Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
The Butterfly and the Violin
4.5/5 stars
Initial Thoughts:
Such a beautiful and heart wrenching story of a talented violinist who ends up in Auschwitz. I loved the way the story of the painting was slowly unravelled between the stories of Adele, the violinist and muse, and Sera, an art collector from the present day who has a personal interest in the missing portrait. I had no idea about the art work that was created by the inmates and I definitely want to read more of Cambron's work now.
------------------------------------------
The Story
The Butterfly and the Violin is an incredible and touching historical fiction novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and it’s a harrowing representation of life in a concentration camp. The book takes place during World War Two and in present day. Sera is the perspective we are following in the modern time - she’s an art collector and all her life she’s been obsessed with trying to find this portrait that was done many years ago of a young woman with a violin in a concentration camp.
This woman is Adele, our other protagonist. Adele lives in Vienna and knows very little of what the Nazis are actually doing. She’s incredibly talented at playing violin and so must play for the Nazi soldiers at many events. The bulk of the story comes after she’s caught trying to help a Jewish family escape. Although she may not be in ‘the know’ with the Nazi regime - she is aware of the impossible situation of the Jewish population and knows what is right and what is wrong. Both her and her partner, Vladimir (who’s a merchant boy and deemed ‘unworthy’ of Adele) are arrested and taken to Auschwitz. What follows is full on and heart-breaking but so worth reading. This is a story of love and endurance, and is probably one of my favourite historical fictions set during the war period at the moment.
History and Art
In terms of what this book has to offer to its readers educationally, there’s not bundles - which is a good thing. It’s not overbearing in information that will have you drowning in facts, it provides you with what you needs to know. But first and foremost I would describe this as a drama. No part of the story is intimidating or over-whelming in its information because of this. Whilst this is heavily entrenched in the horrors of war and the Nazi concentration camp, the main weight of the story comes from the strong personalities of the two women and how they’re able to survive in such a demanding world. So, if you’re not huge into history then you needn’t worry about getting lost or bored with this story. You will love it. Not to mention the beautiful language that Cambron uses to articulate the setting and atmosphere:
Adele
Adele’s story was definitely my favourite of the two. Although she was reasonably naïve of what was going on she was incredibly brave when it came to standing up for what she believed was right. Aside from helping the Jewish family escape, her other main act of bravery is her perseverance in there relationship with Vladimir and her strength of character and friendship within the concentration camp with the other girls. She is told time and time again that she cannot be with Vladimir - her parents even forbid her from doing so, but she knows her heart and fights for what she wants; what she believes to be right. This is huge part other being able to cope within the camp, and we, as readers, are left in the lurch for a long time as to the fate of Vladimir. I was so anxious to know what became of his character that I could really feel Adele’s emotions - she felt alive.
The thing that makes Adele’s story so interesting, however, is the way Cambron has chosen to write the story. Being a violinist (which right from the start is a unique character set up), upon entering the camp she is allowed to keep her instrument (which she took with her - #logic) and is told that she will play in the orchestra - SAY WHAT. Hands up if you knew about this before this book? *no hands raised*. She’s placed the care of a motherlike figure, Omara, who runs the band and helps keep the girls alive. They are forced to practice long days and perform on demand. But being a part of this helps to keep them alive for they have a purpose. And a prisoner with a purpose that doesn’t impinge upon the secrecy of the Nazi regime is an alive prisoner. But that doesn’t mean Adele’s experience of the camp is in anyway comfortable.
Sera
So, as I’ve sad, Sera is an art collector. Her story mostly follows her trying to discover the whereabouts of the portrait (of Adele). She discovers a family who owns a copy of the painting and ends up teaming up with William Hanover (the recent owner of this copy) to find the original. Both that their own ultimatums for doing so and it causes one hell of a friction. Of course, a romance, tantalisingly reluctant, strikes up between the two of them and it was so bittersweet a lot of the time. I loved them together but in particular I loved how they did things in the memory of Adele and Vladimir - to take up the opportunities that they could that the star-crossed lovers were wrongfully denied. Why the reluctance? Sera has recently been jilted at the alter, so she’s a bit all over the place, it sort of draws a very distinct line between the past and present with the problems that are relevant to both girls - which was good.
