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The Parisian Dancer
Based on a true story, this is an unforgettable novel about a brave woman and her heroic actions, which provided pure hope in a world of darkness.
Paris, 1939: Marek and Annette, who escaped from Poland following the pogroms against the Jews, lead a simple and happy life in France’s capital, together with their two young children. Their Christian neighbor, Helena, an immigrant from Italy who dances at the Folies Bergère nightclub for a living, develops a close relationship with the couple, at the center of which is a secret affair with Marek.
When the Nazis enter Paris, the family’s life, as well as Helena’s, is about to change. Marek embarks on a mission to arrange for his family’s escape but soon disappears without a trace. Annette realizes that time is not on her side, and surrenders her children to the protection of the Dubois family, owners of the neighborhood bakery.
As the Nazis strengthen their hold on the city of Paris, aided by French collaborators, the Dubois family becomes exceedingly more anxious of their situation, until finally, they turn to Helena and beg her to provide a safe home for the children. Bravely, and without hesitation, Helena fulfills her promise to protect her friends’ children at any cost.
But will the beautiful dancer be enough to save them from a terrible fate?
Paris, 1939: Marek and Annette, who escaped from Poland following the pogroms against the Jews, lead a simple and happy life in France’s capital, together with their two young children. Their Christian neighbor, Helena, an immigrant from Italy who dances at the Folies Bergère nightclub for a living, develops a close relationship with the couple, at the center of which is a secret affair with Marek.
When the Nazis enter Paris, the family’s life, as well as Helena’s, is about to change. Marek embarks on a mission to arrange for his family’s escape but soon disappears without a trace. Annette realizes that time is not on her side, and surrenders her children to the protection of the Dubois family, owners of the neighborhood bakery.
As the Nazis strengthen their hold on the city of Paris, aided by French collaborators, the Dubois family becomes exceedingly more anxious of their situation, until finally, they turn to Helena and beg her to provide a safe home for the children. Bravely, and without hesitation, Helena fulfills her promise to protect her friends’ children at any cost.
But will the beautiful dancer be enough to save them from a terrible fate?
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2021
1101 people are currently reading
937 people want to read
About the author
Doron Darmon
3 books9 followersDoron Darmon was born in Israel in December 1962. He is the youngest of 3 children to a family who ran away to Israel from the war for independence of Algeria in the 60’s.
His parents in their childhood, like the rest of the Jews in France in the 40’s, were persecuted by the French collaborators and the Nazis and were about to be deported to concentration camps in North Africa when they were rescued at the last minute by the allied forces.
Doron grew up in Kibbutz Regavim in the center of Israel. At the age of 24, he left Israel and traveled for three years in Europe and Africa, returning to Israel in 1987. Soon after his return, Doron got married and brought 5 children into the world and educated them to be the very best at what they love to do and to follow their dreams. Doron Studied at Ben Gurion University, where he received a B.Sc & M.Sc in Computer & Electrical Engineering. Later on, he became a personal triathlon coach and personal trainer. He participated in several Ironman competitions and ultramarathon races, events that gave him a new perspective on life, achieving goals, and coping with challenges. He is the father of an Olympian athlete who competed in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic triathlon.
His first novel, “The Parisian Dancer", is based on the true story of Marcel Ladenhiem and tells the story of a cabaret dancer who helped two brothers to survive the Holocaust in Paris in the Second World War. Today he writes books and serves as a cyber expert in the Israeli Cyber National Directive. He continues to coach people to achieve their goals and follow their dreams.
