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Hiding in the Spotlight
Zhanna, a young Jewish girl from Ukraine, also happens to be a gifted piano prodigy and is giving concerts by the age of six. When disaster strikes her hometown and her family is condemned to exile and execution, Zhanna manages to escape the famed Nazi death march to Dorbitsky Yar and uses her rare musical gift to help her survive. Performing and giving concerts for the occupying German troops as they move throughout Europe, Zhanna keeps her true identity a secret until a young American soldier with ties to Juilliard adopts her. Upon her emigration to America, Zhanna’s gift flourishes and she becomes one of the first Jewish refugees to enter Juilliard .
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 27, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
January 23, 2019
The story itself is 5 stars. Unbelievable, sad, interesting true story. But the writing was somewhat repetitive for a not very long book. And I felt the author (the son) was a little too excessive in building up how amazing of a musician Zhanna was. We get it, she was super talented, for sure. It just felt like he was trying to continuously impress or convince. But still a story I had not heard about and enjoyed learning of.
November 13, 2010
The story of two sisters, Russian/Ukrainian Jewish piano prodigies, who survived the war under false identities playing the piano for Nazi officers. Written by the son of one of the girls. The section on the war is not as detailed as I would like, and it covers only about half the book -- the rest of the pages are devote to the girls' childhood and the beginnings of their musical careers, and then to the post-war period. I was fascinated by the character of the American officer who recognized their talent and actually adopted them just so he could bypass the immigration quotas and get them into the United States.
Piano enthusiasts as well as people interested in the Holocaust would find this well worth reading.
Piano enthusiasts as well as people interested in the Holocaust would find this well worth reading.
August 7, 2009
Zhanna and Frina were lucky in many ways: they were blessed with substantial talent, staunchly supportive parents, a rich musical culture, and each other. Without any one of these, they may not have even survived the unspeakable atrocities that took their family and neighbors; but they did more than just survive. The headstrong young Zhanna took her father's parting words to heart, and he would be proud of just how she lived.
Besides telling Zhanna's incredible story, Hiding in the Spotlight is a frank but loving reminder of those who were not so lucky. The streets and neighbors of Zhanna's youth come to life, and it's heartbreaking to think of the idyllic scene being shattered - bombed, raided, murdered. It's unfathomable to me that this hell was the work of mankind, but it was... and it still continues in the world today. That Zhanna came through still able to smile, love, and make music is a testament to her resilience and spirit.
Besides telling Zhanna's incredible story, Hiding in the Spotlight is a frank but loving reminder of those who were not so lucky. The streets and neighbors of Zhanna's youth come to life, and it's heartbreaking to think of the idyllic scene being shattered - bombed, raided, murdered. It's unfathomable to me that this hell was the work of mankind, but it was... and it still continues in the world today. That Zhanna came through still able to smile, love, and make music is a testament to her resilience and spirit.
May 28, 2020
Well-done story of Holocaust survivors from Ukraine, two piano prodigy sisters' amazing luck and resourcefulness, who ended up coming to the US through the generosity of an American soldier with a great love for music. All told by the son of Zhanna, the older sister.
December 6, 2018
Quattro stelline e mezza..
Siamo in Ucraina, negli anni trenta, negli anni prima dello scoppio della seconda guerra mondiale e conosciamo la famiglia Arsanskij, famiglia che ha una passione per la musica. Dimitri, Sara e le loro due figlie Zhanna e Frina. Ebrei per nascita e per cultura ma non per fede religiosa. Nel 27, Stalin assunse il controllo del partito comunista e mise fine alla crescita economica del paese. I contadini si videro costretti a lasciare le loro terre e dover lavorare nei kolchoz (aziende agricole collettivizzate), tagliando cosi le gambe ai kulaki (contadini ricchi), dato che Stalin aveva paura di una futura rivolta contadina contro di lui, questo buttò il paese ma soprattutto la popolazione nella miseria. La carestia provocata da Stalin avrebbe ucciso sei milioni di persone in quello che era noto come “il granaio d'Europa”. Gli Arsanskij decisero di trasferirsi a Kharkov da parenti, ma la serenità durò poco. Quando un giorno, la voce di Molotov pose fine al loro mondo.
