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The Girl with the Violin
SHORTLISTED FOR 2025's SZYMON (SIMON) KLITENIK AWARD FOR JEWISH FICTION
A powerful love story in which one woman's quest for identity and healing also becomes the single way she can honour her grandparents, whose lives were irreversibly shattered by the Holocaust.
It's 1989 and for a young Jewish-Australian violinist, a scholarship to Berlin is the chance of a lifetime. Germany is on the verge of change as the wall is torn down, and Susanna is swept along by the tumultuous event. Under the careful guidance of Stefan Heinemeyer, her renowned violin teacher and the grandson of a Nazi, she begins a composition in memory of her grandmother, Mirla, who died in the Buchenwald concentration camp during the Second World War, and Susanna is inspired to retrace Mirla's final footsteps.
It's a journey that reconnects Susanna to her heritage and propels her musical gift to extraordinary heights. Yet as a forbidden yearning for Stefan begins to unfurl, Susanna's life is forever changed, and the repercussions will echo through decades and across continents.
In a world where history, society and inherited traumas threaten to silence Susanna and prevent her from ever becoming her true self, can she find the courage to reclaim her power as a woman, a musician, and a composer, and in so doing, lay her haunted past to rest?
'The Girl with the Violin has deep emotional truths running throughout, bringing together major historical events in modern history, the Holocaust and the Berlin Wall. The poetic musicality of the storytelling captures the emotion, which at times can be raw and gripping ... Highly recommended.' - Good Reading magazine
'Davidow's poetic writing style allows her to sensitively reflect upon these topics, and vividly explore themes of resilience, loss, love, grief and triumph... A must read for any historical fiction fans, The Girl with the Violin is a deeply moving novel.' - Better Reading
A powerful love story in which one woman's quest for identity and healing also becomes the single way she can honour her grandparents, whose lives were irreversibly shattered by the Holocaust.
It's 1989 and for a young Jewish-Australian violinist, a scholarship to Berlin is the chance of a lifetime. Germany is on the verge of change as the wall is torn down, and Susanna is swept along by the tumultuous event. Under the careful guidance of Stefan Heinemeyer, her renowned violin teacher and the grandson of a Nazi, she begins a composition in memory of her grandmother, Mirla, who died in the Buchenwald concentration camp during the Second World War, and Susanna is inspired to retrace Mirla's final footsteps.
It's a journey that reconnects Susanna to her heritage and propels her musical gift to extraordinary heights. Yet as a forbidden yearning for Stefan begins to unfurl, Susanna's life is forever changed, and the repercussions will echo through decades and across continents.
In a world where history, society and inherited traumas threaten to silence Susanna and prevent her from ever becoming her true self, can she find the courage to reclaim her power as a woman, a musician, and a composer, and in so doing, lay her haunted past to rest?
'The Girl with the Violin has deep emotional truths running throughout, bringing together major historical events in modern history, the Holocaust and the Berlin Wall. The poetic musicality of the storytelling captures the emotion, which at times can be raw and gripping ... Highly recommended.' - Good Reading magazine
'Davidow's poetic writing style allows her to sensitively reflect upon these topics, and vividly explore themes of resilience, loss, love, grief and triumph... A must read for any historical fiction fans, The Girl with the Violin is a deeply moving novel.' - Better Reading
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Published July 3, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
May 27, 2024
Susanna is a talented Jewish-Australian violinist, at twenty she leaves her family in Queensland and she’s been awarded a scholarship to study at the International academy of Music in Berlin and she wants to visit the place where her grandparents were born. Susanna’s at the Brandenburg Gate when the Berlin Wall is torn down in 1989, it was built in 1961 separating East and West Berlin and the story is about the types of walls and barriers humans create and have to breach.
Stefan Heinemeyer is her violin teacher and he admits his grandfather was a Nazi, Susanna begins a composition she calls “Buchenwald” in memory of her grandmother, Mirla Heller who died at the concentration camp forty five years ago and she feels a connection to her and her Jewish heritage. Susanna has a crush on Stefan, he's much older than her and it has devastating and long lasting consequences.
I received a copy of The Girl with the Violin by Shelley Davidow from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I found this to be a very unique story, about two major events in modern history, the Holocaust and the Berlin Wall.
A narrative full of fascinating information about the Berlin and I felt like I was walking the streets with Susanna, and how Germans were still uncomfortable and distanced themselves from what happened during the Second World War, inter-generational trauma, and how music connects the past and the present.
