The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse.
By Heather Morris.
By Heather Morris.
How far would you go to protect a child when simply offering them shelter could cost you your own life?
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse takes us to occupied Paris in 1942, where eleven-year-old Josephine's life changes when her Jewish mother and brother are arrested by the Nazis. Alone and in desperate need of somewhere safe, she turns to the person she trusts: her piano teacher, Andrée Levallois.
Andrée and her parents take Josephine into their home, despite knowing exactly what could happen if she is discovered. Already involved with the French Resistance, the Levallois family find themselves balancing their work against the increasingly dangerous task of keeping a young Jewish girl hidden.
I've read and enjoyed several of Heather Morris's previous books, so I was really looking forward to The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse, and this was another emotional and incredibly readable story from her.
What makes this one particularly fascinating is the inspiration behind it. Morris discovered the story through composer Hans Zimmer and Kara Talve, who worked together on the music for the television adaptation of The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Talve composed the score using her grandmother's piano, the same piano connected to the remarkable story of her grandmother's childhood in occupied Paris and the teacher who helped save her life.
Knowing that connection made the importance of music throughout the story feel even more special. For Josephine, the piano isn't simply something she plays. Music offers familiarity and comfort at a time when almost everything she knows has been taken away, and I loved the way it provides quieter moments amongst the fear and uncertainty surrounding her.
Morris has a very straightforward style of storytelling, which I think works particularly well when dealing with such difficult subjects. There are inevitably heartbreaking moments, but the writing remains accessible and keeps the focus firmly on the people living through these events.
I also enjoyed learning more about the French Resistance. Alongside the Levallois family, Morris incorporates characters inspired by real Resistance members while using fictional elements to bring their experiences together. It highlights the enormous risks taken by ordinary people who chose to help others despite knowing what discovery could mean for themselves and their families.
The relationship between Josephine and Andrée is at the heart of the story for me. There is something incredibly moving about Andrée simply refusing to abandon a child who needs her. Her actions aren't presented as effortless heroism either. There is fear and danger surrounding every decision, which makes those acts of kindness and courage even more powerful.
I particularly appreciated the Author's Note at the end. Morris provides more information about the real Levallois family, the woman who inspired Josephine and other members of the Resistance, alongside further historical context surrounding the Nazi occupation of France. I always value this in historical fiction inspired by real events, particularly when I finish wanting to know which elements came from history.
The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse is heartbreaking at times, but there is also so much kindness within its pages. It's a story about survival and resistance, but also about the extraordinary difference one person can make simply by refusing to look the other way.
Thank you to Blake and the team at Firefinch Books for including me in helping celebrate this wonderful book. The book is out now and available to purchase.
Support a local and independent bookshop and purchase the book here.
