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The Butterfly and the Violin A Hidden Masterpiece Novel Kristy Cambron 9781401690595 Books

Download As PDF : The Butterfly and the Violin A Hidden Masterpiece Novel Kristy Cambron 9781401690595 Books

The Butterfly and the Violin A Hidden Masterpiece Novel Kristy Cambron 9781401690595 Books

I would assume that a novel about Auschwitz would leave me torn...but you can't exactly knock a book for being "depressing" when you know it's going to be about the most infamous concentration camp in the Nazi regime. I love World War II era fiction, but I don' really like intense and depressing. Is there any way to have a middle ground there? While intense and somber, The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron hit that middle ground by telling two separate, yet interweaved stories from two different generations. There was some romance, both past and present, which gave hope during otherwise devastating circumstances.

Sera James is a present day art gallery owner in New York City who has been searching for a painting she once saw in Paris as a young girl. The painting is of an unknown woman, playing a violin with a shaved head. Obviously it is a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. Sera stumbles upon some new information about the painting, but has to work with William Hanover-heir to the Hanover fortune-since William's late grandfather wrote a secret clause into his will that the owner of the aforementioned painting was to be the rightful owner of the vast Hanover Estate. They both have different motives for finding the painting, so can they trust each other and find the painting? And can Sera learn to open her heart again, after her former fiance left her at the altar two years before?

Adele von Bron is a talented violin player in Austria during the Third Reich. Her father is a high ranking Nazi official. She risks everything to help hide and transport Jews out of Austria with her friend/romantic interest Vladimir. One fateful evening she is caught, and sent to Auschwitz; a horrifying place of death, starvation, and crushed spirits. She is also recruited to play violin in the camp's orchestra, which plays as people are arriving at the camp, and at the whim of the SS officers. Adele is broken, but she finds hope in friendship, and in the eternal love of God.

I liked how the book told both stories at the same time. Sera's story would flashback to Adele's, and Adele would recall something that happened in 1939, even though it was 4 years later. I was concerned it would muddle the story, but the author did a good job weaving everything together. I also liked the main point of the story--regardless of our past, God can always create a new future for us.

I wasn't really satisfied with the ending...it wasn't as articulate as the rest of the novel. The other thing that puzzled me was Adele's Austrian boyfriend named Vladimir Nicolai. That just doesn't fit in as an Austrian name. But, that's a petty offense. Overall, I liked the book.

*I was provided a free copy of this book from Book Look Bloggers and Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion


Tags : The Butterfly and the Violin (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel) [Kristy Cambron] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. "Fresh. Fascinating. Unforgettable. The Butterfly and the Violin </i>is a masterpiece of a debut." --Laura Frantz,Kristy Cambron,The Butterfly and the Violin (A Hidden Masterpiece Novel),Thomas Nelson,1401690599,Christian - Historical,Christian - Romance,Romance - Contemporary,Art dealers,Auschwitz (Concentration camp),Christian fiction,Concentration camps,Historical fiction.,Manhattan (New York, N.Y.),Portraits,Righteous Gentiles in the Holocaust;Fiction.,Violinists;Fiction.,Women violinists - Austria,American Historical Fiction,American Light Romantic Fiction,FICTION Christian Historical,FICTION Christian Romance,FICTION Romance Contemporary,Fiction,Fiction & related items,Fiction - Religious,FictionChristian - Romance - General,FictionRomance - Contemporary,Historical fiction,TOPICAL Christian Interest

The Butterfly and the Violin A Hidden Masterpiece Novel Kristy Cambron 9781401690595 Books Reviews

I didn't expect to like The Butterfly and the Violin as much as I did. I am a fan of historical fiction, but, often, when romance is added to it, the novel becomes more of a bodice-ripper or a dull history lesson. This novel is neither. Cambron uses the backdrop of WWII and the systematic annihilation of European Jews to frame the love stories. She does not use these terrible events in a sensational or morbid manner; the events are an integral part of of the parallel love stories of Adele and Vladimir and Sera and William, who meet during a search for a painting of Adele.

Adele is an Austrian violinist and the daughter of a prominent Austrian military officer, who is a Nazi. She is in love with Vladimir, a merchant's son who plays in the same orchestra. They are troubled by the events that happen after Hitler invades Poland in 1939 and the increasing antisemitism they find. Adele and Vladimir work to help victims of Hitler's Final Solution. They are caught, and both are sent to Auschwitz. It is there that they become members of the Men's Orchestra and the Women's Orchestra. It is also there that another inmate paints a portrait of Adele. This portrait becomes important to Sera and William, seventy years later.

