Other Sellers on Amazon
& FREE Delivery
88% positive over last 12 months
+ $3.00 Delivery
83% positive over last 12 months
& FREE Delivery
91% positive over last 12 months

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.


The Violin Maker's Daughter: Absolutely heartbreaking World War 2 historical fiction Paperback – 1 January 2019
Sharon Maas (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
Amazon Price | New from | Used from |
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry" |
$0.00
| Free with your Audible trial |
Paperback
"Please retry" | $16.93 | $16.93 | — |
Enhance your purchase
When the Nazis march onto the cobbled streets of Colmar on November 1st 1940, Josef, a Jewish violin maker, gathers his wife and daughters closely to him and tells them everything will be all right.
But one year later, three sharp knocks on the door at midnight turn his seventeen year old daughter Sarah’s world upside down. As the oldest child, Sarah must be the first to leave her family, to make her escape in a perilous journey across France via Paris to Poitiers. And she must hide who she is and take a new name for her own safety. For now, bilingual Sarah is no longer a French Jew but a German girl.
As she bids farewell to her beloved father and family, Sarah has hope, against all odds, that she will see them again when the war is over. But, travelling through the mountains she finds herself in terrible danger and meets Ralf, a German deserter, who risks his own life to save her.
Ralf and Sarah continue their journey together, keeping their identities secret at all cost. But when Ralf is captured, will Sarah pay the ultimate price for sharing who she really is?
A gripping and heart-breaking account of love, bravery and sacrifice during the terror of war. A story of standing up for what you believe in; even if it’s going to break your heart. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz and The Ragged Edge of Night.
Readers have fallen in love with The Violin Maker’s Daughter :
‘From the minute I opened this book I was completely enthralled. I couldn’t put it down. It was well thought out and expertly written… Really a great read and I can’t wait to look into other books by this author!’ Being Perry, 5 stars
‘Sharon Maas never disappoints! She is one of my favourite authors and with this wonderful, harrowing, heart breaking tale of courage and love in the face of unimaginable danger, she has cemented her place as one of the best historical fiction writes of today, right up there with Antony Doerr and Kristin Hannah. I SO loved this beautiful story… so stunningly realised. For me, it made the war come alive, the suffering and angst of ordinary people, both Jews and Germans, their bravery in the face of adversity so vividly brought to life thanks to the author's magical writing. I would very highly recommend this book and give it ten stars if I could. If you're going to read one war book this year which marks the 75th anniversary of D-day, make it this one!’ Renita D’Silva, 5 stars
‘A gripping, heartbreaking, but yet heartwarming historical fiction (that is based on real facts concerning Colmar, Alsace and Lorraine as well as French and German Resistance)... It is raw and emotional, yet a necessary story to tell. Sarah is only 17-18 and is so strong for her age. I enjoyed all the characters of individuals that helped her and Ralf along the way… it still had plenty of positivity and hope, that I felt it ended appropriately and honestly. A great read. 5/5 stars’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘I loved it! Once I started reading, I could not stop... I was on the edge of my seat… This is the first book I have read by this writer, I am eager for more!’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
‘A heart wrenching story of bravery, love and sacrifice.’ For the Love of Books
‘The Violin Maker's Daughter is a good emotional story. The characters are well-developed and the storyline is interesting. Well written.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars
- Print length378 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication date1 January 2019
- Dimensions12.85 x 2.41 x 19.84 cm
- ISBN-101786819791
- ISBN-13978-1786819796
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Product details
- Publisher : Bookouture (1 January 2019)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 378 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1786819791
- ISBN-13 : 978-1786819796
- Dimensions : 12.85 x 2.41 x 19.84 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 113,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 238 in Historical Jewish Fiction
- 448 in Women's Fiction About Friendship
- 2,226 in 20th Century Historical Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Sharon Maas was born into a prominent political family in Georgetown, Guyana, in 1951. She was educated in England, Guyana, and, later, Germany. After leaving school, she worked as a trainee reporter with the Guyana Graphic in Georgetown and later wrote feature articles for the Sunday Chronicle as a staff journalist.
Her first novel, Of Marriageable Age, is set in Guyana and India and was published by HarperCollins in 1999. In 2014 she moved to Bookouture, and now has ten novels under her belt. Her books span continents, cultures, and eras. From the sugar plantations of colonial British Guiana in South America, to the French battlefields of World War Two, to the present-day brothels of Mumbai and the rice-fields and villages of South India, Sharon never runs out of stories for the armchair traveller.
The Far Away Girl:
"What an incredibly descriptive and beautifully written book! I literally devoured it in two days. The words turned into images in my head and I quite easily became oblivious to everything around me as I drifted into the beauty of Guyana, Pomeroon, Shell Island and Kaieteur Falls. This isn’t a fast paced book, but I’m glad, because it enabled me to absorb and connect better with the events as they unfolded. You could really tell that the author has a close resonance and love for Guyana and her experience shines through in her choice of words and the depth of the narrative."
‘I loved, loved, loved this. An easy 5 stars. One of my top reads of this year.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘I absolutely adore Sharon Maas’s books – she is one of my favourite authors, someone whose stories give me hours of reading pleasure. And this wonderful book is one of her best! I loved this book from start to finish, savouring every word, the author’s beautiful prose. An evocative, powerful story of a family and a country. LOVED every word and I absolutely cannot wait for more from this amazing author.’ Renita D’Silva, 5 stars
‘The Girl from the Sugar Plantation is a beautifully written story that has it all. I whizzed through this beautiful book, unable to put it down. A wonderful and heartrending story with lovely characters. Very highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘This is a powerful book of love, relationships and trust What great writing from a great author… Five Stars!’ Stardust Book Reviews, 5 stars
‘I practically read this book in one sitting. I became invested in this story from the opening line and it held my attention to the very last. I highly recommend this book, not only to lovers of historical fiction, but anyone who just loves to read!’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars
‘This novel again read like a film, the setting is stunningly vivid and the colours build up to form quite a picture of history and culture. The plot is nicely done, steady and builds to a climax of twists and secrets. The Girl from the Sugar Plantation is a fascinating read!’ The Book Trail, 5 stars
‘The gripping, evocative and poignant story of a young girl’s difficult transition into womanhood amidst a time of turmoil.’ Mrs Blog’s Books
‘Loved it!!! Really absorbing story… Sharon Maas weaves a fine tale and remains one of my go-to authors.’ MetLineReader
‘An epic story of family deceit, love and identity set against a stunning backdrop and yet there is much more to this book than that. With a rich cast of characters, you cannot help but get completely absorbed in their lives. I adored The Girl From The Sugar Plantation and recommend it highly. Maas has brought us a wonderfully written piece of historical fiction.’ Bloomin’ Brilliant Books
‘These books have taken me to a far-off land, to another time… The magic and power of music, the pain and pleasure of love, the destructive nature of secrets and lies all delved deep into my heart and I expect will stay there for some time… a powerful and emotional story that will melt even the coldest of hearts.
Customer reviews