Author's Note:
In 2012, I accompanied my son, Ron Darmon, an aspiring athlete, to the World Triathlon Championship in London. During our stay, we visited a good friend, Patricia Zerah, who teaches Hebrew at a community center in London. In the course of an evening, Patricia told us the incredible life story of one of her pupils, Marcel Ladenheim, and his brother, who survived the Holocaust as young children in Paris. The conversation we held was moving, one of those events that sticks in your mind and doesn't let go, to the extent that I was imagining what they must have gone through, and the woman who saved them. Four years went by and life led me to spend nearly another four years writing the imaginary script I had envisioned about Marcel and his brother's life. The book was inspired by the true story and my own imagination. The hero of the story is based on Marcel, and the main character is based on Olga Masoli, a guardian angel, whom I have come to admire. Two weeks ago I had the honor of holding a Zoom conversation with Marcel, whom I hadn't met before. I discovered a unique man who even at the age of 82 continues to lecture and give the generations of the future, college students in England, insights about life, respect, accepting others, things that we see less of today. I invite you all to read his story, and to respect those heroes who survived to tell their stories and those who did not. You can read about their true story here:
lestemoins.fr/content/julius-ladenheim-0
His parents in their childhood, like the rest of the Jews in France in the 40’s, were persecuted by the French collaborators and the Nazis and were about to be deported to concentration camps in North Africa when they were rescued at the last minute by the allied forces.
Doron grew up in Kibbutz Regavim in the center of Israel. At the age of 24, he left Israel and traveled for three years in Europe and Africa, returning to Israel in 1987. Soon after his return, Doron got married and brought 5 children into the world and educated them to be the very best at what they love to do and to follow their dreams. Doron Studied at Ben Gurion University, where he received a B.Sc & M.Sc in Computer & Electrical Engineering. Later on, he became a personal triathlon coach and personal trainer. He participated in several Ironman competitions and ultramarathon races, events that gave him a new perspective on life, achieving goals, and coping with challenges. He is the father of an Olympian athlete who competed in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympic triathlon.
His first novel, “The Parisian Dancer", is based on the true story of Marcel Ladenhiem and tells the story of a cabaret dancer who helped two brothers to survive the Holocaust in Paris in the Second World War. Today he writes books and serves as a cyber expert in the Israeli Cyber National Directive. He continues to coach people to achieve their goals and follow their dreams.
Author's Note:
In 2012, I accompanied my son, Ron Darmon, an aspiring athlete, to the World Triathlon Championship in London. During our stay, we visited a good friend, Patricia Zerah, who teaches Hebrew at a community center in London. In the course of an evening, Patricia told us the incredible life story of one of her pupils, Marcel Ladenheim, and his brother, who survived the Holocaust as young children in Paris. The conversation we held was moving, one of those events that sticks in your mind and doesn't let go, to the extent that I was imagining what they must have gone through, and the woman who saved them. Four years went by and life led me to spend nearly another four years writing the imaginary script I had envisioned about Marcel and his brother's life. The book was inspired by the true story and my own imagination. The hero of the story is based on Marcel, and the main character is based on Olga Masoli, a guardian angel, whom I have come to admire. Two weeks ago I had the honor of holding a Zoom conversation with Marcel, whom I hadn't met before. I discovered a unique man who even at the age of 82 continues to lecture and give the generations of the future, college students in England, insights about life, respect, accepting others, things that we see less of today. I invite you all to read his story, and to respect those heroes who survived to tell their stories and those who did not. You can read about their true story here:
lestemoins.fr/content/julius-ladenheim-0
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
September 14, 2022
Don’t bother
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I looked forward to reading The Parisian Dancer. Unfortunately, the potentially interesting storyline was ruined by the simplistic and amateurish writing. The four and five star reviews are completely puzzling. I rarely give up on a book after only a few chapters, but this wasn’t worth the time or effort. Don’t be fooled by the four and five star reviews.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre and I looked forward to reading The Parisian Dancer. Unfortunately, the potentially interesting storyline was ruined by the simplistic and amateurish writing. The four and five star reviews are completely puzzling. I rarely give up on a book after only a few chapters, but this wasn’t worth the time or effort. Don’t be fooled by the four and five star reviews.
July 4, 2021
‘Wherever we give, we get; always be ready to give and help out – it comes back in the end’
Israeli author Doron Darmon earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering for Ben Gurion University and serves as a cyber expert in the Israeli Cyber National Directive. He also has been a triathlon coach, a personal trainer, and has been in Ironman and ultramarathon competitions. THE PARISIAN DANCER is his debut novel - based on a true story. Esther Frumkin translated it from the Hebrew.
