The Violin Maker's Daughter

By: Sharon Maas

Narrated by: Annie McKenzie

When the Nazis march onto the cobbled streets of Colmar on November 1st 1940, Josef, a Jewish violin maker, gathers his wife and daughters closely to him and tells them everything will be alright.

But one year later, three sharp knocks on the door at midnight turn his 17-year-old daughter Sarah’s world upside down. As the oldest child, Sarah must be the first to leave her family, to make her escape in a perilous journey across France via Paris to Poitiers. And she must hide who she is and take a new name for her own safety. For now, bilingual Sarah is no longer a French Jew but a German girl.

As she bids farewell to her beloved father and family, Sarah has hope, against all odds, that she will see them again when the war is over. But, travelling through the mountains she finds herself in terrible danger and meets Ralf, a German deserter, who risks his own life to save her.

Ralf and Sarah continue their journey together, keeping their identities secret at all cost. But when Ralf is captured, will Sarah pay the ultimate price for sharing who she really is?

A gripping and heartbreaking account of love, bravery, and sacrifice during the terror of war. A story of standing up for what you believe in, even if it’s going to break your heart. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Ragged Edge of Night.

©2019 Sharon Maas (P)2019 Bookouture

Good story , awful narration

I loved this story but found it annoying to listen to nasrators voice and inflection. The characters are French but narrator reads with a bad English accent. Made story seem not trsl

Great Story

This story builds & builds in intensity. So much so that when I was listening during the early morning hours, I could not return to sleep because of the tension in the story. It is one of the best books in which I’ve ever read/listened.

Living Through Her Eyes...

This book was beautifully written and spoken. I felt like I was right along there, with the character throughout the entire story. It took me a long time to finish the “book on tape” because I got so into it that it pulled on my heartstrings so much, I had to take a break and regroup. As the story ended, I could feel my heart sinking and fluttering in a movement right along with the characters thoughts hopes and dreams and especially their feelings.

The last part redeemed the book.

The book started out well. I found it to be interesting, however the immaturity of Sara and how much it was drawn out throughout the middle of the book was maddening. That could have been shortened significantly. The last part was satisfying. It would have been a better story if that section would have been given more time instead of Sara’s whining.

Turned on a dime!

So, when I got this book, I was expecting it to be a little "lighter" than what I prefer. Maybe not as detailed or as complex as The Nightingale, for example. In this, I was correct and for the first couple of hours it was as expected. All of a sudden, it went from being solidly Historical Fiction to naive and gullible Harlequin! Preposterous! After laying a great foundation and carefully developing a few characters, a turn of events occurs that throw the 2 mains together. However, the way it plays out directly conflicts with all that has come before it in spectacular fashion. Loved the storyline- narration is okay.

Patty C

Overall I enjoyed the story but I got very frustrated with Sarah’s character. I could only give 4 stars because of that.

Excellent audio I

I truly enjoyed the audio, the narrator was also very good. I will recommend the book to all. About Jewish families in their hours of needing others to help them cope. The others who have helped them escape and others who only said they would but didn't. How fast children grow up and become very strong. The love, hope, and faith of family and friends most important how God does truly helps us and His people.

Distracted Narration

The story itself was good, but couldn't listen anymore. The narrator was so distracting in accent and sing song narration. Emphasizing every word with a pause. It just didn't fit the characters and became extremely annoying. I'll have to finish reading it. I really tried to push through, but the characters began to sound whiny...ugh!

A Heroine you don't like

I have listened to all of Sharon Maas' books and enjoyed them. This one however created a character (Sarah) who was somewhat unbelievable and naïve to the point of stupidity. From identifying herself as Jewish in a Nazi infested café, throwing tantrums to call attention to herself and her resistance lover, to eventually telling her 'best friend' who is part of Nazi collaboration family about her true love Ralph,(a resistance fighter) and thereby getting him killed, it was a fright-fest of stupid actions. Granted, she's only 17, but during this period even the very, very young had learned to fear to avoid the Nazis. Definitely not my favorite.

riveting

this was the first time in a long time I couldn't put the book down. I liked that the characters had flaws. at times the story seemed a bit simplistic but I didn't mind. the story moved along at a nice pace.