The Violinist of Auschwitz

By: Ellie Midwood

Narrated by: Alison Campbell

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Auschwitz, 1943: In the depths of hell, can hope rise? And can love triumph over hatred?

Based on the unforgettable true story of Alma Rosé, The Violinist of Auschwitz brings to life one of history’s most fearless, inspiring, and courageous heroines. Alma’s bravery saved countless lives, bringing hope to those who had forgotten its meaning....

In Auschwitz, every day is a fight for survival. Alma is inmate 50381, the number tattooed on her skin in pale blue ink. She is cooped up with thousands of others, torn from loved ones, trapped in a maze of barbed wire. Every day people disappear, never to be seen again.

This tragic reality couldn’t be further from Alma’s previous life. An esteemed violinist, her performances left her audiences spellbound. But when the Nazis descend on Europe, none of that can save her....

When the head of the women’s camp appoints Alma as the conductor of the orchestra, performing for prisoners trudging to work as well as the highest-ranking Nazis, Alma refuses: “They can kill me, but they won’t make me play”. Yet she soon realizes the power this position offers: She can provide starving girls with extra rations and save many from the clutches of death.

This is how Alma meets Miklos, a talented pianist. Surrounded by despair, they find happiness in joint rehearsals, secret notes, and concerts they give side by side - all the while praying that this will one day end. But in Auschwitz, the very air is tainted with loss, and tragedy is the only certainty.... In such a hopeless place, can their love survive?

This devastatingly heartbreaking yet beautifully hopeful tale proves that even in the darkest of days, love can prevail - and give you something to live for. Fans of The Choice, The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and The Orphan Train will lose their hearts to this magnificent tale.

©2020 Ellie Midwood (P)2020 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

Easily of the most amazing storiy I've ever heard.

A powerful tale of a most courageous, decent, talented, and committed woman amidst the horrors of Auschwitz. Beautifully written and narrated, this story will inspire me and haunt me forever. The story is based upon true facts and interviews with the women she worked with and saved from the SS.

Beautiful story but not for the faint-hearted

This is a spellbinding story made all the more remarkable by its firm roots in the history of both inmates and captors in Auschwitz. It recounts with sometimes graphic clarity some of the key events and characters in the grim confines of that camp. And at its centre is Alma Rosé, a woman whose defiant dignity and integrity affected all who knew her in that god-forsaken place. It is a truly amazing story, narrated with real skill and heart. But beware - it will take you on an emotional roller coaster, and you will not come out the other side quite the same.

Heart breaking but a wonderful story

Once again Ellie Midwood created the most wonderful story that brings you right into the heart of the main character. To hear that it was based on a true happening that made me catch my breath.

I had tears in my eyes all thru out. Just a beautiful story.

Extraordinary doesn't begin to describe it

This book was so good that everyone who love historical fiction related to WWII should read or listen to it. The story of Alma Rose will send you on a rollercoaster of emotions as you listen to her fears, acts of bravery, defiance, protectiveness and love. It is both heartwarming and heartbreaking throughout the book. The author, Ellie Millwood, captures it all and the narrator, Alison Campbell, was fantastic, bringing out all of the different voices and personalities. You always knew who was speaking. I cannot recommend this book enough. It ranks up there with the Tattooist is Auschwitz, Cilka's Journey and The Nightingale. Please read or listen to as I did.

Gripping and grim

A very riveting story based on fact; one that stands out in my go-to genre of WWII historical fiction. Love and kindness finally do outweigh hate and brutality, all of which are shown as part of extermination camp life. I felt all of those emotions, and more, through the writing and excellent narration, both so moving that I must take a breather!

Based on facts

I loved how most all of the story details were true makes this story even better! Such a heartwarming tale of love and loss.

Exceptional work of historical fiction

This is the third book I have listened to by this author and narrator and it was just as good as the other two. Alma was an true hero and her story amazing.

Amazing!!!

Such an amazing story narrated beautifully and all based on facts. Highly recommend this book!!!

Great read

I love fictional history. this was a great read that I had a hard time putting down.

A Stunning Book!

***** A Stunning Book

Filled with rich, touching, and horrifying details, Midwood, aided by her marvelous narrator, Alison Campbell, tells the remarkable tale of the well-known violinist Alma Rose. After being sent to Auschwitz, the musician is recognized by several of the officers, who decide to give her ‘special treatment.’ Far from grateful, Alma is almost defiant. But she soon learns how to play the Survival Game. She also turns protective. When she is commanded to direct a women’s orchestra, she becomes ultra demanding of the female performers, not out of perfectionism, but to make sure they are not kicked out––and end up exterminated.

When there is a typhus outbreak, the panic is palpable. Alma insists that the very few orchestra members who have developed the virus be placed in the infirmary and not the gas chamber. Along with descriptions of muddy water replacing real food, undernourished and frail inmates, day-by-day scenes depicting death, Alma learns an important lesson. If she wants to emotionally survive, she must throw away any semblance of feelings.

A particular scene, which rapidly brought me to tears, was about Alma insisting she and her orchestra mates should wear decent clothes for their performances. After all, she says, they must look decent if they are to play music in front of the captains and their wives. They certainly cannot appear, clothed in striped pajamas. So she is taken to a certain room where piles of women’s clothing have been kept. As her guide goes on about how beautiful this dress is with the tag still on it, these high heels over there are so fashionable, and it’s marvelous that this slip and that brassiere are so clean and charming, Alma can only think about one simple fact: all of the hundreds of items had belonged to women who were exterminated the moment they had arrived.

This is a stunning, powerful, and important book, which I truly feel should be read, not just because it is so well-written, but also because it depicts such an honest account of the horror of Nazism. BRAVO!