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After the Last Dance: Two women. Two love affairs. One unforgettable story
'Deeply satisfying and impossible to put down' Santa Montefiore'Fascinating . . . a gripping story of love and war' Rachel Hore'An absorbing, unconventional love story' Woman & Home'Highly absorbing and atmospheric' StylistAfter the Last Dance is an extraordinary and vivid story of two women, separated by time but connected by fate, that will make you believe in the redemptive power of unexpected love. Perfect for readers of Rachel Hore, Kathryn Hughes and Tasmina Perry. Kings Cross station, 1943. Rose arrives in London hoping to swap the drudgery of wartime for romance, glamour and jiving with GIs at Rainbow Corner, the famous dance hall in Piccadilly Circus. As the bombs fall, Rose loses her heart to a pilot but will lose so much more before the war has done its worst.Las Vegas, present day. A beautiful woman in a wedding dress walks into a seedy bar and asks the first man she sees to marry her. When Leo slips the ring onto Jane's finger, he has no idea that his new wife will stop at nothing to get what she wants.So when Jane meets Rose, now a formidable older lady, there's no love lost between them. But with time running out, can Rose and Jane come together to make peace with the tragic secrets that have always haunted their lives?* SARRA'S NEXT NOVEL, THE HOUSE OF SECRETS, IS AVAILABLE IN EBOOK NOW. PRE-ORDER THE PAPERBACK - OUT AUGUST 10TH. *
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2015
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1157 people want to read
About the author
Sarra Manning
46 books1,935 followersSarra Manning is a teen queen extraordinaire. She spent five years working on the now sadly defunct J17, first as a writer and then as Entertainment Editor. She then joined the launch team of teen fashion bible Ellegirl, which she later went on to edit and has consulted on a wide range of youth titles including Bliss, The Face and More.
Sarra is now editor of What To Wear magazine. She's also been a regular contributor to ELLE, The Guardian, ES Magazine, Seventeen, Details and Heat and wrote the Shop Bitch column for Time Out. Sarra lives in North London with her dog Miss Betsy
Sarra is now editor of What To Wear magazine. She's also been a regular contributor to ELLE, The Guardian, ES Magazine, Seventeen, Details and Heat and wrote the Shop Bitch column for Time Out. Sarra lives in North London with her dog Miss Betsy
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
May 15, 2019
Me ha gustado ... es una historia entretenida de dos mujeres luchadoras... cada una en su tiempo..con muchas cosas en común
January 14, 2021
Una novela interesante y bien escrita. ¿mi problema? que no he congeniado con las historias y le ha costado muchísimo arrancar y conseguir interesarme
Por un lado tenemos la historia del pasado, para mí la más interesante. Interesante pero me ha faltado ritmo y algún giro, porque, dejando de lado esa sensación de desarraigo y frialdad que produce la guerra en muchos de sus personajes, la he encontrado monótona y, en algunos pasajes, se me ha hecho muy cuesta arriba.
Sobre la segunda historia, no me han gustado los personajes, ambos rotos y esa reconstrucción mutua me parece genial, pero es muy posible que esas veinte mil palabras de las que habla la propia autora al final, sea lo que le faltan.
Justo al final hay pasajes aclaratorios, como si la propia autora se hubiera dado cuenta de que se habían quedado cosas importantes en el tintero y haya corrido a explicarlos, pero para mí, que me he pasado toda la novela sin poder tenerles aprecio, ha llegado demasiado tarde.
Quizás mi gran problema es que me esperaba historias muy diferentes y, sobre todo, que creo todo queda demasiado frío y es como si en vez de meterte en la historia asistieras a una obra de teatro y lo vieras desde fuera sin poder meterte dentro. No sé si me explico
Por un lado tenemos la historia del pasado, para mí la más interesante. Interesante pero me ha faltado ritmo y algún giro, porque, dejando de lado esa sensación de desarraigo y frialdad que produce la guerra en muchos de sus personajes, la he encontrado monótona y, en algunos pasajes, se me ha hecho muy cuesta arriba.
Sobre la segunda historia, no me han gustado los personajes, ambos rotos y esa reconstrucción mutua me parece genial, pero es muy posible que esas veinte mil palabras de las que habla la propia autora al final, sea lo que le faltan.
Justo al final hay pasajes aclaratorios, como si la propia autora se hubiera dado cuenta de que se habían quedado cosas importantes en el tintero y haya corrido a explicarlos, pero para mí, que me he pasado toda la novela sin poder tenerles aprecio, ha llegado demasiado tarde.
Quizás mi gran problema es que me esperaba historias muy diferentes y, sobre todo, que creo todo queda demasiado frío y es como si en vez de meterte en la historia asistieras a una obra de teatro y lo vieras desde fuera sin poder meterte dentro. No sé si me explico
May 16, 2016
Cuando supe que este libro sería publicado en español, no me lo pensé dos veces y decidí comprarlo. En papel, por supuesto. Porque con semejante portada (gracias a la editorial por mantener la original) ¿cómo uno no querría tener un libro así en su estantería? Este es un libro para tener en mano. Realmente soy una fiel lectora de Sarra Manning y esta es la segunda vez que lo leo. La primera vez había sido en inglés y estoy francamente maravillada con la traducción del mismo. Es una novela dual que cuenta dos historias afines y cuyo motor no solo es el romance, sino el crecimiento personal.
Estación de King Cross, 1943.
Rose llega a Londres con el sueño de cambiar su aburrida vida en Durham de escardar campos y lucir bombachos de pana por el Londres convulso y glamuroso en tiempos de guerra. Su sueño es trabajar en el Rainbow Corner, la famosa sala de baile de Picadilly Circus a la que acuden soldados americanos. En donde la Coca-Cola es la bebida de moda y la música, las risas y el flirteo sustituyen la escasez de alimentos, los ruidos de las bombardeos y la pérdida de seres queridos. Allí hará nuevos amigos. Algún soldado captará su atención o tal vez dos... Vivirá todo lo que ha soñado y al mismo tiempo crecerá como persona cuando pierda esa ingenuidad y la realidad impacte con el mundo que creía tener a sus pies.
Las Vegas, en la actualidad.
Jane entra en un bar vestida de novia y le propone matrimonio al primer hombre que se encuentra. Esta escena es sensual, divertida y alocada porque, ¿quién en su sano juicio le propone matrimonio a un completo extraño? La escena es confusa dado que aparentemente no guarda relación con la historia de Rose. Por si fuera poco, Jane es calculadora, cínica, una auténtica cazafortunas moderna que en el último momento deja tirado a su prometido por un trotamundos como Leo. Sin embargo Jane no solo guarda terribles secretos, Leo tiene sus propios fantasmas enterrados y así, sin conocerse, terminan empacando sus cosas y aterrizando en Londres.
Es aquí en donde ambas historias se entrelazan. La narrativa pasa por las perspectivas de Leo y Jane jugando con la verdad ante una envejecida Rose, pero es Rose la que impone las reglas y ve tras esa divertida cortina de humo que ambos recién casados tratan de tejer. Rose y Jane formarán una extraña complicidad que pasará por el repaso de la vida de una y el intento de enderezar o acabar con los errores de la otra.
El libro está escrito de una manera maravillosa. La prosa de Sarra Manning es auténtica. No solo es notable la documentación sobre este aspecto del Londres de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, me refiero al Rainbow Corner del cual desconocía, sino de la vida en general en Londres. Y es que puede decirse que la autora no solo ama su ciudad, sino que es una londinense de los pies a la cabeza. Es capaz de darnos momentos tiernos, divertidos y románticos en la historia, pero al mismo tiempo no le da miedo acabar con los clichés y mostrar la cara de las penas y la desolación que la guerra puede dejar en las personas. Otro punto a destacar, es el nivel de intriga que mantiene al lector prácticamente mordiéndose las uñas hasta el final y la extraña relación entre Rose y Leo. Manning entrelaza pasado y presente en un hilo que conforma el cuerpo de esta novela. Una novela que adoré de principio a fin, no solo por las emociones que me hizo sentir, desde sonrisas hasta lágrimas, sino por lo educativo en pasajes de su historia, y por unos personajes que saltan del papel. Calificaría a esta novela más bien de narrativa femenina, recomendable para aquellos que busquen una historia cuya espina dorsal se apoya en la superación personal y el romance.
Estación de King Cross, 1943.
Rose llega a Londres con el sueño de cambiar su aburrida vida en Durham de escardar campos y lucir bombachos de pana por el Londres convulso y glamuroso en tiempos de guerra. Su sueño es trabajar en el Rainbow Corner, la famosa sala de baile de Picadilly Circus a la que acuden soldados americanos. En donde la Coca-Cola es la bebida de moda y la música, las risas y el flirteo sustituyen la escasez de alimentos, los ruidos de las bombardeos y la pérdida de seres queridos. Allí hará nuevos amigos. Algún soldado captará su atención o tal vez dos... Vivirá todo lo que ha soñado y al mismo tiempo crecerá como persona cuando pierda esa ingenuidad y la realidad impacte con el mundo que creía tener a sus pies.