“Oggi alle 4 del mattino, senza presentare reclami contro l'Unione Sovietica e senza una dichiarazione di guerra, le truppe tedesche hanno invaso il nostro paese".
Stalin, ingenuamente pensava che Hitler non fosse cosi sciocco da attaccare su due fronti, essendo l'Unione Sovietica una potenza superiore. Fu subito chiaro che Stalin si era sbagliato.
Il fatto che Stalin non si fosse preparato per la guerra lasciò il paese virtualmente indifeso, consentendo alla Wehrmacht di avanzare verso est con un velocità sorprendente, la quale entrò in Ucrania seminando paura. Furono poi e Einsatzgruppen a ripulire il territorio dagli ebrei.
Qualcosa come ventiquattromila ebrei morirono nei pogrom messi in atto nell'Ucrania occidentale nelle prime fasi dell'operazione Barbarossa, per mano degli ucraini, spinti da una cieca furia omicida dalla propaganda nazista, mentre i nazisti restarono in disparte ad assistere alle violenze.
Il libro ci racconta il calvario di questa famiglia ma soprattutto delle due figlie.
Il motto di Zhanna era: “Dovevo sapere...dovevo andare...dovevo vedere..” e probabilmente questa sua intraprendenza e curiosità le salvò la vita.
È stata per me una lettura che “mi ha fatto male”, tanto da mozzarmi più volte il respiro durante la lettura. Ogni volta torno a domandarmi come sia stato possibile tutto questo e fa paura rendersi conto di quali orrori siano potuti scaturire dall'animo umano.
Per non dimenticare, perché non avvenga mai più.
Siamo in Ucraina, negli anni trenta, negli anni prima dello scoppio della seconda guerra mondiale e conosciamo la famiglia Arsanskij, famiglia che ha una passione per la musica. Dimitri, Sara e le loro due figlie Zhanna e Frina. Ebrei per nascita e per cultura ma non per fede religiosa. Nel 27, Stalin assunse il controllo del partito comunista e mise fine alla crescita economica del paese. I contadini si videro costretti a lasciare le loro terre e dover lavorare nei kolchoz (aziende agricole collettivizzate), tagliando cosi le gambe ai kulaki (contadini ricchi), dato che Stalin aveva paura di una futura rivolta contadina contro di lui, questo buttò il paese ma soprattutto la popolazione nella miseria. La carestia provocata da Stalin avrebbe ucciso sei milioni di persone in quello che era noto come “il granaio d'Europa”. Gli Arsanskij decisero di trasferirsi a Kharkov da parenti, ma la serenità durò poco. Quando un giorno, la voce di Molotov pose fine al loro mondo.
“Oggi alle 4 del mattino, senza presentare reclami contro l'Unione Sovietica e senza una dichiarazione di guerra, le truppe tedesche hanno invaso il nostro paese".
Stalin, ingenuamente pensava che Hitler non fosse cosi sciocco da attaccare su due fronti, essendo l'Unione Sovietica una potenza superiore. Fu subito chiaro che Stalin si era sbagliato.
Il fatto che Stalin non si fosse preparato per la guerra lasciò il paese virtualmente indifeso, consentendo alla Wehrmacht di avanzare verso est con un velocità sorprendente, la quale entrò in Ucrania seminando paura. Furono poi e Einsatzgruppen a ripulire il territorio dagli ebrei.
Qualcosa come ventiquattromila ebrei morirono nei pogrom messi in atto nell'Ucrania occidentale nelle prime fasi dell'operazione Barbarossa, per mano degli ucraini, spinti da una cieca furia omicida dalla propaganda nazista, mentre i nazisti restarono in disparte ad assistere alle violenze.
Il libro ci racconta il calvario di questa famiglia ma soprattutto delle due figlie.
Il motto di Zhanna era: “Dovevo sapere...dovevo andare...dovevo vedere..” e probabilmente questa sua intraprendenza e curiosità le salvò la vita.