My favourite thing about Sera’s perspective what that it was the easiest one to relate to. Whilst Adele’s story was utterly compelling, I have very little in the way of reference points to relate to her - she’s from a different country, speaks another language, lives in a different period, and experiences things I can only imagine. But seeing her story through the lens of Sera’s perspective enabled me to grasp the meaning of this struggle so much better. And altogether make it somewhat more approachable and even more beautiful. Plus the stories *do* link up - but I shan’t say how.
Summary
I don’t need to say much more about this book, it’s beautiful and a wonderful nod to the past to share with readers an imagining of what it might’ve been like and to help readers emphasise and sympathise with the wrong-doings of our history. The characters are brilliant, the plot is unique and wonderful, and I loved every second of it. As a quick mention, this is categorised as ‘Christian fiction’ and I just want to say DON’T FRET. It’s very subtle and makes sense to be in the story given the setting and time period, nothing is in your face (it's almost not worth being put into that category in all honesty).
There is also a sequel to this which I believe acts as a companion novel to this one. It’s called [b:A Sparrow in Terezin|22578264|A Sparrow in Terezin (Hidden Masterpiece #2)|Kristy Cambron|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404475923s/22578264.jpg|41899538] and I will definitely be reading this at some point in the future and any other works that Cambron brings out. The story that Cambron has told is just so captivating in its balance between the seriousness of the past but also the importance of love. You will fly through this! If you love historical fiction then this is NOT to be missed.
Lest we forget
Happy reading!
4.5/5 stars
Initial Thoughts:
Such a beautiful and heart wrenching story of a talented violinist who ends up in Auschwitz. I loved the way the story of the painting was slowly unravelled between the stories of Adele, the violinist and muse, and Sera, an art collector from the present day who has a personal interest in the missing portrait. I had no idea about the art work that was created by the inmates and I definitely want to read more of Cambron's work now.
------------------------------------------
The Story
The Butterfly and the Violin is an incredible and touching historical fiction novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and it’s a harrowing representation of life in a concentration camp. The book takes place during World War Two and in present day. Sera is the perspective we are following in the modern time - she’s an art collector and all her life she’s been obsessed with trying to find this portrait that was done many years ago of a young woman with a violin in a concentration camp.
This woman is Adele, our other protagonist. Adele lives in Vienna and knows very little of what the Nazis are actually doing. She’s incredibly talented at playing violin and so must play for the Nazi soldiers at many events. The bulk of the story comes after she’s caught trying to help a Jewish family escape. Although she may not be in ‘the know’ with the Nazi regime - she is aware of the impossible situation of the Jewish population and knows what is right and what is wrong. Both her and her partner, Vladimir (who’s a merchant boy and deemed ‘unworthy’ of Adele) are arrested and taken to Auschwitz. What follows is full on and heart-breaking but so worth reading. This is a story of love and endurance, and is probably one of my favourite historical fictions set during the war period at the moment.
History and Art
In terms of what this book has to offer to its readers educationally, there’s not bundles - which is a good thing. It’s not overbearing in information that will have you drowning in facts, it provides you with what you needs to know. But first and foremost I would describe this as a drama. No part of the story is intimidating or over-whelming in its information because of this. Whilst this is heavily entrenched in the horrors of war and the Nazi concentration camp, the main weight of the story comes from the strong personalities of the two women and how they’re able to survive in such a demanding world. So, if you’re not huge into history then you needn’t worry about getting lost or bored with this story. You will love it. Not to mention the beautiful language that Cambron uses to articulate the setting and atmosphere:
"Spring came in on a cloud of bitter morning fog."Simple, yet cosily good. Then again, to counter this (or perhaps this is making up for it) we’re faced with horrible realities of prisoners who are put in charge of the gassings in the camps then being routinely gassed themselves because there’s no way they’d every be allowed out again. Which is the definition of monstrously horrible.
Adele
Adele’s story was definitely my favourite of the two. Although she was reasonably naïve of what was going on she was incredibly brave when it came to standing up for what she believed was right. Aside from helping the Jewish family escape, her other main act of bravery is her perseverance in there relationship with Vladimir and her strength of character and friendship within the concentration camp with the other girls. She is told time and time again that she cannot be with Vladimir - her parents even forbid her from doing so, but she knows her heart and fights for what she wants; what she believes to be right. This is huge part other being able to cope within the camp, and we, as readers, are left in the lurch for a long time as to the fate of Vladimir. I was so anxious to know what became of his character that I could really feel Adele’s emotions - she felt alive.
