The Children of Willesden Lane: Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir of Music, Love, and Survival

A Memoir of Music, Love and Survival

Author: Mona Golabek

Famed concert pianist Mona Golabek shares the inspirational true story of her mother's escape from pre-World War II Vienna to an orphanage in London—243 Willesden Lane.

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Summary

Famed concert pianist Mona Golabek shares the inspirational true story of her mother's escape from pre-World War II Vienna to an orphanage in London—243 Willesden Lane.

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. Jewish musical prodigy Lisa Jura has a wonderful life in Vienna. But when the Nazis start closing in on the city, life changes irreversibly. Although he has three daughters, Lisa's father is only able to secure one berth on the Kindertransport. The family decides to send Lisa to London so that she may pursue her dreams of a career as a concert pianist. Separated from her beloved family, Lisa bravely endures the trip and a disastrous posting outside London before finding her way to the Willesden Lane Orphanage.It is in this orphanage that Lisa's story truly comes to life. Her music inspires the other orphanage children, and they, in turn, cheer her on in her efforts to make good on her promise to her family to realize her musical potential. Through hard work and sheer pluck, Lisa wins a scholarship to study piano at the Royal Academy. As she supports herself and studies, she makes a new life for herself and dreams of reconnecting with the family she was forced to leave 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.

Critic Reviews

“""Uplifting...vivid."-- Publishers Weekly”

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

About the Author

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.

More on this Book

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.