When I first began reading this book, I was nervous because I had never heard of the author and I wasn't sure how the book was going to go. But the more I read the more I got into the book.

It's based towards the end of WWII and gives a different type of perspective to what was going on during that time. I was definitely hooked pretty early on! I've always liked reading historical fiction and this one is definitely being added to one of my favorites of the genre! ( )

A lovely easy read, some of the plot especially towards the end was a bit far fetched for my liking, in spite of this I really enjoyed this family drama ( )

I have been reading bits of historical fiction for a few years now. WWII is a fertile ground for this. This was a good read and had several threads that eventually led to a satisfying conclusion, mostly. I think this is a debut novel for this author and it shows in some ways. I found the writing a little forced in places and some of the plotting didn't seem to fit together. Overall it was an enjoyable reading experience but I think my next read will be from someone more established. I would read more from this writer if some if forthcoming. ( )

Letters to the Pianist Runs the Gamut of Emotions

There are scenes of hope and happiness in Letters to the Pianist, almost seeming like a fairytale when seen through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Ruth and her younger siblings Gabi and Hannah. But soon the realities of war and its aftermath intervene and sadness descends as a life is lost or dreams are shattered. There are also characters to loathe, individuals cruel and heartless almost beyond words. Romance and love also find their way into the story, passionate in places but never graphic in its portrayal. And finally, tension abounds, clearly the dominant emotion as the father, Joe, and Ruth find themselves embroiled in situations fraught with peril, literally fighting for their lives in the finale. With finely crafted prose, author S.D. Mayes elicits the full gamut of emotions. I have read books that have produced stronger feelings of anxiety or hope or affection, but I’m not sure I’ve read any that have elicited such range of feelings in the span of 400 pages. Kudos to the author.

The pacing was excellent, as the author keeps you a bit off balance, always wondering what’s next. Character development was also good, with Joe and Ruth in particular coming to life. As with many books of this genre, I enjoyed the interplay of history and fiction. Admittedly, I’m not that well versed on Britain during World War II and the players, although some are nearly universally known. One of my few unmet hopes in this book was that the author had described some of her research in a note at the end. However, I did fill in a few holes myself with online searches, again attesting to how gripping I found the tale. Other than that, the finale at the Douglas-Scott estate was the only other issue, as it seemed a bit convenient, but it was an extremely minor concern given the strength of the story.

Overall, Letters to the Pianist is an excellent book, a truly griping story that will push your emotions to their bounds. ( )

I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher, BHC Press, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I enjoyed this book; it was an engaging, quick read. It had a strong sense of place, although the character's sensibilities were sometimes a bit more modern than the setting. Of course, if you want perfect historical accuracy, fiction may be the wrong choice :)

Much of the book was upbeat and positive, with some turns into darker, grittier territory, especially near the end. At one point the depiction of an attempted sexual assault was more graphic than I would have expected - the rest of the book was much less graphic about violence and sexuality.

All in all a satisfying read. ( )