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Berlin Dancer
In New York City, 1989, after a man is murdered in cold blood, world-renowned prima ballerina Andrea Brandt is accused. She admits to her attorney that the devil got what he deserves, but tells him that she cannot remember what happened. As her attorney presses her for more information, Andrea begins to tell him her story, taking him back in time to WWII, five years before her birth, in what would eventually become known as East Berlin.
Step into the past, in an unforgettable journey spanning two generations, in a story of survival, love, revenge, mystery, and murder. See what readers are calling "great historical fiction," "well-crafted," and "hard to put down." Berlin Dancer is guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very end.
Step into the past, in an unforgettable journey spanning two generations, in a story of survival, love, revenge, mystery, and murder. See what readers are calling "great historical fiction," "well-crafted," and "hard to put down." Berlin Dancer is guaranteed to keep you guessing until the very end.
- GenresBook Club
378 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2014
306 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 25, 2014
I wasn't sure what to expect with this one. A friend recommended it. I was reluctant because I go for big time established authors. I think this might be the author's first novel. Anyhow, I'm so glad I bought this!! This was one of the best stories I've read in a long time and I found it to be well written and captivating. I loved the twists and turns. I was hooked from the beginning and totally shocked in the end! I find most stories to be somewhat predictable. This author was able to weave each element in such a way that kept me guessing. I hope there is a sequel, or, at least, I hope she writes more stories!! I'm hooked! Oh, and I can definitely see this becoming a movie one day.
October 26, 2019
Interesting and obviously well-researched, but falls short of enthralling. I just couldn't find a way to genuinely care for and connect with any of the characters. While not graphic, Hurst's story gives a realistic picture of war. She does an especially good job depicting life for civilians in the years just before war is officially declared - a time of hardship that is often glossed over in favor of the more dramatic (but not more traumatic) trials during and post conflict.
May 24, 2015
I received this book free through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Honesty counts in a review. A more accurate star rating for this book would be 2.5 stars, and I think that stems from the fact that I really wanted to like this book. There wonderful elements in this book, mainly that there was a very well thought out plot, loaded with content and the historical details are to be highly admired. However there were several detractions for me that stopped me from going for that third star.
When I initially received the book, I got about 50 pages in before putting it aside. I struggled to get back into reading it until several months later. The sudden jump from the introduction into the telling of the main character's past (long before the main character was even born) is what I believe lost me. After reading, I now realize that "the jump" was a framing device. It was a bit disjointed and remains so for the ending, where the end twist of the story is very stretched and is just barely believable.
The biggest detraction for me, though, is the fact that the author deals with so much content and detail but doesn't "show" it with words. The result is the author simply telling us what happened, not only in actions but in character feelings, and I wanted more, much much more. Due to this I didn't really connect with any of the characters or their emotions. After a life shattering event occurs to a character, I knew as the reader I should be mourning with the character, and instead in my head, all I could think was, "oh ok, so what's next?" I think the amount of effort and research that the author put into her book deserved more to bring the story to life, and it truly would have benefitted from it. The book was written in third person, so maybe that was a contributing factor as well?
When I finally did get into the book, I finished it in a matter of days and didn't feel as if I was there all the way with the characters and story as I have been with other books. I didn't savor it, and I missed that with Berlin Dancer.
Honesty counts in a review. A more accurate star rating for this book would be 2.5 stars, and I think that stems from the fact that I really wanted to like this book. There wonderful elements in this book, mainly that there was a very well thought out plot, loaded with content and the historical details are to be highly admired. However there were several detractions for me that stopped me from going for that third star.
When I initially received the book, I got about 50 pages in before putting it aside. I struggled to get back into reading it until several months later. The sudden jump from the introduction into the telling of the main character's past (long before the main character was even born) is what I believe lost me. After reading, I now realize that "the jump" was a framing device. It was a bit disjointed and remains so for the ending, where the end twist of the story is very stretched and is just barely believable.
The biggest detraction for me, though, is the fact that the author deals with so much content and detail but doesn't "show" it with words. The result is the author simply telling us what happened, not only in actions but in character feelings, and I wanted more, much much more. Due to this I didn't really connect with any of the characters or their emotions. After a life shattering event occurs to a character, I knew as the reader I should be mourning with the character, and instead in my head, all I could think was, "oh ok, so what's next?" I think the amount of effort and research that the author put into her book deserved more to bring the story to life, and it truly would have benefitted from it. The book was written in third person, so maybe that was a contributing factor as well?
When I finally did get into the book, I finished it in a matter of days and didn't feel as if I was there all the way with the characters and story as I have been with other books. I didn't savor it, and I missed that with Berlin Dancer.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews