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Summary: A different voice
Review: A beautifully written account of the holocaust, as seen through the eyes of a young woman who spent her childhood being sent away from her family and homeland to live in England to escape the Nazis. Her relationship with music,as a pianist, is what kept her going during this difficult time. It was a gift given to her by her mother, which she then passed along to her children and grandchildren.
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Summary: From the host of "The Romantic Hours", an evocative memoir
Review: A great biography or memoir, like a great musical work, builds its narrative on a framework that lets the reader go to unexpected heights and depths. THE CHILDREN OF WILLESDEN LANE is such a memoir. In it, classical pianist Mona Golabek and journalist, screenwriter and poet Lee Cohen tell of the formative years of Mona's mother Lisa Jura, a prodigy on the piano who spent her early childhood in the Jewish district of Vienna.The memoir begins with the day of Lisa's last lesson with her old instructor, Professor Isseles, who has just been forbidden by the Nazis to instruct Jewish children. With perfect pacing, it leads the reader through the horror of *Kristallnacht*, the desperate decision by Lisa's parents to send their children (beginning with Lisa) on the legendary *Kindertransport* train to England, and the chain of events that brings Lisa to 243 Willesden Lane, a hostel for refugees in London. There we meet the adults and children who in time helped give wind to Lisa's wings: Mrs. Cohen, the hostel's matron; Gina, Lisa's often-jealous best friend; the other members of the Committee for the Resolution of All Ills (Gunter, Aaron, and Paul), blind Hans, the French captain who would one day marry Lisa, Lisa's sisters Sonia and Rose, and other vivid characters I'll grant the reader the privilege of meeting firsthand. We meet too the full horrors of Hitler's War as the Jewish and British peoples faced them: never sugar-coated, nor yet spelled out so graphically as to detract from the ultimately hopeful theme of the narrative. We encounter in response the full range of human emotions -- terror, depression, romance blooming and dying, heroism, stoicism, even a (mercifully brief) rapacious lust -- ending in the Allies' victory made terribly bittersweet by the news of the Nazi concentration camps. But of course, this book is not a mere "war story", but the story of a girl who, inspired by her mother and her own strong will, let the flame of her musicality sustain her through enormous difficulties. That combination (and the help of her friends and benefactors) eventually led to Lisa's acceptance at the prestigious London Royal Academy of Music, under the tutelage of one of its greatest piano teachers, Mabel Floyd. The description of Lisa's debut after the war, and of the emotions her playing provoked in her audience (including her fellow refugees and caretakers), is particularly evocative after all that comes before it. This is indeed a book that only a concert pianist and a poet could have written, for the subject demands a rare sensitivity. The book itself is shorter than its 272 pages might imply, for the typography is large and easy to read. As Lisa Jura herself might remark, THE CHILDREN OF WILLESDEN LANE is reminiscent of a Chopin concerto. It has just that kind of delicacy, passion and elegance.
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Summary: Anne Frank's "Might Have Been"
Review: Anne Frank's parents turned down the chance to send their daughters to England before the war, not recognizing the imminent danger until it was too late. Lisa Jura's parents did recognize that danger and took advantage of an empty seat on the Kindertransport to send Lisa to the relative safety of the English countryside. Several other reviews have noted the "can't put it down" quality of this wonderful story. I must add my agreement to that sentiment! The only interruptions in my reading were stopping to play at least a snippet of the Chopin, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff pieces on my CDs, so I could follow Lisa's enjoyment of them even better! This book should be used by all teachers who teach Anne Frank's story, as it is a beautiful look at the life Anne herself might have had had her parents only seen the danger in time.
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Summary: Classic Prose by a Classical Concert Pianist
Review: Beyond this moving biography of her mother, the brilliant and beautiful international classical pianist, Mona Golabek, has written a testimony of a journey from oppression to triumph. Now, as the flames of bigotry burn once again throughout the world, this story of Lisa Jura--Mona's mother and teacher of piano, shines a light in the dark world of mindless prejudice, providing a testament of hope for all those unjustly accused, unlawfully downtrodden. The chosen victim who is devoted to her art, shall become the victor, regardless of the power of organized hatred that would crush the creativity in humanity.
