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Die Violinistin von Auschwitz
In der Hölle von Auschwitz schenkte ihre Musik neue Hoffnung Einst begeisterte die Geigerin Alma Rosé weltweit das Publikum, nun empfängt sie die tragische Wirklichkeit von Auschwitz. Als eine Aufseherin sie erkennt, wird Alma zur Leiterin des Mädchenorchesters ernannt. Zunächst weigert sie sich, zur Erbauung der Nazis zu spielen, aber ihre neue Position verschafft ihr auch Sie kann hungernde Mädchen mit zusätzlichen Rationen versorgen und viele durch die Aufnahme in ihr Orchester vor dem Tod retten. Doch in Auschwitz ist die Luft von Verlust getränkt, Unglück ist die einzige Gewissheit. Kann Almas Musik an einem so hoffnungslosen Ort überleben? »An ihrer Wiege stand Gustav Mahler, an ihrer Bahre Josef Mengele.« Anita Lasker-Wallfisch
461 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2020
2692 people are currently reading
11063 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Midwood
43 books1,159 followersEllie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author, whose works have been translated into 20 languages. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, "The Girl from Berlin." Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.
In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.
In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her husband and their three dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 817 reviews
December 6, 2020
This is horrific and almost unbearable to read at times, but we have to read these stories because we can never forget the horrific treatment and deaths of millions of Jews in the death camps. This biographical novel is another imperative reminder. Yet, amidst the starvation, the stench of dead bodies, there coexisted the beauty and power of music that still could still be alive here, and that one woman miraculously found the strength and wherewithal to lead a camp orchestra at Auschwitz. This is a stunning fictionalized account of Alma Rose, famed Austrian violinist, a Jew who played so beautifully, she was even held in esteem by the SS guards and the Nazi commanders.
There are places in the story that will make you sick to your stomach and sick in your heart as they well should . However, the moments when Alma Rose brought beautiful music here and with her strength and guile and courage saved the young women she called “ her girls “ from the worst of the gruesome conditions, from the gas chambers will remind you of the resilience of the human spirit when life was over for so many. Alma played her violin to soothe her soul, but her aim was so much more as she led this orchestra. “You’re very strict with them.” “I have to be. They have to play excellently, so that the SS can’t send them to the gas.” She saved them from the most gruesome of conditions procuring a place to sleep with more comfort than so, so many with clothing and food. She saved lives. The author in her note - “Nearly all of them (the women and girls in the orchestra) survived incarceration and were liberated in 1945.”
While an imagined telling of Alma Rose’s life at Auschwitz, so much of what is portrayed here is based on true accounts of some of Alma’s girls who survived. There are differing accounts of Alma’s fate and no matter which one is true, the truth of Alma Rose’s life is extraordinary.
I received a copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley.
There are places in the story that will make you sick to your stomach and sick in your heart as they well should . However, the moments when Alma Rose brought beautiful music here and with her strength and guile and courage saved the young women she called “ her girls “ from the worst of the gruesome conditions, from the gas chambers will remind you of the resilience of the human spirit when life was over for so many. Alma played her violin to soothe her soul, but her aim was so much more as she led this orchestra. “You’re very strict with them.” “I have to be. They have to play excellently, so that the SS can’t send them to the gas.” She saved them from the most gruesome of conditions procuring a place to sleep with more comfort than so, so many with clothing and food. She saved lives. The author in her note - “Nearly all of them (the women and girls in the orchestra) survived incarceration and were liberated in 1945.”
While an imagined telling of Alma Rose’s life at Auschwitz, so much of what is portrayed here is based on true accounts of some of Alma’s girls who survived. There are differing accounts of Alma’s fate and no matter which one is true, the truth of Alma Rose’s life is extraordinary.
I received a copy of this book from Bookouture through NetGalley.
February 7, 2022
This is a story of how beauty can exist in all its colours among the darkest, coldest, and most feared time during WW2. In Auschwitz. The camp where most never returned from. A scar on history that forever begs the question, how. How did we allow this to happen? As humans? Yes, there are detailed accounts on how it happened. How humanity vanished. But the shame will never be forgotten. The pain many of us will never have to endure, will forever be embedded in these stories so we can never forget. And we mustn’t.
This is based on a true story. A horrific one but also one of hope. Alma is a famous Jewish Viennese musician. She is granted special privileges as a violinist, which she uses to her advantage to save her orchestra girls- her sparrows. They form the music block. Then she meets a Jewish Hungarian pianist. Famous himself. And in a short period of time, as time is of the essence, they form a bond. Of music and of love.
A tragic story - as all these ones are- but for the solidarity, the bravery and the resilience these survivors had.
May we never forget.
5⭐️
***PLEASE READ the epilogue if you get a copy of this****
This is based on a true story. A horrific one but also one of hope. Alma is a famous Jewish Viennese musician. She is granted special privileges as a violinist, which she uses to her advantage to save her orchestra girls- her sparrows. They form the music block. Then she meets a Jewish Hungarian pianist. Famous himself. And in a short period of time, as time is of the essence, they form a bond. Of music and of love.
A tragic story - as all these ones are- but for the solidarity, the bravery and the resilience these survivors had.
May we never forget.
5⭐️
***PLEASE READ the epilogue if you get a copy of this****
November 14, 2020
"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.
"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.
December 14, 2022
Instead of going to safety in England with her father, Alma Rosé a famous Viennese violinist stayed in Europe, she defied the German’s and continued to perform and she’s eventually arrested in Holland. She arrived at Auschwitz in 1943, and here she’s inspected, luckily she passed the first test, fumigated and tattooed. Thousands of people are kept in the worst conditions imaginable in the infamous camp, it’s a daily fight to survive and any sign of weakness, and they would be sent to the gas chambers and exterminated.
