Cover Image: The Dance Teacher of Paris

The Dance Teacher of Paris

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Embla for a copy of this book for my review.

The story grabs the heart because it is during the Paris capture by the Germans in 1942. The story is dual time and flows easily. Adele Basset is a dancer and runs a school for children to keep spirits up during the war. The Germans come and ask for list of all children. Adele knows it’s to collect the Jewish students. She goes next door for help from Manu Lafon her high school friend. They set up her school attic to hide the students. Two mothers Jacquiline and Cecile and children Thomas, Daniel, Lucille and Blanche.. Adele and Manu developed a plan to get them all out of France.. However, Adele’s sister falls in love with a German officer. This makes you realize the courage fortitude of those who worked in the resistance and how they had to live so carefully hiding secrets.

The other time line is 2015 where Lydia a grandma to Fleur takes her to Paris to tell of the story of her life as a dancer in Adele’s school. It is full of love, friendship, survival and the horrors of this war. They meet Didier, an antique dealer, who helps them discover some truth to their story.

It is an excellent story describing the horrors of the war and the sacrifices of Jews, in this case children and the courage of those people who risked their lives to help.
It is emotional and I recommend this for anyone who likes historical fiction of WWII.

Was this review helpful?

Wow what a great book! I must admit that mid 20thC historic novels are one of my favourite genres but even so this is a book which I will treasure. It has the right mix of history, thriller, compassion and a hint of romance. Really it is a sad story with plenty of tear-jerking moments reminding us once more of the horrors of war and in particular what man can do to another when idealism becomes misplaced. If you enjoy this type of novel than please get a copy and set aside some time to read.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I absolutely loved reading this book, it had me hooked from beginning to end.

It’s a dual-timeline story set around Paris when it was occupied by the Germans during WW2.

In the present, a granddaughter goes with her grandmother, who returns to Paris for a holiday, once they’re there, it becomes more than a holiday, they begin to look into what happened at a dance school, to the teacher, and the pupils, sons of which were Jews.

It’s a brilliant story of the work of the Resistance. The story moves from one timeline to the next easily.

I highly recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

A beautiful dual timeline book, with a captivating story that will take you on an emotional journey.

Adele is a teacher at a school in Paris. The Germans occupy the city in 1942, and demand all Jewish children at the school are named. Adele finds herself desperate to help as many of the families as she can, and along with friend Manu, come up with a risky plan. Can they help save the children whilst keeping themselves safe?

In the modern day, Lydia asks granddaughter Fleur to accompany her on her annual visit to Paris. Will Lydia finally tell Fleur why she makes the visit, and will Fleur finally accept her own heartbreak?

I loved this book, and will absolutely look out for more by this author. Emotive, interesting and I simply couldn't put it down.

Was this review helpful?

Wonderful story set in Paris in the Second World War. Believable plot, great characters, a must read for anyone who enjoys fiction set around WW2. Thoroughly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

This was another great read from Suzanne. This book was not exciting and interesting but it was sad as well. The treatment of the Jewish children during WW2 was appalling. These innocent children being rounded up and sent to camps really pulled my heart strings. I’ve enjoyed all of Suzanne’s books and hope to get approved for more in the future. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Once again this author never dissapoints, A dual time line a heartwarming book for lovers of historical fiction, excellent characters who play there parts so well , can highly recommend this wonderful book.

Was this review helpful?

"The Dance Teacher of Paris" is a dual time-line novel about occupied Paris and a Jewish girl who survived the Velodrome d'hiver round up. When Fleur is asked to accompany her grandmother on her annual trip to Paris she is pleased, if surprised. Lydia tells her that she wants to explain her past, some of which she has purposely kept locked away as it is so upsetting. In Paris Fleur and Lydia meet local antiques dealer Didier who helps them to uncover the truth.

This is a story of love, friendship and how to survive the horrors of war. It is well written and has believable characters.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

Was this review helpful?

