to have had the pleasure of reading and experiencing a novel like this. I will be buying a copy for my bookshelf that I can keep forever!

"For eternity, no matter how short it will be."
"For all eternity, and long after that, too."

Based on the true story of Alma Rosé, an esteemed violinist, who saved numerous lives and was the conductor of orchestra at Auschwitz, playing for both Nazis and prisoners. She was brave, fierce and talented. Her celebrity could not save her from being sent to the camps but she cleverly used it, so save others, bring peace to those she could not save, and to rebel in the only way she knew how.

"It's all right to laugh about death. We, like no one else, has deserved the right."

I originally gave this book four stars, but it stayed with me and I could not stop thinking about and found myself telling others about it. I found myself wondering if my Ma heard the orchestra playing during her horrific time in Auschwitz. For people who have lost everything, those in the camps still gave. When faced with cruelty, suffering inhumane conditions and treatment, they still loved, they were brave, and they still maintained their humanity. Alma Rosé was a perfect example of this.

I love books based on real people. I also love books that are thought provoking and evoke emotion. This book did all those things. A considerable amount of research went into the writing of this book. It is rich with detail and is not a book one should speed through. I also enjoyed the "Note on History" at the end.

4.5 stars

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

World War II-era books are some of my favorites, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this one.

I've read a few books about the musicians at Auschwitz, so I really enjoyed that angle. This is a fiction story, but it is grounded in factual events and the real-life musician Alma Rose. Midwood accurately depicts the horrors of the time, yet you can also see the light, love, beauty, and determination of so many prisoners shine through the darkness. At times, there was a bit of overdetailing and points that weren't key to the story. Overall, this is an emotional read. If you are a fan of historical fiction, I strongly recommend picking up this book.

Alma Rosé was a violinist from Vienna that was sent to Auschwitz. Whilst in the experimental block she asked for a violin and her name began to precede her. She formed an orchestra in camp to protect the lives of so many women whilst playing for some of the most haunting names in history. Small acts of defiance and improving conditions for the inmates she could help seemed to get Alma through. 🎻

I’ve read many books like this but this one is spectacular. Ellie Midwood tells a harrowing story so elegantly and yet it still has such an impact. I feel uneasy leaving a rating of a book in this genre but all I will say is that everyone should read this insightful book about a truly remarkable woman! 👏🏽

“I’m giving it all because giving is what makes a human human.” ✨

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the chance to experience this book. Then thank you to Ellie Midwood for creating a stunning piece of historical fiction. 📖

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bookouture for the e-ARC of this book in return of an honest review from mine.

First of all, I am glad to read about Alma Ròse, one of the unsung hero during Nazi terror. She deserved her story to be told in anyways with respectable sense and this novel did the justice. I'm glad that such a heroic act happened during this terror times. My heart was touched, how they still be able to taste some happiness despite in the midst of hardship.

Second, I only took three days to finish and this means this book is great. No doubt. I can't stop reading to be honest. I want to know if Alma successfully trained her music girls. Guess what, she did. Young generations must be exposed on how horror was during the Nazi rules. They must know how inhumane it was.

Third, I love it. Period. The research has been done so well. I never thought of an orchestra can still happened in this kind of camp. Literally, music saved their soul in the end.

This was a tough book to read, and I had a difficult time getting through it. It was very bleak and heartbreaking for me to read at this time. It vividly depicts the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and I learned alot about what it was like there from the book. I did not realize there was a women's orchestra there. The story of violinist Alma Rose is inspiring and heartbreaking and very interesting because it is based off of a real person. This would be a good read for those interested in WWII or holocaust books. Although I had a hard time reading it, I was inspired to research the holocaust more, and I learned alot from this book.

The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood is based on the remarkable true story of Alma Rose, a Viennese violinist of great esteem who became a prisoner of the Nazi death camps in 1943. Appointed to conduct an orchestra by the head of the women's camp, Alma soon realizes that she is in a position to help her fellow prisoners, acquiring extra rations for them and, in some cases, helping them to be spared from imminent death. When she meets Miklos, a pianist, the two will play beautiful concerts together, all under the most dire and tragic circumstances imaginable.

This is a heart wrenching read that will leave you in awe of the exceptional capacity of human beings for love and generosity, even in the face of pure evil. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.

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.