What do you think?
Rate this book
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse
Not yet published
Expected 2 Feb 27The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Wish returns with a masterful new novel that captures the astonishing bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary times.
In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris. In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine runs to the only person she can her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative.
Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.
Epic in scope and based on real people and historical events, Heather Morris has written a story of breathtaking beauty, at once gripping, heartbreaking, and uplifting.
In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris. In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine runs to the only person she can her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative.
Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.
Epic in scope and based on real people and historical events, Heather Morris has written a story of breathtaking beauty, at once gripping, heartbreaking, and uplifting.
Audible Audio
Expected publication February 2, 2027
About the author
Heather Morris
24 books9,783 followersI am a Native of New Zealand now resident in Australia, working in a large public hospital in Melbourne. For several years I studied and wrote screenplays, one of which was optioned by an academy award winning Screenwriter in the U.S. In 2003, I was introduced to an elderly gentleman "who might just have a story worth telling". The day I met Lale Sokolov changed my life, as our friendship grew and he embarked on a journey of self scrutiny, entrusting the inner most details of his life during the Holocaust. I originally wrote Lale's story as a screenplay - which ranked high in international competitions - before reshaping it into my debut novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse
by Heather Morris
Based on real people and real events (some closely based, some very loosely based), this story is a heartbreaker. Because of all my historical and historical fiction reading, I've very familiar with the types of things that happen in this book. I've read much about the French Resistance from all directions and know I can only sit back and watch as people try their best until they have no more to give. In 1942, piano teacher, Andree' Levallois, worked for the resistance with her parents. They were already risking their lives on a daily basis as they held resistance meetings in their apartment, surrounded by people who would gladly turn them over to those who would kill them. They were doing all types of resistance work, at home and at other locations.
Then Andree's eleven year old Jewish piano student, Josie, appears at the Levallois apartment after she did what her mother told her to do. Josie ran as her mother and brother were carted off to an unknown terrible fate. The Levallois took in Josie, gave her their last name, treated her as their most treasured family member and did everything they could do to keep Josie safe. As dangerous as their lives were before they took Josie in, the danger increased greatly once they were harboring this Jewish girl. Plus, they had to make their meager, never enough rations go even farther, but at least they had help from other resistance members.
The entire family suffered for their good deeds and they knew that what they were doing could very well end in torture and death. Often the most dangerous enemies, at this time, were their own people, those who joined groups to turn in neighbors, relatives, citizens just like themselves. Sometimes individuals did this kind of thing to save their own lives and the lives of their families but many of these brutal traitors seems to enjoy having the freedom to maim and kill for sport.
It's difficult to read this story but it's also inspiring to learn about so many people who did what they could in the most difficult and deadly of circumstance. I was able to read this story with DeAnn and it helped to be able to discuss what we read. This is my sixth book by Heather Morris and look forward to what she writes next.
Publication October 20, 2026
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC
by Heather Morris
Based on real people and real events (some closely based, some very loosely based), this story is a heartbreaker. Because of all my historical and historical fiction reading, I've very familiar with the types of things that happen in this book. I've read much about the French Resistance from all directions and know I can only sit back and watch as people try their best until they have no more to give. In 1942, piano teacher, Andree' Levallois, worked for the resistance with her parents. They were already risking their lives on a daily basis as they held resistance meetings in their apartment, surrounded by people who would gladly turn them over to those who would kill them. They were doing all types of resistance work, at home and at other locations.
Then Andree's eleven year old Jewish piano student, Josie, appears at the Levallois apartment after she did what her mother told her to do. Josie ran as her mother and brother were carted off to an unknown terrible fate. The Levallois took in Josie, gave her their last name, treated her as their most treasured family member and did everything they could do to keep Josie safe. As dangerous as their lives were before they took Josie in, the danger increased greatly once they were harboring this Jewish girl. Plus, they had to make their meager, never enough rations go even farther, but at least they had help from other resistance members.
The entire family suffered for their good deeds and they knew that what they were doing could very well end in torture and death. Often the most dangerous enemies, at this time, were their own people, those who joined groups to turn in neighbors, relatives, citizens just like themselves. Sometimes individuals did this kind of thing to save their own lives and the lives of their families but many of these brutal traitors seems to enjoy having the freedom to maim and kill for sport.
It's difficult to read this story but it's also inspiring to learn about so many people who did what they could in the most difficult and deadly of circumstance. I was able to read this story with DeAnn and it helped to be able to discuss what we read. This is my sixth book by Heather Morris and look forward to what she writes next.
Publication October 20, 2026
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars for a book that is based on an actual family in Paris, France, who hid a Jewish child during WWII. It is a story of courage, heartbreak and the goodness of the human spirit. Josephine or "Josie"is eleven years old when German soldiers come for her parents and brother. But Josie is not on their list, and Josie's mother , thinking quickly, tells the Germans that you cannot take her if she is not on your list. The Germans are undecided and Josie's mom tells her to go Mlle Levallois' house. Mlle Levallois is Josie's piano teacher.
The Levallois family realize what has happened to Josie's family and decide to shelter her, at great risk to themselves. The family are also members of the French resistance, so they must be doubly careful not to alert the Germans of who they are.
It would be a spoiler to tell you more, but I did like the ending. I recommend this book to historical fiction fans. The author's note tells the reader about the Levallois family and some of the family members that she was able to meet. I urge you to read it for context.
One quote by Josie, responding to someone asking her if she believes in miracles:
"I think I do," she says quietly. "I think maybe miracles are just people being kind when they don't have to be. People being brave when it's easier to hide. People sharing what little they have. People lighting candles when it's dark."
Triggers: Brief descriptions of torture
Thank You Blackstone Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#ThePianoTeacherofMontparnasse #NetGalley
Pub Date Oct 20 2026
The Levallois family realize what has happened to Josie's family and decide to shelter her, at great risk to themselves. The family are also members of the French resistance, so they must be doubly careful not to alert the Germans of who they are.
It would be a spoiler to tell you more, but I did like the ending. I recommend this book to historical fiction fans. The author's note tells the reader about the Levallois family and some of the family members that she was able to meet. I urge you to read it for context.
One quote by Josie, responding to someone asking her if she believes in miracles:
"I think I do," she says quietly. "I think maybe miracles are just people being kind when they don't have to be. People being brave when it's easier to hide. People sharing what little they have. People lighting candles when it's dark."
Triggers: Brief descriptions of torture
Thank You Blackstone Publishing for sending me this eARC through NetGalley.
#ThePianoTeacherofMontparnasse #NetGalley
Pub Date Oct 20 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
3 1/2* rounded up to 4*
I realize that this was based on a true story and that is wonderful. I did think the characters were very well written and relatable. Everything that happened to them is atrocious and never should have happened! The Levallois family endangered their own lives to shelter a Jewish girl.
Many books have been written about the French Resistance and how the French turned on their own people. Books about people just like this family who sheltered Jewish people. Their stories are remarkable.
The facts about the piano teacher and that the piano itself survived and made its way to the US is incredible.
I just don't think the writing was that stellar. There is a lot of repetition - over and over when the meetings were held, how terrible the rations were, how Maurice helped keep their secrets and many other things. This felt like a YA novel to me - not too descriptive in the horrors while still telling the story.
If you haven’t read many novels about the French people and how they suffered and survived during WWII then I think you’ll enjoy this.
This was a buddy read with Mary Beth, be sure and read her review to get another opinion on this one.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
3 1/2* rounded up to 4*
I realize that this was based on a true story and that is wonderful. I did think the characters were very well written and relatable. Everything that happened to them is atrocious and never should have happened! The Levallois family endangered their own lives to shelter a Jewish girl.
Many books have been written about the French Resistance and how the French turned on their own people. Books about people just like this family who sheltered Jewish people. Their stories are remarkable.
The facts about the piano teacher and that the piano itself survived and made its way to the US is incredible.
I just don't think the writing was that stellar. There is a lot of repetition - over and over when the meetings were held, how terrible the rations were, how Maurice helped keep their secrets and many other things. This felt like a YA novel to me - not too descriptive in the horrors while still telling the story.
If you haven’t read many novels about the French people and how they suffered and survived during WWII then I think you’ll enjoy this.
This was a buddy read with Mary Beth, be sure and read her review to get another opinion on this one.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this title.
October 25, 2026
Set in German-occupied Paris in 1942, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse follows Andrée Levallois, a piano teacher and member of the French Resistance who is already risking her life to defy the Nazi occupation. When eleven-year-old Josephine (Josie) arrives at her door after the Gestapo arrest her mother and brother, Andrée does not hesitate to take the child into her home and heart, despite the extraordinary danger of doing so.
