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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Sera James, an art dealer who was once mesmerized by a painting she saw in Paris, is launched into the final phase of her search to find the painting again when she meets dashing millionaire William Hanover.
This book wasn't as torrid romance as that little plot synopsis makes it out to be. In fact, except for a few (clearly stated) sweet kisses, there's little romance at all, but let's be clear...we all know how this is going to end.
The more interesting part of the story is that of the subject of the painting Sera searches for: Adele Von Braun, a gifted violinist in Nazi-occupied Austria. When her world is turned upside down, Adele is forced to face a new life that she can barely fathom. As you read Adele's story, Sera's starts to pale by comparison, especially after Sera's story becomes a foregone conclusion.
A note about the book: While it in no way is listed as Christian fiction, it is a Christian fiction novel. And yet even saying that, it doesn't feel as overt as some Christian fiction I've read. Faith in God is prominently displayed, but in some ways it almost holds back in a way that makes the Christian aspect of it feel a little half-hearted, like it was added in after the fact. It was odd, and in truth, that weird sense I got from that detracted from my rating.
This book wasn't as torrid romance as that little plot synopsis makes it out to be. In fact, except for a few (clearly stated) sweet kisses, there's little romance at all, but let's be clear...we all know how this is going to end.
The more interesting part of the story is that of the subject of the painting Sera searches for: Adele Von Braun, a gifted violinist in Nazi-occupied Austria. When her world is turned upside down, Adele is forced to face a new life that she can barely fathom. As you read Adele's story, Sera's starts to pale by comparison, especially after Sera's story becomes a foregone conclusion.
A note about the book: While it in no way is listed as Christian fiction, it is a Christian fiction novel. And yet even saying that, it doesn't feel as overt as some Christian fiction I've read. Faith in God is prominently displayed, but in some ways it almost holds back in a way that makes the Christian aspect of it feel a little half-hearted, like it was added in after the fact. It was odd, and in truth, that weird sense I got from that detracted from my rating.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This Butterfly and the Violin was beautifully told by Kristy Cambron in what is hard to believe is her debut novel. I was captivated by how she wove both storylines together so intricately and brought such beauty out of ashes in a story that truly tugs at the heart. I will look forward to more from this author.
Perfect book for making history real, for a teen.
When hearing the dialog 'from' an actual teen, it seemed okay. But the same dialog from an adult, was grating, for me.
a girl mistaking getting 'sent to Auschwitz' with being 'sent to the corner' as punishment...
A woman being left at the alter... is absolutely a tragic event. But I don't think it is such a secret that if it were revealed, would ruin your life, taint your image...
When hearing the dialog 'from' an actual teen, it seemed okay. But the same dialog from an adult, was grating, for me.
a girl mistaking getting 'sent to Auschwitz' with being 'sent to the corner' as punishment...
A woman being left at the alter... is absolutely a tragic event. But I don't think it is such a secret that if it were revealed, would ruin your life, taint your image...
Liked the story a lot and it went fast.
The present-day relationship was a bit of a drag and the ending didn't sit right with me.
Also, despite being religious, the repeated mentions of God were not totally welcome, nor did they always sit right with the tone of the book.
The present-day relationship was a bit of a drag and the ending didn't sit right with me.
Also, despite being religious, the repeated mentions of God were not totally welcome, nor did they always sit right with the tone of the book.
Sweet. Tender. Heartbreaking. Captivating. Characters that engage you right away. The story behind the painting keeps you turning the pages for more. A twist about the painting's owner that I never saw coming but made me cheer out loud. Really good read.
4 1/2 stars,
I really enjoyed this book, the only reason it didn't quite make five stars was that I liked the historical timeline more than the modern timeline.
What an interesting story about an Austrian violinist named Adele, who is sent to Auschwitz as punishment for helping jews. She us forced to play her Violin in the orchestra to save her life. Even through adversity she finds hope and strength in a Jewish woman who shares her love and strength with God.
In the modern timeline, we see a girl who is very much wanting to find a painting of a young violinist. She will go to great measure to find it, but will she lose her heart in the process?
I loved the characters and the setting. Kristy Cambron is a great historical storyteller and draws the reader into heartbreaking moments and strength filled characters.
I really enjoyed this book, the only reason it didn't quite make five stars was that I liked the historical timeline more than the modern timeline.
What an interesting story about an Austrian violinist named Adele, who is sent to Auschwitz as punishment for helping jews. She us forced to play her Violin in the orchestra to save her life. Even through adversity she finds hope and strength in a Jewish woman who shares her love and strength with God.
In the modern timeline, we see a girl who is very much wanting to find a painting of a young violinist. She will go to great measure to find it, but will she lose her heart in the process?
I loved the characters and the setting. Kristy Cambron is a great historical storyteller and draws the reader into heartbreaking moments and strength filled characters.
I wanted to read this book because its categorization of Fiction/literature, and the theme of surviving Auschwitz.
The book should have been listed as Christian fiction, which took away from my enjoyment of the book.
The book should have been listed as Christian fiction, which took away from my enjoyment of the book.
3.5 Stars
Loved the story for the most part. Interesting premise, and the author did a good job of moving between the two stories and time periods.
Being a music history aficionado, though, one thing irked me that probably most people don't even notice. Towards the end, Adele is performing in front of a group of Nazi officers and plays Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor. And at the end of the work, they are all cheering in awe of her talent. Well, Mendelssohn was Jewish. And his compositions were banned from being performed very early on in the Nazi regime, so I find this plot point hard to believe.
I get taking creative liberties. (I mean I loooove reading historical fiction.) But if the author still wanted to use Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in her book, she should have at least acknowledged that the musicians were taking a risk by playing it, and that they hoped no one would recognize the work. Because if someone had recognized it, they would have been punished for sure.
To her credit, a woman who played in the Auschwitz-Birkenau orchestra wrote a memoir, and in it claimed that they played Mendelssohn in the camp once. But her memoir has been highly contested, and that fact was denied by three other women who played with her in the orchestra.
Loved the story for the most part. Interesting premise, and the author did a good job of moving between the two stories and time periods.
Being a music history aficionado, though, one thing irked me that probably most people don't even notice. Towards the end, Adele is performing in front of a group of Nazi officers and plays Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor. And at the end of the work, they are all cheering in awe of her talent. Well, Mendelssohn was Jewish. And his compositions were banned from being performed very early on in the Nazi regime, so I find this plot point hard to believe.
I get taking creative liberties. (I mean I loooove reading historical fiction.) But if the author still wanted to use Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in her book, she should have at least acknowledged that the musicians were taking a risk by playing it, and that they hoped no one would recognize the work. Because if someone had recognized it, they would have been punished for sure.
To her credit, a woman who played in the Auschwitz-Birkenau orchestra wrote a memoir, and in it claimed that they played Mendelssohn in the camp once. But her memoir has been highly contested, and that fact was denied by three other women who played with her in the orchestra.