Alma’s fame was noticed by the head of the women’s camp, she’s to be the conductor of the camp orchestra, perform for visiting Nazi officials and she had until Christmas to make sure they are ready. Alma at first is very reluctant to do it, why should she share her precious music with the German’s and they don’t deserve it. Then she realized she could use it to her advantage, the members of the orchestra didn’t have to do the back breaking work other inmates are expected to do and they might survive the camp. Alma was incredibly fearless, she asked for extra rations for orchestra members, better living quarters; they could shower, wash and wear civilian clothes. Alma and her group of musicians brought joy and hope to the entire camp; they looked after each other and become friends. Alma meets pianist Miklos Steinberg, they fall in love, surely the war had to end soon and the camp would be liberated?
The Violinist of Auschwitz isn't an easy story to read and you are made aware of all the horrible things that happened in Auschwitz and nothing is left out. Alma Rosé was a real person, her story is one of determination, dedication and she was bold and an incredibly brave woman. I highly recommend reading The Violinist of Auschwitz, well done Ellie Midwood on writing an amazing book and five big stars from me.
Alma’s fame was noticed by the head of the women’s camp, she’s to be the conductor of the camp orchestra, perform for visiting Nazi officials and she had until Christmas to make sure they are ready. Alma at first is very reluctant to do it, why should she share her precious music with the German’s and they don’t deserve it. Then she realized she could use it to her advantage, the members of the orchestra didn’t have to do the back breaking work other inmates are expected to do and they might survive the camp. Alma was incredibly fearless, she asked for extra rations for orchestra members, better living quarters; they could shower, wash and wear civilian clothes. Alma and her group of musicians brought joy and hope to the entire camp; they looked after each other and become friends. Alma meets pianist Miklos Steinberg, they fall in love, surely the war had to end soon and the camp would be liberated?
The Violinist of Auschwitz isn't an easy story to read and you are made aware of all the horrible things that happened in Auschwitz and nothing is left out. Alma Rosé was a real person, her story is one of determination, dedication and she was bold and an incredibly brave woman. I highly recommend reading The Violinist of Auschwitz, well done Ellie Midwood on writing an amazing book and five big stars from me.
July 2, 2023
Alma Rose was a talented violinist. Her life had opened up for her a world of opportunities that is, until the Nazis descended and brought a world of evil and hatred that brought destruction to the world she embraced.
Sent to Auschwitz, Alma is chosen to lead the rag tag orchestra that plays for both the Nazi higher ups and those who are entering the camp, many of which are sentenced to immediate death. At first she refuses the post, but then realizes what that position could mean, extra food and the ability to intervene in their death sentences. Alma takes on the role, and meets Miklos, a pianist, and they fall in love. Held together by the nightmares they share, they find consolation in their music, notes, and concerts always wondering if someday this hell they live in will end.
This story, as all Holocaust story is tragic, but it does show the ability of so many to withstand evil and learn to live another day with hope. Told through memories of the girls in the orchestra, this is a vivid portrait of evil and death awaiting those confined to the death camps.
It is a reminder that humans should never separate one group of people from the mainstream because of their beliefs and ancestry. It frightens me to see that this might occur again even though so many have pledged never again!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this story that was so vivid and often pointed out the vileness of mankind.
Sent to Auschwitz, Alma is chosen to lead the rag tag orchestra that plays for both the Nazi higher ups and those who are entering the camp, many of which are sentenced to immediate death. At first she refuses the post, but then realizes what that position could mean, extra food and the ability to intervene in their death sentences. Alma takes on the role, and meets Miklos, a pianist, and they fall in love. Held together by the nightmares they share, they find consolation in their music, notes, and concerts always wondering if someday this hell they live in will end.
This story, as all Holocaust story is tragic, but it does show the ability of so many to withstand evil and learn to live another day with hope. Told through memories of the girls in the orchestra, this is a vivid portrait of evil and death awaiting those confined to the death camps.
It is a reminder that humans should never separate one group of people from the mainstream because of their beliefs and ancestry. It frightens me to see that this might occur again even though so many have pledged never again!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this story that was so vivid and often pointed out the vileness of mankind.
November 16, 2020
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.
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.
November 27, 2020
Oh my, I’ve just emptied a box of tissues reading the last half of The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood. This book is both beautiful and heart breaking. It’s based on the true story of Alma Rose, a famous violinist in the Vienna Orchestra in Austria in 1943. Even though Alma was an esteemed violinist, her mesmerizing performances couldn’t save her from being sent to Auschwitz. Alma was Jewish and therefore will become a prisoner in the Nazi death camp like all other Jews.
When the Nazis find out that Alma is a famous violinist, she is taken to the orchestra and assigned as the Kapo, which is the leader of the orchestra. They play for the prisoners as they march to work and for the enjoyment of the SS Nazis Officers. Although Alma refuses to play at first, she begins to realize that being in this position affords her the ability to share her extra rations with some of the starving girls, saving some from death.
It is while playing in the orchestra that Alma meets Miklos Steinberg, a trained pianist. Together they make beautiful music and a love grows between them. It is this love that helps Alma survive her time in such a hellish place.
I loved ever minute of this book. It is a beautifully written story and gave me all the feels, I cried, I laughed and all along I was rooting for Alma! I loved that it is based on true events and you can feel the authenticity in the characters. It is an amazing love story that takes place in the worst possible circumstances and shows us that the power of love can keep us going against God awful despair. I’m sure I will have a book hang-over for days after this book!!