Andrée, her parents, and their fellow Resistance members seem to evade one close call after another. I am always astounded by historical accounts in which survival appears to depend upon an almost unbelievable amount of luck. Yet I must remind myself that this novel is inspired by the experiences of composer Kara Talve’s grandmother, rather than being a strictly factual retelling. There is also an inherent survival bias in the stories history allows us to hear. Those who lived to tell their stories could recount their narrow escapes, while countless others never had that opportunity.
Just when I began to question whether the events were too good to be true, the danger became considerably more insidious. As French citizens increasingly participated in policing their own communities, the threat no longer came solely from occupying German forces but also from neighbors and fellow countrymen. Despite every precaution Andrée and her family take, they cannot entirely protect themselves from suspicion, betrayal, or the enemy closing in around them. The novel captures a particularly frightening reality of occupation: when trust becomes dangerous, even familiar faces can become a threat.
What struck me most, however, was the extraordinary moral courage of these characters. Andrée and those closest to her embody the heroes we all hope we would become if confronted with the horrors of the Second World War. Open-minded, compassionate, and profoundly self-sacrificing, they refuse to abandon their principles even when doing so might spare them torture or death. Their willingness to surrender portions of their already meager food rations for one another was especially moving.
I would like to believe I would behave with such generosity. Yet I cannot help wondering how well my own convictions would withstand prolonged starvation, physical exhaustion, and the psychological devastation of living in a constant state of survival. It is easy to imagine ourselves courageous when we are safe, well-fed, and comfortable. It is quite another thing to maintain our humanity when our bodies and minds are pushed beyond their limits.
At times, I found the characters almost too honorable, their selflessness too unwavering. Their collective goodness occasionally lends the narrative an idealized quality that softens some of the moral complexity I associate with stories of wartime survival. Nevertheless, I recognize that this may be precisely what makes the novel so affecting. Rather than focusing exclusively on the cruelty humanity is capable of, Morris emphasizes the extraordinary kindness that can persist in its presence.
Saskia Maarleveld is an excellent choice to narrate this audiobook. Her command of accents and dialects is particularly well suited to a story rooted in Paris, and her handling of the French names and expressions lends authenticity to the English-language narration. Her performance complements the emotional weight of the story without losing the humanity of its characters.
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse may be a little too idealistic for readers who prefer their historical fiction morally ambiguous, but it offers something equally worthwhile: a reminder of the people who refused to let unimaginable cruelty determine the limits of their compassion. It challenges us to consider not merely whether we would have the courage to resist oppression, but whether we could remain kind while doing so.
Perhaps that is the novel’s greatest strength. It invites us to aspire to the very qualities that occasionally make its characters seem too good to be true. If we can carry even a fraction of their courage, generosity, and moral conviction into our own lives, humanity may be better equipped to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing – Audiobooks for providing an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Andrée, her parents, and their fellow Resistance members seem to evade one close call after another. I am always astounded by historical accounts in which survival appears to depend upon an almost unbelievable amount of luck. Yet I must remind myself that this novel is inspired by the experiences of composer Kara Talve’s grandmother, rather than being a strictly factual retelling. There is also an inherent survival bias in the stories history allows us to hear. Those who lived to tell their stories could recount their narrow escapes, while countless others never had that opportunity.
Just when I began to question whether the events were too good to be true, the danger became considerably more insidious. As French citizens increasingly participated in policing their own communities, the threat no longer came solely from occupying German forces but also from neighbors and fellow countrymen. Despite every precaution Andrée and her family take, they cannot entirely protect themselves from suspicion, betrayal, or the enemy closing in around them. The novel captures a particularly frightening reality of occupation: when trust becomes dangerous, even familiar faces can become a threat.
What struck me most, however, was the extraordinary moral courage of these characters. Andrée and those closest to her embody the heroes we all hope we would become if confronted with the horrors of the Second World War. Open-minded, compassionate, and profoundly self-sacrificing, they refuse to abandon their principles even when doing so might spare them torture or death. Their willingness to surrender portions of their already meager food rations for one another was especially moving.
I would like to believe I would behave with such generosity. Yet I cannot help wondering how well my own convictions would withstand prolonged starvation, physical exhaustion, and the psychological devastation of living in a constant state of survival. It is easy to imagine ourselves courageous when we are safe, well-fed, and comfortable. It is quite another thing to maintain our humanity when our bodies and minds are pushed beyond their limits.
At times, I found the characters almost too honorable, their selflessness too unwavering. Their collective goodness occasionally lends the narrative an idealized quality that softens some of the moral complexity I associate with stories of wartime survival. Nevertheless, I recognize that this may be precisely what makes the novel so affecting. Rather than focusing exclusively on the cruelty humanity is capable of, Morris emphasizes the extraordinary kindness that can persist in its presence.
Saskia Maarleveld is an excellent choice to narrate this audiobook. Her command of accents and dialects is particularly well suited to a story rooted in Paris, and her handling of the French names and expressions lends authenticity to the English-language narration. Her performance complements the emotional weight of the story without losing the humanity of its characters.
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse may be a little too idealistic for readers who prefer their historical fiction morally ambiguous, but it offers something equally worthwhile: a reminder of the people who refused to let unimaginable cruelty determine the limits of their compassion. It challenges us to consider not merely whether we would have the courage to resist oppression, but whether we could remain kind while doing so.
Perhaps that is the novel’s greatest strength. It invites us to aspire to the very qualities that occasionally make its characters seem too good to be true. If we can carry even a fraction of their courage, generosity, and moral conviction into our own lives, humanity may be better equipped to face whatever challenges lie ahead.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing – Audiobooks for providing an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris. In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine runs to the only person she can her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative."
Based on real people and historical events, making it hard to read. When so many of these stories end in tragedy, we focus on the ones who find strength within to keep going. Most stay a float with the hope of seeing their loved ones again and even in the most gruesome tortures their bravery is remarkable. When Josie made it to Andrée's home, she had just watched her mother and brother be taken away by Nazi soldiers and she was spared because she was not on the list. Andrée worked with resistance with her parents and prepared to save others. They all took risks to spread the word about the resistance groups and to offer rations for those in need. Then there were the traitors among them that offered them up to save themselves. It always shocks me even after all the WWII books I have read about the Jewish people and the dark days of their lives. As we watch today in horror as racism surfaces, we hope we can be that light for others. Humanity struggles to live in complete peace because of a mix of social divisions and competing individual desires.
Excellent job on the narrating by Saskia Maarleveld.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Based on real people and historical events, making it hard to read. When so many of these stories end in tragedy, we focus on the ones who find strength within to keep going. Most stay a float with the hope of seeing their loved ones again and even in the most gruesome tortures their bravery is remarkable. When Josie made it to Andrée's home, she had just watched her mother and brother be taken away by Nazi soldiers and she was spared because she was not on the list. Andrée worked with resistance with her parents and prepared to save others. They all took risks to spread the word about the resistance groups and to offer rations for those in need. Then there were the traitors among them that offered them up to save themselves. It always shocks me even after all the WWII books I have read about the Jewish people and the dark days of their lives. As we watch today in horror as racism surfaces, we hope we can be that light for others. Humanity struggles to live in complete peace because of a mix of social divisions and competing individual desires.
Excellent job on the narrating by Saskia Maarleveld.
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse" by Heather Morris is a beautifully written, historical fiction novel which is based on real persons and actual events. Telling the story of the courageous, talented and warmhearted piano teacher and resistance fighter, Andrée Levallois, it is both heartbreaking and hopeful. I especially liked its message that the beauty and healing power of music exists in the darkest of times, and the fascinating reference to the wireless operators who were known as the pianists of the resistance for their invaluable service. The author's note and acknowledgements are enlightening and truly appreciated. I am grateful to Blackstone Publishing, Heather Morris, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this compelling novel. This is my honest opinion.
October 18, 2026
What I liked about this book is that it had both resistance work AND sheltering a Jewish person in the same book. Andrée together with her parents are involved in some French resistance groups while also sheltering a young Jewish girl. Talk about double danger! Very brave family taking big risks with their lives.
The book gives good insight into what life was like for people in Paris during the German occupation, especially with regard to the rations and shortage of food. There were also several stories of the activities that some of the members of the resistance undertook, risking their lives.
Towards the end of the book, my emotions were running a bit high – feeling a bit stressed and concerned, and also emotional at times.
It is based on a true story, and it is good to read the author’s note at the end to hear about the facts and what happened later in the lives of the people in the book, although there is not a lot of detail on that.
I recommend the book to fans of WW2 historical fiction. Probably good to read it when your own life isn’t too stressful.
Thank you to Firefinch Publishing and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.
The book gives good insight into what life was like for people in Paris during the German occupation, especially with regard to the rations and shortage of food. There were also several stories of the activities that some of the members of the resistance undertook, risking their lives.
Towards the end of the book, my emotions were running a bit high – feeling a bit stressed and concerned, and also emotional at times.