In the opening pages of this fine novel the author manages to introduce many of the key elements that will blossom into his reflective novel: ‘The fragrances of summer morning in Paris of 1938, in the center of the Latin Quarter, were deceptive. The scent of boulangerie coffee with an endless array of butter and chocolate pastries, the market stalls, the flower sellers and the stair cleaners – people that only Paris could dream up. Marek wended his way up the stairs, suit jacket slug over his shoulders, stubble adorning his chin, and a Gitane cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. In one hand he held a paper bag full of pastries, and in the other a poster of the Folies Bergère – the most distinguished nightclub of Europe, its cabaret-dancing and showgirls drawing the who’s-who of Paris, along with the tourists visiting the City of Lights. He climbed the staircase of the building on Passage Brady until he reached the modest apartment where he lived with his wife Annette and their year old son, Olivier. They had arrived in Paris in the mid-1930s. In a daring move they emigrated from Poland…Shortly after they left, their families were attacked in the pogroms of the mid-1930s….what they had gone though in Poland would never happen here, in their new home…’
Magnetizing our interest in that entre, Doron condenses his story as follows: ‘Paris, 1939: Marek and Annette, who escaped from Poland following the pogroms against the Jews, lead a simple and happy life in France’s capital, together with their two young children. Their Christian neighbor, Helena, an immigrant from Italy who dances at the Folies Bergère nightclub for a living, develops a close relationship with the couple, at the center of which is a secret affair with Marek. When the Nazis enter Paris, the family’s life, as well as Helena’s, is about to change. Marek embarks on a mission to arrange for his family’s escape but soon disappears without a trace. Annette realizes that time is not on her side, and surrenders her children to the protection of the Dubois family, owners of the neighborhood bakery. As the Nazis strengthen their hold on the city of Paris, aided by French collaborators, the Dubois family becomes exceedingly more anxious of their situation, until finally, they turn to Helena and beg her to provide a safe home for the children. Bravely, and without hesitation, Helena fulfills her promise to protect her friends’ children at any cost. But will the beautiful dancer be enough to save them from a terrible fate?’
Amid the many books about the Holocaust, discovering a novel based on a true story, related with the finesse Darmon possesses is a refreshing treat. A well-paced, vivid, well-sculpted novel, this ranks as one of the finest novels of the genre.
Israeli author Doron Darmon earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering for Ben Gurion University and serves as a cyber expert in the Israeli Cyber National Directive. He also has been a triathlon coach, a personal trainer, and has been in Ironman and ultramarathon competitions. THE PARISIAN DANCER is his debut novel - based on a true story. Esther Frumkin translated it from the Hebrew.
In the opening pages of this fine novel the author manages to introduce many of the key elements that will blossom into his reflective novel: ‘The fragrances of summer morning in Paris of 1938, in the center of the Latin Quarter, were deceptive. The scent of boulangerie coffee with an endless array of butter and chocolate pastries, the market stalls, the flower sellers and the stair cleaners – people that only Paris could dream up. Marek wended his way up the stairs, suit jacket slug over his shoulders, stubble adorning his chin, and a Gitane cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. In one hand he held a paper bag full of pastries, and in the other a poster of the Folies Bergère – the most distinguished nightclub of Europe, its cabaret-dancing and showgirls drawing the who’s-who of Paris, along with the tourists visiting the City of Lights. He climbed the staircase of the building on Passage Brady until he reached the modest apartment where he lived with his wife Annette and their year old son, Olivier. They had arrived in Paris in the mid-1930s. In a daring move they emigrated from Poland…Shortly after they left, their families were attacked in the pogroms of the mid-1930s….what they had gone though in Poland would never happen here, in their new home…’
Magnetizing our interest in that entre, Doron condenses his story as follows: ‘Paris, 1939: Marek and Annette, who escaped from Poland following the pogroms against the Jews, lead a simple and happy life in France’s capital, together with their two young children. Their Christian neighbor, Helena, an immigrant from Italy who dances at the Folies Bergère nightclub for a living, develops a close relationship with the couple, at the center of which is a secret affair with Marek. When the Nazis enter Paris, the family’s life, as well as Helena’s, is about to change. Marek embarks on a mission to arrange for his family’s escape but soon disappears without a trace. Annette realizes that time is not on her side, and surrenders her children to the protection of the Dubois family, owners of the neighborhood bakery. As the Nazis strengthen their hold on the city of Paris, aided by French collaborators, the Dubois family becomes exceedingly more anxious of their situation, until finally, they turn to Helena and beg her to provide a safe home for the children. Bravely, and without hesitation, Helena fulfills her promise to protect her friends’ children at any cost. But will the beautiful dancer be enough to save them from a terrible fate?’