At times while reading the book, I found Susanna’s character annoying and selfish, I had to stop and remember; she was only twenty, Susanna doesn’t make the best choices and that’s normal for her age. Four stars from me, a story about life, love, loss, relationships, trust, making mistakes and amends.
Stefan Heinemeyer is her violin teacher and he admits his grandfather was a Nazi, Susanna begins a composition she calls “Buchenwald” in memory of her grandmother, Mirla Heller who died at the concentration camp forty five years ago and she feels a connection to her and her Jewish heritage. Susanna has a crush on Stefan, he's much older than her and it has devastating and long lasting consequences.
I received a copy of The Girl with the Violin by Shelley Davidow from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I found this to be a very unique story, about two major events in modern history, the Holocaust and the Berlin Wall.
A narrative full of fascinating information about the Berlin and I felt like I was walking the streets with Susanna, and how Germans were still uncomfortable and distanced themselves from what happened during the Second World War, inter-generational trauma, and how music connects the past and the present.
At times while reading the book, I found Susanna’s character annoying and selfish, I had to stop and remember; she was only twenty, Susanna doesn’t make the best choices and that’s normal for her age. Four stars from me, a story about life, love, loss, relationships, trust, making mistakes and amends.
August 30, 2024
I had ups and downs with this book. Times I liked it and times it was just average. The content regarding Germany, the Wall, the war - that was all very informative and interesting. The characters were predictable in some places but interesting in others. Overall it was a good read.
May 11, 2024
I absolutely loved this! The novel centres around Susanna, a young Australian violinist and opens in Berlin the night of the fall of the Berlin Wall. It is also a story of the Holocaust and the sense of despair as well as the shame that existed in Germany. The author did a great job of bringing Berlin to life and the sense of euphoria. Susanna seems destined for an amazing future until everything irrevocably changes and she flees home to Australia. She is forced to forge a new path for herself. Interwoven with Susanna’s story is that of her Grandmother who was sent to Ravensbruck and then Buchenwald. Some of the descriptions of what took place were hard to read. But the author does this sensitively. The book also speaks about music and musicians beautifully. There are some wonderful scenes throughout the book, all written in poetic-like language. This is a book about love, longing, intergenerational trauma, healing and hope. Highly recommended and thanks to Better Reading for the chance to review.
December 22, 2024
Beautiful story. Loved the book. Tissues handy if you read it, especially towards the end.
May 9, 2024
The Girl with the Violin by Shelley Davidow is a deeply emotional and sensitive historical artistic fiction.
I enjoyed how the story throws light on the Holocaust, the narrative is real and gritty, with vivid details of loss, pain, grief, strength, resilience, triumphs, and disappointments. The love and the family bonding are palpable in the author's words, as she seamlessly weaves generations.
Davidow catches the reader's attention from the opening paragraph to the very last page of the book and holds the reader spellbound. Shelley uses her characters to her best advantage to keep the reader interested. She has a true talent for capturing emotion through every moment of Susanna 's journey.
I could tell the author took a great deal of time researching the era, and that is something I always appreciate in a historical novel.
This book is well worth more than one read and should have pride of place on anyone’s bookshelf. I highly recommend to those that enjoy this genre.
Thank you, Better Reading, for the opportunity to read and review.
I enjoyed how the story throws light on the Holocaust, the narrative is real and gritty, with vivid details of loss, pain, grief, strength, resilience, triumphs, and disappointments. The love and the family bonding are palpable in the author's words, as she seamlessly weaves generations.
Davidow catches the reader's attention from the opening paragraph to the very last page of the book and holds the reader spellbound. Shelley uses her characters to her best advantage to keep the reader interested. She has a true talent for capturing emotion through every moment of Susanna 's journey.
I could tell the author took a great deal of time researching the era, and that is something I always appreciate in a historical novel.
This book is well worth more than one read and should have pride of place on anyone’s bookshelf. I highly recommend to those that enjoy this genre.
Thank you, Better Reading, for the opportunity to read and review.
June 7, 2024
The Girl With The Violin is the story of how Susanna and Stefan's forbidden love shapes Susanna's life.
The book was beautifully written and had me invested in Susanna, I just had to know how her story would end. I had certain expectations of where I thought the story was going and multiple times it went in a different direction which surprised and delighted me as Shelley Davidow's version fit more perfectly than I could have imagined.
A wonderful love story with strong Kristin Hannah vibes.