It is based on a true story, and it is good to read the author’s note at the end to hear about the facts and what happened later in the lives of the people in the book, although there is not a lot of detail on that.
I recommend the book to fans of WW2 historical fiction. Probably good to read it when your own life isn’t too stressful.
Thank you to Firefinch Publishing and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Montparnasse, Paris, France. Andrée Levallios is a piano teacher, her father Louis and mother Augustine (Tina) are involved in the resistance and so is their daughter.
When the Germans raid the home of one of her Jewish students and her name is not on the list and eleven-year old Josephine is told to go to Andrée she will help you by her mother Ruth and she and her brother Leon are taken away. Josie becomes a member of their family and despite the risk of hiding a Jewish person in their apartment.
All the adults are involved in the resistance, it’s a small network made up of a group of people and they don’t know some of the member’s real names and safer that way. They gather and send information to the allies, are involved in creating false identity papers and documents.
As the war drags on Andrée, Louis, Tina and Josie are constantly hungry, all the people living in cities are starving, those living in the country are a little better off and Josie wonders if she will ever see her family again?
I received a copy of The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse from Blackstone Publishing and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. Once again Heather Morris has written a novel that makes the reader understand what it was like to live in France between 1942 to 1944 and a year after the war ended.
This is epic historical fiction at its finest, based on real people and events creating a realistic narrative about music, bravery, courage, sacrifice, pain, endurance, survival, love and hope.
Please read the author’s notes at the end, it explains a lot and adds to the story and so does the fact that Andrée's piano survived and where it is.
Five stars and I highly recommend.
When the Germans raid the home of one of her Jewish students and her name is not on the list and eleven-year old Josephine is told to go to Andrée she will help you by her mother Ruth and she and her brother Leon are taken away. Josie becomes a member of their family and despite the risk of hiding a Jewish person in their apartment.
All the adults are involved in the resistance, it’s a small network made up of a group of people and they don’t know some of the member’s real names and safer that way. They gather and send information to the allies, are involved in creating false identity papers and documents.
As the war drags on Andrée, Louis, Tina and Josie are constantly hungry, all the people living in cities are starving, those living in the country are a little better off and Josie wonders if she will ever see her family again?
I received a copy of The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse from Blackstone Publishing and Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review. Once again Heather Morris has written a novel that makes the reader understand what it was like to live in France between 1942 to 1944 and a year after the war ended.
This is epic historical fiction at its finest, based on real people and events creating a realistic narrative about music, bravery, courage, sacrifice, pain, endurance, survival, love and hope.
Please read the author’s notes at the end, it explains a lot and adds to the story and so does the fact that Andrée's piano survived and where it is.
Five stars and I highly recommend.
October 22, 2026
Rating: 3.75* of five
The Publisher Says: The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz returns with a masterful new novel that captures the astonishing bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary times.
In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris. In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine runs to the only person she can her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative.
Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.
Epic in scope and based on real people and historical events, Heather Morris has written a story of breathtaking beauty, at once gripping, heartbreaking, and uplifting.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: An intimate story of bureacratic bungling saving a child's life because of a quick-thinking mother, a brave family keenly aware of the injustice being done in their country, and how ver simple a miracle truly is. The real woman said of miracles: "I think maybe miracles are just people being kind when they don't have to be. People being brave when it's easier to hide. People sharing what little they have. People lighting candles when it's dark."
That's the heart of the story. It's deeply affecting, all the moreso because it's based on facts. The Holocaust is receding into memory as the few survivors left alive are approaching their 90s. Soon no witnesses will remain. Hence the uptick of scum shouting "fake news" and "hoax" and "it wasn't that bad, those jews are exaggerating" and suchlike idiocy.
This is called "preparing the ground."
We as a species might very well be extinct in the near future, and I'm not speaking geologically, if the "AI" alarmists are correct. I think I'm more worried that they are *not* correct because if we do not all die I fear deeply we're going to see more and more and more genocides modeled on the "Final Solution" as the desensitization and justification scumbags do their evil work. They've never stopped, the Germans weren't the first to think of any of it, and we still pull out a few individual miracles. Like this one. It is a sentimental telling of a story replete with pathos.
It will do your book club proud and, I urgently hope, begin many a conversation about collaborating with evil on a practical basis by being "sick of the rage" or "too tired" to perform even simple actions in support of those actively resisting.
I'm not a fan of this angle of storytelling but I'm damn sure a fan of this story's message, burnished to a high gloss as it is. Shiny things are pretty good mirrors, after all.
The Publisher Says: The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz returns with a masterful new novel that captures the astonishing bravery of ordinary people in extraordinary times.
In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris. In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine runs to the only person she can her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative.
Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.
Epic in scope and based on real people and historical events, Heather Morris has written a story of breathtaking beauty, at once gripping, heartbreaking, and uplifting.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: An intimate story of bureacratic bungling saving a child's life because of a quick-thinking mother, a brave family keenly aware of the injustice being done in their country, and how ver simple a miracle truly is. The real woman said of miracles: "I think maybe miracles are just people being kind when they don't have to be. People being brave when it's easier to hide. People sharing what little they have. People lighting candles when it's dark."
That's the heart of the story. It's deeply affecting, all the moreso because it's based on facts. The Holocaust is receding into memory as the few survivors left alive are approaching their 90s. Soon no witnesses will remain. Hence the uptick of scum shouting "fake news" and "hoax" and "it wasn't that bad, those jews are exaggerating" and suchlike idiocy.
This is called "preparing the ground."
We as a species might very well be extinct in the near future, and I'm not speaking geologically, if the "AI" alarmists are correct. I think I'm more worried that they are *not* correct because if we do not all die I fear deeply we're going to see more and more and more genocides modeled on the "Final Solution" as the desensitization and justification scumbags do their evil work. They've never stopped, the Germans weren't the first to think of any of it, and we still pull out a few individual miracles. Like this one. It is a sentimental telling of a story replete with pathos.
It will do your book club proud and, I urgently hope, begin many a conversation about collaborating with evil on a practical basis by being "sick of the rage" or "too tired" to perform even simple actions in support of those actively resisting.
I'm not a fan of this angle of storytelling but I'm damn sure a fan of this story's message, burnished to a high gloss as it is. Shiny things are pretty good mirrors, after all.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 French Resistance Stars - now available
In another heartbreaking WWII story from Heather Morris, we meet Josephine. In 1942, she lives with her family in occupied Paris, in the Montparnasse area. Soldiers storm their house, but only her mother's and brother’s names are on the list to be seized. They let Josephine slip away. She’s only 11 years old.
Josephine steals away to her piano teacher’s house. They bravely take in the Jewish girl and give her their last name. Josephine still attends school thanks to the schoolmaster's bravery.
Andrée is more than a piano teacher. She and her parents are part of the French resistance. They work to interrupt war plans and help Jewish families escape. Their work becomes much harder when the Germans recruit French citizens to work with them.
Based on real people, this one is heartbreaking in so many ways. I appreciate it when authors dig in and share real stories of heroes from this time. When I read books like this, I am always appalled at how humans can mistreat others, sometimes their own neighbors and countrymen. And I’m inspired by the bravery of those who strike back, however they can, often starved and miserable.
I was worried the whole time I read this book that Andrée’s family would be betrayed. I knew it would be impossible to get Josephine out of Paris, and I hoped that she could outlast the war.
This was a good buddy read book with Marilyn, we've read many historical fiction books together and I always appreciate her views.
My thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
In another heartbreaking WWII story from Heather Morris, we meet Josephine. In 1942, she lives with her family in occupied Paris, in the Montparnasse area. Soldiers storm their house, but only her mother's and brother’s names are on the list to be seized. They let Josephine slip away. She’s only 11 years old.
Josephine steals away to her piano teacher’s house. They bravely take in the Jewish girl and give her their last name. Josephine still attends school thanks to the schoolmaster's bravery.
Andrée is more than a piano teacher. She and her parents are part of the French resistance. They work to interrupt war plans and help Jewish families escape. Their work becomes much harder when the Germans recruit French citizens to work with them.
Based on real people, this one is heartbreaking in so many ways. I appreciate it when authors dig in and share real stories of heroes from this time. When I read books like this, I am always appalled at how humans can mistreat others, sometimes their own neighbors and countrymen. And I’m inspired by the bravery of those who strike back, however they can, often starved and miserable.
I was worried the whole time I read this book that Andrée’s family would be betrayed. I knew it would be impossible to get Josephine out of Paris, and I hoped that she could outlast the war.
This was a good buddy read book with Marilyn, we've read many historical fiction books together and I always appreciate her views.
My thanks to Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another family torn apart during the roundup.
Josie wasn't on the Gestapo's list and was saved. Her mother told her to make her way to the piano teacher's house. They will keep you safe until she and her brother return.