Amid the many books about the Holocaust, discovering a novel based on a true story, related with the finesse Darmon possesses is a refreshing treat. A well-paced, vivid, well-sculpted novel, this ranks as one of the finest novels of the genre.
November 3, 2021
This is my 43rd holocaust book; this is neither young nor adult book. I choose this book because the book cover is very colourful, and the title sounds good. Doron and his son Ron visit their good friend Patricia Zerah who teaches at the Hebrew community centre in 2012. She told her life story how she saved Marcel ladenhiem and his young brother through the holocaust. Doron found Marcel who he was lecturing in London at the time, and he meet Marcel who is 82 years old through Zoom. Doron publish his first and this novel this year in June 2021. Doron didn’t want to put their real name in the book, and it is still a true story. Doron did write a fascinating and a charming story that is impossible to put it down which I enjoy the story. It is very much connection felt and the wording that draws the depth into the story and the plot is interesting, original that filled with so many suspense and emotions. It makes me cry like the Nightingale, Sarah’s Key, and Storyteller. The story unfolds, the events where Marcel and his brother parents Marek and Annette escape from Poland to France in 1939 to live a simple and happy life with their young children. Their Christian Neighbors, name Helena, she’s cabaret dancer. She grew up in Italy to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress. She develops a close relationship with Annette and Marek. She had an affair with Marek at the time. Suddenly Marek realize Nazis enter France, he is worried for his family safety. He asked Helena to help him escape to England and makes a promise if things go wrong for him. She will look after Annette and the children. Once Annette and Helena learn Marek is missing. Annette had no choice to take children to the Dubois family, an owner bakery to look after them because she wasn’t well and couldn’t take care of her children. Dubois, the husband knew Helena to look after the children as the children loves Helena like their mother. She took them in.
October 4, 2021
good story, poor writing
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the love and family that was created during the terrors of WWII, but the writing, sentence structure and grammar made the story difficult to follow. The jump from post war to the adult Olivier was quite jarring. I felt like there was a lot more story to tell in those years.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the love and family that was created during the terrors of WWII, but the writing, sentence structure and grammar made the story difficult to follow. The jump from post war to the adult Olivier was quite jarring. I felt like there was a lot more story to tell in those years.
June 2, 2023
Hard to put down, tearjerker
An emotional read. I’ve read so many WW2 books in the last 5 years. At times the violence in this book was difficult to imagine, but so much hell endured in that time that I pushed through. Keeping history alive so hopefully it doesn’t repeat itself.
An emotional read. I’ve read so many WW2 books in the last 5 years. At times the violence in this book was difficult to imagine, but so much hell endured in that time that I pushed through. Keeping history alive so hopefully it doesn’t repeat itself.
June 11, 2023
I loved reading the first in this series. I had previously read the other books and loved the historical setting of the story. The horror of WWII and the brave individuals who survived while helping others remain mostly untold. We praise their courage and remember them as the best of humanity.
January 22, 2023
The story was good. Sad, though. I was not a fan of the writing.
November 15, 2025
The story is a good one but the writing is terrible. There is too much unnecessary dialogue and it doesn’t move the story along. I found the main character was often in a robe and then naked and was sexualised which didn’t do the real life story justice, it was more than a woman who worked as a dancer etc etc, this story could have been really great but the writing let it down. I liked that it was based on a true story.
