Reviews

The Secret Pianist by Andie Newton

rachelschloneger's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

3.25

piperkitty's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

 

During the Second World War, three Cotillard sisters were struggling to survive on their own in a small French village. Meanwhile, England was battling Germany by launching attacks and constantly planning at the War Office. Although The Secret Pianist could have been a typical romantic love story set during wartime, Andie Newton created a much more complex and emotional tale.

Newton's writing beautifully depicted the sisters' daily lives, conveying the fear, sacrifices, and courage they exhibited while still having to focus on basic things like finding food and work. The inclusion of the heroines' music in the story added an extra layer of depth, as it not only changed the course of the war but also had a profound impact on the characters' personal lives. The music was so vividly described that one could almost feel it.

As a fan of war stories, I appreciated the depth and complexity of The Secret Pianist. Unlike other stories that focus on the anger and hostility between people from enemy countries, this one delved deeper into the characters' inner lives and struggles.
 

bookedbymadeline's review against another edition

I loved Newton’s The Girl I Left Behind but sadly the execution for this book fell flat. There’s all telling no showing which is a writing/narration style I hate. I’m just not intrigued enough to see if it gets better so DNFing after 55 pages 

readwithjackalope's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

 

This review is part of the Secret Pianist Blog tour hosted by Rachel’s Random Resources.

The Secret Pianist by Andie Newton was a fast-paced historical fiction set in WWII France.   Sisters Gaby, Martine, and Simone are living in Boulogne Sur de Mar, France as seamstresses, after fleeing Paris under mysterious circumstances.  Soon a British messenger pigeon falls into their hands and they decide to keep it and use it to send intelligence to the Brits. The three sisters are close Gaby is a talented pianist who created music that made people sit up and take notice.  She was studying in Paris before fleeing.  Soon, Gaby, one of the sisters is forced to teach piano to the stepdaughter of one of the German Commandants and they are treated like the ‘bad French’ ones who collaborated with the Germans for their own benefit.   The story is loosely based on real people, definitely read the author's notes about the inspiration of the story.  It was an interesting character story in the way people behave and interact during trying times like this during the occupation of France.  I learned new things about the time during WWII such as using carrier pigeons to pass along information, as well as the role of music, especially sheet music for sending coding messages.  Also, the use of Radio Londres to send messages to agents out in the field.  I can see how appealing that would be to give hope to those out in the field. 

I recommend reading this story and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter

 

yourschloex's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

prncss1204's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0