The thing that makes Adele’s story so interesting, however, is the way Cambron has chosen to write the story. Being a violinist (which right from the start is a unique character set up), upon entering the camp she is allowed to keep her instrument (which she took with her - #logic) and is told that she will play in the orchestra - SAY WHAT. Hands up if you knew about this before this book? *no hands raised*. She’s placed the care of a motherlike figure, Omara, who runs the band and helps keep the girls alive. They are forced to practice long days and perform on demand. But being a part of this helps to keep them alive for they have a purpose. And a prisoner with a purpose that doesn’t impinge upon the secrecy of the Nazi regime is an alive prisoner. But that doesn’t mean Adele’s experience of the camp is in anyway comfortable.
"Live or die - the outcome no longer mattered. Adele knew she would never leave Auschwitz.”Whilst reading I had no idea whether or not this was based on fact. It is. The concentration camps did force musically talented inmates to perform - and this happened in a vast number of them. Thus, music took on the role of both a torture method used by the guards (who’d force inmates to sign whilst marching and kill them for not singing right) and also for entertainment. In a way, this reminded me a lot of The Railway Man in how music became a passion turned horror for Adele - something she may or may not be able to enjoy again, just as trains did for Eric. This was amazing to read about seeing as I love history so much but had never heard of this - I love books that are able to both surprise and enlighten me. This is definitely a very unique story because of this. The tragedy of Adele being forced to play music creates this heart-wrenching parallel that’ll tear you up inside.
Sera
So, as I’ve sad, Sera is an art collector. Her story mostly follows her trying to discover the whereabouts of the portrait (of Adele). She discovers a family who owns a copy of the painting and ends up teaming up with William Hanover (the recent owner of this copy) to find the original. Both that their own ultimatums for doing so and it causes one hell of a friction. Of course, a romance, tantalisingly reluctant, strikes up between the two of them and it was so bittersweet a lot of the time. I loved them together but in particular I loved how they did things in the memory of Adele and Vladimir - to take up the opportunities that they could that the star-crossed lovers were wrongfully denied. Why the reluctance? Sera has recently been jilted at the alter, so she’s a bit all over the place, it sort of draws a very distinct line between the past and present with the problems that are relevant to both girls - which was good.
My favourite thing about Sera’s perspective what that it was the easiest one to relate to. Whilst Adele’s story was utterly compelling, I have very little in the way of reference points to relate to her - she’s from a different country, speaks another language, lives in a different period, and experiences things I can only imagine. But seeing her story through the lens of Sera’s perspective enabled me to grasp the meaning of this struggle so much better. And altogether make it somewhat more approachable and even more beautiful. Plus the stories *do* link up - but I shan’t say how.
Summary
I don’t need to say much more about this book, it’s beautiful and a wonderful nod to the past to share with readers an imagining of what it might’ve been like and to help readers emphasise and sympathise with the wrong-doings of our history. The characters are brilliant, the plot is unique and wonderful, and I loved every second of it. As a quick mention, this is categorised as ‘Christian fiction’ and I just want to say DON’T FRET. It’s very subtle and makes sense to be in the story given the setting and time period, nothing is in your face (it's almost not worth being put into that category in all honesty).
There is also a sequel to this which I believe acts as a companion novel to this one. It’s called [b:A Sparrow in Terezin|22578264|A Sparrow in Terezin (Hidden Masterpiece #2)|Kristy Cambron|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404475923s/22578264.jpg|41899538] and I will definitely be reading this at some point in the future and any other works that Cambron brings out. The story that Cambron has told is just so captivating in its balance between the seriousness of the past but also the importance of love. You will fly through this! If you love historical fiction then this is NOT to be missed.
Lest we forget
Happy reading!
Kristy Cambron does a great job in bringing the reader into a story rich with description and detailed in history. The hidden meaning behind the title becomes apparent soon into the story and adds a romantic depth and one that keeps hope and love enduring throughout the story. It's not only a romance of two hearts, but one between the characters and God, especially Adele and God. In the ugly harshness of the Nazi evil, Adele finds true beauty and the meaning of true worship.
The Butterfly and the Violin is a wonderful work of literary detail and hidden symbolism throughout. Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I wished it was more in depth concerning the characters' point of view. I longed for a deeper read into their emotions. I understand the necessity the author may have felt by "glossing" over the horrors of the concentration camps of Auschwitz, but for me I would have wanted a little more detail to heighten the juxtaposition of the horror at the hands of the SS and the unfailing hope in the prisoners' hearts. The present day scenes of Sera and William read more romance novel than a reflection of Adele and Vladimir.