August 4, 2024
[współpraca recenzencka]
Przyznam, że książkę tę czytałam stanowczo zbyt długo i mogłabym to zrobić szybciej. Jednak myślę, że był ku temu powód, mianowicie po pierwsze wydarzenia opisywane przez autora nie należą do łatwych. Po drugie to podejrzewam, że styl pisania również mógł się do tego przyczynić. Fabuła jest rozbudowana, mamy wielu bohaterów i wydarzeń, a to wszystko w tle II wojny światowej, a jednak stylizacja językowa hamuje bieg wydarzeń i sprawia, że całość trochę się wlecze. Jednak biorąc pod uwagę, że to debiut, to jestem w stanie przymknąć na to oko. Tym bardziej, że całość jest na swój sposób ujmująca. Postać Heleny, chociaż miejscami trochę idealizowana, to jednak sprawia, że chce się czytać dalej.
🇫🇷
„Paryska tancerka” to wzruszająca historia, którą można było inaczej ubrać w słowa. Ma jednak swoje momenty i bohaterów, dlatego w finalnym rozliczeniu nie żałuję, że ją przeczytałam. Helena i jej bezgraniczna miłość do dzieci zostanie w mojej pamięci przez jeszcze długi czas.
Przyznam, że książkę tę czytałam stanowczo zbyt długo i mogłabym to zrobić szybciej. Jednak myślę, że był ku temu powód, mianowicie po pierwsze wydarzenia opisywane przez autora nie należą do łatwych. Po drugie to podejrzewam, że styl pisania również mógł się do tego przyczynić. Fabuła jest rozbudowana, mamy wielu bohaterów i wydarzeń, a to wszystko w tle II wojny światowej, a jednak stylizacja językowa hamuje bieg wydarzeń i sprawia, że całość trochę się wlecze. Jednak biorąc pod uwagę, że to debiut, to jestem w stanie przymknąć na to oko. Tym bardziej, że całość jest na swój sposób ujmująca. Postać Heleny, chociaż miejscami trochę idealizowana, to jednak sprawia, że chce się czytać dalej.
🇫🇷
„Paryska tancerka” to wzruszająca historia, którą można było inaczej ubrać w słowa. Ma jednak swoje momenty i bohaterów, dlatego w finalnym rozliczeniu nie żałuję, że ją przeczytałam. Helena i jej bezgraniczna miłość do dzieci zostanie w mojej pamięci przez jeszcze długi czas.
Read
September 27, 2021Obviously no editing was done with this book. What a wonderful story that needed to be written by someone who could have told it with so much more warmth and character. I feel sad for the author with this review, but with a publisher and editing, it could have been a fantastic read. I only finished it to see what happened to the characters, especially the boys.
October 3, 2022
Poor editing
I have been reading several books this year about WW2. Historical fiction. Even though, at the end i was in tears, it was quite difficult to get through this book with all the formatting errors, including missing letters in some words. The person who edited this book needs a new profession.
I have been reading several books this year about WW2. Historical fiction. Even though, at the end i was in tears, it was quite difficult to get through this book with all the formatting errors, including missing letters in some words. The person who edited this book needs a new profession.
November 26, 2022
The Parisian Dancer (Kindle Edition) by Doron Darmon
This book is based on a true story.
Marek and Annette Oppenheimer escaped Poland in 1938. They had a young son, Olivier. Annette gives birth to Laurent while they are in Paris.
Helena Fotticelli is a dancer for the Folies Bergère - the lead dancer and star. She came from Italy trying to become an actress. She has to settle for being a dancer at a disreputable cabaret and all the consequences this brings to the job. She is Marek's neighbor. Even though Helena adores their children, she can't help but fall in love with Marek. They have a passionate love affair which stops as soon as the Germans take over Paris. Helena promises Marek that she will look after his family - no matter what.
Marek and Annette had saved money to escape the Germans. Helena - who had become the mistress of the leader of German invasion forces - Helmut Schmidt - arranges to get a pass for the Oppenheimer to flee Paris. Unfortunately, Matek is taken prisoner and shot before the family can escape. Annette disappears shortly after that. So it falls upon Helena to take care of the two children. As Maria, Helena's sister, arrives from Italy fleeing the fascists, Helena comes up with a plan: Olivier and Laurent are to become Maria's children and the two sisters will take care of them during the German occupation.
But will the beautiful dancer be enough to save them from a terrible fate?