Las Vegas, en la actualidad.
Jane entra en un bar vestida de novia y le propone matrimonio al primer hombre que se encuentra. Esta escena es sensual, divertida y alocada porque, ¿quién en su sano juicio le propone matrimonio a un completo extraño? La escena es confusa dado que aparentemente no guarda relación con la historia de Rose. Por si fuera poco, Jane es calculadora, cínica, una auténtica cazafortunas moderna que en el último momento deja tirado a su prometido por un trotamundos como Leo. Sin embargo Jane no solo guarda terribles secretos, Leo tiene sus propios fantasmas enterrados y así, sin conocerse, terminan empacando sus cosas y aterrizando en Londres.
Es aquí en donde ambas historias se entrelazan. La narrativa pasa por las perspectivas de Leo y Jane jugando con la verdad ante una envejecida Rose, pero es Rose la que impone las reglas y ve tras esa divertida cortina de humo que ambos recién casados tratan de tejer. Rose y Jane formarán una extraña complicidad que pasará por el repaso de la vida de una y el intento de enderezar o acabar con los errores de la otra.
El libro está escrito de una manera maravillosa. La prosa de Sarra Manning es auténtica. No solo es notable la documentación sobre este aspecto del Londres de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, me refiero al Rainbow Corner del cual desconocía, sino de la vida en general en Londres. Y es que puede decirse que la autora no solo ama su ciudad, sino que es una londinense de los pies a la cabeza. Es capaz de darnos momentos tiernos, divertidos y románticos en la historia, pero al mismo tiempo no le da miedo acabar con los clichés y mostrar la cara de las penas y la desolación que la guerra puede dejar en las personas. Otro punto a destacar, es el nivel de intriga que mantiene al lector prácticamente mordiéndose las uñas hasta el final y la extraña relación entre Rose y Leo. Manning entrelaza pasado y presente en un hilo que conforma el cuerpo de esta novela. Una novela que adoré de principio a fin, no solo por las emociones que me hizo sentir, desde sonrisas hasta lágrimas, sino por lo educativo en pasajes de su historia, y por unos personajes que saltan del papel. Calificaría a esta novela más bien de narrativa femenina, recomendable para aquellos que busquen una historia cuya espina dorsal se apoya en la superación personal y el romance.
April 8, 2017
I am a Sarra Manning fan girl. I was first introduced to her via Just 17 and have since read and enjoyed everything she has written. I heard this book was in the works and was very very excited. Sarra Manning and Historical Fiction set in World War Two seemed like a dream combo for me.
I loved this book and it was as perfect as I hoped. The story is split between two narratives split between modern day and the 1940s which crossover as the story progresses. I love that sort of book at the best of times so it was a good start.
The modern day story feels like classic Sarra Manning. The story starts with a bang and hooked me from the start as I needed to know where the characters were going to end up. As their story progressed you started to get under the skin of the characters and find out more about why they were the way they were and at the core of it the story was full of heart. Exactly what I expected from an author whose work I adore.
The story set in World War Two is perfect. The history is well researched meaning the story feels real and grounded in the period in which it is set. I really loved the story of Rainbow Corner and finding out more about an aspect of the history of World War Two that I knew nothing about. As you read it you get a real sense of the period, the excitement of living for the now in a time when you don't know if you or your friends will see the end of the week through. I could have read about Rose's War for hundreds more pages.
All in all a book I can't wait to recommend to others.
I loved this book and it was as perfect as I hoped. The story is split between two narratives split between modern day and the 1940s which crossover as the story progresses. I love that sort of book at the best of times so it was a good start.
The modern day story feels like classic Sarra Manning. The story starts with a bang and hooked me from the start as I needed to know where the characters were going to end up. As their story progressed you started to get under the skin of the characters and find out more about why they were the way they were and at the core of it the story was full of heart. Exactly what I expected from an author whose work I adore.
The story set in World War Two is perfect. The history is well researched meaning the story feels real and grounded in the period in which it is set. I really loved the story of Rainbow Corner and finding out more about an aspect of the history of World War Two that I knew nothing about. As you read it you get a real sense of the period, the excitement of living for the now in a time when you don't know if you or your friends will see the end of the week through. I could have read about Rose's War for hundreds more pages.
All in all a book I can't wait to recommend to others.
September 8, 2017
After the Last Dance is a tale of two women and two love stories set some 70 years apart. The novel begins in 1943 when young Rose, having run away from home, arrives at London's King Cross. She has only one goal – to get entrance to the glamorous Rainbow Corner, the heaven on earth where homesick American soldiers drink coca-cola and eat doughnuts, while dancing the night away with pretty English girls.
The second thread of the story is set in present day Las Vegas and features a runaway bride. Leo, a struggling artist is nursing a hangover with a beer when the most beautiful woman he's ever seen walks into the bar, wearing a white dress and a tiara on top of her honey-blonde hair.
While we see Rose settle into war-time London, dodging bombs and falling in love, her story is intertwined with a budding romance between Leo and the mysterious English beauty. While they drunkenly get hitched, in tried and tested Las Vegas style, Leo gets a message from London that his aunt is dying. Though realizing the marriage was a terrible – alcohol induced – mistake, they decide to travel together back to Britain.
I couldn't put this book down. The two stories, which are intertwined in the book, are both engaging. You're almost sorry when you realize the next chapter returns to the other strand – until you again get involved with that story. I did, however, prefer Rose's tale, which is set during the war. Descriptions of Rainbow Corner; the bombings during the Blitz, the rationing and lack of foodstuffs, stockings and almost everything; the soldiers who come and go in and out of Rose's and her friend's lives seemed very well researched and paint vivid images of wartime London. If I had one criticism of After the Last Dance, I would say that the present day tale lacked some of the passion and enthusiasm of the wartime story, although the modern strand gives the novel a balance and an insightful comparison to the life we lead now to the one lived more than 70 years ago.
Sarra Manning has said that the inspiration for this book was Rainbow Corner, a social club run by American Red Cross for US servicemen stranded alone in London during WW2. They were described as 'overpaid, oversexed and over here' by the Brits at the time. Manning says that she saw a Pathe film clip about the club and was fascinated by the place. She imaged how a young girl, in the 1940s, would have seen the same images and wanted immediately to have a slice of that glamour and fun. In one of my blog posts, I talk about how we writers find our stories. This is such a good example!
The second thread of the story is set in present day Las Vegas and features a runaway bride. Leo, a struggling artist is nursing a hangover with a beer when the most beautiful woman he's ever seen walks into the bar, wearing a white dress and a tiara on top of her honey-blonde hair.
While we see Rose settle into war-time London, dodging bombs and falling in love, her story is intertwined with a budding romance between Leo and the mysterious English beauty. While they drunkenly get hitched, in tried and tested Las Vegas style, Leo gets a message from London that his aunt is dying. Though realizing the marriage was a terrible – alcohol induced – mistake, they decide to travel together back to Britain.
I couldn't put this book down. The two stories, which are intertwined in the book, are both engaging. You're almost sorry when you realize the next chapter returns to the other strand – until you again get involved with that story. I did, however, prefer Rose's tale, which is set during the war. Descriptions of Rainbow Corner; the bombings during the Blitz, the rationing and lack of foodstuffs, stockings and almost everything; the soldiers who come and go in and out of Rose's and her friend's lives seemed very well researched and paint vivid images of wartime London. If I had one criticism of After the Last Dance, I would say that the present day tale lacked some of the passion and enthusiasm of the wartime story, although the modern strand gives the novel a balance and an insightful comparison to the life we lead now to the one lived more than 70 years ago.
Sarra Manning has said that the inspiration for this book was Rainbow Corner, a social club run by American Red Cross for US servicemen stranded alone in London during WW2. They were described as 'overpaid, oversexed and over here' by the Brits at the time. Manning says that she saw a Pathe film clip about the club and was fascinated by the place. She imaged how a young girl, in the 1940s, would have seen the same images and wanted immediately to have a slice of that glamour and fun. In one of my blog posts, I talk about how we writers find our stories. This is such a good example!
August 29, 2017
Compré esta novela en mayo del año pasado. Iba a ser una novela para leer en el Club de lectura De viaje literario y al final se descartó, pero yo me enamoré de la portada y la compré independiente de ser leída o no, igual que Sonia de la Rosa, que creo que ya la tenía.
Me he encontrado una novela que me ha sorprendido muyyy gratamente. No sabía qué me iba a encontrar y me ha gustado muchísimo.
Una historia de amor, guerra, amistad y dramas familiares en la IIGM y Londres como telón de fondo.
Me ha gustado mucho la prosa de la autora. Sencilla, clara y directa, narrada en tercera persona y en dos hilos temporales. Uno en el pasado (1943) teniendo como protagonista a Rose, una chica que huye de su ciudad natal (Durham) a Londres en busca de glamour, aventuras, emociones, etc. y que su mayor deseo es ser voluntaria en Rainbow Corner (un Club social dirigido por la Cruz Roja americana para sus soldados), una especie de "pequeña América" y el otro el presente, donde Jane y Leo son los protagonistas, una pareja muy peculiar que al principio no te caen nada bien y no entiendes qué relación pueden tener los tres en común. Cuando por fin la descubres sigues con la intriga de cuál es el misterio que les va a unir y cómo se entrelazarán las dos historias. Pues tengo que decir que es conmovedor (como dice la portada) y por supuesto que yo emocionada y con las lágrimas correspondientes.
