The Pianist from Syria

A Memoir

By: Aeham Ahmad, Emanuel Bergmann - translator

Narrated by: Nezar Alderazi

This astonishing true story presents an “affecting viewpoint on life in Syria before and in the midst of extreme violence” (Booklist), offering a deeply personal and unique perspective on one of the most devastating refugee crises of this century.

Aeham Ahmad was born a second-generation refugee—the son of a blind violinist and carpenter who recognized Aeham’s talent and taught him how to play piano and love music from an early age. When his grandparents and father were forced to flee Israel and seek refuge from the conflict ravaging their home, Aeham’s family built a life in Yarmouk, an unofficial camp to more than 160,000 Palestinian refugees in Damascus.

As a devoted family, they waited for the conflict to be resolved so they could return to their homeland. Their only haven was in music and in each other, especially when another deadly fight overtook their asylum. Forced to leave his family behind, Aeham sought out a safe place for them to call home and build a better life, taking solace in his indestructible familial bond to keep moving forward.

Heart-wrenching yet ultimately optimistic and told in a raw and poignant voice, The Pianist from Syria is a “deeply moving account of one man’s struggle to survive while bringing hope to thousands through his music” (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

amazing story

wonderful way to bring awareness and a fantastic and riveting saga through young adulthood

Needs to be heard!

This is the story of many people leaving the Middle East during war. Hard to read about, but necessary for us to hear their message. May it bring awareness and justice.

Well written and the narrator does a FANTASTIC job with accents, enjoyable to listen to.

Beautiful

what a thoroughly touching and heartbreaking true story. it is a true glimpse into the horrific events that are still going on to this day. married to a Syrian, this is truly frightening to imagine the horror and sadness that the people are going through.

Sad but hope for refugees

One young man with a talent for classical piano makes others have a little joy through his music. He’s just one of thousands who have struggled to survive in Syria, victims of a horrible regime of criminals. He continue to struggle through his fear, through his talent, and his worry for his family. He wrote this book to make people aware. We know it’s a problem but do not know what to do as Americas to ease their plight. So, often we place it in the back of our concerns. I pray for peace.

Sadly accurate

My best friend came as a refugee. It is my joy to have her in my life but my sorrow that she vouches for the accuracy of this book.