Starring Adele Astaire: A Novel by Eliza Knight – A Review

From the desk of Jayda Justus:

Before Ginger Rogers, there was Adele Astaire. This historical biographical novel explores the extraordinary life and loves of Adele from 1920s New York City through wartime London intertwined with the story of a young dancer, Violet, who isn’t letting her dire circumstances keep her from her dreams.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

In 1923, Adele Astaire is the most famous half of a sibling dancing duo with her younger brother, Fred. As they dance their way across the Atlantic Ocean to a residency in London, Adele struggles to reconcile her desire for a husband to love and a family of her own with her need for the spotlight. She hobnobs with royalty and carouses with fellow entertainers, but her golden smile hides a deep ache for belonging and unconditional love. Will she find it with the men falling at her feet every night or is there another purpose to her life?

Violet Wood is a cocktail waitress with a thick Cockney accent and a dream of dancing on the stage. A chance encounter with Adele sets her life on a course full of sequined costumes and aching feet, a life that she adores but is also filled with danger for a young, pretty chorus girl. As Violet fights her way to stardom amidst the lecherous theater men and deadly German bombs, she finds that family and duty to her country are the real stars in her life.

Adele and Violet both are strong women who don’t back down from a challenge whether it’s complicated choreography, a handsy producer, or blitzing Nazi planes. As their stories weave together and break apart, they show readers the highs and the lows of the limelight, proving the adage, “be careful what you wish for.”

MY THOUGHTS

As someone who loves any book or movie about dancing, I knew I had to read Knight’s latest about Adele. Before this book, I didn’t even know that Fred Astaire had a sister!

Love Among the Stars

Adele wants to find love but fame is a roadblock to her true happiness. I really enjoyed reading about her dalliances with the British Royal family and the aristocrats of England, men whose days passed in a haze left over from the vices of the night before. Adele’s willingness to overlook the warning signs among her suitors in a quest to have the family she always wanted was heartbreaking, especially as she did this while fending off the nosy intrusion of the tabloids. A life lived in the spotlight isn’t always what it seems.

A Fight Worth Having

Both Adele and Violet fight for their careers as obstacles are thrown in their way. From grueling practices to constant travel, both women know what they want and don’t take no for an answer. Violet especially has to rise above the challenge of being a penniless East Ender with a past that threatens to come to the surface. Her determination and grit is admirable.

Put on Those Dancing Shoes

As a lifelong dancer, I loved the references to the dancing world. It made me want to dig out my own dancing shoes and dance the Charleston! The scenes set in the roaring 1920s clubs as Adele and Violet danced the night away in a smoky haze were so atmospheric, it was like watching a movie!

Wartime Mettle

I always enjoy reading WWII-era books about the British homefront, and this one explored a new-to-me side of the war, the women conscripted by the government to serve in the munitions factories. From Violet’s service to Adele’s work to boost the morale of American soldiers stationed in England, women rose to the occasion and provided needed assistance that ultimately helped win the war for the Allies. I am continually grateful for every woman’s contribution to the victory that saved the world.

Dance the night away with Adele, Fred, and Violet as you read this rollicking novel full of music, love, and longing. It will keep your toes tapping and your heart racing!

5 out of 5 Stars