El personaje que más me ha gustado ha sido el de Rose. Una mujer como muchas en las circunstancias de la guerra, fuerte, valiente y luchadora; ves cómo ha evolucionado desde que llegó a Londres en 1943 con apenas 17 años, inocente e ingenua y ves a la mujer poderosa, segura y respetada en la que se ha convertido en la actualidad.
Últimamente estoy leyendo novelas de este tipo y he descubierto que me gustan mucho. Siempre aprendes datos históricos nuevos. En esta me ha fascinado saber qué era el Rainbow Corner y todo lo concerniente a este lugar. Hace unos meses estuve en Londres y sin saberlo y con las descripciones tan precisas y detalladas de la autora, ha sido verme a mí misma paseando por esas calles y visitando los lugares a los que se relatan en la novela. Siempre es una ventaja que se conozca el lugar.
Perfectamente le daría 4.5 estrellas.
Me he encontrado una novela que me ha sorprendido muyyy gratamente. No sabía qué me iba a encontrar y me ha gustado muchísimo.
Una historia de amor, guerra, amistad y dramas familiares en la IIGM y Londres como telón de fondo.
Me ha gustado mucho la prosa de la autora. Sencilla, clara y directa, narrada en tercera persona y en dos hilos temporales. Uno en el pasado (1943) teniendo como protagonista a Rose, una chica que huye de su ciudad natal (Durham) a Londres en busca de glamour, aventuras, emociones, etc. y que su mayor deseo es ser voluntaria en Rainbow Corner (un Club social dirigido por la Cruz Roja americana para sus soldados), una especie de "pequeña América" y el otro el presente, donde Jane y Leo son los protagonistas, una pareja muy peculiar que al principio no te caen nada bien y no entiendes qué relación pueden tener los tres en común. Cuando por fin la descubres sigues con la intriga de cuál es el misterio que les va a unir y cómo se entrelazarán las dos historias. Pues tengo que decir que es conmovedor (como dice la portada) y por supuesto que yo emocionada y con las lágrimas correspondientes.
El personaje que más me ha gustado ha sido el de Rose. Una mujer como muchas en las circunstancias de la guerra, fuerte, valiente y luchadora; ves cómo ha evolucionado desde que llegó a Londres en 1943 con apenas 17 años, inocente e ingenua y ves a la mujer poderosa, segura y respetada en la que se ha convertido en la actualidad.
Últimamente estoy leyendo novelas de este tipo y he descubierto que me gustan mucho. Siempre aprendes datos históricos nuevos. En esta me ha fascinado saber qué era el Rainbow Corner y todo lo concerniente a este lugar. Hace unos meses estuve en Londres y sin saberlo y con las descripciones tan precisas y detalladas de la autora, ha sido verme a mí misma paseando por esas calles y visitando los lugares a los que se relatan en la novela. Siempre es una ventaja que se conozca el lugar.
Perfectamente le daría 4.5 estrellas.
March 21, 2017
Cazadoras del Romance: El último baile
Me ha gustado mucho, al principio parece que no conectas con los personajes, pero te va enganchando y lo vas entendiendo poco a poco. Es una historia de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, pero deja un buen sabor de boca a pesar de algún momento de tristeza, o más bien EL MOMENTO. Es optimista y positivo (a lo mejor es porque lo leí después de "El ruiseñor"). Hay dos historias de amor (una en época de guerra y la otra contemporánea) y sobre todo me ha gustado la de Rose.
Pero lo más especial es la amistad de Rose, Sylvia, Phillys y Maggie.
Me ha gustado mucho, al principio parece que no conectas con los personajes, pero te va enganchando y lo vas entendiendo poco a poco. Es una historia de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, pero deja un buen sabor de boca a pesar de algún momento de tristeza, o más bien EL MOMENTO. Es optimista y positivo (a lo mejor es porque lo leí después de "El ruiseñor"). Hay dos historias de amor (una en época de guerra y la otra contemporánea) y sobre todo me ha gustado la de Rose.
Pero lo más especial es la amistad de Rose, Sylvia, Phillys y Maggie.
March 11, 2016
Locations in the novel: Booktrail for After the last dance
If you’ve never heard of the Rainbow Corner in London, then put on your dancing shoes as you are in for the treat of your literary life. On these pages, the club comes back to life with every beat of every word as if it were the music itself.
The Rainbow Corner
The famous Rainbow Corner was a social club during WW2, (opened in 1942) and run by the American Red Cross.It was a piece of home for the American soldiers far away on leave from their homeland and their families. In fact this was a real piece of Americana. These soldiers were issued every possession by the American government but it was the music, the dancing and the social activities they missed the most. This is where the Rainbow Corner came in.
The novels is extremely evocative and you can taste the coke, coffee and doughnuts which Rose is very keen to taste for herself. The sugar on her lips makes for a bitter sweet moment however as she then meets the solider who will change her life and not necessarily for the best. Sarra mentions in her author note that every detail she evokes is as it was – including Dunker’s Den and the fact that it was the first place in Britain to stock the now very widely available and famous drink coca Cola. The Where Am I room really existed too and English women really did come here to dance and meet American soldiers.
This was not just a dance hall however it was a home from home – boxing matches, dinners, hair cuts and chat – everything was available here.
Now there is no sign of it, but this book captures it as if you were there with your Mary Janes ready to jive yourself. Ah, let the dancing begin…..
If you’ve never heard of the Rainbow Corner in London, then put on your dancing shoes as you are in for the treat of your literary life. On these pages, the club comes back to life with every beat of every word as if it were the music itself.
The Rainbow Corner
The famous Rainbow Corner was a social club during WW2, (opened in 1942) and run by the American Red Cross.It was a piece of home for the American soldiers far away on leave from their homeland and their families. In fact this was a real piece of Americana. These soldiers were issued every possession by the American government but it was the music, the dancing and the social activities they missed the most. This is where the Rainbow Corner came in.
The novels is extremely evocative and you can taste the coke, coffee and doughnuts which Rose is very keen to taste for herself. The sugar on her lips makes for a bitter sweet moment however as she then meets the solider who will change her life and not necessarily for the best. Sarra mentions in her author note that every detail she evokes is as it was – including Dunker’s Den and the fact that it was the first place in Britain to stock the now very widely available and famous drink coca Cola. The Where Am I room really existed too and English women really did come here to dance and meet American soldiers.
This was not just a dance hall however it was a home from home – boxing matches, dinners, hair cuts and chat – everything was available here.
Now there is no sign of it, but this book captures it as if you were there with your Mary Janes ready to jive yourself. Ah, let the dancing begin…..
August 23, 2019
Me compré el libro en cuanto salió a la venta, en el 2016, con muchas ganas de leerlo, pero, como me pasa muchas veces, se quedó olvidado en la estantería cogiendo polvo. Este verano me he propuesto a sacar libros de la estantería de los olvidados.
El último baile ha sido una novela que ha cumplido con las expectativas que tenía puesta en ella. Me lo he leído en dos días. Una narración sencilla y ágil que me ha atrapado a la historia de los tres protagonistas, Rose, Jane y Leo.
La novela cuenta dos historias con dos hilos temporales. La historia de Rose transcurre en 1943 en plena IIGM. Rose llega a Londres procedente de Durham buscando una vida llena de aventuras y con glamour. Acaba consiguiendo esa vida trabajando de voluntaria en el Rainbow Corner, un club social de la Cruz Roja americana que era un lugar destinado para que los soldados americanos tuvieran un sitio a donde ir.
Rose en Rainbow Corner crecerá como mujer, las distintas caras del amor, la importancia del amor.
En esa parte de la trama la autora nos mostrará como se vivía en Londres durante la IIGM.
La otra historia transcurre en la actualidad teniendo como protagonistas a Leo y Jane. Son dos personajes que al principio no caen muy bien. Cada uno a su forma son dos perdedores. Jane es una sobreviviente que no tiene ningún escrúpulo en manipular, engañar para conseguir lo que quiere de la vida. Leo es un borracho y un drogadicto que ya no tiene nada que perder. Estos dos personajes se encuentran en un bar y después de unas cuantas copas deciden que lo mejor sería casarse, ya que estaban en las Vegas. Al día siguiente, como es natural, se dieron cuenta que lo de casarse no fue tan buena idea... Pero antes de poder buscar una solución el lío Leo recibe una llamada de Londres que hace que tenga que viajar hasta ahí. Y como Jane no tiene otro lugar a donde ir se va con él...
Jane y Rose son dos mujeres fuertes que se supieron reinventarse. Que cuando se encuentran se ven reflejadas a si mismas. Las dos tienen secretos con los que tienen que reconciliarse.