The book was beautifully written and had me invested in Susanna, I just had to know how her story would end. I had certain expectations of where I thought the story was going and multiple times it went in a different direction which surprised and delighted me as Shelley Davidow's version fit more perfectly than I could have imagined.
A wonderful love story with strong Kristin Hannah vibes.
September 10, 2024
The Girl With The Violin 🎻 by Shelley Davidow is a truly amazing read 📚 👏 🙌.
I loved this one! ❤️
Set in Berlin 1989 ~ a moving and emotional story about Violinists. I couldn't stop reading it and was hooked on every page and chapter.
Read like a movie 🎬 🎞 🎥.
All classical musicians and lovers of music 🎶 🎵 will love this book 📖 👌 ❤️.
It's also an incredible love story. ❤️
Highly recommend.
I loved this one! ❤️
Set in Berlin 1989 ~ a moving and emotional story about Violinists. I couldn't stop reading it and was hooked on every page and chapter.
Read like a movie 🎬 🎞 🎥.
All classical musicians and lovers of music 🎶 🎵 will love this book 📖 👌 ❤️.
It's also an incredible love story. ❤️
Highly recommend.
December 7, 2025
Not my type of book. Frustrated by the characters, the style of writing “the pastry tastes like infatuation “ “her body becomes an instrument of lust and anarchy “. Seriously?
The stars come from the historical elements of Berlin during the wall coming down and Germany during WWII.
The stars come from the historical elements of Berlin during the wall coming down and Germany during WWII.
July 20, 2025
Beginning excellent, middle blah, ending also excellent. A delightful story enjoyed on a Sunday, with the morning sun, the sound of birds singing and a croissant.
July 29, 2024
Being a violinist myself peaked my interest in reading this novel. I was pleasantly surprised. The story intricately wove a story between Australia and Germany and the relationship between Nazi Germans and German Jews. I loved reading about the dedication and musicality of Susannah, the violinist and the book held me from start to finish. Well worth a read!!
June 18, 2024
Thanks so much to Better Reading and HQ for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review. The Girl with the Violin is an emotional historical fiction which is set around our main character Susanna and her life. It was a beautiful story which kept me hooked in throughout. I love reading historical fiction and this did not disappoint. Definitely recommend if you are a fan of the genre. I look forward to reading more of Shelley’s writing in the future.
June 9, 2024
The Girl with the Violin by Shelley Davidow
Thank you to Better Reading and author Shelley Davidow for the Advance Reader copy of the book.
What a fabulous read this was. From the beginning, when I meet Australian born Susannah, the main character, I felt she was so very real. Initially set in Berlin in 1989, so much interesting information and history about the coming down of the Berlin wall and the effect it had on people living in the city is shared.. As the chapters progress the reader learns that Susannah’s own family history is directly related to a Germany controlled by Hitler, as her grandmother died in a concentration camp during World War Two. The consequence of this tragedy is ongoing as Susannah attempts to deal with it by visiting the site of the camp and writing music about her grand mothers’ experience. I felt I learnt a great deal about inter generational trauma as the book continues to its conclusion.
Back to 1989, the story continues with Susannah continuing with her violin lessons despite a strong attraction to her male teacher Stefan, who is 17 years her senior. It is a full and complex novel with lots going on. I found it easy to follow and so enjoyable, one of those ‘just one more chapter’ novels. Lots of topics are covered including vulnerability, relationships, sexual assault, intergenerational trauma, and family. The author has a beautiful writing style with the reader seeing Germany and Australia through Susannah’s eyes. It was fascinating too, how the author based the fictional novel around some of her own life experiences. Shelley has written a personal memoir prior to this novel, and I am looking forward to reading that down the track.
A five star read for me and an author to watch and read future books.
Thank you to Better Reading and author Shelley Davidow for the Advance Reader copy of the book.
What a fabulous read this was. From the beginning, when I meet Australian born Susannah, the main character, I felt she was so very real. Initially set in Berlin in 1989, so much interesting information and history about the coming down of the Berlin wall and the effect it had on people living in the city is shared.. As the chapters progress the reader learns that Susannah’s own family history is directly related to a Germany controlled by Hitler, as her grandmother died in a concentration camp during World War Two. The consequence of this tragedy is ongoing as Susannah attempts to deal with it by visiting the site of the camp and writing music about her grand mothers’ experience. I felt I learnt a great deal about inter generational trauma as the book continues to its conclusion.