È stata per me una lettura che “mi ha fatto male”, tanto da mozzarmi più volte il respiro durante la lettura. Ogni volta torno a domandarmi come sia stato possibile tutto questo e fa paura rendersi conto di quali orrori siano potuti scaturire dall'animo umano.
Per non dimenticare, perché non avvenga mai più.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2020
Wow.
As a pianist with a growing Russian obsession, it was dazzling and gritty and powerful. I loved the theme of music (obviously, but there's more to it than that), and the insights into Russian culture and history (eep). Every time I saw a piano piece mentioned I desperately wanted to hear it but I didn't have my phone with me. I still want to go back and make a playlist with all the songs mentioned. (At the end I discovered a repertoire of their pieces from the war, but it's not enough; and did I mention my heart dropped a bit when I turned the page and there was no next chapter?) There are some pretty grisly things that would keep me from giving this to a younger child, but that's to be expected for a book set during the Holocaust. But anyway, it's an incredible story, and I'm glad I read it.
As a pianist with a growing Russian obsession, it was dazzling and gritty and powerful. I loved the theme of music (obviously, but there's more to it than that), and the insights into Russian culture and history (eep). Every time I saw a piano piece mentioned I desperately wanted to hear it but I didn't have my phone with me. I still want to go back and make a playlist with all the songs mentioned. (At the end I discovered a repertoire of their pieces from the war, but it's not enough; and did I mention my heart dropped a bit when I turned the page and there was no next chapter?) There are some pretty grisly things that would keep me from giving this to a younger child, but that's to be expected for a book set during the Holocaust. But anyway, it's an incredible story, and I'm glad I read it.
March 3, 2025
This is an amazing story and definitely one worth learning. I first learned of this amazing woman in the novel in verse Alias Anna and I have to say that I preferred that over this. Obviously that has nothing to do with the amazing women who went through these things...it's just that I felt more connected to the story is the other book. But I'm still happy I read this more straightforward biography. Truly heartbreaking to read about but important history we cannot afford to forget.
May 11, 2024
Great book! Wow. Zhanna and her sister went through so much tragedy but came out the other side whole and successful. This was a true story about two Ukrainian sisters who had to be prodigy pianists during WWII. This is definitely a different type of Holocaust story. They survived by being quite visible. Good read!
September 13, 2024
Wow. I don't even know how I ended up with this book. What a timely read since the geography is in Ukraine. What an interesting story of 2 young talented musicians that survived near death in the early march of the holocaust. They weren't even bothering with the death camps. Just march them to a ravine and shoot them. I think there is a sequel of the book that I'd like to read. What was Greg Dawson's childhood like with a mom who wouldn't talk about this stuff? I have old friends in the diaspora that fled the 2022 Ukraine war so it was particularly hard to read, but interesting. Good job Greg for getting this book done. I think there are so many stories, but not everyone gets theirs told since they weren't "the best" at anything.
February 19, 2021
This book is about the fascinating life of two sisters who survive the holocaust by playing the piano under assumed names to escape being killed as jews. What a beautiful and hopeful story of musical gifts in the midst of war. I loved it.
March 24, 2023
Great story, but as a pianist, I cringed to read that she played a Bach one-part invention (there are two- and three- part inventions, but not one), that she played the Grieg piano concerto as a solo (I’m curious to know how she managed that without an orchestra or a second piano playing a reduction) and that the Peer Gynt Suite was attributed to Schubert (instead of Grieg). When you write a story about a pianist and get the piano details wrong, it doesn’t reflect well on the rest of the book.
March 19, 2019
I was intrigued by the story of Jewish sisters and musical prodigies surviving the Holocaust by assuming fake names and performing for German soldiers. It was interesting to read about their experiences, growing up with music as a foundation of their lives, getting into a number of prestigious schools and performing opportunities. Then, to see how things changed in an instant and how the future - once promising and bright - became only nothing more than a question and a hope for survival as they were forced to leave their home and became submerged in the horrors of the Holcaust.