Leo se ha equivocado mucho. Su familia casi lo dan por perdido pero con la ayuda de Jane quizás será capaz de convertirse en ese hombre que una vez fue. Leo y Jane son dos personajes que evolucionan mucho a lo largo de la trama. Dos personas que son desconocidas pero que los dos juntos podrían hacer algo bueno por primeta vez en si vida.
El último baile ha sido una novela que ha cumplido con las expectativas que tenía puesta en ella. Me lo he leído en dos días. Una narración sencilla y ágil que me ha atrapado a la historia de los tres protagonistas, Rose, Jane y Leo.
La novela cuenta dos historias con dos hilos temporales. La historia de Rose transcurre en 1943 en plena IIGM. Rose llega a Londres procedente de Durham buscando una vida llena de aventuras y con glamour. Acaba consiguiendo esa vida trabajando de voluntaria en el Rainbow Corner, un club social de la Cruz Roja americana que era un lugar destinado para que los soldados americanos tuvieran un sitio a donde ir.
Rose en Rainbow Corner crecerá como mujer, las distintas caras del amor, la importancia del amor.
En esa parte de la trama la autora nos mostrará como se vivía en Londres durante la IIGM.
La otra historia transcurre en la actualidad teniendo como protagonistas a Leo y Jane. Son dos personajes que al principio no caen muy bien. Cada uno a su forma son dos perdedores. Jane es una sobreviviente que no tiene ningún escrúpulo en manipular, engañar para conseguir lo que quiere de la vida. Leo es un borracho y un drogadicto que ya no tiene nada que perder. Estos dos personajes se encuentran en un bar y después de unas cuantas copas deciden que lo mejor sería casarse, ya que estaban en las Vegas. Al día siguiente, como es natural, se dieron cuenta que lo de casarse no fue tan buena idea... Pero antes de poder buscar una solución el lío Leo recibe una llamada de Londres que hace que tenga que viajar hasta ahí. Y como Jane no tiene otro lugar a donde ir se va con él...
Jane y Rose son dos mujeres fuertes que se supieron reinventarse. Que cuando se encuentran se ven reflejadas a si mismas. Las dos tienen secretos con los que tienen que reconciliarse.
Leo se ha equivocado mucho. Su familia casi lo dan por perdido pero con la ayuda de Jane quizás será capaz de convertirse en ese hombre que una vez fue. Leo y Jane son dos personajes que evolucionan mucho a lo largo de la trama. Dos personas que son desconocidas pero que los dos juntos podrían hacer algo bueno por primeta vez en si vida.
June 9, 2025
Knjiga koju sam citala skoro mjesec dana, bezveznih 300 stranica, a nikako da se uvucem u pricu…Knjiga povezuje zivot u Londonu, ratni period 1942-1945, tada maloljetnu djevojcicu Rouz koja bjezi od kuce i zivota na selu, te tu istu Rouz skoro 70 godina kasnije, kada se njen zivot blizi kraju…
February 19, 2018
Divna knjiga.
Savršeno ispletene priče dvije žene,jedna je u svojim najboljim godinama i krajnje je izgubljena,progonjena prošlošću,nesigurna u budućnost. A druga je davno potrošila svoje najbolje godine, davno je bilo kad je imala sedamnaest godina kad je pobjegla od kuće u potrazi za avanturom i to u London. I nema veće avanture od ratnog stanja 1943. godine kad bombe padaju, hrana se uzima na sledovanje,a nestašica je svega i svačega. Ali Rouz ima samo jednu želju, a to je da pleše u Dugi na uglu.
"Slagala je,ukrala ,iskrala se i pobjegla,prišla i obratila se nepoznatim muškarcima-sve da bi prošla kroz jedna vrata i obrela se u raju na zemlji.
Duga na uglu.
Potpuno je besmisleno imati snove ako ne učiniš sve što je u tvojoj moći da ih ostvariš,zaključila je Rouz dok se osvrtala i zurila oko sebe."
Ono što je povezalo te dvije žene je Leo, dječak,nestašni,mili dječak u tijelu odrasle osobe koji se bori sa svojim nesigurnostima.
Ovo nije limunadica, likovi nisu savršene lutkice,nego ljudi koji nose mnogo ožiljaka i traumaf ,prikazani sa svim svojim manama,jasno i dosljedno .Ponekad bolno iskreni jedni pred drugima,a najčešće podižu zidove oko sebe,svako u svom svijetu i svom bolu.
"Lako je zaboraviti. Pamtiti je teško. Čovjek želi da se seti samo srećnih vremena,ali i loša vremana imaju načina da ostanu s tobom."
Savršeno ispletene priče dvije žene,jedna je u svojim najboljim godinama i krajnje je izgubljena,progonjena prošlošću,nesigurna u budućnost. A druga je davno potrošila svoje najbolje godine, davno je bilo kad je imala sedamnaest godina kad je pobjegla od kuće u potrazi za avanturom i to u London. I nema veće avanture od ratnog stanja 1943. godine kad bombe padaju, hrana se uzima na sledovanje,a nestašica je svega i svačega. Ali Rouz ima samo jednu želju, a to je da pleše u Dugi na uglu.
"Slagala je,ukrala ,iskrala se i pobjegla,prišla i obratila se nepoznatim muškarcima-sve da bi prošla kroz jedna vrata i obrela se u raju na zemlji.
Duga na uglu.
Potpuno je besmisleno imati snove ako ne učiniš sve što je u tvojoj moći da ih ostvariš,zaključila je Rouz dok se osvrtala i zurila oko sebe."
Ono što je povezalo te dvije žene je Leo, dječak,nestašni,mili dječak u tijelu odrasle osobe koji se bori sa svojim nesigurnostima.
Ovo nije limunadica, likovi nisu savršene lutkice,nego ljudi koji nose mnogo ožiljaka i traumaf ,prikazani sa svim svojim manama,jasno i dosljedno .Ponekad bolno iskreni jedni pred drugima,a najčešće podižu zidove oko sebe,svako u svom svijetu i svom bolu.
"Lako je zaboraviti. Pamtiti je teško. Čovjek želi da se seti samo srećnih vremena,ali i loša vremana imaju načina da ostanu s tobom."
January 27, 2022
Recensie volgt op mn website
December 18, 2015
I love it when an author brings to light an aspect of history the reader is unaware of until reading their book. Sarra Manning, author of After the Last Dance, does just this in her latest book. Manning vividly paints a picture of World War II London, focussing her story specifically on Rainbow Corner. Through reading the After the Last Dance, I discovered that Rainbow Corner was a dance hall haven in Piccadilly Circus, set up by the Red Cross, for American GI’s based in London. There the men would dance their troubles away with British girls, drink coca cola and eat donuts.
After the Last Dance is in fact two split narratives, however , the fate of the two women in the book become intertwined in the present. Rose is the powerful protagonist in the 1940’s wartime thread. Her story opens as she arrives at Kings Cross station, not wanting to work as a land girl in her dreary home town of Durham, but instead she sets her sights on the romantic dance halls of Piccadilly Circus. It does not take long for Rose to develop some unforgettable friendships and fall in love with a man she may lose to war.
After the Last Dance also takes the reader on a journey to present day Las Vegas, where a woman named Jane steps into a bar and asks the first man she sees to marry her. This man Leo, takes Jane up on her offer and the two are married in fairly unusual circumstances. However, it soon becomes clear to Leo that his new wife has some secrets to reveal. Through Leo, Jane meets Rose, now an older woman, but the pair don’t see eye to eye. Although the pair have a commonality in the unexpected way they have both fallen for the men in their lives, it may not be enough for the two women to come together in harmony.
After the Last Dance is a book that immediately grabbed my attention from the premise. I’m a big fan of the split narrative genre, particularly if one of the threads is historical. I have to admit, whilst I loved the majority of this book, there was something missing for me in the contemporary love story. Perhaps it was because Rose in the wartime’s story was so very strong, it gripped me from the start and did not let go until the bitter end. I actually felt like I could have had a complete novel on Rose and been extremely happy. I felt Manning presented a thoroughly researched book and I thank her for opening my eyes to Rainbow Corner, it was completely fascinating to read. The World War II storyline, really does feel like you have just stepped onto the streets of London, which is what I love about historical fiction books.
After the Last Dance is a glorious piece of romantic contemporary/historical fiction, that is superbly researched. I have little hesitation in recommending this book if you are looking for a book that will sweep you away.
After the Last Dance is in fact two split narratives, however , the fate of the two women in the book become intertwined in the present. Rose is the powerful protagonist in the 1940’s wartime thread. Her story opens as she arrives at Kings Cross station, not wanting to work as a land girl in her dreary home town of Durham, but instead she sets her sights on the romantic dance halls of Piccadilly Circus. It does not take long for Rose to develop some unforgettable friendships and fall in love with a man she may lose to war.