The book is narrated from a universal point of view. Unfortunately, the writer is not adept with points of view and they change - sometimes from one paragraph to the next. It was a bit confusing. I also felt that the characters were two-dimensional. I never cared for them. The plot is not believable - too sappy at times.
The book reads in a day or two. I would not recommend it.
This book is based on a true story.
Marek and Annette Oppenheimer escaped Poland in 1938. They had a young son, Olivier. Annette gives birth to Laurent while they are in Paris.
Helena Fotticelli is a dancer for the Folies Bergère - the lead dancer and star. She came from Italy trying to become an actress. She has to settle for being a dancer at a disreputable cabaret and all the consequences this brings to the job. She is Marek's neighbor. Even though Helena adores their children, she can't help but fall in love with Marek. They have a passionate love affair which stops as soon as the Germans take over Paris. Helena promises Marek that she will look after his family - no matter what.
Marek and Annette had saved money to escape the Germans. Helena - who had become the mistress of the leader of German invasion forces - Helmut Schmidt - arranges to get a pass for the Oppenheimer to flee Paris. Unfortunately, Matek is taken prisoner and shot before the family can escape. Annette disappears shortly after that. So it falls upon Helena to take care of the two children. As Maria, Helena's sister, arrives from Italy fleeing the fascists, Helena comes up with a plan: Olivier and Laurent are to become Maria's children and the two sisters will take care of them during the German occupation.
But will the beautiful dancer be enough to save them from a terrible fate?
The book is narrated from a universal point of view. Unfortunately, the writer is not adept with points of view and they change - sometimes from one paragraph to the next. It was a bit confusing. I also felt that the characters were two-dimensional. I never cared for them. The plot is not believable - too sappy at times.
The book reads in a day or two. I would not recommend it.
October 10, 2022
The Parisian Dancer: A World War II historical novel: World War II Brave Women Fiction Book 1 was written by Doron Dorman. This novel takes place in Paris and revolves around an Italian dancer at the Folies Bergere and her involvement with a Jewish family who had come from Poland. Her courage and determination to fulfill a promise made to the parents to keep their sons safe at all costs shows the courage and determination that many Christians showed towards Jews during this horrific period of history. In order to save the sons, Helena became the escort and possession of one of the major leaders of the Nazi force in Paris. She and her sister together kept the boys alive and well while living under the egis of the Nazis and being viewed as collaborators by the French. Through their lives we relive the cruelty of the Nazis as they take over France and attempt to eradicate the entire Jewish population.
The book is compelling and makes you want to keep reading until you are finished even when it means staying up nearly all night. It may be fiction; but it reminds us that we are all humans and all deserve the best in life and for someone to fight for our right to get that. It reminds us of the vulnerability of children caught up in situations they do not understand and have no control over. It reminds us of the connections that families make to create families when they are not truly related to each other. Finally, it reminds us of the strong bonds of a mother and her child.
The book is compelling and makes you want to keep reading until you are finished even when it means staying up nearly all night. It may be fiction; but it reminds us that we are all humans and all deserve the best in life and for someone to fight for our right to get that. It reminds us of the vulnerability of children caught up in situations they do not understand and have no control over. It reminds us of the connections that families make to create families when they are not truly related to each other. Finally, it reminds us of the strong bonds of a mother and her child.
May 10, 2024
The Parisian Dancer by Doron Darmon is a World War II historical novel based on a true story. Paris, 1939. Helena Fotticelli is an aspiring stage actress in the bohemian quarter of Paris. Forced to flee her homeland, she dreams of stardom while dancing at the infamous Folies Bergère night club. She befriends Marek and Annette Oppenheimer, a young Jewish couple who live in the apartment above her, along with their two young sons. One day, Marek disappears and everything changes. Helena finds herself vowing to keep and protect the boys as if they were her own. As the Nazis strengthen their grip on Paris, she learns that even the best of intentions may not be enough to protect them. Will her promise cost her her life?