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Summary: The Hope of the World
Review: Even if you are not a musician, you will find Lisa Jura's story compelling. It's the true tory of her escape from pre-WWII Vienna to an orphange in London-243 Willesden Lane ... hence the title. Her strength came from her music. Her mother prophetically told her that her music would be her best friend, and so it was. Lisa took the Kindertransport to London and safety, along with dozens of other Jewish refugees The book is compelling and hopeful. It reaffirms our belief in the humnan spirit to strive for and achieve happiness. I couldn't put it down, and neither will you. This is a must-read.
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Summary: Simply Profound
Review: I have never before been reduced to tears by a book.... During the hours I spent reading The Children of Willesden Lane I experienced tears of joy, tears of pain, tears for the human condition and finally the soul cleansing tears of a spirit renewed. I literally cried my way through the last 140 pages of The Children of Willesden Lane while sitting in seat 6C of a nonstop flight from Los Angeles to Houston. Not a simple moistening of the eyes, but a steady stream of tears pouring down my cheeks as I experienced a completely unexpected range of intense emotion. I have read hundreds of nonfiction books and never, absolutely never, have I experienced anything even vaguely akin to this extraordinarily down-to-earth book. The first third of the book feels like getting reacquainted with an old friend. Despite the tragic backdrop of the era, the themes and the setting feel warm and familiar. The character development is just detailed enough to evoke the distinct identities of the major characters without setting them in stone. Instead of nailing down every conceivable detail, Mona Golabek leaves plenty of room for the reader to personalize the lead characters. As I dug deeper and deeper into the storyline, it was uncanny how I began to identify more and more closely with the central characters. It is almost as if the book was crafted to ensure that Lisa, Aaron, Johnny, Gina, Gunter, Hans, Mr. Hardesty, Mrs. Canfield and Mrs. McRae would gradually assume the characteristics of the people who have made profound differences in my life. It is worthy to note that none of the characters are completely idealized. Whether it is cowardice, indifference, vanity, petty jealously, self-pity or the emotional disconnect that many soldiers suffer, the characters in The Children of Willesden are presented "warts and all." Curiously, three of the book's most powerful subtexts are so deeply rooted in the story line that I am not sure that either the heroine (in her telling) or the authors (in their writing) intended them to be integral parts of the story. The first is "trust your instincts... seize the moment before it passes you by." Although 10,000 children were saved by the Kindertransport, how many eventual Holocaust victims hesitated, convincing themselves that they needed just one more piece of evidence, and then one more and then yet another, until it was too late? It is all too easy for us to convince ourselves that the opportunities we have today will still be there tomorrow. This, whether it is a matter of life and death or a matter of life and love. This observation is in no way a condemnation of the victims of the Holocaust or any other human tragedy. It is merely an acknowledgment of a theme that is repeated in any accurate accounting of human behavior. How else do you explain the half-empty lifeboats from the Titanic? The second powerful subtext has to do with the nature of beauty and accomplishment. After reading the entire text ask yourself a series of simple questions. As a child, was Lisa Juras more beautiful when she was wearing her Sunday best with her hat tilted just so or when she was tired, dirty and hungry yet somehow found the courage to take responsibility for the contents of the basket on the train? As a teenager, was Lisa Juras more beautiful in her fine red dress playing a grand piano or when she was pounding away at the upright piano wearing factory worker garb with bombs falling around her. While Lisa Juras undoubtedly valued both her musical talent and her physical attractiveness, can it truly be said that either were the true sources of her beauty or accomplishment? No, Lisa Juras was never more beautiful than she was courageous and her music was never more accomplished than when its intensity blotted out the onslaught of the London Blitz.... A time during which the piano wasn't even properly tuned! If this be true, Wigmore Hall is merely icing on a cake that was six long years in the baking. The third and no less important subtext is, "True love is that which moves you." Love is not merely a deeply