Despite the story that was there, I think it could have been much better written. The author, the son of the woman whose story is told, actually admits he wondered if his work as a newspaper column writer provided the experience necessary to pull off a book. I think he may have overestimated his success. All the elements for an engaging biography were there, but the storytelling part was really lacking. There were ridiculous grammatical errors ("four" instead of "for") that really anyone should have caught. A number of phrases were unnecessarily repeated as many as three times in different parts of the story, and the chronology was sometimes hard to follow, especially in the latter chapters as more stories crossed and backgrounds were given for each person.
Despite the story that was there, I think it could have been much better written. The author, the son of the woman whose story is told, actually admits he wondered if his work as a newspaper column writer provided the experience necessary to pull off a book. I think he may have overestimated his success. All the elements for an engaging biography were there, but the storytelling part was really lacking. There were ridiculous grammatical errors ("four" instead of "for") that really anyone should have caught. A number of phrases were unnecessarily repeated as many as three times in different parts of the story, and the chronology was sometimes hard to follow, especially in the latter chapters as more stories crossed and backgrounds were given for each person.
February 16, 2012
I borrowed this from my mother, who received the book as a Christmas present. As far as Holocaust memoirs go, this one is pretty well-done. The writing flows nicely and the story really moves along. The book opens in Russia's Ukraine, which is a part of the war I hadn't read about previously. The girls in the book escape extermination in a mass grave at the edge of a ravine, where it is assumed the rest of their family dies (their father bribed a guard to look away when the eldest daughter ran; it isn't explained how the youngest daughter survived). The girls were reunited and given false identities, which they kept throughout the war. Because both were brilliant musicians, eventually their talent caught the attention of the Germans occupying their city, and they were forced to perform for the very men who killed their parents.
This is a tale of survival, struggle, and hope in the midst of great adversary, and a welcome addition to Holocaust literature that provides a different point of view from most of the books I've read on the subject. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in reading survival stories set during that dark period of history.
This is a tale of survival, struggle, and hope in the midst of great adversary, and a welcome addition to Holocaust literature that provides a different point of view from most of the books I've read on the subject. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in reading survival stories set during that dark period of history.
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December 14, 2012Una storia vera, la testimonianza dello scrittore che narra la vita di Sua madre, sin da bambina quando in Ucraina la passione del padre la spinge a svelare il suo talento innato per la musica e per il piano e così con lei anche la sorella. L'arrivo dei nazisti la spingono prima alla prigionia e poi alla fuga, sullo sfondo dell'invasione dei nazisti in Russia, le due sorelle sempre più unite vivono nascoste cambiando nomi , e anche quando arriveranno gli americani dovranno nascondere l'identità per sfuggire ai Russi che anziché portare in Russia vorrebbero uccidere così come hanno già fatto con migliaia di altri ebrei russi. La salvezza l'avranno quando raggiungeranno gli Stati Uniti e riusciranno a tornare a suonare! Un libro dedicato agli uomini e alle donne che non vogliono dimenticare.
June 21, 2014
I felt fortunate to find this book on a librarian's list.........otherwise I might have missed it.
It succeeded for me on many levels: history, music, family ties, research, etc.
It succeeded for me on many levels: history, music, family ties, research, etc.
August 14, 2021
This was Greg Dawson’s first book, to be followed by “Judgment Before Nuremberg” (reviewed earlier); while that book details Dawson’s pilgrimage to Kharkov to see where his mother and her sister had lived and where their parents and grandparents had perished (Drobitsky Yar), this one chronicles the incredible odyssey of survival experienced by Zhanna and Frina Arshanskaya as they journeyed from Kharkov through western Ukraine, to Berlin and many slave labor camps, and ultimately to Bavaria and the United States – much of it under the assumed names of Anna and Marina Morozova; two Russian Jewish girls who used their musical talent to stay alive while “hiding in plain sight”. It can be compared in certain ways to the story of Fania Fénelon, who used her musical ability to stay alive in Auschwitz, as related in “Playing For Time”.
