Today's book is a bit of a hard hitter. I've read it before, but I wanted to read and share it. It was, for me, a quick read, but I spread it out over a few days because it made me think. Kristy Cambron's The Butterfly and the Violin is book that has two story lines. The modern day story is of Sera James, an art dealer who is searching for a painting. She ends up working with William Hanover, who is searching for the same painting.
That painting is a portrait of a young violinist with a shaved head, serial number tattoo, and beautiful blue eyes. She is Adele Von Bron, once Austria's Sweetheart. The daughter of a high ranking member of the Nazi party, Adele is sent to Auschwitz when she is caught helping Jews escape Vienna. In Auschwitz, she is part of the women's orchestra. She plays for the arrival of new prisoners, while it is decided if they are to be sent to work or death. She plays as prisoners march to their jobs. She plays at private parties for Nazis. Needless to say, she finds it very difficult.
For me, I enjoyed Adele's story more than Sera's. Sera was struggling with the aftermath of a breakup and finding new love. Adele was struggling with life, death, and finding the inner strength to do what seems impossible. Tied in with Adele's story is that of the artists and the artwork that was found when the camp was liberated.
The Butterfly and the Violin made me think about what human beings are really capable of, from the terrible to the amazing. It has a sequel, A Sparrow at Terezin that I can't bring myself to read just yet. I'll read it in a few weeks when I'm feeling happy and need something to make me a little sad.
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