rooted or intense emotion. Love is feelings transformed into action. It was the love of a father for a daughter that gave Abraham Juras the strength to put Lisa on a train headed for a country and people he knew not. It was the love between a daughter and a mother that gave Lisa the strength to pound out the Grieg concerto while bombs were falling around her and later when her fingers were nearly frozen and her body was racked by coughing. And last, we are led to believe in the epilogue that it is the love of a man for a woman that "moved" Michel Golabek to leave Europe for a life in the United States with his beloved Lisa. It may seem a contradiction, but the strength of this story is its subtlety. Nothing about it feels staged, forced or contrived. There are no torrid love scenes. There are no gruesome accounts of the Holocaust. There are not even detailed accounts of the deaths of some the book's lead characters. Instead, The Children of Willesden Lane is as understated, natural, tragic and heroic as life itself. The Children of Willesden Lane is a remarkable invitation to become part of something intensely personal, a family legacy that spans two continents, four generations and, most importantly, continues to live on today through the descendants of both Lisa Juras and all those that made the Kindertransport a life saving reality. If there is such a thing as "profound simplicity," Mona Golabek has defined it for us.
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Summary: Heartwarming, Terrific, Inspiring
Review: I stumbled on this book when a friend recommended it. I was wary of the title, but the book is excellently written and very easy to read. It is an inspiring tale of Lisa Jura, a Jewish girl from Austria. In attempt to save her life, her parents send her away to England on the Kindertransport train. The story of Lisa is wonderfully told. I was moved to tears several times and laughter several others. You will love this story.
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Summary: Inspiring
Review: In The Children Of Willesden Lane, Mona Golabek writes an inspiring story about her mother's experiences through the rough times of the Holocaust. She tells a beautiful story about her mother's love for music. Ever since she was a little girl, growing up in Vienna, she has always had a passion for music. She has always dreamed of playing in concerts. At thirteen, Lisa Jura is put on a train to a camp separated from her family. With a numbered tag around her neck, Lisa can only think of the difficult times ahead of her. After a long journey, Lisa finally gets settled in one place, 243 Willesden Lane. There are many children that she is introduced to. Lisa tries to forget about the war and the separation of her and her family. Instead she enjoys precious moments with many of her friends and a guy she has started a relationship and loves very much. At this house, Lisa is able to do what she loves the most, plaing the piano. She has not forgotten about her music and the promise she made to her mother.Lisa plays and practices her music everyday bringing joy and happiness to the children on Willesden Lane. Her music truly lifts the spirits of everyone. Soon Lisa is given an exceptional musical opportunity. She soon begins to realize she is doing what her mother had always wished for her. She knew she was making her mother very proud because after eveything she has gone through she keeps her music. This book is extemley inspiring and well-written. It is moving and teaches important lessons in life.
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Summary: You must read this inspiring memoir
Review: In this beautifully written tribute to her mother, Mona Golabek teaches us to follow our dreams to become the best we can be, despite oppressive circumstances that appear to dissuade us. The inspiring power of music and the love and kindness generated from it cannot be underestimated as a vital force. Lisa's story is captivating. I read it in one sitting and highly recommend it.
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Summary: ABSORBING AND FASCINATING STORY
Review: It was difficult to put this riviting book down. From start to finish, Lisa's story was powerful, funny and poignant. It shows the power of music and it tells a story of rare determination in the face of overwhelming odds. Golabek's description of how the children suffered through the blitz was especially compelling. I don't think I'll ever forget the image of this young girl defying the bombing by pounding on the piano as choas and destruction threatened her, coming to a sudden stop as a bomb falls near the house, nearly engulfing her in ruins. The ending is a surprise, and very moving. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
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