Through their search for the missing original of the painting, Sera and William meet, and their relationship broadens. Their search is resolved, but no spoilers here.

I was taken by Cambron's attention to detail. Whether writing about Adele's triumph playing for Nazi dignitaries or her performances in the camp, as people were sent to work or to the gas chambers, she evokes the right tone and gives rich detail. She also rounds out the characters. Adele becomes more than just the spoiled only daughter of a rich military officer. I appreciate how she grows Adele from a naive, slightly spoiled, young lady into a strong, selfless woman. The transformation is believable and centers the other characters in the novel. Sera grows from being guarded, tentative, and hurt into a strong women. Vladimir is not a finely drawn as Adele, but his strong ethics and passion for Adele are detailed. William fares better; his character is also guarded, but for a different, and surprising, reason. This is one of the few books that I would like to read a sequel to, just to follow Sera and William as they continue their lives together.

One last surprise for me--I didn't really look at the publisher when I bought this book. I just scanned the description and liked that it was about a piece of art and WWII. I suppose some would characterize this as "Christian" fiction. But to do so condescendingly would be a mistake. The faith of each of the characters is not the highlight of their personalities or life. They are Christians, and they each live out their faith. Unlike many Christian romances, this is not preachy, shallow, or unrealistic. The characters do not berate or push their faith on others, but it is their faith in God that ultimately leads them to make the decisions they do. I appreciate a book about Christians that is also just good fiction. Period.
The Butterfly and the Violin has received numerous rave reviews and countless recommendations. I wasn't sure a book could measure up to the praise I'd seen. I have to say that this book went beyond my expectations. I was enraptured and captivated by this haunting masterpiece! My emotions were all over the place.

The story line transports the reader from present day New York to WWII Auschwitz and back throughout the novel. This parallel story is woven together by a highly desired portrait of a young woman, with only a copy of a painting, and no clues to where the original is located, or the name of the artist.

Characters are so realistically portrayed that I could feel their emotions through the written page. I lived the music as it was performed, with the rising pitches and tones of the orchestra and violinist. I can only imagine minute fragments of the agony of the Holocaust and the depression the detailing evoked.

This is one of the most compelling and haunting novels I've read, and I must say that I will be following this author's future works. I am about to begin A Sparrow in Terezin with the hope that it also evokes the emotions and passion that is revealed in The Butterfly and the Violin. I highly recommend this masterpiece!
I would assume that a novel about Auschwitz would leave me torn...but you can't exactly knock a book for being "depressing" when you know it's going to be about the most infamous concentration camp in the Nazi regime. I love World War II era fiction, but I don' really like intense and depressing. Is there any way to have a middle ground there? While intense and somber, The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron hit that middle ground by telling two separate, yet interweaved stories from two different generations. There was some romance, both past and present, which gave hope during otherwise devastating circumstances.

Sera James is a present day art gallery owner in New York City who has been searching for a painting she once saw in Paris as a young girl. The painting is of an unknown woman, playing a violin with a shaved head. Obviously it is a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp. Sera stumbles upon some new information about the painting, but has to work with William Hanover-heir to the Hanover fortune-since William's late grandfather wrote a secret clause into his will that the owner of the aforementioned painting was to be the rightful owner of the vast Hanover Estate. They both have different motives for finding the painting, so can they trust each other and find the painting? And can Sera learn to open her heart again, after her former fiance left her at the altar two years before?

Adele von Bron is a talented violin player in Austria during the Third Reich. Her father is a high ranking Nazi official. She risks everything to help hide and transport Jews out of Austria with her friend/romantic interest Vladimir. One fateful evening she is caught, and sent to Auschwitz; a horrifying place of death, starvation, and crushed spirits. She is also recruited to play violin in the camp's orchestra, which plays as people are arriving at the camp, and at the whim of the SS officers. Adele is broken, but she finds hope in friendship, and in the eternal love of God.

I liked how the book told both stories at the same time. Sera's story would flashback to Adele's, and Adele would recall something that happened in 1939, even though it was 4 years later. I was concerned it would muddle the story, but the author did a good job weaving everything together. I also liked the main point of the story--regardless of our past, God can always create a new future for us.

I wasn't really satisfied with the ending...it wasn't as articulate as the rest of the novel. The other thing that puzzled me was Adele's Austrian boyfriend named Vladimir Nicolai. That just doesn't fit in as an Austrian name. But, that's a petty offense. Overall, I liked the book.

*I was provided a free copy of this book from Book Look Bloggers and Thomas Nelson Publishing in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion