The Piano Player of Budapest

I loved this [book]. I expected it to be a more gruelling read, but actually it was very emotional but also very approachable. One can hear Istvan/Stephen’s voice and his grand-daughter has done him proud. An extraordinary story, and one that lingers in the mind… – Baroness Julia NeubergerA remarkable story of survival… told with such humanity and lyricism – Kevin Brennan MPStunning. A beautiful blend of action, poetry, thought-provoking comment and music… just brilliant – James Ainscough OBEPainfully moving * Kirkus Reviews *A gripping narrative of suffering, loss and survival, with music at its heart – Fiona Maddocks (Observer’s classical music critic and author of Goodbye Russia Rachmaninoff in Exile)Deeply moving… triumphant – Greg DawsonTruly remarkable … beautifully written and completely addictive. Roxanne de Bastion finely balances her grandfather’s gripping and traumatic story of survival with the vivid legacy of her family’s history. The words dance off the page and it moved me to tears – Ed HarcourtResonates for our times – Caroline Sanderson * The Bookseller, Editor’s Choice *One of 2024’s most anticipated books * BBC Culture *‘This is a profound and beautiful book, about the power of music to carry hope and love through generations, the refrain of a wistful love song echoing down the decades. The account of one man’s escape across Russia’s frozen hinterland is unforgettable.’ * Julian Borger *‘An intensely moving and lyrical account of a man’s survival in the face of unthinkable hardship and horror. Roxanne de Bastion has done her grandfather proud.’ * Fiona Sturges *

Roxanne de Bastion is a critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and artist advocate. She has released two albums that have been championed by the likes of Iggy Pop and Steve Lamacq. Her music has garnered praise in the Observer, NME, Record Collector and Rolling Stone Germany, and her pioneering DIY artistry and activism have been featured in the Metro, Huffington Post, LBC and Sky News. Roxanne has toured with Katie Melua, Howard Jones, Lambchop and Martha Wainwright and has performed at Latitude, Glastonbury and Cambridge Folk Festival. Roxanne sits on the board of the Featured Artist Coalition and the PPL Performer Board, where she represents artists’ rights. She is the founder of the independent artist conference FM2U (From Me to You) and hosts a radio show on North London’s Boogaloo Radio. The Piano Player of Budapest is her first book.