MEDIA

Playing for the Commandant

5 CDs. 5:20 hrs. Brilliance Audio. 2014. $19.99. ISBN 9781491530672.
COPY ISBN
Gr 7 Up—Walnuts, a single egg, a raw potato: these items spelled the difference between life and death for the Jewish inmates in Auschwitz-Birkenau during the Holocaust. Fifteen-year-old Hanna is an aspiring musician from an upper-class family in Hungary when the Nazis invade and forcefully evict Hanna and her parents and her sister from their home. Hanna is able to survive because she is selected to be the Nazi commandant's personal pianist. In this unlikely scenario, she travels each day to his home and smuggle food back into the concentration camp each evening. She falls in love with Karl, the commandant's son; but considering the circumstances there is no "happily ever after" for the two. Emily Foster narrates the book with conviction and empathy. There are many references to music, and although there is no actual music playing in the background, listeners feel the spirit and the comfort music brings through the narrator's inflections and tone. This book gives listeners insight into some of the horrors suffered without going into the gruesome details.
VERDICT Recommended to those who enjoy historical fiction and stories where music drives the plot.

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?