★de Bastion, Roxanne. The Piano Player of Budapest: A True Story of Survival, Hope, and Music. Pegasus. Jul. 2024. 320p. ISBN 9781639366873. $29.95. BIOG

Singer/songwriter and artist advocate de Bastion inherited her Blüthner baby grand piano after her father died in 2019. The piano had been in her family for more than 100 years; in 1905, her great-grandfather bought it as an engagement gift for his wife-to-be. De Bastion always knew that the piano, with its beautiful, sweet tone, was special, but as she went through her father’s home, she found more treasures: boxes and drawers filled with old cassette tapes, CDs, letters, books, and photographs documenting her grandfather Stephen’s life as a popular pianist, composer, and songwriter in Budapest. Her book is an account of this family history. Nazis killed Stephen’s immediate family members during World War II; he too was captured by Nazis and later sent to a hard labor camp by the invading Russians and de Bastion reveals that music lovers who had heard him play the piano were able to help him escape. VERDICT A most moving, memorable memoir that expertly incorporates sensory details. Readers will be able to easily envision de Bastion’s grandfather, his love of music and great talent for it, his strength and resilience during the war, and the power of his music to keep him alive.