The Piano Bench

"A story of desperation and triumph which will linger in the mind long after it has finished," - San Francisco Book Review

Born to a middle-class Jewish family in the late 19th century, Josef Samson grew up believing that the possibilities for his life in his beloved Germany were limitless. As the fourth and only son to survive the rigors of childbirth, his doting parents were ferocious advocates and fearless protectors, always encouraging him to pursue his passions and dreams, never allowing Josef to fear or fail in any way. And when Josef came of age, on the dawn of the new century, it was a time of swagger and self-confidence, and Berlin, where he lived, was a tolerant and vibrant city filled with culture and ambition.

Berlin was where Josef fell in love and married, where he practiced his profession and prospered, and where his patriotism was stirred. But this would not last. After confronting the horrors of the First World War and suffering tragic losses, Josef is forced to rebuild his life, only to come face-to-face with the devastation and cruelty brought about by the rise of Hitler and the Nazis.

A victim of circumstance, he must find his way, having to choose between love and responsibility, home and safety, hoping against hope that each step in his journey will take him closer to a secure future, even as it means bidding a sad farewell to his cherished homeland.

Written by Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee Ralph Webster, The Piano Bench is a story of survival - of secrets and betrayal, of love and deceit, of the heights of happiness, and the despair of heartbreak.