Thank you to Edelweiss, #Bookouture, @EllieMidwood for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy of #TheViolinistofAuschwitz in exchange for my unbiased review.
When the Nazis find out that Alma is a famous violinist, she is taken to the orchestra and assigned as the Kapo, which is the leader of the orchestra. They play for the prisoners as they march to work and for the enjoyment of the SS Nazis Officers. Although Alma refuses to play at first, she begins to realize that being in this position affords her the ability to share her extra rations with some of the starving girls, saving some from death.
It is while playing in the orchestra that Alma meets Miklos Steinberg, a trained pianist. Together they make beautiful music and a love grows between them. It is this love that helps Alma survive her time in such a hellish place.
I loved ever minute of this book. It is a beautifully written story and gave me all the feels, I cried, I laughed and all along I was rooting for Alma! I loved that it is based on true events and you can feel the authenticity in the characters. It is an amazing love story that takes place in the worst possible circumstances and shows us that the power of love can keep us going against God awful despair. I’m sure I will have a book hang-over for days after this book!!
Thank you to Edelweiss, #Bookouture, @EllieMidwood for providing me an Advanced Reader Copy of #TheViolinistofAuschwitz in exchange for my unbiased review.
January 4, 2024
this is the first book i cried at, i was impressed by the fact that most of the events and characters in the book were real
ᘚ There was a knock on her door. Alma went to open it and time itself suddenly stopped. Miklós stood before her, looking like he hadn’t slept for weeks, gray-faced and much too thin, but his eyes had never shone brighter.
“I finished,” he said, by way of greeting, and pushed a thick stack of papers into Alma’s hands.
She regarded them, dumbfounded. It was handwritten sheet music. Für Alma, the title read. “What is it?”
“A sonata. For you. I composed it. Beethoven wrote one for Elise and I wrote one for my Alma. I hope it’s worthy of your name.”
i went through the last 50 pages through tears and listening to Bach
i want to know much more about Alma Rosé's life and about Miklós 😭😭 i don't think i can find words to express how much i loved him
ᘚ Shielding her face from the sun, Zippy studied the birds, a grin growing slowly but surely on her face. It was idiotic, of course, to imagine that it was Alma and Miklós seeing her off, but in Auschwitz, one had long grown used to believing the most fantastic things. Lifting her battered suitcase with one hand, Zippy patted it affectionately in front of the sparrows.
“It’s safe with me, Miklós, don’t fret. And, Almschi? The world will learn your story yet; you have my word. The world will learn and we, the ones you saved, will ensure that it will never forget. You two, like no one else, deserve the right to immortality.”
ᘚ There was a knock on her door. Alma went to open it and time itself suddenly stopped. Miklós stood before her, looking like he hadn’t slept for weeks, gray-faced and much too thin, but his eyes had never shone brighter.
“I finished,” he said, by way of greeting, and pushed a thick stack of papers into Alma’s hands.
She regarded them, dumbfounded. It was handwritten sheet music. Für Alma, the title read. “What is it?”
“A sonata. For you. I composed it. Beethoven wrote one for Elise and I wrote one for my Alma. I hope it’s worthy of your name.”
i went through the last 50 pages through tears and listening to Bach
i want to know much more about Alma Rosé's life and about Miklós 😭😭 i don't think i can find words to express how much i loved him
ᘚ Shielding her face from the sun, Zippy studied the birds, a grin growing slowly but surely on her face. It was idiotic, of course, to imagine that it was Alma and Miklós seeing her off, but in Auschwitz, one had long grown used to believing the most fantastic things. Lifting her battered suitcase with one hand, Zippy patted it affectionately in front of the sparrows.
“It’s safe with me, Miklós, don’t fret. And, Almschi? The world will learn your story yet; you have my word. The world will learn and we, the ones you saved, will ensure that it will never forget. You two, like no one else, deserve the right to immortality.”
July 29, 2024
Based on the true story of Alma Rosé, Ellie Midwood masterfully showcases life in the camp of Auschwitz and one woman's resilience in the face of the Nazi regime. In this book, you will read about someone attempting to stand up for what is right, giving a voice to the ones who have been silenced, and protecting the ones who could not protect themselves. You will encounter the depravity of Auschwitz, where inmates were considered less than human, but you will also encounter various forms of love and support and survival, even in the darkest of times.
This book is based on the true accounts of survivors (corroborating testimonies are provided at the end of the book). The author's deep respect for the victims and survivors is truly commendable, resulting in a deeply moving piece of literature.
Alma Rosé's love for her orchestra of girls, and their love for her, is a story that will stay with me forever. Highly recommend!!
Read the full review on my blog.
This book is based on the true accounts of survivors (corroborating testimonies are provided at the end of the book). The author's deep respect for the victims and survivors is truly commendable, resulting in a deeply moving piece of literature.
Alma Rosé's love for her orchestra of girls, and their love for her, is a story that will stay with me forever. Highly recommend!!
Read the full review on my blog.
November 15, 2020
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!
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!
May 2, 2022
No problem rating this book 5-stars, it’s the ‘review’ that’s giving me trouble.
This is the story of Alma Rosé celebrated Austrian virtuoso violinist.
Auschwitz already had a set of shoddy, underfed musicians who were made to play as the trains arrived and selections were made as to who would live and who would die.
Alma arrives in Auschwitz and is recognized as the celebrated violinist and is given the assignment of conductor of the poorly assembled musicians allowing her some special privileges.