Back to 1989, the story continues with Susannah continuing with her violin lessons despite a strong attraction to her male teacher Stefan, who is 17 years her senior. It is a full and complex novel with lots going on. I found it easy to follow and so enjoyable, one of those ‘just one more chapter’ novels. Lots of topics are covered including vulnerability, relationships, sexual assault, intergenerational trauma, and family. The author has a beautiful writing style with the reader seeing Germany and Australia through Susannah’s eyes. It was fascinating too, how the author based the fictional novel around some of her own life experiences. Shelley has written a personal memoir prior to this novel, and I am looking forward to reading that down the track.
A five star read for me and an author to watch and read future books.
June 5, 2024
Where do I begin?
I have a few very strong feelings about this book…
Susanna is a young Australian woman who has been blessed with immense musical talent. We meet her in Berlin in 1989, when the wall comes down. She is studying music under the famous Stefan Heinemeyer, whom she has admired for many years. She falls victim to a scandal following the opportunity of a lifetime, and she flees Berlin, returning to her now hollow life in Australia. She is unable to connect with her love of music as she once did when she arrives home. As her future comes hurtling toward her, Susanna uncovers more of her family’s past, drawing her back to Berlin and the history that called her there in the first place.
It took me a while to warm into the story, as the Susanna that we first meet is juvenile and immature, and I struggled to connect with her. But that in itself is a massive credit to the author, because Susanna is a fully formed young woman with obvious and unlikable flaws. She has a deep obsession with her violin teacher, that felt very immature, and made it difficult to get into the rhythm of the story (all puns intended). But when she talks about the music, it’s so vivid and intense that I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see where that part of the story went.
The narrative is structured into 3 parts, each part a snapshot of a period of Susanna’s life. The first, taking part in Berlin in 1989, the second, in Australia in the 90s/00s and the third, a combination of both in 2019.
Admittedly, the second and third part moved so much smoother and felt more cohesive (and enjoyable) to read. Susanna’s character arc is really beautifully written. The way she navigates the relationships in her life after returning to Australia were so intricate that it felt almost as if the first part of the story was an entirely different book - although, that’s very reflective of how our lives change in the real world. How often do we really think the way we did when we were 20?
Davidow also did a really beautiful job of weaving Susann’a Jewish heritage into her desire to be in Germany. The way that Susanna uncovers aspects of her family’s history during the Holocaust was written with so much care.
Ultimately I enjoyed this book. Susanna’s romantic relationships, while central to the plot, played the harmony to her being more reflective of her own ability to navigate heartbreak.
The only thing I was hoping for, but never got, was a very clear penny dropping moment during the third act about the dynamic between herself and her violin teacher from Berlin. I think just somehow touching on that power imbalance and possible misuse of that imbalance may have been a welcome revelation. Though, its omission is relatively realistic in that we often choose to believe what helps us to maintain peace in our lives.
Besides the deathly slow burn at the start, I think this was a wonderful book and recommend it to those who enjoy stories that span over the course of somebody’s life, as opposed to single snapshots.
I have a few very strong feelings about this book…
Susanna is a young Australian woman who has been blessed with immense musical talent. We meet her in Berlin in 1989, when the wall comes down. She is studying music under the famous Stefan Heinemeyer, whom she has admired for many years. She falls victim to a scandal following the opportunity of a lifetime, and she flees Berlin, returning to her now hollow life in Australia. She is unable to connect with her love of music as she once did when she arrives home. As her future comes hurtling toward her, Susanna uncovers more of her family’s past, drawing her back to Berlin and the history that called her there in the first place.
It took me a while to warm into the story, as the Susanna that we first meet is juvenile and immature, and I struggled to connect with her. But that in itself is a massive credit to the author, because Susanna is a fully formed young woman with obvious and unlikable flaws. She has a deep obsession with her violin teacher, that felt very immature, and made it difficult to get into the rhythm of the story (all puns intended). But when she talks about the music, it’s so vivid and intense that I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see where that part of the story went.
The narrative is structured into 3 parts, each part a snapshot of a period of Susanna’s life. The first, taking part in Berlin in 1989, the second, in Australia in the 90s/00s and the third, a combination of both in 2019.
Admittedly, the second and third part moved so much smoother and felt more cohesive (and enjoyable) to read. Susanna’s character arc is really beautifully written. The way she navigates the relationships in her life after returning to Australia were so intricate that it felt almost as if the first part of the story was an entirely different book - although, that’s very reflective of how our lives change in the real world. How often do we really think the way we did when we were 20?
