The Synopsis:

A Mysterious painting breathes hope and beauty into the darkest corners of Auschwitz–and the loneliest hearts of Manhattan.

Manhattan art dealer Sera James watched her world crumble at the altar two years ago, and her heart is still fragile. Her desire for distraction reignites a passion for a mysterious portrait she first saw as a young girl–a painting of a young violinist with piercing blue eyes.

In her search for the painting, Sera crosses paths with William Hanover–the grandson of a wealthy California real estate mogul–who may be the key to uncovering the hidden masterpiece. Together Sera and William slowly unravel the story behind the painting’s subject: Austrian violinist Adele Von Bron.

A darling of the Austrian aristocracy of 1942, talented violinist, and daughter to a high-ranking member of the Third Reich, Adele risks everything when she begins smuggling Jews out of Vienna. In a heartbeat, her life of prosperity and privilege dissolves into a world of starvation and barbed wire.

As Sera untangles the secrets behind the painting, she finds beauty in the most unlikely of places: the grim camps of Auschwitz and the inner recesses of her own troubled heart.

I received this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are my own.

Review:

Two stories in two completely different worlds. Their common ground? A single painting.

The characters in this book are absolutely incredible! They are so realistic, believable, and just excellently built and thought out. The story is full of adventure, plot twists, and believable emotion, which made the book that much better. Nearly every page is full of prayers, faith, and Scriptures, making this fiction novel a very refreshing to read.

I did find that the “present day” characters and story did not impress me that much. The romance between Sera and William happened way too fast to be realistic and really, kissing the day you meet is never a good move. William was a well developed character, but Sera was very confusing. Her hurt was believable at first, but the fact that she threw away all her guard and caution the day she meets William, made it seem as if she was just using her “hurt” as an excuse to ignore other guys, which I am sure the author did not try to do.

But the powerful story of Adele and everything that happens during her point of view will leave the readers breathless! I give The Butterfly and the Violin a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 for my time well spent!

Read the sequel: A Sparrow in Terezin

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