Life Keeps Me Dancing

by Eileen Kramer

I am not old. I have just been here for a long time.'

Eileen Kramer has lived the most extraordinary life. Born just after Australia entered World War I, she embraced creativity and adventure from an early age. She danced and painted murals in Karachi, worked as an artist's model in Paris and London, met Ella Fitzgerald and Groucho Marx, and learnt the twist from Louis Armstrong. In September 2013, aged 99, Eileen returned to Australia.

Now, at 108, she is penning her memoir, is as young at heart as ever, and still dancing.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

183 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 25, 2023

About the author

Eileen Kramer was an Australian dancer, artist, performer, choreographer, and supercentenarian. She began by studying singing and music in Sydney in the 1930s, but after attending a performance of the Bodenwieser Ballet in 1940, she immediately decided on a career change to dance. After joining the troupe that had made such an impression on her, she toured around Australia and overseas for the next decade. She then lived and worked in France and the United States for the next 60 years, before returning to Australia where she remained active in the arts until her death.

Reviews

[Gemma McMahon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although a lower star rating, I did quite enjoy this book. Eileen has lived a life most full, one that the majority of people could only dream of. Her creativity and love for dance is something I resonate with, however I did find some chapters a bit slow and hard to keep focus. The most impressive aspect of Eileen is that much of her success has come after her 90’s! Her beautiful outlook on life is one we should all take on board, you are never too old to learn and challenge yourself. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that the most interest I had in this book was over her three great loves of her life. I hope she gets to see her 110th year young!

[Sarah Charleson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was so cute and a fun, interesting woman, but I was ultimately and unfortunately very bored reading this

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful.

[Bailey O’Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant autobiography of her wonderful, interesting and inspiring life. Amazing the places she’s travelled to and how wherever she goes can make great connections, live with many people around the world. I find it absolutely brilliant she saw a piece of leather and made it into a hat, and when she realised her mistake handling the situation perfectly. For being born in 1914 and still alive in 2024 when writing this review, it is insane to think about all the world events that have occurred in her lifetime. Back to the book, it was a brief but detailed aspects into her life and focused some really lovely stuff about her life and giving some inspiration to us younger ones. At age 24, I can be worried about not finding that person but it really inspired me and touched me in this book when she wrote about that.

[Abbas Mehran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought Life Keeps Me Dancing by Eileen Kramer because one of the main characters of my next novel is a dancer, and I wanted to acquaint myself with the life of a woman dancer. I am so glad that I bought it and read it with enjoyment. I don’t know who once said that many people die young and are buried later. Eileen refused to die early to be buried later, something I resonate with. She lived fully, doing what she wanted, going where she wanted to go, loving great lovers and being loved by them. Of course, she also made mistakes, for which she sincerely confessed. Making mistakes is the ingredient of living alive. Lazy and useless people don’t make mistakes; they don't do anything to make mistakes. Thank you, Eileen, for writing your inspiring memoir. I love it.

[Jeri Childers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eileen Kramer describes her adventurous and inspirational life from the point of view of a dancer creating and composing her life and career. She was born just after Australia entered WWI and published this work as she celebrated her 108 birthday--still dancing. Bold, vibrant, creative, Eileen described the steps in her transformational journey, steps in joy, wisdom, and self-discovery.

[Naomi'sBookObsession❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most amazing thing about this remarkable now 109 years old woman is how much she has even achieved since she turned 99!
A lovely recount of her rather interesting life. A short book and easy to read.

[Nicky Dakin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy read of an interesting period in the history of women in Sydney and overseas in the 1940’s and 50’s. In a time when most women were expected to get married, she led a very bohemian life in the heart of Sydney being an artists model and then a dancer. Her dancing took her overseas.

[Suzie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful, gracious and inspirational woman. At age 108 she is still amazing.

[Beau Frigault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to ready. An incredibly inspiring story that shows everything you can accomplish, regardless of how old you are.

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely well written

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eileen Kramer is a beautiful, gracious and inspirational woman. At age 108 she is a go-getter with a positive look on life.

Read by Suzie

[Olympia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never say old.

A joyful read that offers a different perspective on what it means ‘to have lived a long time’.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting memoir, following Eileen's life as a singing student, life model, artist and modern dancer. Her time in India and Karachi was inspiring. Her two loves, very deep.

[Kate Denny · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful read of an incredible life well lived

[Barbara Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and am inspired to make the most of my like. Thank you Eileen for sharing.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly interesting story and life lived (the author lived to 110 years of age and died just last year). A great book for dancers/creatives/anyone to read and a celebration of life

[Greg Burt · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a disappointment. She led a fascinating life and saw a lot, but this was more of a journal of what she did and where she went. What a shame.

[Carolina Visnadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and inspiring story of a bright australian woman who seems to have always known how to follow her own gut and rhythm through life.

[❀ Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, so the key to life is remain unbothered and do art.