Alma immediately set about putting together a proper orchestra and soon discovered that she had a way to increase the number of inmates in her care essentially saving them from the gas chamber.
The book is raw and graphic with the horrors of Auschwitz with no flourishes to the writing, just straight words on the page.
The most appalling part is the brutal monsters who happily killed hundreds of people on a daily basis with not a care in the world and then settle down in the evening to enjoy some beautiful music. Including Dr. Mengele. It’s SICK!
Alma was in Auschwitz for less than a year but her impact was felt well after her death.
This is historical fiction but the author has selected the perfect resources to tell this story.
No matter that I have read hundreds of Holocaust stories in the past I am going to have to lay off reading any more for the time being. This one has beaten me up to a pulp.
This is the story of Alma Rosé celebrated Austrian virtuoso violinist.
Auschwitz already had a set of shoddy, underfed musicians who were made to play as the trains arrived and selections were made as to who would live and who would die.
Alma arrives in Auschwitz and is recognized as the celebrated violinist and is given the assignment of conductor of the poorly assembled musicians allowing her some special privileges.
Alma immediately set about putting together a proper orchestra and soon discovered that she had a way to increase the number of inmates in her care essentially saving them from the gas chamber.
The book is raw and graphic with the horrors of Auschwitz with no flourishes to the writing, just straight words on the page.
The most appalling part is the brutal monsters who happily killed hundreds of people on a daily basis with not a care in the world and then settle down in the evening to enjoy some beautiful music. Including Dr. Mengele. It’s SICK!
Alma was in Auschwitz for less than a year but her impact was felt well after her death.
This is historical fiction but the author has selected the perfect resources to tell this story.
No matter that I have read hundreds of Holocaust stories in the past I am going to have to lay off reading any more for the time being. This one has beaten me up to a pulp.
March 12, 2023
Cu greu iti poti regăsi cuvintele dupa o asemenea carte-document.
De fiecare data romanele despre Auschwitz ma impresionează intr-un mod profund, insa aceasta lecturare mi-a depasit cu mult asteptarile.
Spre deosebire de romanele cu acelasi subiect pe care le-am citit pana acum, povestea Almei Rosé reda ceva ce nu am simțit in celelalte romane, speranta, precum si imblanzirea unora dintre celor mai temute personaje de la Auschwitz-Birkenau:Îngerul Mortii Mengele, comandantul Hoss, precum si sefa lagărului de femei Maria Mandl. Totul se datoreaza muzicii si talentului neasemuit al violonistei Alma Rosé care prin puterea si curajul sau a reusit sa salveze de la exterminare numeroase femei prin cooptarea lor in Blocul Muzical, unde privilegiile sunt câștigate cu fiecare reprezentație.
Recomand oricui aceasta carte, fiind una dintre cele mai bune citite in ultima vreme.
De fiecare data romanele despre Auschwitz ma impresionează intr-un mod profund, insa aceasta lecturare mi-a depasit cu mult asteptarile.
Spre deosebire de romanele cu acelasi subiect pe care le-am citit pana acum, povestea Almei Rosé reda ceva ce nu am simțit in celelalte romane, speranta, precum si imblanzirea unora dintre celor mai temute personaje de la Auschwitz-Birkenau:Îngerul Mortii Mengele, comandantul Hoss, precum si sefa lagărului de femei Maria Mandl. Totul se datoreaza muzicii si talentului neasemuit al violonistei Alma Rosé care prin puterea si curajul sau a reusit sa salveze de la exterminare numeroase femei prin cooptarea lor in Blocul Muzical, unde privilegiile sunt câștigate cu fiecare reprezentație.
Recomand oricui aceasta carte, fiind una dintre cele mai bune citite in ultima vreme.
December 28, 2020
The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood
Published: November 18, 2020
There were moments while reading this unbelievable story that I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it -- not because it was a poor read, no, in fact it was incredible -- but because it was shattering me one chapter after the other.
I have read a lot of historical fiction about WWII but none have relayed the horrors of the Nazi death camps in Auschwitz in this way. I had to read this book at a snail's pace taking in only 2-3 chapters at a time. It was a slow and heartbreaking experience but also a tragically beautiful one.
I did not know the story of Alma Rose, the revered Viennese violinist imprisoned in Auschwitz, but now I will never forget it. This novel is based on true events, witnesses and accounts of Alma's time in Auschwitz as the conductor of the prison orchestra. Please be sure to read the last two parts, A Letter from Ellie and A Note on the History, to fully grasp the story and history.
The writing is extraordinarily detailed and intentional with every part having a special role. Some parts of this story are slow but they serve a purpose in building the depths and breadth of emotions the reader will experience. I couldn't have picked a more poignant book to be one of my last reads of 2020.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Ellie Midwood for a copy of this book for review.
Thank you for reading my review on Goodreads! Follow me on Instagram (@journeyofthepages) for further bookish engagement! www.instragram.com/journeyofthepages I hope to meet you there!
Published: November 18, 2020
There were moments while reading this unbelievable story that I thought I wouldn't be able to finish it -- not because it was a poor read, no, in fact it was incredible -- but because it was shattering me one chapter after the other.
I have read a lot of historical fiction about WWII but none have relayed the horrors of the Nazi death camps in Auschwitz in this way. I had to read this book at a snail's pace taking in only 2-3 chapters at a time. It was a slow and heartbreaking experience but also a tragically beautiful one.
