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The Pianist from Syria
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Nezar Alderazi
- Length: 10 hrs and 24 mins
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Publisher's summary
An astonishing but true account of a pianist’s escape from war-torn Syria to Germany offers a deeply personal perspective on the most devastating refugee crisis of this century.
Aeham Ahmad was born a second-generation refugee - the son of a blind violinist and carpenter who recognized Aeham's talent and taught him how to play piano and love music from an early age.
When his grandparents and father were forced to flee Israel and seek refuge from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ravaging their home, Aeham’s family built a life in Yarmouk, an unofficial camp to more than 160,000 Palestinian refugees in Damascus. They raised a new generation in Syria while waiting for the conflict to be resolved so they could return to their homeland. Instead, another fight overtook their asylum. Their only haven was in music and in each other.
Forced to leave his family behind, Aeham sought out a safe place for them to call home and build a better life, taking solace in the indestructible bond between fathers and sons to keep moving forward. Heart-wrenching yet ultimately full of hope and told in a raw and poignant voice, The Pianist from Syria is a gripping portrait of one man’s search for a peaceful life for his family and of a country being torn apart as the world watches in horror.
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What listeners say about The Pianist from Syria
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amber Hostetler
- 01-05-21
Needs to be heard!
This is the story of many people leaving the Middle East during war. Hard to read about, but necessary for us to hear their message. May it bring awareness and justice.
Well written and the narrator does a FANTASTIC job with accents, enjoyable to listen to.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Jennifer B
- 06-03-19
Beautiful
what a thoroughly touching and heartbreaking true story. it is a true glimpse into the horrific events that are still going on to this day. married to a Syrian, this is truly frightening to imagine the horror and sadness that the people are going through.
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- Charity C
- 07-09-24
Sadly accurate
My best friend came as a refugee. It is my joy to have her in my life but my sorrow that she vouches for the accuracy of this book.
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- Joan B
- 05-27-23
Sad but hope for refugees
One young man with a talent for classical piano makes others have a little joy through his music. He’s just one of thousands who have struggled to survive in Syria, victims of a horrible regime of criminals. He continue to struggle through his fear, through his talent, and his worry for his family. He wrote this book to make people aware. We know it’s a problem but do not know what to do as Americas to ease their plight. So, often we place it in the back of our concerns. I pray for peace.
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