Davidow also did a really beautiful job of weaving Susann’a Jewish heritage into her desire to be in Germany. The way that Susanna uncovers aspects of her family’s history during the Holocaust was written with so much care.
Ultimately I enjoyed this book. Susanna’s romantic relationships, while central to the plot, played the harmony to her being more reflective of her own ability to navigate heartbreak.
The only thing I was hoping for, but never got, was a very clear penny dropping moment during the third act about the dynamic between herself and her violin teacher from Berlin. I think just somehow touching on that power imbalance and possible misuse of that imbalance may have been a welcome revelation. Though, its omission is relatively realistic in that we often choose to believe what helps us to maintain peace in our lives.
Besides the deathly slow burn at the start, I think this was a wonderful book and recommend it to those who enjoy stories that span over the course of somebody’s life, as opposed to single snapshots.
May 28, 2024
Shelley Davidow, this book is spellbound and emotional.
A true powerful story about a girl named Susanna Friedman who is a young Jewish Australian violinist who travels to Berlin with a scholarship of a lifetime chance to become more.
This book was emotional, I love that Susanna wanted to find her true identity, falling in love with someone when they weren't meant to be together. Learning her grandparents past and trying to heal from it to honour them as their lives were shattered from a major event.
If your a reader who loves historical fiction, I would definitely recommend this one to read.
A true powerful story about a girl named Susanna Friedman who is a young Jewish Australian violinist who travels to Berlin with a scholarship of a lifetime chance to become more.
This book was emotional, I love that Susanna wanted to find her true identity, falling in love with someone when they weren't meant to be together. Learning her grandparents past and trying to heal from it to honour them as their lives were shattered from a major event.
If your a reader who loves historical fiction, I would definitely recommend this one to read.
July 26, 2024
I did not like this as much as I expected to.
It stared off really well. I have been to Berlin, so could picture a lot of places mentioned. I've also visited a concentration camp, so the descriptions of Buchenwald were vivid. But there is a lot I didn't like, and a lot of very convenient "just happened to" plot lines. It's like a glorified Mills&Boon that rode the coattails of interest in the Holocaust for sales.
It stared off really well. I have been to Berlin, so could picture a lot of places mentioned. I've also visited a concentration camp, so the descriptions of Buchenwald were vivid. But there is a lot I didn't like, and a lot of very convenient "just happened to" plot lines. It's like a glorified Mills&Boon that rode the coattails of interest in the Holocaust for sales.
July 14, 2024
Berlin, November 1989: Susanna is in Berlin at the time the Berlin Wall falls. She is on a scholarship to study violin, her teacher is world famous violinist with the Berlin Philharmonic, Stefan Heinemeyer who she learns is the grandson of a Nazi. Susanna's grandmother died in the Buchenwald concentration camp. Susanna"s journey to Berlin reconnects her to her heritage and has a profound effect on her as a violinist and as a person. She is twenty years old.
This is an unforgettable story of a young woman as she comes to terms with who she is. As her yearning for Stefan unfolds, Susanna's life is changed forever.
I loved this story and highly recommend it to other readers. Shelley Davidow is a new author for me and I look forward to more of her stories.
This is an unforgettable story of a young woman as she comes to terms with who she is. As her yearning for Stefan unfolds, Susanna's life is changed forever.
I loved this story and highly recommend it to other readers. Shelley Davidow is a new author for me and I look forward to more of her stories.
November 30, 2024
3.5 stars
I was given this book to read.
It isn't really a book I'd choose.
It started off intriguingly. The last part where she's reunited with the violin teacher was so boring.
I had really hoped that the plot twist that Ben wasn't Adam's son wasn't going to happen. I was rather happy when we assumed it was Adam's child.
I find it very far fetched that not once in the book that it was mentioned that there was a possibility that Susanna thought the child was the other guys (forgotten his name already).
I didn't like Susanna, I didn't like the violin teacher. I didn't like the fact that she just so happened to be pretty muvh fluent in German (yeah right, ok). I hated the fact that he husband took her back instead of divorcing her.
Sometimes books don't need happy endings.
I was given this book to read.
It isn't really a book I'd choose.
It started off intriguingly. The last part where she's reunited with the violin teacher was so boring.
I had really hoped that the plot twist that Ben wasn't Adam's son wasn't going to happen. I was rather happy when we assumed it was Adam's child.