I did not know the story of Alma Rose, the revered Viennese violinist imprisoned in Auschwitz, but now I will never forget it. This novel is based on true events, witnesses and accounts of Alma's time in Auschwitz as the conductor of the prison orchestra. Please be sure to read the last two parts, A Letter from Ellie and A Note on the History, to fully grasp the story and history.
The writing is extraordinarily detailed and intentional with every part having a special role. Some parts of this story are slow but they serve a purpose in building the depths and breadth of emotions the reader will experience. I couldn't have picked a more poignant book to be one of my last reads of 2020.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture, and Ellie Midwood for a copy of this book for review.
Thank you for reading my review on Goodreads! Follow me on Instagram (@journeyofthepages) for further bookish engagement! www.instragram.com/journeyofthepages I hope to meet you there!
March 15, 2022
Cartea asta nu este (doar) despre Awchswitz.
Este despre cum sa supraviețuiești, cum sa fii lider, cum să ieși învingător și motivat atunci când șansele de supraviețuire sunt aproape de 0. Parca suna atât de actual în vremurile pe care le trăim.
Deși nu se specifica nicăieri în carte faptul ca violonista citea sau ca a citit ceva anume înainte de a ajunge în lagăr, se vede ca a avut o educație aleasă și ca în afara talentului desăvârșit la vioara, a stăpânit arta conversației.
Tactul și replicile, curajul și planurile de a-și salva colegele de un destin crunt, toate m-au dus cu gândul la o persoana isteață care iubea cărțile.
Pentru ca nimic nu e întâmplător, a devenit îngerul vieții pentru colegele pe care le-a salvat din mâna îngerului morții (Doctorul Mangele) și nu numai.
Mi-a plăcut nespus cartea, una dintre cele mai bune povesti despre Awchswitz pe care le-am citit pana acum.
Ba chiar am cunoscut o mica parte din activitatea și personalitatea doctorului Josef Mangele, urmând sa citesc cărți dedicate lui.
Este despre cum sa supraviețuiești, cum sa fii lider, cum să ieși învingător și motivat atunci când șansele de supraviețuire sunt aproape de 0. Parca suna atât de actual în vremurile pe care le trăim.
Deși nu se specifica nicăieri în carte faptul ca violonista citea sau ca a citit ceva anume înainte de a ajunge în lagăr, se vede ca a avut o educație aleasă și ca în afara talentului desăvârșit la vioara, a stăpânit arta conversației.
Tactul și replicile, curajul și planurile de a-și salva colegele de un destin crunt, toate m-au dus cu gândul la o persoana isteață care iubea cărțile.
Pentru ca nimic nu e întâmplător, a devenit îngerul vieții pentru colegele pe care le-a salvat din mâna îngerului morții (Doctorul Mangele) și nu numai.
Mi-a plăcut nespus cartea, una dintre cele mai bune povesti despre Awchswitz pe care le-am citit pana acum.
Ba chiar am cunoscut o mica parte din activitatea și personalitatea doctorului Josef Mangele, urmând sa citesc cărți dedicate lui.
March 30, 2022
O carte care prezintă ororile nazismului, dar și pasiunea pentru muzica care salvează oameni. Și, o poveste frumoasa de iubire dintre doi artiști! ❤️ Muzica este mai puternică decât moartea!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2020
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
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
October 15, 2020
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. Josef 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 who 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.
Publication Date: November 18, 2020
Thank you to Net Galley, the fabulous author Ellie Midwood and Bookouture for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own and this author's.
#TheViolinistofAuschwitz #EllieMidwood #Bookouture #NetGalley
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. Josef 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 who 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.
Publication Date: November 18, 2020
Thank you to Net Galley, the fabulous author Ellie Midwood and Bookouture for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own and this author's.
#TheViolinistofAuschwitz #EllieMidwood #Bookouture #NetGalley
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2024
Genau solche Geschichten müssen erzählt werden......genau JETZT!!!
Die Schrecken des Vernichtungslagers Auschwitz-Birkenau im Beispiel der Geigerin Alma Rose erzählt....herzzerreißend!!
Absolut lesenswert!
Die Schrecken des Vernichtungslagers Auschwitz-Birkenau im Beispiel der Geigerin Alma Rose erzählt....herzzerreißend!!
Absolut lesenswert!
October 13, 2020
Wow, this might be my favorite book of 2020. I believe I had heard of Alma Rose before but I didn't realize how I knew the name. Alma's story is one that has been begging to be told and Ellie Midwood tells her story with eloquence and elegance. It was easy to understand even though the content was dark and deeply sad. I think Ellie Midwood created a historical fiction book that Alma would've been very proud of. There are so many takeaways from this book and I believe I will have to let this one sit with me for awhile. I've already told so many people about it. I can't wait to see what book we get from Ellie Midwood next.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be one of the first to read this next great historical fiction novel. It is sure to be a great success.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be one of the first to read this next great historical fiction novel. It is sure to be a great success.
January 31, 2022
A trebuit sa stau putin sa imi revin. Ultimele pagini le-am citit printre lacrimi. Cartile de fictiune istorica imi transmit o emotie aparte. Ador genul thriller insa fictiunea istorica trezeste in mine emotii foarte, foarte puternice. Nu aveti idee ce minunatie de carte am terminat! Incredibila!🥺♥️
50381 este numarul tatuat cu cerneala albastra pe pielea ei. Violonista de renume Alma Rosé este inchisa la Auschwitz pentru ca este evreica. Foamete, boala si moarte, asta vede in fiecare zi! Totul este atat de palpabil incat cu greu oamenii isi mai gasesc dorinta de a supravietui. Alma in schimb, reuseste sa devina dirijor a Orchestrei feminine a lagarului. O femeie extraordinar de puternica care nu numai ca a salvat viata multor prizionere dar care a luptat pentru muzica, iubire si dreptate pana in ultima clipa. Riscul pe care si l-a asumat Alma, profitand de puterea obtinuta in urma talentului sau a fost extrem. Muzica era viata Almei insa in momentul in care il cunoaste pe Miklos, un pianist, compozitor maghiar extraordinar de talentat, iubirea isi face loc, timid, in sufletul Almei.