Suzanne Fortin novel
Thus novel is set in 1942, and the Germany have just occupied the city Adele Basset calls home.
Rutherford r it is written using a dual timeline approach 2015 and 1942, which I reall enjoyed as it gave the novel more depth and the relationship between the grandmother and her grandchild is just beautiful. 

The strength of human spirit and the courage off ordinary people in the darkest days of war'. Adele is trying to keep everyone's spirits up by giving out dance classes and fixing ballet shoes 🩰 or give them old ones of her own or sisters. 
She does thus because ' two years of German occupation....witnessed horrors no child should never had no right to see'.

But somehow Adele ends up hiding  hiding four Jewish students and two mothers in the school special hidden   attic space. Jacqueline and Cecile are the two mothers hidden in attic space with the four students, who end up calling it there sanctuary and their prison'. Think it as mirroring Anne Frank.

German officers and a French police man,  which state they have to fill out a list of all Jewish students and hand it over to them  in 24 hours 🇩🇪 
 Jacqueline and Cecile are the the two mothers hidden alone with their four children Blanche, Daniel and Thomas 'it was our sanctuary and our prison'

Manu her chilldhoofriend, plan to get them out somehow they have a few plans but cannot afford to talk about it the less people knowing the better🇨🇭 


It gets a bit frustrating that the true love ❤ story told throughout the book finally told right at the very very last moment!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a complementary digital copy of this ebook in exchange for a honest . All opinions expressed are completely my own.

Was this review helpful?

Wow, this book captures you from the first pages as it tells the story of saving young lives during the war.
Adele loves both her dance classes and her pupils, only this gets tested to the limit when the German soldiers turn up at the school demanding she list her pupils names stating who are Jewish. Then one of the mothers doesn’t turn up to collect her son Daniel, leaving a note begging Adele to look after him. She could try looking after him at home but her sister Lucille is romancing a German soldier!
Adele’s friend Manu from the museum next door informs her soldiers are going to be rounding up all Jews during the night so he helps her hatch a plan to keep all the Jewish children safe!
In the present day we have Fleur who agrees to accompany her grandmother Lydia to Paris in order the she can pass all the history of the war to her. This picks up the story of what befell them all, I won’t lie some of it is utterly heartbreaking.
I adored this book!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Embla Books and Netgalley I was able to read this novel! This is a GREAT read for all historical fiction fans! It has great character development, and tells a beautiful story. It encompasses the hearts, fear and advocacy of those who believed against what was going on during WWII. This story focuses on the surroundings and happenings of a dance studio and those that work there. I would definitely recommend this beautiful story.

Was this review helpful?

This is a wonderful story of bravery and hope .Set in two timelines 1942 and 2015. Paris in 1942 the Nazis have occupied France and are frightening everyone .Adele is a dance teacher who is determined to help her Jewish pupils when the Nazis come round demanding a list of namesof the Jews .She hides the children and their Mothers in the attic of the Dance School and with her friend Manu who is working with the Resistance plans an escape for them .In 2015 a Grandmother is visiting Paris with her Grandaughter to uncover secrets .It is quite beautiful how the two timelines are tied all togeher .It must have been quite dreadful to have been living in those times and so many people were so brave .This is a story that I will remember for a long time .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC .

Was this review helpful?

I adored this dual timeline novel as I have all of Suzanne Fortin's previous books.
Adele is a French dance teacher in the middle of World War II where the Nazis are trying to stamp their power in Europe. I love how Suzanne Fortin captures the atmosphere so perfectly, depicting the everyday characters trapped in the midst of war and tugging on the reader's heartstrings. Adele was my favourite character showing strength and resilience during everything she had to face. In present day, Fleur is helping her grandmother with old memories that are set to reveal many secrets.
A page turning novel that will stay with me. For fans of Andie Newton and Lizzie Lane.

Was this review helpful?

I Just love a book that pulls on your heartstrings. And this did Just that. Suspense, drama, mysteries and a lovestory. And guys it has a dual timeline. Be still my heart
Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

Was this review helpful?

