The Pianist (memoir)

The Pianist is a memoir by Polish-Jewish pianist and composer Władysław Szpilman, detailing his experiences in Warsaw during World War II and the Holocaust. The book recounts Szpilman's survival against all odds, aided by both Polish civilians and a German Wehrmacht officer.

Published in Poland in 1946 under the title Śmierć miasta ("Death of a City"), the original edition was heavily censored by the communist authorities due to its depiction of Polish anti-Semitism and its positive portrayal of a German officer. A complete, uncensored edition, translated into English, was published in 1999 under the title The Pianist: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939-1945. This later edition achieved international recognition and critical acclaim.

The memoir provides a firsthand account of the escalating persecution of Jews in Warsaw, the establishment and conditions within the Warsaw Ghetto, the deportations to extermination camps, and the destruction of the city following the Warsaw Uprising. It also details Szpilman's various escapes, hiding places, and the constant fear of discovery.

A central element of the narrative is Szpilman's encounter with Captain Wilm Hosenfeld, a German officer who discovered Szpilman hiding in the ruins of Warsaw. Hosenfeld, moved by Szpilman's plight, provided him with food and shelter, saving his life. The memoir highlights the complexities of human behavior during wartime, showcasing instances of both extreme cruelty and surprising acts of compassion.

The Pianist has been translated into numerous languages and is considered an important historical document and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It was adapted into a critically acclaimed film of the same name, directed by Roman Polanski, which won the Palme d'Or at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Director.