Va supravietui iubirea lor in nemilosul Auschwitz?
Un roman inspirat dintr-o poveste reala, ce prezinta povestea unei eroine neinfricate, care a salvat numeroase vieti, redandu-le speranta pierduta.
Daca as putea, i-as oferi mai mult de 5 🌟
O poveste ce se citeste cu sufletul. Finalul a fost incredibil💫
“Lagarul avea efecte ciudate asupra psihicului uman. Dupa abuzurile constante la care le supuneau gardienii, gestul infim de a permite detinutelor sa ramana partial imbracate, ceva mai bine hranite, oarecum ferite de moarte si doar usor batute parea ceva de-a dreptul impresionant. Toate trairile lor erau reduse la instinctul unui caine si lingeau bucuroase mana care le arunca din cand in cand un os metaforic, temandu-se in acelasi timp de cizma care le putea lovi in stomac”
July 23, 2022
Kadaise gerbta bei nemažo pripažinimo sulaukusi smuikininkė Alma Rozė, dabar savo dienas leidžia Aušvice. Almai tiesiog truputį labiau pasisekė, nes moterų stovyklos vadovė nusprendžia ją paskieti orkestro dirigente. O tai reiškia sotesnę maisto porciją bei geresnes gyvenimo sąlygas.
Alma tenori, jog jos orkestro merginos sočiai maitintųsi bei nesuktų galvos dėl kasdienio išgyvenimo. Toks jos vienintelis noras.. Iki kol ji sutinka Miklošą. Žavų bei talentingą pianistą. Nors ir aplink vien mirtis bei žiaurumas, tačiau tarp šių žmonių užgimsta nepaprastas jausmas. Atrodo, tarsi tokiu metu atrasti meilę būtų kažkas neįmanomo.. Tačiau tik tokiu būdu jie savy atranda jėgų pasitikti dar vieną naują dieną..
Esu skaičiusi ne vieną knygą Aušvico tema ir tikrai ši istorija buvo kitokia. Drąsi bei kūrybinga smuikininkė, kuri tikiu, jog skaitant šią istoriją abejingų nepaliks. Skaičiau ir žavėjausi jos stiprybe bei ryžtu. Tikrai neeilinė asmenybė, kuri taip aukojosi dėl aplinkinių žmonių. O kitokia ši istorija dar ir tuo, jog čia labai svarbią, o galbūt ir pačią svarbiausią vietą užėmė muzika. Tikiu, jog muzika tikrai turi nepaprastų galių. Ji vienija, suteikia vilties bei prasmės gyvenimui.
Ši knyga buvo jautri, skaudi bei labai įkvepianti. Nors ir apie Aušvico žiaurumus, tačiau tokios asmenybės kaip Alma įkvepia matyti šiek toliau nei tik savo nosies.
Rekomenduočiau šią knygą tiems, kurie pasiilgo gero istorinio romano. Tikiu, jog perskaitę šią knygą nenusivilsite ir Jūs.
Alma tenori, jog jos orkestro merginos sočiai maitintųsi bei nesuktų galvos dėl kasdienio išgyvenimo. Toks jos vienintelis noras.. Iki kol ji sutinka Miklošą. Žavų bei talentingą pianistą. Nors ir aplink vien mirtis bei žiaurumas, tačiau tarp šių žmonių užgimsta nepaprastas jausmas. Atrodo, tarsi tokiu metu atrasti meilę būtų kažkas neįmanomo.. Tačiau tik tokiu būdu jie savy atranda jėgų pasitikti dar vieną naują dieną..
Esu skaičiusi ne vieną knygą Aušvico tema ir tikrai ši istorija buvo kitokia. Drąsi bei kūrybinga smuikininkė, kuri tikiu, jog skaitant šią istoriją abejingų nepaliks. Skaičiau ir žavėjausi jos stiprybe bei ryžtu. Tikrai neeilinė asmenybė, kuri taip aukojosi dėl aplinkinių žmonių. O kitokia ši istorija dar ir tuo, jog čia labai svarbią, o galbūt ir pačią svarbiausią vietą užėmė muzika. Tikiu, jog muzika tikrai turi nepaprastų galių. Ji vienija, suteikia vilties bei prasmės gyvenimui.
Ši knyga buvo jautri, skaudi bei labai įkvepianti. Nors ir apie Aušvico žiaurumus, tačiau tokios asmenybės kaip Alma įkvepia matyti šiek toliau nei tik savo nosies.
Rekomenduočiau šią knygą tiems, kurie pasiilgo gero istorinio romano. Tikiu, jog perskaitę šią knygą nenusivilsite ir Jūs.
April 24, 2023
5/5⭐️
Man ne tik jautriausiai skaitosi romanai karo tema, bet ir ilgiausiai išlieka atmintyje. Ši knyga tikrai išliks atmintyje ilgam savo išskirtinumu.