I find it very far fetched that not once in the book that it was mentioned that there was a possibility that Susanna thought the child was the other guys (forgotten his name already).
I didn't like Susanna, I didn't like the violin teacher. I didn't like the fact that she just so happened to be pretty muvh fluent in German (yeah right, ok). I hated the fact that he husband took her back instead of divorcing her.
Sometimes books don't need happy endings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
Mum gave me this (very “her” book). Way too many convenient plot “twists” and predictable every step of the way, power-read the final 30 pages (was way over it)
September 9, 2024
A gifted young violinist travels to Germany where she falls in love with her older teacher and is sent home home in disgrace. There she meets a gorgeous wealthy man who loves her unconditionally. So many coincidences in this rather melodramatic story made it a predictable read.
July 12, 2024
Although this novel hits some familiar beats, I found it remarkably moving. And although some of the plot points are familiar, they’re put together in a way that feels fresh and original.
In 1989 Australia doesn’t offer enough opportunities for a talented violinist to flourish. So when Susanna receives a scholarship to Germany to study under the renowned Stefan Heinemeyer, it seems likely to open many doors for her.
Susanna finds some aspects of Germany confronting: her grandmother died in Buchenwald Concentration Camp during World War II. Susanna finds that Germany offers her the chance to discover more about her grandmother and her Jewish heritage, but it comes at a high emotional cost.
An illicit love affair, inherited trauma, and the challenges of being a young woman in what still seems like a man’s world all combine to derail Susanna’s life. The novel explores how she moves forward.
It’s really hard to summarise this novel without including spoilers, because it’s so complex and each element is interwoven with many others. The writing style is easy to read, and the plot easy to follow, but in many places it is emotionally wrenching to read.
I empathised very strongly with Susanna, and I suspect most readers will – particularly women. She’s a strongly drawn character, and we understand each of her decisions. Many readers will feel that they would have behaved in a very similar fashion in the same situation. I found her emotional journey incredibly understandable, and ultimately satisfying.
We see through Susanna’s eyes, so other characters are more lightly sketched. However, they still come to life, and are vivid and believable.
I have long been interested in World War II. This novel appears to be historically accurate, although it’s more concerned with the emotional impact of certain events than necessarily specific dates or events.
This drew one of the more vivid impressions of intergenerational trauma that I’ve ever seen, specifically that of Jews who lost relatives to the Holocaust. It would be worth reading just for that, but this novel has much more to offer.
Despite being an emotionally challenging novel, I enjoyed this. The vivid characters and strong plot, along with a strong sense of reality, made it a really good reading experience. Highly recommended.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
In 1989 Australia doesn’t offer enough opportunities for a talented violinist to flourish. So when Susanna receives a scholarship to Germany to study under the renowned Stefan Heinemeyer, it seems likely to open many doors for her.
Susanna finds some aspects of Germany confronting: her grandmother died in Buchenwald Concentration Camp during World War II. Susanna finds that Germany offers her the chance to discover more about her grandmother and her Jewish heritage, but it comes at a high emotional cost.
An illicit love affair, inherited trauma, and the challenges of being a young woman in what still seems like a man’s world all combine to derail Susanna’s life. The novel explores how she moves forward.
It’s really hard to summarise this novel without including spoilers, because it’s so complex and each element is interwoven with many others. The writing style is easy to read, and the plot easy to follow, but in many places it is emotionally wrenching to read.
I empathised very strongly with Susanna, and I suspect most readers will – particularly women. She’s a strongly drawn character, and we understand each of her decisions. Many readers will feel that they would have behaved in a very similar fashion in the same situation. I found her emotional journey incredibly understandable, and ultimately satisfying.
We see through Susanna’s eyes, so other characters are more lightly sketched. However, they still come to life, and are vivid and believable.
I have long been interested in World War II. This novel appears to be historically accurate, although it’s more concerned with the emotional impact of certain events than necessarily specific dates or events.
This drew one of the more vivid impressions of intergenerational trauma that I’ve ever seen, specifically that of Jews who lost relatives to the Holocaust. It would be worth reading just for that, but this novel has much more to offer.
Despite being an emotionally challenging novel, I enjoyed this. The vivid characters and strong plot, along with a strong sense of reality, made it a really good reading experience. Highly recommended.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
June 11, 2024
From time to time we are gifted with a book that is so beautifully written is akin to a work of art. The Girl with the Violin is one such book.