What stands out for me, along with the all-too-well-known horrors of the Holocaust, here where it began in the fall of 1941, and which I need not go over again, is the incredible power of music to transcend barriers – those of ethnicity, nationality, religion, and ideology – and ultimately to save lives. Little did the sisters imagine that they would be playing before audiences of Wehrmacht troops and SS men on occupation duty in various Ukrainian towns; and later before larger groups of Czechs, Poles, Ukrainians, Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians in slave labor camps; and little did the Germans know that they were being entertained by Russian Jews – the very people Himmler and his ilk had vowed to exterminate. Yet it was the music of Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, Scarlatti, and many others that brought them all together, at least for awhile – great testimony to music as a universal language – and enabled them to maintain the charade that kept them alive.
Later on, after the sisters were able to come to the United States, both had distinguished careers as musical performers and teachers. The book was written in 2008. As of early 2019 Zhanna was still alive; I was unable to confirm Frina’s status.
This is at least one Holocaust story with a happy ending, and shows how the United States immigration system, at its best, is supposed to work, opening the doors of our country to those who needed a place of refuge. If the sisters had been forced to return to Ukraine, as many Russian prisoners of war and DP’s were in 1945 and 1946, they would have probably been executed or sent to the Gulag, since Stalin viewed such people as traitors for having been imprisoned or captured and was afraid that they would reveal embarrassing information about the “workers’ paradise”. Thousands of unfortunates did suffer this fate; another testimony to the fact that communist systems always have to be maintained by fear, intimidation and terror since they simply do not work; the human spirit ultimately rebels against them.
**** review by Chuck Graham ****
What stands out for me, along with the all-too-well-known horrors of the Holocaust, here where it began in the fall of 1941, and which I need not go over again, is the incredible power of music to transcend barriers – those of ethnicity, nationality, religion, and ideology – and ultimately to save lives. Little did the sisters imagine that they would be playing before audiences of Wehrmacht troops and SS men on occupation duty in various Ukrainian towns; and later before larger groups of Czechs, Poles, Ukrainians, Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians in slave labor camps; and little did the Germans know that they were being entertained by Russian Jews – the very people Himmler and his ilk had vowed to exterminate. Yet it was the music of Chopin, Beethoven, Mozart, Scarlatti, and many others that brought them all together, at least for awhile – great testimony to music as a universal language – and enabled them to maintain the charade that kept them alive.
Later on, after the sisters were able to come to the United States, both had distinguished careers as musical performers and teachers. The book was written in 2008. As of early 2019 Zhanna was still alive; I was unable to confirm Frina’s status.
This is at least one Holocaust story with a happy ending, and shows how the United States immigration system, at its best, is supposed to work, opening the doors of our country to those who needed a place of refuge. If the sisters had been forced to return to Ukraine, as many Russian prisoners of war and DP’s were in 1945 and 1946, they would have probably been executed or sent to the Gulag, since Stalin viewed such people as traitors for having been imprisoned or captured and was afraid that they would reveal embarrassing information about the “workers’ paradise”. Thousands of unfortunates did suffer this fate; another testimony to the fact that communist systems always have to be maintained by fear, intimidation and terror since they simply do not work; the human spirit ultimately rebels against them.
**** review by Chuck Graham ****
February 14, 2018
“Hiding In The Spotlight,” is a true story about child prodigy, Zhanna Arshanskaya Dawson and how she survives WWII after her parents are executed at Drobitsky Yar. Zhanna and her younger sister are children when they courageously take on new identities and make their way through occupied territory to gain shelter in an orphanage. The musical talent of the young sisters is discovered by a local piano tuner who presents them to a Nazi commander who insists they become a part of a troupe that performs before German soldiers and officers. As the title of the book indicates, these two young sisters, take the stage each night living in fear that their Jewish identities will be exposed.
Synchronicity brought this book to my attention as my husband, Andy Barrett studied with Zhanna Arshanskaya Dawson at Indiana University. My husband came upon a review of Zhanna’s book years later and was shocked to learn that Zhanna was a Holocaust survivor. Zhanna kept her story secret for over sixty years.