Josie spent the war with the Levallois family.
They accepted Josie, changed her name to their name, and kept her safe through the years of hunger and the horror of occupied Paris.
Based on a true story and real people, you will feel the pain that was endured but the love that helped all of them get through it.
THE PIANO TEACHER OF is another marvelously researched, heartbreaking book by Ms. Morris. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Josie wasn't on the Gestapo's list and was saved. Her mother told her to make her way to the piano teacher's house. They will keep you safe until she and her brother return.
Josie spent the war with the Levallois family.
They accepted Josie, changed her name to their name, and kept her safe through the years of hunger and the horror of occupied Paris.
Based on a true story and real people, you will feel the pain that was endured but the love that helped all of them get through it.
THE PIANO TEACHER OF is another marvelously researched, heartbreaking book by Ms. Morris. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I've read four of this author's other books, including all of The Tattooist of Auschwitz series. This book, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse, is definitely my favorite. My initial reaction was, ho-hum, another WWII story. I've read so many. However, it turned out to be so much more than that. It had intensity and depth that I haven't come across in a lot of other wartime stories. Yet the narrative didn't try to do too much. This is a story about love, unselfishness, courage, and survival.
This book is one of historical fiction that is based on the lives of real people. It is a story that tells of the dedication of normal everyday people in France who fought as part of the French Resistance over four years during WWII, using secrecy and determination. This is also a testament to how a small French family, and music, saved the life of a young Jewish girl.
In Paris in 1942, when 11-year-old Josie's mother and brother are arrested by members of the German Gestapo she runs to her piano teacher's apartment. Josie's piano teacher and her parents are part of the French Resistance against the Nazis, but they take in the young girl to protect her, which puts them and their positions at great risk. Every day is fraught with additional hazards and new challenges. They all suffer from fear, hunger, cold and other tortures for years. Yet they continue to find joy in small things and fill Josie's life with love and hope. The bravery of these individuals stands as a beacon of compassion to us all.
This book is a "must read" for historical fiction fans and readers who enjoy stories about resilience and heroism.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this amazing story in exchange for an honest review.
This book is one of historical fiction that is based on the lives of real people. It is a story that tells of the dedication of normal everyday people in France who fought as part of the French Resistance over four years during WWII, using secrecy and determination. This is also a testament to how a small French family, and music, saved the life of a young Jewish girl.
In Paris in 1942, when 11-year-old Josie's mother and brother are arrested by members of the German Gestapo she runs to her piano teacher's apartment. Josie's piano teacher and her parents are part of the French Resistance against the Nazis, but they take in the young girl to protect her, which puts them and their positions at great risk. Every day is fraught with additional hazards and new challenges. They all suffer from fear, hunger, cold and other tortures for years. Yet they continue to find joy in small things and fill Josie's life with love and hope. The bravery of these individuals stands as a beacon of compassion to us all.
This book is a "must read" for historical fiction fans and readers who enjoy stories about resilience and heroism.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this amazing story in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another fantastic read from this author, an emotional book..a true story..a young Jewish girl looking for help from her piano teacher and she puts her life into danger to try save her..this author is great in writing gritty emotional stories..
July 17, 2026
I love this authors books. Always detailed, emotional and unique. This one is about a piano teacher, the resistance and trying to keep a child safe. Heart wrenching and beautiful.
June 1, 2026
Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. Heather Morris, author of 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz' has done it again! She is a 'drop everything you are doing and read now' author for me and boy am I glad I did just that with this one. I was hooked from start to finish and didn't want the story to end except for the hope for a happy ending for all. However with story being set during the times of WWII and the Holocaust there were too many endings that were tragic including portions of this book. Despite the hardships and tragedies, Morris was still able to show what the power of love can do.
October 21, 2026
This historical fiction novel takes place in 1942 in Nazi-occupied Paris. It follows an 11 year old Jewish girl named Josephine, who is taken in by her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, who is a secret French Resistance operative.
The Levallois family risk their lives protecting Josie and gathering intelligence for the allies, while facing food shortages, growing violence, and the threat of betrayal.
Themes in this story that stuck out to me were human compassion, music to cope with fear and trauma, and the extraordinary bravery of every day people.
I really enjoyed listening to this story as an audiobook, even more so since I found out it was based on the real-life family of composer Kara Talve. It’s hard to grasp the cruelty and depravity of that time period in history. I love stories like this that shine a light on the goodness of humanity, even in the darkest of times.
🎧 Saskia Maarleveld narrated this story, and she did a fabulous job bringing emotional impact into this story. She really elevated the listening experience! The piano piece “Clair de lune” was also played in a few places in the audiobook, which was a nice addition to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks for the advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
The Levallois family risk their lives protecting Josie and gathering intelligence for the allies, while facing food shortages, growing violence, and the threat of betrayal.
Themes in this story that stuck out to me were human compassion, music to cope with fear and trauma, and the extraordinary bravery of every day people.
I really enjoyed listening to this story as an audiobook, even more so since I found out it was based on the real-life family of composer Kara Talve. It’s hard to grasp the cruelty and depravity of that time period in history. I love stories like this that shine a light on the goodness of humanity, even in the darkest of times.
🎧 Saskia Maarleveld narrated this story, and she did a fabulous job bringing emotional impact into this story. She really elevated the listening experience! The piano piece “Clair de lune” was also played in a few places in the audiobook, which was a nice addition to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks for the advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The dialogue was repetitive and as a reader of historical fiction I felt that this book fell short. The phrase “Bring Them Home” did not feel authentic to the time period.
November 1, 2026
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse is one of those books you'll always remember by Heather Morris. It's 1942 and the Nazis are in Paris looking for Jewish families to take. When there's loud knocking on the door of a mother and her 2 children, it's too late to prepare. They have 2 names on their list, the mother and her teenaged son. The young daughter, Josie, is not listed so the mother tells her to run to her piano teacher's house. She knows that her family will help Josie as they are helping many others. Andree' Levallois is Josie's piano teacher and shares an apartment with her mother and father. When Josie shows up and explains what's happened, they all agree she is now part of their family. They will say she's a visiting niece as a cover story. Josie is devastated over the capture of her mother and brother and worries that she'll never see them again. Josie has one thing that brings her joy and that is playing the piano.
Andree' and her family are working behind the scenes as French Resistance operatives. They have a group of people working with them to gather information and pass it on. As things get worse and gathering information becomes more dangerous, the group must risk their lives to complete their missions. The Levallois family live in fear for Josie hoping that no one ever tells that a Jewish girl is living with them. This book is written with such vivid detail that you will feel like you are there helping the French Resistance. The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse is a beautiful, heartbreaking, uplifting story of the kindness of others, the commitment to the greater good, and the sacrifice that others make for the safety of their country. I rate The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse 4.5 stars with a very high recommendation. The book is out now and should not be added to your TBR pile. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advanced copy of The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse in exchange for a fair review.
Andree' and her family are working behind the scenes as French Resistance operatives. They have a group of people working with them to gather information and pass it on. As things get worse and gathering information becomes more dangerous, the group must risk their lives to complete their missions. The Levallois family live in fear for Josie hoping that no one ever tells that a Jewish girl is living with them. This book is written with such vivid detail that you will feel like you are there helping the French Resistance. The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse is a beautiful, heartbreaking, uplifting story of the kindness of others, the commitment to the greater good, and the sacrifice that others make for the safety of their country. I rate The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse 4.5 stars with a very high recommendation. The book is out now and should not be added to your TBR pile. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advanced copy of The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse in exchange for a fair review.
October 20, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Heather Morris, with the audiobook beautifully narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.75 stars!
In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris. In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine does what she's been taught and runs to the only person she can trust: her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative. Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.
Once again, Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, has given us a horrific story, made beautiful by the actions of people who tried to do everything they could to help others. In addition, the book stresses how important music is, bringing light into the darkest places. Based on real people, be sure to read the author's notes. Books based on the atrocities of WWII are always so difficult to read, but they are also a testament to the human spirit and innate goodness in most people. The audiobook was a joy to listen to because of Marrleveld's narration.
In 1942, the Nazis come for a Jewish family living in the Montparnasse area of occupied Paris. In the chaos of their arrest, eleven-year-old Josephine does what she's been taught and runs to the only person she can trust: her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois, a secret French Resistance operative. Andrée takes her in as a member of the family, spreading their rations and risking everything to keep her safe. But soon the authorities close in, and both Andrée and Josie are caught in a desperate race to stay alive.
Once again, Heather Morris, author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, has given us a horrific story, made beautiful by the actions of people who tried to do everything they could to help others. In addition, the book stresses how important music is, bringing light into the darkest places. Based on real people, be sure to read the author's notes. Books based on the atrocities of WWII are always so difficult to read, but they are also a testament to the human spirit and innate goodness in most people. The audiobook was a joy to listen to because of Marrleveld's narration.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I feel terrible giving this book three stars, but it's accurate for the way I felt about it. I liked it, but I didn't "really like" or "love" it.