,,Aušvico smuikininkė" knyga paremta tikrais faktais bei tikra ir išskirtine asmenybe. Pagrindinė veikėja Alma Rosé žydų kilmės austrų smuikininkė ištremta į Birkenau koncentracijos stovyklą. Talentinga moteris, kovotoja savo ryžtu nustebina ne viena. Nors ir principinga moteris, bet kad išgelbėtų kitus pamina savo įsitikinimus. Vadovaudama orkestrui, grodama naciams jai pavyko nuo mirties gniaužtų išgelbėti ne vieną moterį.
Ir nors aplink tik tamsa, baimė ir neviltis Alma sugeba surasti meilę. Susipažįsta su Milošu, talentingu pianistu. Kartu repetuodami jie atranda lašelį laimės, o muzika sugeba sujaudinti vėl iki sielos gelmių. Kai net oras tokioje vietoje dvelkia mirtimi, ar yra tikimybė, kad meilė galėtų laimėti tokią negaislestingą kovą?
Žavėjausi Alma kaip moterimi, muzikante, drauge. Tokios stiprios asmenybės reiktų paieškoti. Jei net pats mirties angelas Mengelė šiai moteriai atidavė pagarbą, vadinasi buvo dėl ko. Jaudinanti istorija, kuri manau tikrai išspaus ašarą, o įtrauks taip, kad nesinorės paleisti knygos kol neužversit paskutinio puslapio.
Man ne tik jautriausiai skaitosi romanai karo tema, bet ir ilgiausiai išlieka atmintyje. Ši knyga tikrai išliks atmintyje ilgam savo išskirtinumu.
,,Aušvico smuikininkė" knyga paremta tikrais faktais bei tikra ir išskirtine asmenybe. Pagrindinė veikėja Alma Rosé žydų kilmės austrų smuikininkė ištremta į Birkenau koncentracijos stovyklą. Talentinga moteris, kovotoja savo ryžtu nustebina ne viena. Nors ir principinga moteris, bet kad išgelbėtų kitus pamina savo įsitikinimus. Vadovaudama orkestrui, grodama naciams jai pavyko nuo mirties gniaužtų išgelbėti ne vieną moterį.
Ir nors aplink tik tamsa, baimė ir neviltis Alma sugeba surasti meilę. Susipažįsta su Milošu, talentingu pianistu. Kartu repetuodami jie atranda lašelį laimės, o muzika sugeba sujaudinti vėl iki sielos gelmių. Kai net oras tokioje vietoje dvelkia mirtimi, ar yra tikimybė, kad meilė galėtų laimėti tokią negaislestingą kovą?
Žavėjausi Alma kaip moterimi, muzikante, drauge. Tokios stiprios asmenybės reiktų paieškoti. Jei net pats mirties angelas Mengelė šiai moteriai atidavė pagarbą, vadinasi buvo dėl ko. Jaudinanti istorija, kuri manau tikrai išspaus ašarą, o įtrauks taip, kad nesinorės paleisti knygos kol neužversit paskutinio puslapio.
July 18, 2022
magnificent story
This book I’m reading is a magnificent story which I did enjoy the story and i couldn’t put it down and finished in a few hours. The author Ellie Midwood wrote a book that is called “The Violinist of Auschwitz” which is on a based true story on Alma Rose’s life. Alma was introduced by Magda Hellinger the other kapo leader of the woman’s camp. Magda daughter wrote the book called “The Nazis Knew My Name”. Alma Rose was an inspiring, courageous woman where she was the kapo leader of music orchestra. She has saved her music girls to provide them hope to survive in the harshest and most difficult place. Her influence, her integrity and her legacy will live on.
This book I’m reading is a magnificent story which I did enjoy the story and i couldn’t put it down and finished in a few hours. The author Ellie Midwood wrote a book that is called “The Violinist of Auschwitz” which is on a based true story on Alma Rose’s life. Alma was introduced by Magda Hellinger the other kapo leader of the woman’s camp. Magda daughter wrote the book called “The Nazis Knew My Name”. Alma Rose was an inspiring, courageous woman where she was the kapo leader of music orchestra. She has saved her music girls to provide them hope to survive in the harshest and most difficult place. Her influence, her integrity and her legacy will live on.
November 17, 2022
Sunku rasti gerą knygą šiuo metu, kuri turėtų pasakyti kažką naujo, nei buvo jau papasakota.
Bet ši istorija, tai istorija, pažvelgti į ,,VIP "gyvenimą Aušvice, kai esi naudingas ir savo talentu gauni galimybę gyventi geriau už kitus, paprastus ištremtuosius.
Įdomu buvo pažvelgti į Mengelę iš kitos pusės.
Ir labai sužavėjo Alma, jos nuoširdumas, jos noras kovoti, nebijojimas dėl savo gyvybės, kiek baimė dėl kito, akiplešiškumas, kai reikia išgyventi ir kovoti dėl kitų.
Ir galų gale meilė.
Viskas ko reikia tokiai knygai, kad pavergtų mano širdį. ♡
Bet ši istorija, tai istorija, pažvelgti į ,,VIP "gyvenimą Aušvice, kai esi naudingas ir savo talentu gauni galimybę gyventi geriau už kitus, paprastus ištremtuosius.
Įdomu buvo pažvelgti į Mengelę iš kitos pusės.
Ir labai sužavėjo Alma, jos nuoširdumas, jos noras kovoti, nebijojimas dėl savo gyvybės, kiek baimė dėl kito, akiplešiškumas, kai reikia išgyventi ir kovoti dėl kitų.
Ir galų gale meilė.
Viskas ko reikia tokiai knygai, kad pavergtų mano širdį. ♡
July 2, 2021
Another WW2 book. I really enjoyed it. It had a different spin on the same savage story. These Nazi’s truly had no soul. Pure sociopaths!