A wonderful novel, full of intrigue and suspense! I really enjoyed reading this story of two timelines based around Paris under occupation by the Germans during WW2. The present where a relative accompanies her grandmother who returns to Paris on a holiday that turns to investigating the actual events of the Dance Teacher and her pupils, some of whom were Jews. Add in a bit of romance it tells of credible history and the work of the Resistance.. The story flows easily from one timeline to the next, with no hint of where the author is heading. A book that holds your attention from the start, making it compulsive reading.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Embla Books for this advance copy.

Was this review helpful?

A well done dual timeline story giving a credible sense and purpose to the main storyline. I also found interesting to read about how teachers felt as to the question of their Jewish pupils. This must have been so difficult emotionally speaking!
However, the writing style is quite plain making the novel an easy read and a bit more depth would have been welcome. Overall, a suspenseful novel with a credible and realistic conclusion.
I received a complimentary ARC of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A heartwrenching and emotive read that is also full of hope. Well written with a riveting storyline and well developed characters. I became invested in them very quickly and I couldn't put it down.

Was this review helpful?

In 1942, the German’s occupy Paris and Adele and her father Gerard Basset manage to keep their small school open. Adele’s late mother was a ballerina, she taught both her daughters Adele and Lucille how to dance. Adele continues to hold her dance classes after school, it gives the children a chance to forget about the war and their empty bellies. The Germans demand she make a list of all the Jewish students, Adele has no choice and she’s determined to help the children and their mothers. Adele hides as many as she can in a concealed attic, she smuggles in food and tries to figure out a way of getting them safely out of Paris.

Manu Lafon is Adele’s childhood friend, he’s the curator of the art museum next door to the school and Adele has a crush on him. At a time when you can’t trust anyone, can she turn to Manu for help and together they have to take huge risks. They come up with a plan to get the Jewish children out of Paris, everything has to fall perfectly into place and it’s extremely dangerous. Adding to Adele’s worries, her sister Lucille has fallen in love with a German officer, Adele finds him repulsive and she can’t understand why Lucille can’t see that he’s leading her on. With him lurking around in the background, Adele’s feels vulnerable and she worries about him visiting the school.

The Dance Teacher of Paris has a dual timeline, it's set in Paris during the Second World War and later in 2015.

In 2015, Fleur Anders works as a lab technician in London, she was raised by her grandmother Lydia Calvin and her grandmother moved to Sussex after the war. Lydia doesn’t talk about her childhood growing up in France and she visits Paris every year in August. Lydia is in her early eighties, and it’s time for her to share her story and secrets with Fleur before it’s too late. Lydia asks Fleur to travel with her to Paris, she's keen to go and she has no idea what's going to be revealed and the people she will meet.

I received a copy of The Dance Teacher of Paris from NetGalley and Embla Books in exchange for an honest review. I have read and enjoyed two of Suzanne Fortin’s previous books, The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger and Beyond A Broken Sky and her latest book is my favorite. The narrative is outstanding, and Ms. Fortin is the queen of dual timelines and it's easy to follow. A story about having the courage to stand up for what is right and the awful consequences of war, honor, courage, dedication, keeping secrets and regrets, loss, and being in love. Five stars from me, never feel guilty about surviving, be happy and keep on dancing for those who can't.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely un-putdownable!
Wonderful WW2 historical fiction!
The setting is Paris, 1942. The Nazis are exercising their power at every opportunity, enforcing stricter and stricter laws upon the citizens. If you are a Jew, you live in constant fear of the Gestapo banging on your door. Many people have closed their eyes to the atrocities of the regime, out of fear for their own safety. Adele is a schoolteacher and loves teaching, especially her after-school dance class. It’s one of the few things that the children have to take joy in anymore. When the Gestapo threaten the Jewish students, Adele makes the decision to protect them, by any means necessary…
I actually teared up, reading about the sacrifices those brave people were willing to make in order to save innocent lives. This is a must-read for any historical fiction lover!
*I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

Was this review helpful?

This is easily the best book i have read all year, great storyline , heartfelt with a few twists i couldnt put it down.

Was this review helpful?