I feel bad about it because the story is important. The real people behind the story are important. They lived through a horrendous part of history and they faced it with courage and love for each other and for their country. The book is worth reading so that you can get to know them, and so that you can get a glimpse into their lives, the dangers that surrounded them and the risks they took to free France.
I loved the way this story came to Morris, the way she was introduced to the family about whom she writes in this book. I've read a lot of WW2 historical fiction (including Morris's The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka's Journey, and Three Sisters), so I was excited to pick up another of her books, especially since this was set in France.
Unfortunately, as happened for me with Three Sisters, this book just does not live up to The Tattooist or to Cilka. I don't know what happened to Morris's writing style from her third book forward, but it's very juvenile sounding. I really felt like she was writing for a YA (or maybe even a MG) audience. My biggest pet peeve is the way she ramps up the drama (which doesn't need to be ramped up in these stories) and the way she refrains from really delving into her characters.
Here are some examples (no spoilers):
From chapter 7: "'I'll take the details to Colonel Pallas. He will have them dealt with,' Louis tells them. Neither Tina nor Andree need to ask what it [sic] meant by this ominous statement." Morris should have trusted her readers and not included the last sentence.
There are many redundancies, both throughout the book and within single paragraphs. For example, from chapter 9: "The charade is exhausting but necessary. Anyone could be listening. Anyone could be watching. Trust no one. Assume everyone is a collaborator until proven otherwise. These are the rules that keep them alive." This theme is hammered and hammered and hammered again. In a MG novel, I'd understand this type of repetition. In a novel for adults, it's overwrought and overdone.
The theme of music being a healer (or at least a pain reducer) carries through the book, and I like that in and of itself. It's true for many of us. But again, with Morris's heavy hand, I groaned at the overdone narrative. For example, in chapter 11: "She plays. The music fills the apartment, sweet and clear. Andree closes her eyes; lets it wash over her. Outside, a Militia might form, but inside, there's music. There's this child, playing Bach. For now. That's all they have. This moment. This day. This note, and the next, and the next. It will have to be enough." The repetitiveness of this sentiment is what made me grind my teeth. (I swear, if I never see the words "Clair de Lune" again, I won't mind.)
Morris also pulled more punches than I would have liked when it came to describing the brutality, the terror, and the pain of living in this time and place. Again, appropriate for a MG novel, but not an adult novel about the German occupation of France and the Holocaust more broadly.
As I said, this story is important and should be read for this reason. I wish it had been told differently.
I want to thank Heather Morris, Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for the free advance copy I received in exchange for my honest review.
I feel bad about it because the story is important. The real people behind the story are important. They lived through a horrendous part of history and they faced it with courage and love for each other and for their country. The book is worth reading so that you can get to know them, and so that you can get a glimpse into their lives, the dangers that surrounded them and the risks they took to free France.
I loved the way this story came to Morris, the way she was introduced to the family about whom she writes in this book. I've read a lot of WW2 historical fiction (including Morris's The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Cilka's Journey, and Three Sisters), so I was excited to pick up another of her books, especially since this was set in France.
Unfortunately, as happened for me with Three Sisters, this book just does not live up to The Tattooist or to Cilka. I don't know what happened to Morris's writing style from her third book forward, but it's very juvenile sounding. I really felt like she was writing for a YA (or maybe even a MG) audience. My biggest pet peeve is the way she ramps up the drama (which doesn't need to be ramped up in these stories) and the way she refrains from really delving into her characters.
Here are some examples (no spoilers):
From chapter 7: "'I'll take the details to Colonel Pallas. He will have them dealt with,' Louis tells them. Neither Tina nor Andree need to ask what it [sic] meant by this ominous statement." Morris should have trusted her readers and not included the last sentence.
There are many redundancies, both throughout the book and within single paragraphs. For example, from chapter 9: "The charade is exhausting but necessary. Anyone could be listening. Anyone could be watching. Trust no one. Assume everyone is a collaborator until proven otherwise. These are the rules that keep them alive." This theme is hammered and hammered and hammered again. In a MG novel, I'd understand this type of repetition. In a novel for adults, it's overwrought and overdone.
The theme of music being a healer (or at least a pain reducer) carries through the book, and I like that in and of itself. It's true for many of us. But again, with Morris's heavy hand, I groaned at the overdone narrative. For example, in chapter 11: "She plays. The music fills the apartment, sweet and clear. Andree closes her eyes; lets it wash over her. Outside, a Militia might form, but inside, there's music. There's this child, playing Bach. For now. That's all they have. This moment. This day. This note, and the next, and the next. It will have to be enough." The repetitiveness of this sentiment is what made me grind my teeth. (I swear, if I never see the words "Clair de Lune" again, I won't mind.)
Morris also pulled more punches than I would have liked when it came to describing the brutality, the terror, and the pain of living in this time and place. Again, appropriate for a MG novel, but not an adult novel about the German occupation of France and the Holocaust more broadly.
As I said, this story is important and should be read for this reason. I wish it had been told differently.
I want to thank Heather Morris, Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley for the free advance copy I received in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Paris in 1942 has been overtaken by German soldiers, determined to rid anyone with Jewish beliefs. Eleven-year-old Josephine is miraculously not on the Nazis list and manages to escape to her piano teacher's home. Her piano teacher, Andrée, and Andrée's parents are part of the French Resistance and are willing to assist this young girl.
As the Nazis locate more Resistance participants, Andrée and her family are closer to being uncovered. Though piano and music can fill some of the void and fear, Josie is still at risk of being found. With the help of neighbors and Resistance members, Josie's safety takes priority.
After months and years of devastation, will this newfound family survive and still cling onto hope? Follow these characters in Heather Morris's latest novel, "The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse".
I've read "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" a while back and remembered being entranced by it and could not stop reading. It was such a captivating novel and the way the story was shaped really left an impact on me. Therefore, when I saw that Heather Morris has written another novel in the same time period, but a different perspective of the war, I was ready to give it a read!
As with any book that is based on realistic events, people, and even stories, I learn something new every time. This could be a specific fact or even the kinds of actions people took during that time. One of the things that I had not considered was how a French Resistance family would be able to hide a Jewish girl and hold secretive meetings in their apartment without being caught for so long. The thought of this just terrifies me, and I honestly don't know if I would have had the same courage and bravery as those who were truly involved in the Resistance had.
I have such high respect and gratitude to Andrée and her family, and for those who they represent. It not only takes bravery and courage, but it also takes a lot of thought, planning, and stealthiness that not everyone has. Even their doctor friend, who assisted in creating fake documentation to essentially hide Jewish people in plain sight takes so much planning. It's amazing how many people were in the Resistance and really tried to help as many Jewish people as possible. For this, I will forever have such admiration and respect for them.
With this being said, and the appreciation for the author who took the time and effort to write a novel to represent and share this story, unfortunately, so much of the book fell flat for me. This is especially true toward the beginning of the novel and most of the middle portions. It felt both rushed, wanting to get so much in, and slow-paced without too many emotions woven in.
So much of the dialogue felt flat, awkward, and repetitive. The writing style in general is mostly tell, not show. Showing what is happening immerses me more in a story versus just telling me what is happening. It takes me out of the story and reading becomes more of a chore than a pleasurable and/or insightful experience. As a side note, the amount of times "Clair de Lune" was referenced was overdone. Yes, I can see why during the ending sequences made sense, but I don't feel it was necessary to mention it prior to the ending that often.
The narration is very interesting. There is no one clear narrator since the perspectives and locations do change. This is mostly true toward the end of the novel. I will give credit that I was never confused on where the characters were even when the perspectives changed in the middle of chapters. I appreciate this fact.
All of the main characters were portrayed as kind, caring, and very thoughtful. As a reader, I felt a lot for Josie and her situation - losing her father before the story begins, her brother and mother taken away right from the beginning, and then having to live under a false identity. On the other hand, everyone mostly felt one-dimensional and sometimes I was confused on who was who when considering the secondary characters.
There were some bits and pieces of action throughout the book, however, it wasn't until the last 30% of the book where most of the action and fast-paced storytelling takes place. This is when my interest piqued the most and I was zipping through the text in a good way.
As with any war book, there are strong themes. The story depicts themes of bravery, identity, determination, resisting authority, choosing what's right versus what's easy, standing up to authority, war rationing, being there for one another, and so much more. There are moments of torture and people slowly dying due to terrible camp condition. Nothing extremely explicit, but could be triggering for some audience members.