September 16, 2025
Tai jau antras autorės kūrinys, kurį skaičiau, ir dar vienas kūrinys apie Aušvicą. Iš kito autorės kūrinio žinojau, kas laukia veikėjos, bet vis tiek norėjau perskaityti, kad sužinočiau jos istoriją. Ir ji buvo neįtikėtina. Pasakojama jos gyvenimo stovykloje pradžia, muzika, kuri ją išgelbėjo, o po to ir kitas moteris. Skaityti nelengva, kartais reikėdavo sustoti ir atsitraukti, nes buvo pernelyg skaudu. Pravirkdė irgi, kiek skausmo teko žmonėms patirti. Ir vis tik toje aplinkoje buvo vilties, draugystės, meilės, pasipriešinimo.
February 24, 2021
This well
Researched book documents both the cruelty and horror of life in a Nazi concentration camp and the incredible triumph in adversity of Alma Rose
through her successful promotion of music and the women’s orchestra. This book is highly recommended
Researched book documents both the cruelty and horror of life in a Nazi concentration camp and the incredible triumph in adversity of Alma Rose
through her successful promotion of music and the women’s orchestra. This book is highly recommended
December 7, 2020
With the impact of a bushfire a short distance away, suffocatingly strong smoke and the smell of vegetation being burnt and ash floating everywhere, I concluded this read with a minute understanding of those in Auschwitz Concentration Camp living the experience of the stench of human flesh being incinerated on a daily basis along with the human ash from these chambers.
This read is possibly not a good one for the ending of 2020, it's been a year that the world will never forget. Similarly those who experienced the Nazis death camps, for this generation, a reminder is needed of how little it takes for it to all unravel.
Alma Rosé, a famous violinist from Vienna, is discovered by a fellow musician within a short time of her entering the camp. It's taken Alma awhile to come to terms with her new situation after a life of luxury, even with failed marriages. All of a sudden she is nothing, a blight on the Nazi Aryan race. However, with a strong determination after being able to source a violin and discovering the many musicians within the Camp she sets about organising a women's orchestra. In the process of time, Alma is able to save many women from the gas chambers or medical experiments for not only does she need the musician members of the orchestra she needs people to write scripts etc.
The personalities of the many controlling the camp, "Kommandants" and Doctors makes life even more difficult for Alma, some oppose the orchestra as a waste of resources, food etc while those educated with the fine arts find the orchestra a bright relief from their everyday lives. Alma works hard at making the orchestra successful and even finding a small amount of love for herself.
The author brings to life those with an already established reputation of evil, Dr Mengele with his experiments where Alma recognises the evil in him from the outset, however, as a lover of fine music she is able to get him to make exceptions for most requests she makes.
Unlike the women she saved, nurtured, loved and who in the end were able to walk free, there is no happy ending for Alma. After discovering the death of her beautiful man, one who loved her like no other, it is the final assault on her being which takes her to her fateful ending.
This read is possibly not a good one for the ending of 2020, it's been a year that the world will never forget. Similarly those who experienced the Nazis death camps, for this generation, a reminder is needed of how little it takes for it to all unravel.
Alma Rosé, a famous violinist from Vienna, is discovered by a fellow musician within a short time of her entering the camp. It's taken Alma awhile to come to terms with her new situation after a life of luxury, even with failed marriages. All of a sudden she is nothing, a blight on the Nazi Aryan race. However, with a strong determination after being able to source a violin and discovering the many musicians within the Camp she sets about organising a women's orchestra. In the process of time, Alma is able to save many women from the gas chambers or medical experiments for not only does she need the musician members of the orchestra she needs people to write scripts etc.
The personalities of the many controlling the camp, "Kommandants" and Doctors makes life even more difficult for Alma, some oppose the orchestra as a waste of resources, food etc while those educated with the fine arts find the orchestra a bright relief from their everyday lives. Alma works hard at making the orchestra successful and even finding a small amount of love for herself.
The author brings to life those with an already established reputation of evil, Dr Mengele with his experiments where Alma recognises the evil in him from the outset, however, as a lover of fine music she is able to get him to make exceptions for most requests she makes.
Unlike the women she saved, nurtured, loved and who in the end were able to walk free, there is no happy ending for Alma. After discovering the death of her beautiful man, one who loved her like no other, it is the final assault on her being which takes her to her fateful ending.
December 26, 2020
The atrocities of Auschwitz are never an easy read, but we must read them so we never forget. I always have to take breaks while reading them. This book is based on the amazing life of Alma Rose’, a violinist. She was talented, but more than that she was courageous, compassionate, and quite the charmer. There are so many different stories within these pages including a beautiful love story. I’ve always loved music, it’s therapy for me and it’s beautifully portrayed here. Many of the characters is this book were based on real people.
March 8, 2022
Esta é uma história baseada em factos reais que nos fala de Alma Rosé, a violinista que foi para Auschwitz e que lá marcou muitas vidas, algumas salvas por ela mesma.
No final do livro estão descritos os episódios que foram reais e o que é ficção. Há tanta coisa que deveria ter sido ficção.
Auschwitz teve uma crueldade que ultrapassa o que possamos imaginar. Aqui estão narradas situações que me tiraram o sono à noite. É um livro duro mas necessário.
No final do livro estão descritos os episódios que foram reais e o que é ficção. Há tanta coisa que deveria ter sido ficção.
Auschwitz teve uma crueldade que ultrapassa o que possamos imaginar. Aqui estão narradas situações que me tiraram o sono à noite. É um livro duro mas necessário.
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