Zhanna’s story is unique to other survivor stories. "Hiding In The Spotlight," is a must read for those interested and concerned about the state of our world today, history, WWII, tales of Holocaust survivors and those of you like me who enjoy reading about the triumph of the human spirit. The book is written by her son Greg Dawson, a journalist.
After you’ve read “Hiding In The Spotlight,” listen to Zhanna’s story in her own words. I had the pleasure of interviewing Zhanna and her son Greg for my internet radio program. I highly recommend you you tune in to hear Zhanna on my show. She is remarkable. - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/behindth...
For more information about Kathy Barrett go to http://www.gobehindthecurtain.com
Synchronicity brought this book to my attention as my husband, Andy Barrett studied with Zhanna Arshanskaya Dawson at Indiana University. My husband came upon a review of Zhanna’s book years later and was shocked to learn that Zhanna was a Holocaust survivor. Zhanna kept her story secret for over sixty years.
Zhanna’s story is unique to other survivor stories. "Hiding In The Spotlight," is a must read for those interested and concerned about the state of our world today, history, WWII, tales of Holocaust survivors and those of you like me who enjoy reading about the triumph of the human spirit. The book is written by her son Greg Dawson, a journalist.
After you’ve read “Hiding In The Spotlight,” listen to Zhanna’s story in her own words. I had the pleasure of interviewing Zhanna and her son Greg for my internet radio program. I highly recommend you you tune in to hear Zhanna on my show. She is remarkable. - http://www.blogtalkradio.com/behindth...
For more information about Kathy Barrett go to http://www.gobehindthecurtain.com
November 6, 2023
After reading Alias Anna, I was intrigued to read the original work on which Alias Anna was based. It is super fascinating and inspiring, particularly the fact that two girls - ages 14 and 12 when they escaped a death march, alone, in winter - pressed forward and led fulfilling lives.
Yes, they had some lucky breaks as many survivors did, but to be able to live on and not get swallowed in the horrors of their past is simply amazing. It sure goes a long way toward making my own "problems" seem inconsequential.
I like how Zhanna's own words are sprinkled throughout and clearly separated from the other text. I particularly like page 198, when she is talking about performing for Holocaust survivors after their liberation:
"It was clear to me that it was probably the most inaccurate performance of my life. But realizing the concert was a celebration helped me to keep on going as I was playing, wholly tied to the listeners' hearts...I couldn't have cared less, just this one time, if the performance wasn't up to my standard because it had done what we wanted - to help lift humanity to goodness again, to fill the survivors of torture with signs of life and peace without fear."
I can't imagine learning of this about your own mother as a middle aged adult - what a gift it must have been to share this time with her and hear her story that was kept only within the walls of memory for so long. I am grateful that she was willing to tell her story and that her son, the author, recorded it even though he was told that the Holocaust-memoir market was already packed and no one would read one more. I am glad that I did!
Yes, they had some lucky breaks as many survivors did, but to be able to live on and not get swallowed in the horrors of their past is simply amazing. It sure goes a long way toward making my own "problems" seem inconsequential.
I like how Zhanna's own words are sprinkled throughout and clearly separated from the other text. I particularly like page 198, when she is talking about performing for Holocaust survivors after their liberation:
"It was clear to me that it was probably the most inaccurate performance of my life. But realizing the concert was a celebration helped me to keep on going as I was playing, wholly tied to the listeners' hearts...I couldn't have cared less, just this one time, if the performance wasn't up to my standard because it had done what we wanted - to help lift humanity to goodness again, to fill the survivors of torture with signs of life and peace without fear."
I can't imagine learning of this about your own mother as a middle aged adult - what a gift it must have been to share this time with her and hear her story that was kept only within the walls of memory for so long. I am grateful that she was willing to tell her story and that her son, the author, recorded it even though he was told that the Holocaust-memoir market was already packed and no one would read one more. I am glad that I did!
May 17, 2018
Just when you think not "another Holocaust story" comes one with a different twist. Moments before the execution of an entire family, a father exchanges his gold watch for the favor of a Nazi guard to look away as his daughters run. The children hear their father's last words to them. "Just live." Zhanna runs, hidden beneath her shirt is a copy of Chopin's "Fantasy Impromptu."