Overall, there were aspects I thought were wonderful in the book and other moments that could have been portrayed better. I rate "The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse" 3 out of 5 stars. For those who would like to read about the French Resistance during WWII and who do not mind some of the comments I mentioned above may enjoy "The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse".
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Blackstone Publishing) and the author for giving me the opportunity to read "The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse". All opinions are my own.
BookloverBlog17 Review Link: https://bookloverblogs17.wordpress.co...
As the Nazis locate more Resistance participants, Andrée and her family are closer to being uncovered. Though piano and music can fill some of the void and fear, Josie is still at risk of being found. With the help of neighbors and Resistance members, Josie's safety takes priority.
After months and years of devastation, will this newfound family survive and still cling onto hope? Follow these characters in Heather Morris's latest novel, "The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse".
I've read "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" a while back and remembered being entranced by it and could not stop reading. It was such a captivating novel and the way the story was shaped really left an impact on me. Therefore, when I saw that Heather Morris has written another novel in the same time period, but a different perspective of the war, I was ready to give it a read!
As with any book that is based on realistic events, people, and even stories, I learn something new every time. This could be a specific fact or even the kinds of actions people took during that time. One of the things that I had not considered was how a French Resistance family would be able to hide a Jewish girl and hold secretive meetings in their apartment without being caught for so long. The thought of this just terrifies me, and I honestly don't know if I would have had the same courage and bravery as those who were truly involved in the Resistance had.
I have such high respect and gratitude to Andrée and her family, and for those who they represent. It not only takes bravery and courage, but it also takes a lot of thought, planning, and stealthiness that not everyone has. Even their doctor friend, who assisted in creating fake documentation to essentially hide Jewish people in plain sight takes so much planning. It's amazing how many people were in the Resistance and really tried to help as many Jewish people as possible. For this, I will forever have such admiration and respect for them.
With this being said, and the appreciation for the author who took the time and effort to write a novel to represent and share this story, unfortunately, so much of the book fell flat for me. This is especially true toward the beginning of the novel and most of the middle portions. It felt both rushed, wanting to get so much in, and slow-paced without too many emotions woven in.
So much of the dialogue felt flat, awkward, and repetitive. The writing style in general is mostly tell, not show. Showing what is happening immerses me more in a story versus just telling me what is happening. It takes me out of the story and reading becomes more of a chore than a pleasurable and/or insightful experience. As a side note, the amount of times "Clair de Lune" was referenced was overdone. Yes, I can see why during the ending sequences made sense, but I don't feel it was necessary to mention it prior to the ending that often.
The narration is very interesting. There is no one clear narrator since the perspectives and locations do change. This is mostly true toward the end of the novel. I will give credit that I was never confused on where the characters were even when the perspectives changed in the middle of chapters. I appreciate this fact.
All of the main characters were portrayed as kind, caring, and very thoughtful. As a reader, I felt a lot for Josie and her situation - losing her father before the story begins, her brother and mother taken away right from the beginning, and then having to live under a false identity. On the other hand, everyone mostly felt one-dimensional and sometimes I was confused on who was who when considering the secondary characters.
There were some bits and pieces of action throughout the book, however, it wasn't until the last 30% of the book where most of the action and fast-paced storytelling takes place. This is when my interest piqued the most and I was zipping through the text in a good way.
As with any war book, there are strong themes. The story depicts themes of bravery, identity, determination, resisting authority, choosing what's right versus what's easy, standing up to authority, war rationing, being there for one another, and so much more. There are moments of torture and people slowly dying due to terrible camp condition. Nothing extremely explicit, but could be triggering for some audience members.
Overall, there were aspects I thought were wonderful in the book and other moments that could have been portrayed better. I rate "The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse" 3 out of 5 stars. For those who would like to read about the French Resistance during WWII and who do not mind some of the comments I mentioned above may enjoy "The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse".
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher (Blackstone Publishing) and the author for giving me the opportunity to read "The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse". All opinions are my own.
BookloverBlog17 Review Link: https://bookloverblogs17.wordpress.co...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Heather Morris has once again written an unforgettable story of courage, sacrifice, love, and resilience during one of history’s darkest periods. I listened to the audiobook of The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse and found it absolutely heartbreaking, inspiring, and impossible to forget.
Set in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1942, the story followed eleven-year-old Josephine (Josie), a Jewish girl whose world was shattered when the Nazis arrest her mother, Ruth and brother, Leon. Terrified and alone, Josie escaped to the home of her beloved piano teacher, Andrée Levallois. Without hesitation, Andrée and her parents, Louis and Tina, welcomed Josie into their family, despite the enormous danger. What Josie hadn’t realized was that Andrée and her parents were secretly involved in the French Resistance. As the war continued, their courage and determination to protect Josie would be tested in unimaginable ways.
I especially loved the relationship between Andrée and Josie. Andrée’s unconditional love and willingness to risk everything for this young girl touched my heart. I found myself becoming so emotionally invested in these characters, worrying about their safety and hoping they would survive. There were moments that brought tears to my eyes, but also moments that reminded me of the goodness and compassion that can exist even during the most horrific circumstances.
Knowing that this novel was inspired by real people and actual events made it even more meaningful. I also loved how music became a source of comfort, hope, and connection throughout the story.
The audiobook, beautifully narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, one of my all time favorite narrators, added another emotional dimension to an already powerful story. Her narration brought the characters and their experiences to life.
The Piano Teacher of Montparnesse was an example of historical fiction at its finest. It was a deeply moving reminder of the extraordinary courage of ordinary people and the sacrifices they made to save innocent lives. I highly recommend this five-star novel to anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven historical fiction, particularly stories about World War II and the French Resistance.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this exceptional audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Set in Nazi-occupied Paris in 1942, the story followed eleven-year-old Josephine (Josie), a Jewish girl whose world was shattered when the Nazis arrest her mother, Ruth and brother, Leon. Terrified and alone, Josie escaped to the home of her beloved piano teacher, Andrée Levallois. Without hesitation, Andrée and her parents, Louis and Tina, welcomed Josie into their family, despite the enormous danger. What Josie hadn’t realized was that Andrée and her parents were secretly involved in the French Resistance. As the war continued, their courage and determination to protect Josie would be tested in unimaginable ways.
I especially loved the relationship between Andrée and Josie. Andrée’s unconditional love and willingness to risk everything for this young girl touched my heart. I found myself becoming so emotionally invested in these characters, worrying about their safety and hoping they would survive. There were moments that brought tears to my eyes, but also moments that reminded me of the goodness and compassion that can exist even during the most horrific circumstances.
Knowing that this novel was inspired by real people and actual events made it even more meaningful. I also loved how music became a source of comfort, hope, and connection throughout the story.
The audiobook, beautifully narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, one of my all time favorite narrators, added another emotional dimension to an already powerful story. Her narration brought the characters and their experiences to life.
The Piano Teacher of Montparnesse was an example of historical fiction at its finest. It was a deeply moving reminder of the extraordinary courage of ordinary people and the sacrifices they made to save innocent lives. I highly recommend this five-star novel to anyone who enjoys emotional, character-driven historical fiction, particularly stories about World War II and the French Resistance.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this exceptional audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
November 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing - Audio for the gifted ALC and thank you to Bibliolifestyle and Blackstone Publishing for the gifted book.
WWII historical fiction is one of those genres I always find myself drawn to, so I was excited to pick this one up! Somehow, I still haven’t read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which is also by the same author, but this definitely makes me want to change that!
I thought this story was so well done. It was definitely hard to read at times, it’s heartbreaking to think about how much people had to endure during this time. Knowing that this story is very much inspired by real people and actual events makes it even more impactful.
One of the things that really stood out to me was the reminder that even during the darkest times, there are still good people willing to step up and help others. The kindness and courage shown throughout this story were so moving, and I think it’s such an important message, especially when you consider the circumstances they were living through.
I also loved how music was woven into the story and the role it played throughout. I read this one along with the audiobook, and the narration was fantastic! I really enjoyed listening along with the ebook, and the piano music included at the end was such a nice touch. It was the perfect little addition to the listening experience.
If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, I definitely recommend adding this one to your list. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s such an important story, and I’m so glad I picked it up!
WWII historical fiction is one of those genres I always find myself drawn to, so I was excited to pick this one up! Somehow, I still haven’t read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, which is also by the same author, but this definitely makes me want to change that!
I thought this story was so well done. It was definitely hard to read at times, it’s heartbreaking to think about how much people had to endure during this time. Knowing that this story is very much inspired by real people and actual events makes it even more impactful.
One of the things that really stood out to me was the reminder that even during the darkest times, there are still good people willing to step up and help others. The kindness and courage shown throughout this story were so moving, and I think it’s such an important message, especially when you consider the circumstances they were living through.