It is a love story, just waiting for you to turn that first page and become immersed. A story which is a cycle of love and loss, of success and failure, of perseverance and endurance and ultimately of hope and forgiveness – I dare you to put it down once you start.
We meet Suzanna as she arrives in Germany as a 20 year old, looking to fulfil her musical dreams of studying under the violin maestro Stefan Heinmeyer, and also to retrace her Jewish grandmother Mirla’s life as she visits the Buchenwald camp where Mirla had endured the tortures that so many Jewish people went through during WWII, and where she ultimately died. Suzanna relationship with Stefan develops and she writes an acclaimed piece of music in dedication to her Mirla. However, success does not always bring happiness, and Suzanna returns home to Australia, leaving her music in Germany.
She marries, has a beautiful and talented son, and carries on through life supporting her successful architect husband. As life moves through more changes, Suzanna returns to her one true love, music, having inherited an antique violin that once belonged to her grandmother. Musical success returns. However life twists and turns again, from joy to sorrow, and Suzanna returns to Berlin in search for healing.
It is a love story, just waiting for you to turn that first page and become immersed. A story which is a cycle of love and loss, of success and failure, of perseverance and endurance and ultimately of hope and forgiveness – I dare you to put it down once you start.
We meet Suzanna as she arrives in Germany as a 20 year old, looking to fulfil her musical dreams of studying under the violin maestro Stefan Heinmeyer, and also to retrace her Jewish grandmother Mirla’s life as she visits the Buchenwald camp where Mirla had endured the tortures that so many Jewish people went through during WWII, and where she ultimately died. Suzanna relationship with Stefan develops and she writes an acclaimed piece of music in dedication to her Mirla. However, success does not always bring happiness, and Suzanna returns home to Australia, leaving her music in Germany.
She marries, has a beautiful and talented son, and carries on through life supporting her successful architect husband. As life moves through more changes, Suzanna returns to her one true love, music, having inherited an antique violin that once belonged to her grandmother. Musical success returns. However life twists and turns again, from joy to sorrow, and Suzanna returns to Berlin in search for healing.
February 18, 2025
Being a musician, I fell for this book with an attractive cover and title.
Being a musician I nearly gave up on its unrealistic plot:
Young Australian violin student newly arrived in Berlin and inspired by her grandmother's death in Buchenwald camp, whips up an eight-minute violin concerto over an inspired weekend. Fine. Never underestimate the powers of genius and inspiration.
She plays the first draft to her violin teacher Stefan Heinemeyer. So far so good, much is evocative and well written. Somewhat realistic.
Said teacher is so moved by the composition he invites her to come along with him and the Berlin Philharmonic on a two -week tour. Just like that! The author lost me then.
To Buchenwald, so there's moving content here.
But come the inevitable seduction scene and at times after, I wondered if I had strayed into a Harlequin bodice ripper.
Come the inevitable pregnancy...
I dipped in and out of this book and eventually finished it.
Being a musician I nearly gave up on its unrealistic plot:
Young Australian violin student newly arrived in Berlin and inspired by her grandmother's death in Buchenwald camp, whips up an eight-minute violin concerto over an inspired weekend. Fine. Never underestimate the powers of genius and inspiration.
She plays the first draft to her violin teacher Stefan Heinemeyer. So far so good, much is evocative and well written. Somewhat realistic.
Said teacher is so moved by the composition he invites her to come along with him and the Berlin Philharmonic on a two -week tour. Just like that! The author lost me then.
To Buchenwald, so there's moving content here.
But come the inevitable seduction scene and at times after, I wondered if I had strayed into a Harlequin bodice ripper.
Come the inevitable pregnancy...
I dipped in and out of this book and eventually finished it.
May 19, 2024
Music and passion intertwine in this absorbing story of a highly driven young violinist who travels from Australia to Berlin in 1989 to study with the violin teacher she has always admired and secretly desired. Stefan Heinemeyer is 17 years her senior, but the age difference falls away the more time they spend together creating music.
I like the way that Davidow also interweaves a historical element to the love story. There is a past connection between the two in that Susanna’s grandmother Mirla, a Jew, died in the Buchenwald concentration camp. In shame, Stefan reveals that his grandfather was a Nazi officer at that camp, possibly at the same time. Can their love reconcile their pasts?
Life for the two does not flow smoothly. But instead of bitterness, Davidow shows how human beings can reach their best selves through kindness and forgiveness. It is a moving story.