After the Last Dance also takes the reader on a journey to present day Las Vegas, where a woman named Jane steps into a bar and asks the first man she sees to marry her. This man Leo, takes Jane up on her offer and the two are married in fairly unusual circumstances. However, it soon becomes clear to Leo that his new wife has some secrets to reveal. Through Leo, Jane meets Rose, now an older woman, but the pair don’t see eye to eye. Although the pair have a commonality in the unexpected way they have both fallen for the men in their lives, it may not be enough for the two women to come together in harmony.
After the Last Dance is a book that immediately grabbed my attention from the premise. I’m a big fan of the split narrative genre, particularly if one of the threads is historical. I have to admit, whilst I loved the majority of this book, there was something missing for me in the contemporary love story. Perhaps it was because Rose in the wartime’s story was so very strong, it gripped me from the start and did not let go until the bitter end. I actually felt like I could have had a complete novel on Rose and been extremely happy. I felt Manning presented a thoroughly researched book and I thank her for opening my eyes to Rainbow Corner, it was completely fascinating to read. The World War II storyline, really does feel like you have just stepped onto the streets of London, which is what I love about historical fiction books.
After the Last Dance is a glorious piece of romantic contemporary/historical fiction, that is superbly researched. I have little hesitation in recommending this book if you are looking for a book that will sweep you away.
May 12, 2016
2.5/5
Lento, sin suficiente romance o drama. Este ha sido el primer libro de Sarra Manning que leo y no me gusta. Una total decepcion.
Lento, sin suficiente romance o drama. Este ha sido el primer libro de Sarra Manning que leo y no me gusta. Una total decepcion.
June 17, 2021
Interesantna priča o sudbinama dvije žene u vrtlogu ratnog i sadašnjeg vremena, čije sudbine su na prvi pogled tako različite, a ustvari imaju jaku poveznicu.
Motiv za pisanje romana je londonski klub za američke vojnike Duga na uglu, u kojem su vojnici trebali dobiti malo oduška nakon povratka sa frontova u II svj.ratu.
Koliko nas daleko mogu odvesti ambicije i želja za novcem?
Koliko prošlost može utjecati na našu budućnost?
Ovaj roman mi se svidio zbog tematike II svj.rata i borbe za mjesto pod suncem dvije hrabre i odvažne žene.
Ocjena 4/5 i topla preporuka
Motiv za pisanje romana je londonski klub za američke vojnike Duga na uglu, u kojem su vojnici trebali dobiti malo oduška nakon povratka sa frontova u II svj.ratu.
Koliko nas daleko mogu odvesti ambicije i želja za novcem?
Koliko prošlost može utjecati na našu budućnost?
Ovaj roman mi se svidio zbog tematike II svj.rata i borbe za mjesto pod suncem dvije hrabre i odvažne žene.
Ocjena 4/5 i topla preporuka
August 7, 2016
4.5 STARS.
I love Sarra Manning's books. There I've said it, whew, relief to get that off my chest. I fell in love with her writing when I read 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' (Neeve and Max 4ever). There was something about her writing that was accessible yet not cheesy.
After the Last Dance introduces us to two main female characters: Rose, a young teenager in mid-World War II Britain and Jane, a 00's woman who's spent her life running away. The two characters meet as Jane impulsively marries Leo, a fucntioning alcoholic/drug addict still trying to recapture the glory days that never came, who happens to be Rose's great newphew.
Rose's story follows her moving to London and becoming a member of Rainbow Corner, a dance club provided by the American Red Cross for GI's to enjoy whilst they were posted in Britain for the war. What follows is Rose's story as she becomes a young woman, hurt by the men supposedly protecting her and finding protection in the form of her three friends, Sylvia, Maggie and Phyllis. One of the most heartbreaking scenes in this book contains all four in, perhaps, an inevitable conclusion.
Jane doesn't come across as sympathetic a character as Rose does. Perhaps because we learn about Rose's history throughout the book through switching narratives. I didn't find this confusing as the portions of Rose's story were clearly labelled and seemed to run smoothly together, despite the breaks. Jane, however, all we learn is that she needs to get married before she's 27, she's spent her life running away from something and towards money (she leaves her ex-fiancee because a multi-million deal falls through) and insists on calling everyone 'darling'. It isn't until the very end (I'm talking epilogue ending) that we finally learn why Jane ran away. We're delivered hints throughout the book that show something, somewhere went seriously wrong (she's rescued by a kind stranger and sleeps under the bed, with a knife in one hand and a roll of money in the other - if that doesn't scream psychological damage, I don't know what does).
After the Last Dance follows Rose in the contemporary as she becomes increasingly ill from cancer and there is a certain bond between Rose and Jane (perhaps because of their shared history - though neither knows that about each other). You suspect Rose scares Jane because Rose see's through her bullshit; likewise Jane probably reminds Rose of a time when she was young and undamaged and then having to grow up too quickly to protect yourself. I don't know - amateur psychologist interpretation.
This book actually had me crying on the commute home from work (secretly trying to hide the tears from all others) whilst wanting to say "Whywhywhywhywhywhy!!"). Anything that can pull on my heartstrings enough to do that, must be a good book by my calculation.
I'd recommend this 1000%. The only reason for 4.5 stars rather than a full 5 is that it felt a teeny bit rushed. We got two stories crammed into one book - we could've had Rose's story in it's entirety (one I'm very interested in) with the flashbacks included. Instead we had half of Rose's story and half of Jane's - still a fantastic combination but ultimately it missed out on the opportunity for a grander scale of story, whic I've no doubt Manning is capable of.
I love Sarra Manning's books. There I've said it, whew, relief to get that off my chest. I fell in love with her writing when I read 'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' (Neeve and Max 4ever). There was something about her writing that was accessible yet not cheesy.
After the Last Dance introduces us to two main female characters: Rose, a young teenager in mid-World War II Britain and Jane, a 00's woman who's spent her life running away. The two characters meet as Jane impulsively marries Leo, a fucntioning alcoholic/drug addict still trying to recapture the glory days that never came, who happens to be Rose's great newphew.
Rose's story follows her moving to London and becoming a member of Rainbow Corner, a dance club provided by the American Red Cross for GI's to enjoy whilst they were posted in Britain for the war. What follows is Rose's story as she becomes a young woman, hurt by the men supposedly protecting her and finding protection in the form of her three friends, Sylvia, Maggie and Phyllis. One of the most heartbreaking scenes in this book contains all four in, perhaps, an inevitable conclusion.
Jane doesn't come across as sympathetic a character as Rose does. Perhaps because we learn about Rose's history throughout the book through switching narratives. I didn't find this confusing as the portions of Rose's story were clearly labelled and seemed to run smoothly together, despite the breaks. Jane, however, all we learn is that she needs to get married before she's 27, she's spent her life running away from something and towards money (she leaves her ex-fiancee because a multi-million deal falls through) and insists on calling everyone 'darling'. It isn't until the very end (I'm talking epilogue ending) that we finally learn why Jane ran away. We're delivered hints throughout the book that show something, somewhere went seriously wrong (she's rescued by a kind stranger and sleeps under the bed, with a knife in one hand and a roll of money in the other - if that doesn't scream psychological damage, I don't know what does).
After the Last Dance follows Rose in the contemporary as she becomes increasingly ill from cancer and there is a certain bond between Rose and Jane (perhaps because of their shared history - though neither knows that about each other). You suspect Rose scares Jane because Rose see's through her bullshit; likewise Jane probably reminds Rose of a time when she was young and undamaged and then having to grow up too quickly to protect yourself. I don't know - amateur psychologist interpretation.
This book actually had me crying on the commute home from work (secretly trying to hide the tears from all others) whilst wanting to say "Whywhywhywhywhywhy!!"). Anything that can pull on my heartstrings enough to do that, must be a good book by my calculation.
I'd recommend this 1000%. The only reason for 4.5 stars rather than a full 5 is that it felt a teeny bit rushed. We got two stories crammed into one book - we could've had Rose's story in it's entirety (one I'm very interested in) with the flashbacks included. Instead we had half of Rose's story and half of Jane's - still a fantastic combination but ultimately it missed out on the opportunity for a grander scale of story, whic I've no doubt Manning is capable of.
March 30, 2016
It's 1943 and as war rages on, teenage runaway Rose hops off a train at King's Cross, hoping the capital city will provide a far more exciting and glamorous life than the one she's left behind in Durham. Making her way towards Rainbow Corner, the famous dance hall run by the American Red Cross, Rose forges new friendships and falls in love for the first time. But Rose can't escape the war and the tragedies and heartbreak it brings.
Decades later, Jane bursts into a Vegas bar and ends up marrying the first man she sees. By marrying Leo, Jane is brought into the inner circle of the now old and frail Rose and they will both face up to the secrets of their past.
After The Last Dance is split between the war-ravaged 1940s and the present day and I was intrigued how the two female protagonists would be brought together. Rose is young and naive when she arrives in London but she also has a bolshiness that helps her survive those first few days as a stranger in a new, vibrant city. Fast forward to the present day and Rose is now a wealthy, powerful and often oppressive woman and I was intrigued by her change in circumstance and character. She'd transformed from a pleasure-seeking and hopeful girl into someone self-important and judgemental that I didn't like very much so I wanted to know why she had become so harsh and bitter. The other characters - newlyweds Jane and Leo - were also quite difficult to warm to at the beginning. Both are troubled and selfish but while Jane is superficial and money-orientated, there is obviously something dark lurking in her past that has caused her to behave the way she does and I was eager to keep reading to find out more.
