Requiem for a Holy Island - A Novel

There was a tiny island in the Far East populated by tall, gifted people plagued by malignant ideology and ruled by merciless leaders. However, a noble few were dedicated to peacefully rescuing their people from tyranny and death. Dr. Solomon Jekavpils reads about this unfamiliar place in the diary of the late pianist Adelaide Fourangier. Meanwhile, Solomon's former classmate, Nelly, manipulates him to search for Illirio Mariafels, her lost love. The story spans entire lifetimes in pre-war France, French Saigon, the island, and Paris in the late twentieth century; the diary reveals many crucial personalities. After several setbacks in her life, Fourangier joins the leading liberal islander and devotes her life to teaching piano to children. Life on the island transforms her into a caring human being, inspired pianist, and master tutor. Illirio, her heroic son, can inspire wonderful kindness with his chanting. Fourangier's diary reveals her unusual family's secrets and describes the tragic fate of the island and its people. Dr. Zecharia Plavin, a concert pianist and educator, was born in 1956 in Lithuania but has lived in Israel since his youth. He studied under Louis Kentner, the great pianist. Prof. Plavin teaches at the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance and Ono Academic College. He is an author, composer, scholar, and self-proclaimed dull fellow with no sense of humor...