I like the way that Davidow also interweaves a historical element to the love story. There is a past connection between the two in that Susanna’s grandmother Mirla, a Jew, died in the Buchenwald concentration camp. In shame, Stefan reveals that his grandfather was a Nazi officer at that camp, possibly at the same time. Can their love reconcile their pasts?
Life for the two does not flow smoothly. But instead of bitterness, Davidow shows how human beings can reach their best selves through kindness and forgiveness. It is a moving story.
June 3, 2024
The Girl With the Violin by Shelley Davidow was an absolute amazing read. I just loved watching the main character Suzzana navigate the highs and lows of life. The dramas of injustice, heartbreak of love, and like many off us, get sidetracked by life. This book has a juicy strong story line throughout it. Yet I love the historical back story of her grandmother, and the serendipitous circumstances that lead her back to her dream. Whilst it has an interesting twist at the end. Overall, just totally enjoyed this book, it was fast, interesting, just a beautiful relatable story. It is more than just a love story it is about a young woman seeking to live life that is true to who she is and her dreams. Thank you to Better Reader for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
December 19, 2024
Shelley Davidow
A powerful love story in which one woman's quest for identity and healing also becomes the single way she can honour her grandparents, whose lives were irreversibly shattered by the Holocaust
Written Beautifully Holds your attention from the first page
Highly recommend this holiday read
Sad Poignant Emotional
Being an A-South African myself living in Australia having visited Europe with a jewish upbringing this incredible author spins a web drawing in the reader with her love of music together against a background of historical facts together with a love story that stretches generations
Read
November 23, 2025"The Girl with the Violin" sounds like a truly captivating read, especially given the historical context woven into the narrative. The exploration of intergenerational trauma and the role of music in healing is particularly intriguing. I also appreciate the acknowledgement of Susanna's imperfections; it makes her feel more real. I'm already imagining the vivid imagery the author creates. For anyone looking to visualize some of the settings or characters, maybe explore using Free AI Image Generator By Nano Banana Pro – it could be fun to bring the story to life visually!"
June 22, 2024
A powerful story told with heart! Susanna is a young girl following her dreams of music when the Berlin Wall is torn down. Susanna is there to witness it. I loved Susanna as a character as she is exactly how I would imagine someone of her age being. Although she sometimes annoyed me with her selfishness but I think it may have just been a age thing as she still had a lot of growing up to do. I loved learning more about the holocaust and how the Jewish were treated is inhumane. A brilliant story of love, loss, life, mistakes and redemption.
October 11, 2024
Susanna is in Berlin in 1989 to study violin with a renowned violinist and tutor.
Watching the Berlin wall come down in what is a historic moment, she is now feeling so many things.
Creating a composition in memory of her grandmother, who was killed in the Buchenwald concentration camp, changes her world.
But with this change comes a great loss, which spans decades.
This beautiful story of loss, love, music, and historic moments leaves the reader
with a feeling that you have gone on this journey also.
Thank you to @harlequinaus for sending this one.
Watching the Berlin wall come down in what is a historic moment, she is now feeling so many things.
Creating a composition in memory of her grandmother, who was killed in the Buchenwald concentration camp, changes her world.
But with this change comes a great loss, which spans decades.
This beautiful story of loss, love, music, and historic moments leaves the reader
with a feeling that you have gone on this journey also.
Thank you to @harlequinaus for sending this one.
March 17, 2025
Boring, predictable and with lots of errors.
I struggled through every page.
There's absolutely no need to introduce history to this flat love story. The story of the Wall or the holocaust is not improving the story it's an attempt to add meaning to this book in order to accomplish some sort of historical importance.
Whatever you do, do not listen to the audiobook it's shockingly dull, this author should have hired a professional narrator.
I struggled through every page.
There's absolutely no need to introduce history to this flat love story. The story of the Wall or the holocaust is not improving the story it's an attempt to add meaning to this book in order to accomplish some sort of historical importance.
Whatever you do, do not listen to the audiobook it's shockingly dull, this author should have hired a professional narrator.
May 9, 2025
I liked the idea of the book, this young Australian being in Berlin when the wall came down, her way to try to connect with her jewish family history. But I absolutely HATED the way the author interspersed the book with German expressions (that often were not even correct or even explained wrong. I m a literary translator by trade, and German is my mother tongue, so this really, really spoilt it for me. I also couldnt see why the author thought it to be necessary.
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