The Pianist by: Wladyslaw Szpilman

This book is not what I expected it to be. Probably because I have had so many people tell me how great the movie was -- but they had never read the book. As is true to form, I haven't seen the movie, so I was going in with different expectations, based on what other people had told me about the movie.

This book provides a great look into Warsaw, during one of its most troubling eras of history. The book not only presents the amazing survival story of a great, and talented pianist, but it also gives us a very intimate look into Warsaw during its destruction -- following the invasion, and its eventual surrender to Nazi, Germany.

I must say I was expecting there to be more of an interaction between the Nazi officer, Wilm Hosenfeld, and the pianist -- a refugee Jew, Wladyslaw Szpilman, struggling to survive in hiding. But that isn't the only story this book has to tell. It is a great look into the many people that made it possible fore Mr. Szpilman to survive, in an impossible situation. In addition, Mr. Szpilman gives us a very real look at what life was like behind the walls of the Warsaw, Ghetto. As well as the trauma that living in the Ghetto created with the many selections, the unexpected abuse, and ultimately the liquidation of the Jewish Ghetto.

But more than that, we are also able to mourn with Mr. Szpilman through the loss of his family, and experience through his eyes the difficulty of having to adapt to finding himself suddenly, and violently severed from all that he held dear. One of the most touching parts of this book is the care that Mr. Szpilman takes in trying to save the only valuables left to him, following his sudden move into hiding -- his watch, his fountain pen, and his compositions. This more than anything else in the book was touching to me on a very personal level. Particularly when he tells us of what extremes he would have to go to before even contemplating parting with these items.

This is a great book, and my only regret is that I didn't have the ability to hear Mr. Szpilman play, in addition to this touching, and intimate look into an amazing, and incredible life.