I loved seeing the war years through Rose's eyes as she grows from a teenager to a young woman. Life with rationing and air-raids was harsh but Rose finds solace in Rainbow Corner, which is fun and glamorous and a world away from war-weary London. I'd never heard of Rainbow Corner before but the dance hall really came alive on the pages for me. I was fascinated by the jubilant home from home for the American soldiers and I could see why Rose would find herself drawn to it. Rainbow Corner is where Rose really starts to come alive and where she meets the people who will really shape her life and her future.
There is a lot packed within the pages of After The Last Dance, from a coming-of-age story to an emotional rollercoaster tale of family, friendship and love. The two women's stories are perfectly woven together and although I thought the start was slow, I ended up intently trying to find out what happened to both Rose and Jane to bring them to their present day selves.
Decades later, Jane bursts into a Vegas bar and ends up marrying the first man she sees. By marrying Leo, Jane is brought into the inner circle of the now old and frail Rose and they will both face up to the secrets of their past.
After The Last Dance is split between the war-ravaged 1940s and the present day and I was intrigued how the two female protagonists would be brought together. Rose is young and naive when she arrives in London but she also has a bolshiness that helps her survive those first few days as a stranger in a new, vibrant city. Fast forward to the present day and Rose is now a wealthy, powerful and often oppressive woman and I was intrigued by her change in circumstance and character. She'd transformed from a pleasure-seeking and hopeful girl into someone self-important and judgemental that I didn't like very much so I wanted to know why she had become so harsh and bitter. The other characters - newlyweds Jane and Leo - were also quite difficult to warm to at the beginning. Both are troubled and selfish but while Jane is superficial and money-orientated, there is obviously something dark lurking in her past that has caused her to behave the way she does and I was eager to keep reading to find out more.
I loved seeing the war years through Rose's eyes as she grows from a teenager to a young woman. Life with rationing and air-raids was harsh but Rose finds solace in Rainbow Corner, which is fun and glamorous and a world away from war-weary London. I'd never heard of Rainbow Corner before but the dance hall really came alive on the pages for me. I was fascinated by the jubilant home from home for the American soldiers and I could see why Rose would find herself drawn to it. Rainbow Corner is where Rose really starts to come alive and where she meets the people who will really shape her life and her future.
There is a lot packed within the pages of After The Last Dance, from a coming-of-age story to an emotional rollercoaster tale of family, friendship and love. The two women's stories are perfectly woven together and although I thought the start was slow, I ended up intently trying to find out what happened to both Rose and Jane to bring them to their present day selves.
June 1, 2016
http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2016/0...
The prologue in September 1943 introduces us to an underage Rose arriving in London at King's Cross station. Rebelling, she's run away from her family home in Durham and is looking for Rainbow Corner. September 2003 introduces us to Jane also arriving in London at King's Cross station but in a much different state ...
Narrated in alternating timelines, we experience Rose's life as she lives through war torn London although in Rainbow Corner it's not all dancing, donuts and Coca Cola. There's heartache with friendships and romance ... I loved the camaraderie she has with her group of friends. Very different personalities but all drawn together through Rainbow Corner. In the present day we get to know Jane and Leo and once they arrive in London and stay with Rose, emotions get very tangled for them all.
I always think an author has a gift in making their readers have feelings for their characters. Even more so when the author can change your mind about a character ... I didn't like Jane at all, however, through her relationship with Leo and the unfolding honesty, I saw her becoming more human, approachable and loving. For me she changed into a strong woman who faced reality and wasn't afraid to go to places emotionally that others would. We see Leo change as well. Always in the shadow of his younger brother he has a huge chip on his shoulder. This is a couple that I never thought would work so I was intrigued to see how it would play out. I enjoyed knowing Rose in the 1940's and again in present day. It took me a while to get used to the changes from that risk taking, fun loving young girl to the straight backed and authoritative older woman in the present day. I would love to have known her after the war ended too.
The story flowed and switching between timelines was seamless. Often in a dual timeline I enjoy the historical aspect more but in After the Last Dance, I enjoyed both equally, probably because Rose links them both. It was interesting to be a part of Rose's life and experience Rainbow Corner and the war - so much emotion when the doors were shut for the final time! She also has a powerfully emotional role to play in present day.
I found After the Last Dance to be quite a dark read on the whole. Emotive issues are dealt with sensitively and with reality. One to add to your wishlists.
I would like to thank the publishers for approval via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The prologue in September 1943 introduces us to an underage Rose arriving in London at King's Cross station. Rebelling, she's run away from her family home in Durham and is looking for Rainbow Corner. September 2003 introduces us to Jane also arriving in London at King's Cross station but in a much different state ...
Narrated in alternating timelines, we experience Rose's life as she lives through war torn London although in Rainbow Corner it's not all dancing, donuts and Coca Cola. There's heartache with friendships and romance ... I loved the camaraderie she has with her group of friends. Very different personalities but all drawn together through Rainbow Corner. In the present day we get to know Jane and Leo and once they arrive in London and stay with Rose, emotions get very tangled for them all.
I always think an author has a gift in making their readers have feelings for their characters. Even more so when the author can change your mind about a character ... I didn't like Jane at all, however, through her relationship with Leo and the unfolding honesty, I saw her becoming more human, approachable and loving. For me she changed into a strong woman who faced reality and wasn't afraid to go to places emotionally that others would. We see Leo change as well. Always in the shadow of his younger brother he has a huge chip on his shoulder. This is a couple that I never thought would work so I was intrigued to see how it would play out. I enjoyed knowing Rose in the 1940's and again in present day. It took me a while to get used to the changes from that risk taking, fun loving young girl to the straight backed and authoritative older woman in the present day. I would love to have known her after the war ended too.
The story flowed and switching between timelines was seamless. Often in a dual timeline I enjoy the historical aspect more but in After the Last Dance, I enjoyed both equally, probably because Rose links them both. It was interesting to be a part of Rose's life and experience Rainbow Corner and the war - so much emotion when the doors were shut for the final time! She also has a powerfully emotional role to play in present day.
I found After the Last Dance to be quite a dark read on the whole. Emotive issues are dealt with sensitively and with reality. One to add to your wishlists.
I would like to thank the publishers for approval via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2016
I still love Sarra's writing, but I'm not sure the format for this novel worked for me. I was more interested in reading about Rose's life, and didn't care much about the mystery of Jane and her encounter with Leo. It's almost as though these are two very separate stories and don't fit together properly.
June 28, 2016
‘You can rise above being fucked up. It’s a matter of applying yourself.’
August 31, 2017
Loved this book from Sarra Manning. A great atmosphere and adored Rose and her storyline. Moving, intriguing and wonderfully descriptive. Would definitely read more from this author.
March 23, 2016
After the Last Dance is the first book I have read from the literary editor of Red magazine, Sarra Manning. She has written young adult novels and this is her fifth for adults and her first foray into historical fiction. I always have a sense of trepidation when venturing into a book from an author who has previously written in a very different genre. Historical fiction with the time slip element is one of my favourite genres and I hate to see it not done well. For it to work both sides of the story have to grab me from the beginning and keep me enthralled. Unfortunately that's not what happened here and I was disappointed as I had heard such good things about this book and had being looking forward to it. If I was to stand back and really reflect on the book in my opinion it read like two separate novels that didn't gel together very well. I found myself struggling through the modern day sections but galloping through the parts set back during the war years. Both pieces of the story did read well enough on their own and could have been two separate books and I think that's what was my main problem with the book, it didn't know what it wanted to be. It should have been either focusing on Jane and Leo in the present or instead a completely different book focusing on Rose and her experiences of the war. I could see what the author was trying to achieve but she didn't quite pull it off.
Comparisons are there right from the opening chapters between our two main female characters Jane and Rose although their stories are told sixty years apart. Two young women arriving at Kings Cross station both escaping from different situations but equally determined to establish a new future for themselves, although the means by which they have achieved this are vastly different. We then move back and forth between present day London and the London of World War Two. Rose arrives in the city during the war fresh from the rural town of Durham. She wants adventure and excitement not to be shipped off by her parents to join the Land Girls once her exams are over so she does what she wants and flees to London. On arrival she meets an American GI who takes her to the most wonderful place Rainbow Corner - a place set up by the American Red Cross for their soldiers to relax and engage in some fun, dancing and meet some girls during their leave. Rose is transfixed by Rainbow Corner and is sure this is where she wants to be, at the centre of everything. She soon finds a dull job in a café by day and by night enjoys the delights Rainbow Corner has to offer. She makes friends with Sylvia, Maggie and Phyllis and together the girls enjoy the ups and downs of city life during the war.
