Starring Adele Astaire

April 1, 2023

Knight's (The Mayfair Bookshop) moving fictionalized portrait of Fred Astaire's sister Adele follows the real dancer from the 1920s to the 1950s, as she dances to fame on both sides of the Atlantic, marries into the British aristocracy, faces tragedy and World War II, and settles into life back in the States with a new husband. Currently less well-known than her movie-star brother, Adele started in show business when she was a child, performing with Fred in a duo more than a hundred years ago. Knight breathes life into Adele as a character, so readers will celebrate her career, then mourn as her yearning for a home and family is tragically thwarted. A parallel plot of poor London East End dancer Violet Wood adds depth and a friendship between women that stretches across decades. Fascinating, well-researched historical details about the lives of women in show business, many famous people, and World War II make this an emotionally satisfying retelling of the simultaneously privileged and tragic life of a real but mostly forgotten superstar. VERDICT Will resonate with readers interested in show business, dance, and the history of women's lives from the 1920s to World War II.--Jan Marry

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2023
This fictionalized account of Adele Astaire's life from the mid-1920s through mid-1950s follows her and her brother, Fred, from their trip to England to the point in her life where she was finally relaxed and at peace. When Adele, Fred, and their mother arrive in London, the siblings are already well known in the States. Fred is a dashing perfectionist who relies on his sister to provide laughter beyond the stage. Adele works hard, is feted by royalty and beloved by fans, but yearns to be a wife and mother. During this first trip, Adele takes Violet Wood, an up-and-coming dancer, under her wing, and the two women attempt to remain in touch through the difficulties of WWII and its aftermath. With inviting characters inhabiting a richly described environment, the novel follows two women as they fall in love, survive terrible losses, and eventually find a way to stand on their own two feet. An intriguing piece of historical fiction that will engage readers and bring to light a rapidly changing world through the eyes of an early-twentieth-century star.

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