Top reviews from Australia
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
The ordeal suffered by the violin maker’s daughter as she journeyed through war-torn Europe dominates the tale but continued reference to Nazi atrocities reminds the reader of the futility and heartache of that global conflict. Recommended.
I lived through the war. It was very real.
Top reviews from other countries

Sarah, I felt, was a very naive, silly girl who made some really stupid decisions which proved to be very dangerous - it was as if she didn’t realise the reality of her situation and, although she was young, I don’t think anyone could use that as an excuse for being as stupid and childish as she was and not having any common sense. She irritated me no end, especially when she continued to write down the fact that she was a Jew in a houseful of Nazi collaborators! To leave such evidence lying about, which also described the fact that her boyfriend was in the French Resistance, was ridiculous. A child of 12 would not have done that, let alone a 19-year-old!
The descriptions of her spying activities towards the end of the book were not detailed enough and there was no tension whatsoever. After reading several books about SOE agents, I don’t think it was ever that easy!
All in all, it was a very slow-moving book which I hoped would improve but, sadly, it didn’t. Not one of Sharon Maas’ best.

The family at the front of the story is Jewish which is non practising and carries the German name Mayer. As such they do not make it public that they are Jewish - for obvious reasons in this Nazi climate - until some traitorous and mischievous person betrays them and so the Nazi heavies set about removing them.
The story, so engagingly told, then tells how the family of 6 has to split to escape and Sarah the young, unworldly, but eldest of the brood, first makes her way West into France. A frightening episode on the climb over the Vosges from Colmar throws up a startling about turn by one of the German soldiers who had captured them, but who, witnessing an attempted rape, saves them and thereafter accompanies and befriends Sarah. The adventures are told with nail biting tension and most beautifully written.
This is a very fine and major novel and is enthusiastically recommended without reservation.