They experience the hardships of not having everything you want and the everyday fear living inside you of bombs falling and of death and destruction. Rainbow Corner takes Rose's mind off everything and she begins to enjoy her new life. 'When she was dancing,the horrors of Rose's new life - the hunger, the fear of being dragged back to her old life and the terrible retribution that awaited all receded'. I absolutely loved all the parts of the novel set during the war. I had never heard of Rainbow Corner and this brought a fresh slant to a World War Two novel as it focused on one specific aspect instead of the wider picture ongoing at the time.
Initially Rose was naive and clueless but she soon became aware that she had to be tough to survive in a city where everyone was trying to look after themselves during such difficult times. I found myself wanting to get back to Rose's story more so than the present day chapters even if we are meeting Rose as an older woman. When the connection between Leo and Rose is established the book took on a different tone and Rose appeared as a totally different character from what I had been reading. We meet her at the tail end of her life and she is rich and successful in her chosen profession. I was eager to see how this had all come about.
As for the other female character in this book Jane well yes there are comparisons with Rose in the fact that they both arrive in London and both don't have an easy life. But really I much preferred Rose. Our first encounter with Jane is when she walks into a Las Vegas bar in a wedding dress and sits on a stool next to Leo where they proceed to get rip roaringly drunk. So much so that it culminates in their marriage in a wedding chapel 'Two bruised people looking for a little comfort, some kind of distraction, and they'd found it with each other'. Jane's story seemed so far fetched but it turned out to be fact and not fiction. She seemed like such a gold digger and a scam artist although what Leo could offer didn't seem apparent at first. Once she finds out more she got her claws into him and he seemed powerless to wise up to what she was up to and get rid of her. 'You are not a bad person she said out loud. Bad things have happened to you, they've turned you into what you are.It's not your fault'. Despite this Jane was not not a character that appealed to me at all. When Leo and Rose venture to London upon hearing news that his great aunt is ill I had hoped the modern day sections of the book would be more distinctive but sadly they were drawn out and the couple still didn't warrant any sympathy for me. Jane figures things out and she uses them to her advantage but when a face from her past reappears is everything she worked for about to be exposed? Will her secrets come rushing out and cause unforeseen damage?
How could anyone warm to either Jane or Leo? Both such selfish, self absorbed people which probably makes them perfect for each other. I know they go through changes during the course of the novel and by the end we are supposed to think they are reformed characters but my initial introduction and opinions about them were very hard to alter. Leo was lost and obviously stuck in his life of self medicating and abuse and travelling the world acquiring and dropping random women along the way. Jane was ruthless and hardened by her past experiences of which hints are alluded to throughout the novel. We see a vague softer side of her underneath that tough outer shell. Yet still I didn't like her at all. Some would call her actions ambitious but in my mind they were ambitious for all the wrong reasons. She wants to better herself and will knock down anyone that stands in the way of that process. She couldn't care less who she destroys and rips apart in her path. She does show some compassion towards Rose and the choice she is faced with is one no one ever wishes they have to make but still I really couldn't warm to her at all. Money and superiority are her ultimate goal and she will do whatever it takes to achieve her aim forgetting the consequences and destruction she leaves in her wake. Yes we are meant to feel an ounce of sympathy towards Jane considering events in her past but really she was cold hearted and mercenary. The whole situation meeting and marrying Leo in Vegas within a few hours was like something from a bonkbuster novel and that was not the kind of read I was expecting from this novel. I do enjoy that genre of novel but prefer to read it from the likes of Victoria Fox. Does this kind of storyline have its place in a novel featuring a historical aspect? Truthfully it didn't sit well with me and I couldn't see where the author wanted to go with this book as the modern didn't mix well with the past. The past was far better written and detailed and in this respect the author nailed it.
After the Last Dance was definitely a mixed bag for me but I am glad I gave it a chance despite my misgivings regarding certain characters. I would read this for Rose's story alone and brush over the actions of Jane and Leo. I'd like to see what Sarra Manning writes next. Has this journey into historical fiction whet her appetite for a full length novel or will she return to the style of her last book? It will be interesting to see.
Comparisons are there right from the opening chapters between our two main female characters Jane and Rose although their stories are told sixty years apart. Two young women arriving at Kings Cross station both escaping from different situations but equally determined to establish a new future for themselves, although the means by which they have achieved this are vastly different. We then move back and forth between present day London and the London of World War Two. Rose arrives in the city during the war fresh from the rural town of Durham. She wants adventure and excitement not to be shipped off by her parents to join the Land Girls once her exams are over so she does what she wants and flees to London. On arrival she meets an American GI who takes her to the most wonderful place Rainbow Corner - a place set up by the American Red Cross for their soldiers to relax and engage in some fun, dancing and meet some girls during their leave. Rose is transfixed by Rainbow Corner and is sure this is where she wants to be, at the centre of everything. She soon finds a dull job in a café by day and by night enjoys the delights Rainbow Corner has to offer. She makes friends with Sylvia, Maggie and Phyllis and together the girls enjoy the ups and downs of city life during the war.
They experience the hardships of not having everything you want and the everyday fear living inside you of bombs falling and of death and destruction. Rainbow Corner takes Rose's mind off everything and she begins to enjoy her new life. 'When she was dancing,the horrors of Rose's new life - the hunger, the fear of being dragged back to her old life and the terrible retribution that awaited all receded'. I absolutely loved all the parts of the novel set during the war. I had never heard of Rainbow Corner and this brought a fresh slant to a World War Two novel as it focused on one specific aspect instead of the wider picture ongoing at the time.
Initially Rose was naive and clueless but she soon became aware that she had to be tough to survive in a city where everyone was trying to look after themselves during such difficult times. I found myself wanting to get back to Rose's story more so than the present day chapters even if we are meeting Rose as an older woman. When the connection between Leo and Rose is established the book took on a different tone and Rose appeared as a totally different character from what I had been reading. We meet her at the tail end of her life and she is rich and successful in her chosen profession. I was eager to see how this had all come about.
As for the other female character in this book Jane well yes there are comparisons with Rose in the fact that they both arrive in London and both don't have an easy life. But really I much preferred Rose. Our first encounter with Jane is when she walks into a Las Vegas bar in a wedding dress and sits on a stool next to Leo where they proceed to get rip roaringly drunk. So much so that it culminates in their marriage in a wedding chapel 'Two bruised people looking for a little comfort, some kind of distraction, and they'd found it with each other'. Jane's story seemed so far fetched but it turned out to be fact and not fiction. She seemed like such a gold digger and a scam artist although what Leo could offer didn't seem apparent at first. Once she finds out more she got her claws into him and he seemed powerless to wise up to what she was up to and get rid of her. 'You are not a bad person she said out loud. Bad things have happened to you, they've turned you into what you are.It's not your fault'. Despite this Jane was not not a character that appealed to me at all. When Leo and Rose venture to London upon hearing news that his great aunt is ill I had hoped the modern day sections of the book would be more distinctive but sadly they were drawn out and the couple still didn't warrant any sympathy for me. Jane figures things out and she uses them to her advantage but when a face from her past reappears is everything she worked for about to be exposed? Will her secrets come rushing out and cause unforeseen damage?
How could anyone warm to either Jane or Leo? Both such selfish, self absorbed people which probably makes them perfect for each other. I know they go through changes during the course of the novel and by the end we are supposed to think they are reformed characters but my initial introduction and opinions about them were very hard to alter. Leo was lost and obviously stuck in his life of self medicating and abuse and travelling the world acquiring and dropping random women along the way. Jane was ruthless and hardened by her past experiences of which hints are alluded to throughout the novel. We see a vague softer side of her underneath that tough outer shell. Yet still I didn't like her at all. Some would call her actions ambitious but in my mind they were ambitious for all the wrong reasons. She wants to better herself and will knock down anyone that stands in the way of that process. She couldn't care less who she destroys and rips apart in her path. She does show some compassion towards Rose and the choice she is faced with is one no one ever wishes they have to make but still I really couldn't warm to her at all. Money and superiority are her ultimate goal and she will do whatever it takes to achieve her aim forgetting the consequences and destruction she leaves in her wake. Yes we are meant to feel an ounce of sympathy towards Jane considering events in her past but really she was cold hearted and mercenary. The whole situation meeting and marrying Leo in Vegas within a few hours was like something from a bonkbuster novel and that was not the kind of read I was expecting from this novel. I do enjoy that genre of novel but prefer to read it from the likes of Victoria Fox. Does this kind of storyline have its place in a novel featuring a historical aspect? Truthfully it didn't sit well with me and I couldn't see where the author wanted to go with this book as the modern didn't mix well with the past. The past was far better written and detailed and in this respect the author nailed it.
After the Last Dance was definitely a mixed bag for me but I am glad I gave it a chance despite my misgivings regarding certain characters. I would read this for Rose's story alone and brush over the actions of Jane and Leo. I'd like to see what Sarra Manning writes next. Has this journey into historical fiction whet her appetite for a full length novel or will she return to the style of her last book? It will be interesting to see.
April 7, 2017
ABSOLUTELY EPIC!!
This won't be everyone's cup of tea (darling!) but hand on heart, this is the best audiobook I've listened to, to date. (of about 200!)