I also loved how music was woven into the story and the role it played throughout. I read this one along with the audiobook, and the narration was fantastic! I really enjoyed listening along with the ebook, and the piano music included at the end was such a nice touch. It was the perfect little addition to the listening experience.
If you enjoy WWII historical fiction, I definitely recommend adding this one to your list. It’s not always an easy read, but it’s such an important story, and I’m so glad I picked it up!
November 1, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for a free audiobook in exchange for an honest review ❤️
This is a very stirring, emotional story of occupied Paris during World War II. When the Nazis come to take a Jewish family from their home, the daughter Josephine is able to escape. She runs to her piano teacher's home, who is part of a secret French resistance.
Based on real people and true historical events, this is a powerful book. The audiobook experience was well done, as Saskia Maarleveld is one of my favorite narrators and the added piano tunes from Clair de Lune elevated the story at the beginning and end.
This is a wonderfully written story of World War II for historical fiction readers. This one gets a solid 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
This is a very stirring, emotional story of occupied Paris during World War II. When the Nazis come to take a Jewish family from their home, the daughter Josephine is able to escape. She runs to her piano teacher's home, who is part of a secret French resistance.
Based on real people and true historical events, this is a powerful book. The audiobook experience was well done, as Saskia Maarleveld is one of my favorite narrators and the added piano tunes from Clair de Lune elevated the story at the beginning and end.
This is a wonderfully written story of World War II for historical fiction readers. This one gets a solid 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ from me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have read all of Heather Morris’ World War II novels and, though all were good, this is my favorite so far. I loved the story of a family taking in a young girl and keeping her safe as the war continued to affect the Parisians, all while helping the Resistance as they could. Despite the harrowing events they had to endure, I was drawn into a story of relatable characters who faced each day with bravery and courage. Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the review copies.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the review copies.
June 20, 2026
Thank you to Netgalley and Blackstone Publishing for an early copy of this book.
I was so excited when I got approved for this that I didn’t want to wait to read it so I immediately dove in. This is definitely a poignant story that made me tear up a few times. I loved seeing another side to WWII by seeing the spies helping the war effort to liberate Paris. This also had my heart by the way everyone in this book was doing their best to protect Josie, a Jewish child whose mother and brother were taken away. I loved the Jewish representation with the way they celebrated Hanukkah by lighting the candles. I’m also Jewish so those moments really made me proud of my heritage. It was a very heartfelt story. The pacing, however, dragged quite a bit for me in the middle. It took me a while to read because of that. We also have some unanswered questions at the end which I know is realistic for that time but I still wish we knew what happened to certain characters. I loved the author’s note that gave us more insight into the Resistance. I’ll definitely continue to read more from this author whenever she puts out more books.
I was so excited when I got approved for this that I didn’t want to wait to read it so I immediately dove in. This is definitely a poignant story that made me tear up a few times. I loved seeing another side to WWII by seeing the spies helping the war effort to liberate Paris. This also had my heart by the way everyone in this book was doing their best to protect Josie, a Jewish child whose mother and brother were taken away. I loved the Jewish representation with the way they celebrated Hanukkah by lighting the candles. I’m also Jewish so those moments really made me proud of my heritage. It was a very heartfelt story. The pacing, however, dragged quite a bit for me in the middle. It took me a while to read because of that. We also have some unanswered questions at the end which I know is realistic for that time but I still wish we knew what happened to certain characters. I loved the author’s note that gave us more insight into the Resistance. I’ll definitely continue to read more from this author whenever she puts out more books.
October 20, 2026
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse
by Heather Morris
Rating: ★★★½ / 5
The most frightening thing in The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse is how ordinary the danger looks: a concierge who shuts her door so she won’t see who leaves, a customer who sighs with relief that the Jews are gone, a building that decides what it didn’t notice. In Paris in 1942, the Gestapo come for eleven-year-old Josephine’s Jewish family in the night, and her mother tells her to run to her piano teacher. The Levallois family, all quietly working with the Resistance, takes her in. What follows is a long study in hiding a Jewish child in plain sight, with a borrowed name, a borrowed family and rations that shrink with every season.
The approach
Morris’s author’s note says the story follows a real family closely, with names changed, some composite characters, and the main family names kept. The result is a novel of small, plain-spoken scenes rather than set-piece spectacle, and it reads as a deliberate choice. The piano is the connective tissue: Josie’s playing shows her mood before she speaks, and it gives the book its central image.
What works
• Restraint in the details. The occupation shows up in what is missing: loose clothes on rationed bodies, a pear divided into equal parts, a birthday cake made from saved sugar. These do more than narration could.
• Motifs that pay off. The holiday dinners shrink year by year, promises to return are made, kept and broken, and the closing image answers the first chapter. The architecture is more disciplined than the genre usually demands.
• Danger as moral texture. The strongest chapters turn on neighbors rather than soldiers: a loving attempt to save Josie’s soul that would erase who she is, and a watcher the household fears who turns out to be a friend.
What holds it back
• Luck does too much of the work. Danger is repeatedly set up and then defused by someone else’s timely distraction or a stranger’s kindness. Because the book follows real events, this is a matter of selection rather than invention, but the effect on the page is the same: by the third narrow escape, the tension leaks.
• Theme is stated rather than trusted. A few speeches say outright what the scenes had already earned, and the child-at-the-piano beat returns often enough to read as formula rather than motif.
• The ending keeps only part of its promise. The final act turns to summary just as the story’s weight shifts onto Andrée. The central family’s fate lands with real feeling, but we are told only that the Resistance circle was arrested, and we never learn what became of them.
Bottom line
A controlled, humane and quietly moving novel that trusts its details and earns its emotion more often than it spends it. It stops short of the top of the scale because of its structural convenience and compressed ending, but readers of historical fiction who prefer restraint to spectacle will find a lot to admire.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
by Heather Morris
Rating: ★★★½ / 5
The most frightening thing in The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse is how ordinary the danger looks: a concierge who shuts her door so she won’t see who leaves, a customer who sighs with relief that the Jews are gone, a building that decides what it didn’t notice. In Paris in 1942, the Gestapo come for eleven-year-old Josephine’s Jewish family in the night, and her mother tells her to run to her piano teacher. The Levallois family, all quietly working with the Resistance, takes her in. What follows is a long study in hiding a Jewish child in plain sight, with a borrowed name, a borrowed family and rations that shrink with every season.
The approach
Morris’s author’s note says the story follows a real family closely, with names changed, some composite characters, and the main family names kept. The result is a novel of small, plain-spoken scenes rather than set-piece spectacle, and it reads as a deliberate choice. The piano is the connective tissue: Josie’s playing shows her mood before she speaks, and it gives the book its central image.
What works
• Restraint in the details. The occupation shows up in what is missing: loose clothes on rationed bodies, a pear divided into equal parts, a birthday cake made from saved sugar. These do more than narration could.
• Motifs that pay off. The holiday dinners shrink year by year, promises to return are made, kept and broken, and the closing image answers the first chapter. The architecture is more disciplined than the genre usually demands.
• Danger as moral texture. The strongest chapters turn on neighbors rather than soldiers: a loving attempt to save Josie’s soul that would erase who she is, and a watcher the household fears who turns out to be a friend.
What holds it back
• Luck does too much of the work. Danger is repeatedly set up and then defused by someone else’s timely distraction or a stranger’s kindness. Because the book follows real events, this is a matter of selection rather than invention, but the effect on the page is the same: by the third narrow escape, the tension leaks.
• Theme is stated rather than trusted. A few speeches say outright what the scenes had already earned, and the child-at-the-piano beat returns often enough to read as formula rather than motif.
• The ending keeps only part of its promise. The final act turns to summary just as the story’s weight shifts onto Andrée. The central family’s fate lands with real feeling, but we are told only that the Resistance circle was arrested, and we never learn what became of them.
Bottom line
A controlled, humane and quietly moving novel that trusts its details and earns its emotion more often than it spends it. It stops short of the top of the scale because of its structural convenience and compressed ending, but readers of historical fiction who prefer restraint to spectacle will find a lot to admire.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having really enjoyed The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Cilka’s Journey, I was looking forward to returning to Heather Morris’s historical fiction. Unfortunately, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, the novel follows a young Jewish girl who finds refuge with her piano teacher and a family involved in the French Resistance. As the dangers of occupation intensify, their courage and determination to protect her come at an enormous personal risk.
What I appreciated most was the story at the heart of this novel. The bravery of those involved in the French Resistance, particularly the ordinary people who risked their lives to protect others, is both remarkable and deeply moving. I also enjoyed learning more about this side of World War II, especially the difficult decisions and extraordinary sacrifices made by those who chose to resist.
Unfortunately, while I appreciated the historical significance of the story, I struggled with its execution.
