And the Violins Stopped Playing: A Story of the Gypsy Holocaust [Library Binding]

Alexander Ramati (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Based on a true story, Ramati's novel depicts the atrocities committed by the Germans against the Gypsies during World War II. In the early 1940s, Roman Mirga learns that Gypsies in Germany are being rounded up and shipped to "relocation camps" for extermination. He warns his clan about the impending danger but is able to convince only a handful of them to flee with his familyto Hungary. When the Nazis invade, however, the Gypsies are deported to Auschwitz, and the family is able to spare Roman's younger sister only by dropping her from the deportation train while en route to the camp. At Auschwitz the Gypsies become slave workers; Roman is forced to help Dr. Mengele with his experiments on twins, and his father must play the violin for the Jews as they are herded into the gas chambers. Roman witnesses each member of his family die before he is able to escape. Awkward expository passages and one-dimensional characters vitiate the effect of this memorial to victims of Hitler's racial policies.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA During World War II, the Gypsies were targeted for extermination in a campaign that was second only to the campaign against the Jews. Thousands of Gypsies perished. Ramati planned to do a book on this lesser-known episode when he accidentally encountered a Gypsy who had lived through the horror and recorded his experiences informally. This book, then, is a recreation by Ramati of Roman Mirga's written notes. Despite initial awkwardness in portraying the Mirga family, the horrifying story of their flight from a comfortable life in Warsaw to their ultimate imprisonment is electrifying. The 17-year-old narrator becomes the translator for Dr. Josef Mengele; the father has the bizarre task of playing the violin to calm the Jews as they walk to the crematoriums. Fear, separation, and death mix constantly with disbelief that this could really be happening. It is a lesson which must never be lost. Barbara Weathers, Duchesne Academy, Houston
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Library Binding: 236 pages
• Publisher: Franklin Watts; First Edition edition (September 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531150283
• ISBN-13: 978-0531150283
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And the Violins Stopped Playing...WOW!, July 21, 2004

By 

S. Wakefield (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: And the Violins Stopped Playing: A Story of the Gypsy Holocaust (Library Binding)

This is a MUST book to read to understand Holocaust.

Back in 1997, I used this book as a source for my History researching term related to Gypsy Holocaust. I have been to Holocaust Museum, only for library about five times. Never been to the museum itself. I read this book...very hooked! This Gypsy, Roman, is a wonderful storyteller. I was so hooked from the beginning to the end. As I reached the end of the book, I cannot finished my term on time...why? I cried and cried and cried nonstopped for three days! You do not need to go the Holocaust Museum. This *IS* your visiting to "Holocaust Museum".

Like the other reviewers, this is AWESOMED and very powerful book. It has everything you need to know: Jews, Doctors, Nazi, Aucshwitz, Gypsy, and more! The most interesting charactor is Dr. Mengele. I am really SHOCKED that I liked him very much as I read this book. Really! He was the likeable doctor (!!!!)even Roman himself liked him. But He was cruelest doctor I have ever read about. The way Roman described Mengele, you have to read this book to understand. I will never forgot one part the Dr. Mengele like to put up on his wall. This is real horror. I still have nightmare from that part. Read and find out.

The way Nazi treated the Gypsy was awful! Even they knew that the Gypsy are the true Arayan. Based on my researching, the Gypsy is the most tragic group in Europe, before, during and after the Holocaust. It has a huge impact on any reader as it did on me. After I read, now I have really respect the Gpysy. They are true survivors.

By the way, it does has a happy ending.

Enjoy the book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars And the Violins Stopped Playing, March 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: And the Violins Stopped Playing: A Story of the Gypsy Holocaust (Library Binding)

A great book about World War II, is a great story about the gypsies, who are not known for there suffering. I will tell you I hate reading books unless they are extremly intresting, and let me tell you, this book is Awesome with a capital "A" baby. There is a great love story too. If you can't buy it here, check your local library. The name sounds really corny, but after you read it, you will want to give Alexander Ramiti a Pulitzer.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, January 20, 2011

By 

GeniusJ - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: And the Violins Stopped Playing: A Story of the Gypsy Holocaust (Library Binding)

This book was an exceptionally good read, I was drawn into it for the longest time! It is well written and I would definitely recommend it. The story is so touching and sad, especially because the occurrences are true.