The Children Of Willesden Lane: A Memoir of Music, Love and Survival

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Description

Based on the true story of her mother, Mona Golabek describes the inspirational story of Lisa Jura Golabek's escape from Nazi-controlled Austria to England on the famed Kindertransport. Lisa Jura is the only one of 3 sisters to receive the chance of a way out of Austria as her family chooses to send her to London, where she will be able to pursue her dreams of becoming a concert pianist. Separated from her beloved family she bravely endures the trip and a disastrous posting outside London before ending up at the Willesden Lane orphanage. It is there that Lisa's story truly comes to life. There her music inspires the other children and they in turn cheer her on in her efforts to make good on the promise she made to her family to fulfil her musical potential. Through hard work and sheer pluck she wins a scholarship to study piano at the Royal Academy. As she supports herself and her studies she forges a new life but dreams of re-connecting with the family she left behind.

The resulting tale delivers a message of the power of music to uplift the human spirit and to grant the individual soul endurance, patience and peace.

Reviews

' A tale of one young woman's courage... hopeful, personal and true' Los Angeles Times

Author Bio

Both Mona and her sister Renee began piano lessons at a very early age. They both went on to become concert pianists and have performed and recorded all over the world. Mona now hosts a popular radio show in the US and tours the country to play and speak about her experiences.