The Pianist's Wife

By: Soraya M. Lane

Narrated by: Elizabeth Knowelden

A heartbreaking story of friendship, loyalty and the true cost of love, from the bestselling author of The Secret Midwife and Wives of War.

Berlin, 1944: Amira and Gisele have been best friends since they were children, and now Gisele is the only person who knows Amira’s secret. A secret that puts her and everyone she loves in unimaginable danger amid the daily horror and violence of Nazi Germany.

With the threat of exposure drawing closer, Gisele’s suggestion that Amira marries her friend Fred, a famous pianist, might just be the lifeline she needs to keep them both safe. Because Fred has secrets too.

As the two strangers promise to look after each other, a profound love develops. But while the war rages on, Amira, Fred and Gisele are soon faced with terrible choices that will test their loyalty—and their courage—to the ultimate limits. How far will they go to keep each other alive?

An unforgettable World War Two novel about those who chose to defy the Nazis from within Germany.

©2025 by Soraya M. Lane. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Fascinating as usual!

I was kept on the edge of my seat for a good part of the book. To be honest, I couldn’t understand the relationship between Fred and Amira- the only thing that makes the vaguest sense to me about them staying together was their shared history, which is what is stated. Also the friendship between Amira and Giselle seemed to stretch the bindings of reality. The easy acceptance by the characters of homosexuality was a bit surprising. I know to not accept that as an unchangeable part of a person in this day and age is very unpopular- but I was disappointed the story went there, particularly that it was such a big part of the story, giving that the subject is against the beliefs for a number of people. However, the treatment the Nazis gave those individuals was absolutely appalling and never at anytime remotely acceptable. Every single person is deserving of respect and love no matter what. We are all a child of God. Every time I read a book on WW2 it’s astonishing over and over again the blind cruelty- although you recognize that some of those Germans were between a very hard rock and a very hard place. Extremely so. I like to hear stories from the German side that brings out the wonderful humanity and kindness demonstrated by so many of the Germans at great risk to themselves.

Love, friendship and more

It is so hard to describe all that this is other than to say it is an emotional story that will stay with you for a very long time. The characters have a lot of depth to them and you feel the heartbreak and difficult decisions they have to make to keep themselves safe as well as their loved ones. The choices weren't black and white as most would think. It's a powerful story with a wonderful narrator who brought it to life.

The strong loyalty of friendship

The relationship of the two best friends, and a the love and loyalty that carried them through years of horrific episodes of violence and personal trauma. The book depicted how that bond saved them both from psychological collapse.

Couldn’t Stop Listening

I loved this book. I believe it was a little slow in the beginning, but it is beautifully written. Definitely added to my favorites. It opened my eyes to different relationships, love, and tragedy endured during WW2. Please read it. You won’t regret it.

It was a different view of World War II than I previously have read. 

It was hard to believe that a woman and Amira’s condition would make some of the decisions she made.