My biggest disappointment was the writing style. Compared to Morris’s earlier novels, this one felt noticeably more YA in tone, with simplistic dialogue and characters who lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. Too often, I felt I was being told what the characters were experiencing rather than being allowed to feel those emotions alongside them. Some of the more dramatic moments also felt forced, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters and their relationships.
The pacing was another issue. Despite the dangerous circumstances surrounding the characters, much of the beginning and middle felt surprisingly slow, while certain developments seemed rushed. It wasn’t until the final portion of the book that the tension really picked up and I found myself genuinely invested in what would happen next. I only wish that sense of urgency and emotional connection had been present throughout.
I also found myself wanting more subtlety in the storytelling. The themes of courage, sacrifice, hope, and resilience are powerful enough on their own, and I think a more nuanced approach to the characters and their experiences would have made the story even more impactful.
Ultimately, this was a difficult book to rate because I genuinely appreciated the story Morris wanted to tell. The historical backdrop, the acts of resistance, and the humanity shown in the face of unimaginable cruelty are all worth exploring. However, an important story doesn’t automatically translate into an emotionally compelling reading experience.
I didn’t dislike this book, but I never felt the same connection I had with The Tattooist of Auschwitz or Cilka’s Journey. While the final chapters were much stronger, they weren’t quite enough to make up for the uneven pacing and lack of character development throughout.
A meaningful story with powerful themes, but one that ultimately left me wanting more from the writing and emotional depth.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, the novel follows a young Jewish girl who finds refuge with her piano teacher and a family involved in the French Resistance. As the dangers of occupation intensify, their courage and determination to protect her come at an enormous personal risk.
What I appreciated most was the story at the heart of this novel. The bravery of those involved in the French Resistance, particularly the ordinary people who risked their lives to protect others, is both remarkable and deeply moving. I also enjoyed learning more about this side of World War II, especially the difficult decisions and extraordinary sacrifices made by those who chose to resist.
Unfortunately, while I appreciated the historical significance of the story, I struggled with its execution.
My biggest disappointment was the writing style. Compared to Morris’s earlier novels, this one felt noticeably more YA in tone, with simplistic dialogue and characters who lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. Too often, I felt I was being told what the characters were experiencing rather than being allowed to feel those emotions alongside them. Some of the more dramatic moments also felt forced, which made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters and their relationships.
The pacing was another issue. Despite the dangerous circumstances surrounding the characters, much of the beginning and middle felt surprisingly slow, while certain developments seemed rushed. It wasn’t until the final portion of the book that the tension really picked up and I found myself genuinely invested in what would happen next. I only wish that sense of urgency and emotional connection had been present throughout.
I also found myself wanting more subtlety in the storytelling. The themes of courage, sacrifice, hope, and resilience are powerful enough on their own, and I think a more nuanced approach to the characters and their experiences would have made the story even more impactful.
Ultimately, this was a difficult book to rate because I genuinely appreciated the story Morris wanted to tell. The historical backdrop, the acts of resistance, and the humanity shown in the face of unimaginable cruelty are all worth exploring. However, an important story doesn’t automatically translate into an emotionally compelling reading experience.
I didn’t dislike this book, but I never felt the same connection I had with The Tattooist of Auschwitz or Cilka’s Journey. While the final chapters were much stronger, they weren’t quite enough to make up for the uneven pacing and lack of character development throughout.
A meaningful story with powerful themes, but one that ultimately left me wanting more from the writing and emotional depth.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If you have read Heather Morris' Tattooist of Auschwitz (and the sequels), you can guess you are going into a deeply emotional and horrific story when you choose The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse. Like the Tattooist and Cilka's books, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse shows the human side of hope. The emotion, the fight, the grit, the hope, but also at times the hopelessness and discouragement of the people living through the war.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.
This book is well research and told with heart. There is a letter to booksellers in the front that explains what you are about to read, and extensive author's notes in the back telling you what is real and what sections a bit more liberty was taken. The book tells the true story of a girl (11 when the book starts) who runs to her piano teacher's family on the night the Nazis some and take her mother and brother. The piano teacher and her parents are part of the Resistance, and through this we meet others working to thwart the Nazis and French Malitia. We read of real people and real acts that pass on intelligence to the Allies and lead to actions that eventually help win the war.
I very much enjoyed the "true" parts of this book. It was a great insight into being inside the Resistance, the risks people too, the secrecy and the amount of people it took to pass information and the tiny part each person played to form the large picture. It was amazing to see people working together to help feed others, hide the children, and people in the Resistance doing one small task to keep the chain secret and protected. The risks people took and how brave they were. It was a good look at day to day life during the war, and how just living got harder and harder.
I know I will be in the minority with this book, but there were things about how the book was written that annoyed me, which prevent me from giving this book a higher rating. The interactions between the family seemed overly simplistic. I got tired of then reinforcing how much Josie meant to them and they loved her. I get that they feel a sense of protection, but it seemed overly close really fast. I got tired of the repetition of looking to the music for comfort, hearing "Clair de Lune", only caring about time to play the piano, etc. It was important, but it was too repetitive.
The middle of the book really sped up and got exciting, made you sick at the torture, suffering, and how neighbors turned on each other. But the beginning and the end were slow, and I just wanted to get through it.
So overall the book gets 5 stars for content and telling the important story, but I give it 2 for how it was written.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.
This book is well research and told with heart. There is a letter to booksellers in the front that explains what you are about to read, and extensive author's notes in the back telling you what is real and what sections a bit more liberty was taken. The book tells the true story of a girl (11 when the book starts) who runs to her piano teacher's family on the night the Nazis some and take her mother and brother. The piano teacher and her parents are part of the Resistance, and through this we meet others working to thwart the Nazis and French Malitia. We read of real people and real acts that pass on intelligence to the Allies and lead to actions that eventually help win the war.
I very much enjoyed the "true" parts of this book. It was a great insight into being inside the Resistance, the risks people too, the secrecy and the amount of people it took to pass information and the tiny part each person played to form the large picture. It was amazing to see people working together to help feed others, hide the children, and people in the Resistance doing one small task to keep the chain secret and protected. The risks people took and how brave they were. It was a good look at day to day life during the war, and how just living got harder and harder.
I know I will be in the minority with this book, but there were things about how the book was written that annoyed me, which prevent me from giving this book a higher rating. The interactions between the family seemed overly simplistic. I got tired of then reinforcing how much Josie meant to them and they loved her. I get that they feel a sense of protection, but it seemed overly close really fast. I got tired of the repetition of looking to the music for comfort, hearing "Clair de Lune", only caring about time to play the piano, etc. It was important, but it was too repetitive.
The middle of the book really sped up and got exciting, made you sick at the torture, suffering, and how neighbors turned on each other. But the beginning and the end were slow, and I just wanted to get through it.
So overall the book gets 5 stars for content and telling the important story, but I give it 2 for how it was written.
October 23, 2026
Bottom line: This book was epic. Hauntingly beautiful, heartbreakingly accurate and amazingly written.
Full review:
As a Jewish woman, third generation to holocaust survivors, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started listening to this book. As someone who goes into books completely blind, all I knew was that this book was historical fiction. I liked the title, and Saskia Maarvleved is my absolute favorite narrator. So I went in. Spoiler alert- I did not have enough tissues.
The story of the French resistance, which I was not super familiar with, is engulfed here with the Zazi occupation and the torture Germany has brought on residents of Europe in the 1940's. We learn about the courageous French family who took in an 11 year old jewish orphan and kept her safe during the war. The story is woven around the piano, and the love for music as a method of surviving. Hunger, poverty, occupation, violence, torture and grief.
The way Saskia brought emotions into the different characters is second to none. She narrates the Hebrew prayers in perfect precision and creates so much emotion into the members of the family, you can't help but feel like you are in there with them.
This book gave me all the feels. I couldn't stop crying while listening to the last three chapters. In my next visit home, I will make sure to go to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem and find the dedication to Andree' Levallouis.
Full review:
As a Jewish woman, third generation to holocaust survivors, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started listening to this book. As someone who goes into books completely blind, all I knew was that this book was historical fiction. I liked the title, and Saskia Maarvleved is my absolute favorite narrator. So I went in. Spoiler alert- I did not have enough tissues.
The story of the French resistance, which I was not super familiar with, is engulfed here with the Zazi occupation and the torture Germany has brought on residents of Europe in the 1940's. We learn about the courageous French family who took in an 11 year old jewish orphan and kept her safe during the war. The story is woven around the piano, and the love for music as a method of surviving. Hunger, poverty, occupation, violence, torture and grief.
The way Saskia brought emotions into the different characters is second to none. She narrates the Hebrew prayers in perfect precision and creates so much emotion into the members of the family, you can't help but feel like you are in there with them.
This book gave me all the feels. I couldn't stop crying while listening to the last three chapters. In my next visit home, I will make sure to go to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem and find the dedication to Andree' Levallouis.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews