There is something truly beautiful about this Auschwitz
story. I know you are thinking what I was: how in the world can a book about a
terrible German concentration camp be a beautiful story? But it was. And it
surprised me, in a good, good way.
Weaving present day and history is not always the
easiest thing to do in fiction. But the two blended so well. Between Sera’s
passion for this piece of art and Adele’s passion for her music, there is much
room for parallels and symbolism.
Sera and Adele are two extremely strong and vulnerable
heroines. To watch them walk through their struggles is heart breaking and yet
manages to put all the pieces of your heart back together by the time the story
has come to a close.
The voice of the words on the page sweeps you away. I
was enthralled and wanted to take each little bit slowly to soak it all in.
Again, it’s a topic you do not think could be painted with grace and beauty and
yet it is. And in that beauty, is great heartbreak for the reader to realize
just what all is behind these
words. The stories behind these people who truly
lived through Auschwitz (though this book is pure fiction).
Over all, I admire the book and its ability to tell a
great story. Recommended most definitely!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the
publishers through Litfuse Publicity for my copy to review.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
More about the novel...
"Today." Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world's elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.
"Vienna, 1942." Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna's vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.
The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele's barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?
As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait--Adele--they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God's faithfulness never falters.
"Vienna, 1942." Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna's vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.
The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele's barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?
As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait--Adele--they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God's faithfulness never falters.
*~*CONTEST INFO*~*
Kristy is celebrating the release of the first book in her series, A Hidden Masterpiece, with a fun Kindle Fire giveaway and meeting her readers during an August 7th Facebook author chat party.
One winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
So grab your copy of The Butterfly and the Violin and join Kristy on the evening of August 7th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)
I recently read The Butterfly and the Violin - or should I say experienced it. What a beautiful tale. Definitely five-stars.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Casey!
Yes! That is definitely what it is--an experience. Well said.
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