Another thing that distracted me from the novel was the flow of the timeline. I would have preferred Adele's story to be consecutive in order and not back up a couple of years then jump forward three and back another two. It didn't detract from the story any, and it played in my head as though a movie character's flashback scene, it's a preference that I prefer in literary works.
Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin is a work that is exceptional in concept and beautifully executed.
The Butterfly and the Violin is a wonderful work of literary detail and hidden symbolism throughout. Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I wished it was more in depth concerning the characters' point of view. I longed for a deeper read into their emotions. I understand the necessity the author may have felt by "glossing" over the horrors of the concentration camps of Auschwitz, but for me I would have wanted a little more detail to heighten the juxtaposition of the horror at the hands of the SS and the unfailing hope in the prisoners' hearts. The present day scenes of Sera and William read more romance novel than a reflection of Adele and Vladimir.
Another thing that distracted me from the novel was the flow of the timeline. I would have preferred Adele's story to be consecutive in order and not back up a couple of years then jump forward three and back another two. It didn't detract from the story any, and it played in my head as though a movie character's flashback scene, it's a preference that I prefer in literary works.
Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin is a work that is exceptional in concept and beautifully executed.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was a good read overall. I thought the historical tale in this novel was well-told and pretty incredible- an important story to tell. I found the modern-day parts to be a little watered down and hardly necessary (except to break up the bleakness of the historical parts- it's like coming up for air in novels like this), but I appreciated the after-WWII perspective that the modern story line brought with it. I find "Christian-fiction" hard to swallow personally, so those parts (and there are many) rather made me roll my eyes and skip ahead (blah blah blah- it almost felt like a compulsion for the author, like she must say it so here I'll stick it in right here), but overall, I did really find this book to be a good read.
Sera has been obsessed with a painting for a very long time. She gets a chance to find the original but only if she finds it for a rich family. The subject of this painting is a famous violinist who was sent to a concentration camp during the Holocaust.
I didn't know this book was told in two timelines. We follow Sera who works in a gallery and she is trying to find an original painting. The second story line is about Adele a famous violinist who get sent to a concentration camp for behavior correction.
I really wish this had just followed Adele's timeline. With her point of view we saw a young girl struggle with going against her family and standing up for what she thought was right. We caught a glimpse of how some talented prisoners were treated during such a horrific time. It was a wonderful story about survival.
And all of that gets dragged down by cringe worthy instalove melodramatic storyline. I hated Sera's POV so much. I found her to be incredibly one dimensional.
I just found her to be so annoying.
Sera's storyline failed to balance out Adele's. Sera just seemed so childish and cliched.
She really brought down this book for me.
I give this book a D.
I didn't know this book was told in two timelines. We follow Sera who works in a gallery and she is trying to find an original painting. The second story line is about Adele a famous violinist who get sent to a concentration camp for behavior correction.
I really wish this had just followed Adele's timeline. With her point of view we saw a young girl struggle with going against her family and standing up for what she thought was right. We caught a glimpse of how some talented prisoners were treated during such a horrific time. It was a wonderful story about survival.
And all of that gets dragged down by cringe worthy instalove melodramatic storyline. I hated Sera's POV so much. I found her to be incredibly one dimensional.
I just found her to be so annoying.
Sera's storyline failed to balance out Adele's. Sera just seemed so childish and cliched.
She really brought down this book for me.
I give this book a D.
70 years after a painting of a woman prisoner of Auschwitz-Birkenau goes missing, a man who could lose everything by finding the original owner, joins an art gallery owner in the hunt. Read my review of this different kind of Holocaust story here https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2014/07/15/beauty-out-of-ugliness/
I finished The Butterfly and The Violin over the weekend. This was a fast and enjoyable read. It was the story of Sera James and Adele Von Bron, a modern day art dealer and an Austrian violinist sent to Auschwitz. The author did a excellent job weaving these two stories together and I fell in love with both of these characters. It was a sweet story with just enough romance, a little mystery, and a reminder of the tragedies of the Holocaust, from a new angle.
This novel is amazing. It's gut-wrenching. It's heart-rending. I could not put this book down. The characters are beautifully written. I teach my English 9 Honors kids The Book Thief, and I make sure to cover the children's art from Terezin. I had no idea about the art from Auschwitz...I will make sure to include this information this coming school year. I think I will copy a chapter out of this book and do a close-read with my students. Such beautiful writing worthy of study!