This is the true story of two children surviving Stalin's Russia, the Ukranian winter, a death march to the Drobitsky Yar, and the many atrocities found in Russia, Poland, and Germany. Their talent as musicians, along with their calm intellect provides a tenuous path through five years of war torn Europe. Most of their journey takes place in their Russian homeland, but with the Nazi retreat from Russia, the girls find themselves, captives heading into eye of the storm...Nazi Berlin.
Aside from a great tale and the writings of Greg Dawson, shadow's of Chopin's piano works are "hidden" throughout the book. One wonders if Chopin, himself, wasn't the guardian angel who guided these girls to their musical triumph.
This is the true story of two children surviving Stalin's Russia, the Ukranian winter, a death march to the Drobitsky Yar, and the many atrocities found in Russia, Poland, and Germany. Their talent as musicians, along with their calm intellect provides a tenuous path through five years of war torn Europe. Most of their journey takes place in their Russian homeland, but with the Nazi retreat from Russia, the girls find themselves, captives heading into eye of the storm...Nazi Berlin.
Aside from a great tale and the writings of Greg Dawson, shadow's of Chopin's piano works are "hidden" throughout the book. One wonders if Chopin, himself, wasn't the guardian angel who guided these girls to their musical triumph.
January 24, 2021
Author Greg Dawson tells his mother's story which begins in Ukraine 1930s.
She and her sister escaped certain death at Drobitsky Yar unlike their parents and grandparents. A series of kind and brave strangers as well as their musical talents lead them to ultimately survive the Holocaust as young teenage girls.
The author admits knowing none of this history of his mother's life until his adult career had him ask her. She never mentioned it until then.
There were a few editing mistakes that were annoying, but it's an overall compelling tale of the girls' grit, determination, bravery, and ultimate will to live.
I can only take so much of man's inhumanity to man, and this memoir had just enough to set the scene and tone for those awful years.
At one point the girls were part of an entertainment troupe who traveled from camp to camp. If there was no piano for them to play, the girls also played folks songs on their accordions!
She and her sister escaped certain death at Drobitsky Yar unlike their parents and grandparents. A series of kind and brave strangers as well as their musical talents lead them to ultimately survive the Holocaust as young teenage girls.
The author admits knowing none of this history of his mother's life until his adult career had him ask her. She never mentioned it until then.
There were a few editing mistakes that were annoying, but it's an overall compelling tale of the girls' grit, determination, bravery, and ultimate will to live.
I can only take so much of man's inhumanity to man, and this memoir had just enough to set the scene and tone for those awful years.
At one point the girls were part of an entertainment troupe who traveled from camp to camp. If there was no piano for them to play, the girls also played folks songs on their accordions!
December 11, 2022
Chiaramente nulla da dire sulla storia, dal momento che è una storia vera. Ma qualcosa stona nella narrazione: le testimonianze in prima persona, anche se preziose, interrompono il flusso narrativo in terza persona e rendono il ritmo un po’ zoppicante. A cui si aggiungono pagine in cui l’autore si butta su uno stile troppo giornalistico (soprattutto gli ultimi capitoli), elevando dati, nomi, eventi storici a discapito di un maggiore approfondimento interiore dei protagonisti. L’epilogo sembra raffazzonato in tutta fretta: la protagonista (madre dello scrittore) incontra il (futuro) padre (dello scrittore), due paginette veloci, poi bam, si sposano, nasce lo scrittore narrante, fine. Cosa pensa però Zhanna della sua nuova vita? Cosa ne pensa David del passato di Zhanna? Nulla di tutto questo viene affrontato alla fine del libro… e questo lascia tutta la storia un po’ “sospesa”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2020
I really learned a lot about the Ukriane Jewish population during the war. I liked the way the author incorporated thoughts from his mother in italics throughout the book. The Holocaust is not something I've read a lot about because I just don't have the stomach for the hatred and violence; it's mind-boggling to me. One of the things that shocked me the most was that Stalin's welcome home plan for those that fled during the war was to execute them once they returned to Russia. It took too long, but luckily, the rest of the world figured out what he was doing and stopped sending Russians back.
