Sunday, July 27, 2014

Book Review - The Butterfly and the Violin

ABOUT THE BOOK:

 A mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz---and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl---a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover, the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul, who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together, Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting's subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: in the grim camps of Auschwitz and in the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristy Cambron has been fascinated with the WWII era since hearing her grandfather's stories of the war. She holds an art history degree from Indiana University and received the Outstanding Art History Student Award. Kristy writes WWII and Regency era fiction and has placed first in the 2013 NTRWA Great Expectations and 2012 FCRW Beacon contests, and is a 2013 Laurie finalist. Kristy makes her home in Indiana with her husband and three football-loving sons.

Find Kristy online: website, Facebook, Twitter


MY REVIEW:
This was one of the best books I've read in a long time! I loved the story of Adele and Vladamir and couldn't wait for those parts of the book that talked about them. Such a story of strength from God, the capacity of the human heart to survive, and true love.

Adele Von Bron is the daughter of a high ranking Nazi officer. She is a extraordinary violinist who is the sweetheart of Austria. She lives a life of luxury as her parents only daughter, and yet, she is not unaware of those things that are happening around her. She is deeply in love with the cellist in the orchestra, Vladamir Nicoli. He is the son of a merchant and poor so her parents deeply disapprove of her having anything to do with him. 

Sera and William meet when each wants to find a paining of Adele for different reasons. Sera has been horribly hurt by the man she was supposed to marry and William is living a life he feels he must live - not the life he feels by God to live. The painting will resolve many issues in each of their lives, if they can just find it.

The book jumps between the second World War and the here and now. The author does this beautifully and you never feel confused or lost when she does this. As I stated, my favorite character was Adele. I loved her heart and her compassion to save others, and then when she herself is in dire circumstances, she learns to play for the One she has always played for but in a different way. 

There was a lot of sadness in this story as well. It highlights the horrible atrocities committed against the Jewish people, as well as others they deemed were not worthy. It was hard to read this, and yet, so important not to forget this horrible time in our history. 

They beauty of the book shone through, however, and I loved how these characters so depended upon the Lord in each of their circumstances. Those who weren't realized their need for Him. 

I just can't say enough good about this book! It was so hauntingly beautiful and I am so looking forward to more by this author! The characters and the story will not leave my heart or my mind as it truly touched something in me. This book deserves 5 out of 5 stars!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group


Blessings - Julie

1 comment:

  1. Sounds like a fantastic book! Just my type! Thanks for the review Julie! patsy

    ReplyDelete

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