Grosse Fugue: A Holocaust saga of loss,music and redemption

by Ian Phillips

Grosse Fugue interweaves the sublime and the depraved to create a searing tale of tragedy and reconciliation. This gripping epic charts the journey of a virtuoso violinist from child prodigy, through conscription into the trenches of the First World War, to a life in post-war Austria that is violently interrupted by the Holocaust. Sweeping through London, Vienna, Paris, Toulouse, Auschwitz and beyond, the novel tracks the fate of Reuben Mendel and his family, played out against the seismic events of the 20th Century. Grosse Fugue is a story of love, loss, identity and the need to make sense of catastrophe. It provocatively examines the legacy of genocide, survivor guilt and the redemptive power of great music.

310 pages, Paperback

First published April 11, 2012

About the author

Ian Phillips has been writing professionally for businesses and other organisations since 1993.

Graduating with a law degree in 1975 Ian worked in professional publishing before moving into the advertising and marketing industry. He then started his own consultancy offering communications and writing services. At the same time, he began researching and writing "Grosse Fugue", using the spaces between projects to build the structure, characters and plot, as well as take the first tentative steps along the creative road.

When not helping clients or serving as a volunteer in education, Ian passes his time bolstering his passion for classical music and honing his bridge skills. Married with two sons and living in North-West London, "Grosse Fugue" is his first novel.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trish's cousin. Good and interesting story worth telling but rather verbose.