I only gave 4 stars because the editing could have been tighter. There was a lot of repetition, and information about minor characters that were stumbling blocks because of its irrelevancy.
I only gave 4 stars because the editing could have been tighter. There was a lot of repetition, and information about minor characters that were stumbling blocks because of its irrelevancy.
November 14, 2022
Their survival of the German advancement through Ukraine, when most other Jews were marched to ravines where they were shot en mass , was amazing, even though none of their own family survived. Hiding behind Russian identities they were part of a traveling group of entertainers which the Germans used to entertainment their own troops.
I now have a much better picture of the German aborted attempt to move into Russia and the ruthless manner in which they dealt with the Jewish population in their eastward march.
That two children would escape is amazing. The personal and emotional journey is perilous, but also heartwarming.
I now have a much better picture of the German aborted attempt to move into Russia and the ruthless manner in which they dealt with the Jewish population in their eastward march.
That two children would escape is amazing. The personal and emotional journey is perilous, but also heartwarming.
July 11, 2021
This was a very good book about how a Jewish girl was able to escape the Nazi's and their death march. She began playing piano at a young age, and uses her talents on the piano to help her get through the war years. She was eventually adopted by and American soldier and became one of the first Jewish refugees to get a place in the Julliard School. I thought this story was moving and encouraging. I really enjoyed it. I own this book, but saw that it was available on Audible Plus, so I listened to it instead.
April 2, 2023
This book was really enjoyable! I don't know much about music at all, and that certainly kept me from appreciating certain aspects of this story. But overall, I thought it was a great read regardless of musical knowledge. I know stories from WWII and the Holocaust saturate the movie and book spheres, but this was a short and unique read, and from a different part of the world (Eastern Europe) than many of the stories that are out there. I also enjoyed how the story continued past the struggle under the Nazis and to life afterward.
January 14, 2026
This was an audible plus and as it is an interest of mine I just had to listen to it.
This is a really interesting book and tells some really different stories of this era which given the amount of books in the public arena that is a surprise and enlightening. The sisters went through harrowing events and one sister couldnt even talk about how she escaped.
It is not the best written book as there are duplications but I ignored them and just escaped into the book as it was so harrowing and not an easy listen.
This is a really interesting book and tells some really different stories of this era which given the amount of books in the public arena that is a surprise and enlightening. The sisters went through harrowing events and one sister couldnt even talk about how she escaped.
It is not the best written book as there are duplications but I ignored them and just escaped into the book as it was so harrowing and not an easy listen.
July 14, 2019
I highly recommend reading this book for the amazing story. However, know that the manuscript needed more editing. For instance, there are several times when exact sentences are repeated unnecessarily.
A son wrote this book about his mother’s experience as a Jew during World War Two. It is an important story to tell, and I am glad I read his book. I just wish the finished product had been edited more carefully.
A son wrote this book about his mother’s experience as a Jew during World War Two. It is an important story to tell, and I am glad I read his book. I just wish the finished product had been edited more carefully.
May 5, 2017
Two Russian Jewish sisters who happen to be well-trained piano prodigies find their way to the safety of the Allies at the end of WWII remembering their father's wish to "stay alive" and their uncanny wits and fearlessness. The author unveils his mother's harrowing journey. The strength of the human spirit triumphs again.
October 2, 2019
I cannot get enough of this book. Zhanna's story is so wonderful! Dawson carries you through as if you are right there. I even looked up Zhanna on YouTube and found a video of her playing Fantasie Impromptu. She is every bit as amazing as the book would have you believe. Very well written and easy to read. You're not going to want to put it down.
March 5, 2021
What an amazing story. The story of 2 girls surviving in WWII, one of whom was the author’s mother. The atrocities by the Nazi regime continue to stun me. This book brings much about the Russian experience that is not discussed in history classes. I enjoyed how the story was written- the Audible version was done well. Highly recommend!
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