I truly laughed, cried (a lot) and held my breath as I listened. I was completely gripped from start to finish by this beautiful, heart breaking, heart wrenching, heart warming love story.
I don't even know if the author realizes just how great a book she's written - it would make such a terrific movie - I'm still choked up hours later after googling images of the real Rainbow Corner, never knowing that it had been there in real life, when I'd worked not that many streets away!!
Writing so seamlessly across two periods of time (WW2 and present day) can't have been easy and yet Sarra Manning blended the story so perfectly, especially by adding a crossover of some of Rose and Jane's spoken lines (oh my God, I loved that) that it became one epic, beautiful, brilliant story... perfection.
I must add that Imogen Church's FANTASTIC narration of so many characters has blown me away.
This won't be everyone's cup of tea (darling!) but hand on heart, this is the best audiobook I've listened to, to date. (of about 200!)
I truly laughed, cried (a lot) and held my breath as I listened. I was completely gripped from start to finish by this beautiful, heart breaking, heart wrenching, heart warming love story.
I don't even know if the author realizes just how great a book she's written - it would make such a terrific movie - I'm still choked up hours later after googling images of the real Rainbow Corner, never knowing that it had been there in real life, when I'd worked not that many streets away!!
Writing so seamlessly across two periods of time (WW2 and present day) can't have been easy and yet Sarra Manning blended the story so perfectly, especially by adding a crossover of some of Rose and Jane's spoken lines (oh my God, I loved that) that it became one epic, beautiful, brilliant story... perfection.
I must add that Imogen Church's FANTASTIC narration of so many characters has blown me away.
May 11, 2016
*4.5 stars*
Two seemingly completely different stories, one in the wartime London, the other modern Vegas, connected by Rose, a young girl in one, a formidable but ill old woman in the other. Young Rose was an interesting character. She also grew up to be pretty damn interesting too! But a 17 year old running away to London for adventure in the middle of the Blitz was quite ballsy. We meet modern Rose as her great nephew, Leo, runs back home after too many years away, with new wife in tow.
Rose was just incredible - if I can grow up to be like her, then I'm happy. From getting a job at Rainbow Corner and supporting the GI's and armed forces in London, to losing her heart, her friends and all sorts in the bombings, then gaining some perspective and some love back in helping house refugees. Then there's the adventures between the two narratives, her life with her love (who I won't name for spoilers), her booming real estate and art empire, her extended family.
Jane, on the other hand, took a while to warm up to. It was clear from the start that she was used to getting her way and used any sort of manipulation tactic to get it. Even in her head, she didn't open up about her past or how she got to where she is; she obviously didn't like to linger on her bad thoughts. But once we spent a bit more time with her, really got under her skin, you realised how damaged she was and how much she relied on her mask.
You all should know by now how much of a Manning fangirl I am, and even though this was adult and set out quite a bit differently to her other works, I still loved it. It had her classic story telling, her complex and plentiful characters, and a very well-researched historical half.
Two seemingly completely different stories, one in the wartime London, the other modern Vegas, connected by Rose, a young girl in one, a formidable but ill old woman in the other. Young Rose was an interesting character. She also grew up to be pretty damn interesting too! But a 17 year old running away to London for adventure in the middle of the Blitz was quite ballsy. We meet modern Rose as her great nephew, Leo, runs back home after too many years away, with new wife in tow.
Rose was just incredible - if I can grow up to be like her, then I'm happy. From getting a job at Rainbow Corner and supporting the GI's and armed forces in London, to losing her heart, her friends and all sorts in the bombings, then gaining some perspective and some love back in helping house refugees. Then there's the adventures between the two narratives, her life with her love (who I won't name for spoilers), her booming real estate and art empire, her extended family.
Jane, on the other hand, took a while to warm up to. It was clear from the start that she was used to getting her way and used any sort of manipulation tactic to get it. Even in her head, she didn't open up about her past or how she got to where she is; she obviously didn't like to linger on her bad thoughts. But once we spent a bit more time with her, really got under her skin, you realised how damaged she was and how much she relied on her mask.
You all should know by now how much of a Manning fangirl I am, and even though this was adult and set out quite a bit differently to her other works, I still loved it. It had her classic story telling, her complex and plentiful characters, and a very well-researched historical half.
August 16, 2017
After the Last Dance was a truly marvellous novel. I absolutely adored it. It was one of those books that I tend to buy on a whim, the cover grabbed me and I was looking for something to get lost in, which for me, usually requires some element of historical fiction.
With a dual timeline, I was delighted to find that both of the storylines were equally as engaging. Sometimes I struggle with the present day storyline in dual timeline novels, but in this case I found myself enjoying each character as much as the other while I immersed myself into the world of Rose, Leo and Jane.
Reading Rose's WWII story was like slipping back through time and some scenes were so vivid I could almost smell the air and hear the music and laughter as she danced around The Rainbow Room. The scene at the close of the war was particularly touching, one in which I almost felt a part of, the writing was so rich and vividly engaging. I must commend Sarra Manning on her creation of Jane, who was such a complex character, yet in the end, proved her worth on more than one occasion. Despite her checkered past and her steadfast belief that she wasn't worth loving, I found myself championing for her right the way through. And as for Leo, well I found Leo absolutely adorable, even when he was a waster, because there was always this glimmer about him, a sense that he was on the verge of tapping into his own inner greatness. He did not disappoint.
This was the first novel by Sarra Manning that I have read but it will certainly not be the last. She has such a natural way of telling a story and immersing you fully into the setting and lives of her characters. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy historical fiction set during the WWII era. You will not be disappointed!
With a dual timeline, I was delighted to find that both of the storylines were equally as engaging. Sometimes I struggle with the present day storyline in dual timeline novels, but in this case I found myself enjoying each character as much as the other while I immersed myself into the world of Rose, Leo and Jane.
Reading Rose's WWII story was like slipping back through time and some scenes were so vivid I could almost smell the air and hear the music and laughter as she danced around The Rainbow Room. The scene at the close of the war was particularly touching, one in which I almost felt a part of, the writing was so rich and vividly engaging. I must commend Sarra Manning on her creation of Jane, who was such a complex character, yet in the end, proved her worth on more than one occasion. Despite her checkered past and her steadfast belief that she wasn't worth loving, I found myself championing for her right the way through. And as for Leo, well I found Leo absolutely adorable, even when he was a waster, because there was always this glimmer about him, a sense that he was on the verge of tapping into his own inner greatness. He did not disappoint.
This was the first novel by Sarra Manning that I have read but it will certainly not be the last. She has such a natural way of telling a story and immersing you fully into the setting and lives of her characters. I highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy historical fiction set during the WWII era. You will not be disappointed!
September 16, 2017
met een zucht sla ik het boek dicht..mooi ontroerend alle emoties kom je tegen in dit boek.
Rose een lieve meid die haar ouderlijk huis ontvlucht om de spanning op te zoeken in londen...en die krijgt ze ..ze ontmoet drie meiden waar ze bij gaat wonen en brengen hun tijd door in Rainbow Corner...waar ze de oorlog op de dansvloer doorbrengt...
Verleden en heden wisselen zich af de jonge en de oude rose...in het heden is Rose erg ziek en dan ineens staat haar ontspoorde neef Leo op de stoep met zijn kersverse vrouw Jane.....Jane die in veel opzichten lijkt op Rose ook haar thuis ontvlucht en op zoek is naar geluk waarvan jane denkt dat geluk te vinden is als je maar veel geld hebt...en Leo zoekt het in drank en drugs tot afschuw van Rose....Leo probeert zijn leven te betere en ontpopt zich tot een emotionele lieve man..ik vond het jammer dat het boek uit is, je voelt alle emoties van zowel Leo Jane en Rose...erg mooi geschreven....
4 sterren van mij...
Rose een lieve meid die haar ouderlijk huis ontvlucht om de spanning op te zoeken in londen...en die krijgt ze ..ze ontmoet drie meiden waar ze bij gaat wonen en brengen hun tijd door in Rainbow Corner...waar ze de oorlog op de dansvloer doorbrengt...
Verleden en heden wisselen zich af de jonge en de oude rose...in het heden is Rose erg ziek en dan ineens staat haar ontspoorde neef Leo op de stoep met zijn kersverse vrouw Jane.....Jane die in veel opzichten lijkt op Rose ook haar thuis ontvlucht en op zoek is naar geluk waarvan jane denkt dat geluk te vinden is als je maar veel geld hebt...en Leo zoekt het in drank en drugs tot afschuw van Rose....Leo probeert zijn leven te betere en ontpopt zich tot een emotionele lieve man..ik vond het jammer dat het boek uit is, je voelt alle emoties van zowel Leo Jane en Rose...erg mooi geschreven....
4 sterren van mij...
August 17, 2016
It took a while for me to warm to the characters, but once I was invested in them I found them very compelling. The World War Two storyline felt a bit cliched (or perhaps overfamiliar) but overall this was an interesting story which neatly wove the two women's narratives together.
Read
January 7, 2016Disappointed; not as good as previous Manning books...slow and boring.
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