I thoroughly enjoy World War II stories. I was intrigued by the premise of The Parisian Dancer and looked forward to reading it as it appeared on my TBR list. However, the writing style was hard to get through, the story itself was dull and the characters were completely unlikeable. I particularly did not like Marek and Helena, especially Helena. She is supposedly risking her life to protect these young boys and yet, she really doesn’t. There were gaps in the timeline with little or no explanation. The alternating points of view were distracting and confusing. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I have read other World War II books that did a much better job with a similar premise. I do not recommend The Parisian Dancer.
The Parisian Dancer is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook
I thoroughly enjoy World War II stories. I was intrigued by the premise of The Parisian Dancer and looked forward to reading it as it appeared on my TBR list. However, the writing style was hard to get through, the story itself was dull and the characters were completely unlikeable. I particularly did not like Marek and Helena, especially Helena. She is supposedly risking her life to protect these young boys and yet, she really doesn’t. There were gaps in the timeline with little or no explanation. The alternating points of view were distracting and confusing. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I have read other World War II books that did a much better job with a similar premise. I do not recommend The Parisian Dancer.
The Parisian Dancer is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook
October 24, 2021
Tear filled conclusion
This story set in Paris before, during and after the second World War is poignant, believable and heart wrenching on practically every page!
A young Jewish couple settle in Paris, temporarily escaping the victimization of hatred for the Jews in their own country, by adopting the French culture and language. They have two sons. However, Annette, the woman, is not emotionally strong. Filled with fear as a result of war in Bolivia, their home county, she cannot survive without her husband. He is a very good man, husband and father to his two sons, but regrettably, he falls in love with Helena, their neighbour who does strip tease dancing at the Moulin Rouge. Her Italian devout parents had disowned her when she left home for a career in acting and dancing. Fortunately they never found out that she was the lead strip dancer.
When the children's parents are apparently killed during the German occupation of France, the dancer raises her lover's sons out of love for him, but also for them.
The risks she is compelled to take to save the lives of the two little Jewish boys is incredible!
Judged as a harlot collaborating with the Nazis, the truth was that she was forced to endure their many brutal seductions and menacing control in order to protect the boys.
Her sister too, was tortured to save the children. This story will stand out for me as unforgettable.
Congratulations to author Doron Darmon for a well-written very moving account.
This story set in Paris before, during and after the second World War is poignant, believable and heart wrenching on practically every page!
A young Jewish couple settle in Paris, temporarily escaping the victimization of hatred for the Jews in their own country, by adopting the French culture and language. They have two sons. However, Annette, the woman, is not emotionally strong. Filled with fear as a result of war in Bolivia, their home county, she cannot survive without her husband. He is a very good man, husband and father to his two sons, but regrettably, he falls in love with Helena, their neighbour who does strip tease dancing at the Moulin Rouge. Her Italian devout parents had disowned her when she left home for a career in acting and dancing. Fortunately they never found out that she was the lead strip dancer.
When the children's parents are apparently killed during the German occupation of France, the dancer raises her lover's sons out of love for him, but also for them.
The risks she is compelled to take to save the lives of the two little Jewish boys is incredible!
Judged as a harlot collaborating with the Nazis, the truth was that she was forced to endure their many brutal seductions and menacing control in order to protect the boys.
Her sister too, was tortured to save the children. This story will stand out for me as unforgettable.
Congratulations to author Doron Darmon for a well-written very moving account.
February 2, 2022
I don't read about the Holocaust anymore because I know too much about it. Someone described this book as charming and I cannot think of a worse description. It is gut-wrenching and heart-breaking and I suppose its simplistic style would be good for someone who does not know much about what happened during the Nazi occupation of Paris. It is better to read this than remain ignorant of what occurred. However, I think this book is VERY loosely connected to the truth and I think that is sad; the man involved no doubt had a haunting story to tell but too much was turned over to the imagination of the author. I suppose I just prefer more truth in my historical fiction. I'm thankful that someone survived to inspire this story, but too many did not survive to make it a "feel good" book as some have described it. We all bring different perspectives to what we read and how we react to it.
October 6, 2021
A heart wrenching story of a woman scorned for being an immigrant and for her profession and the sacrifices she makes to save the children of her Jewish neighbors during the German occupation of Paris. The atrocities committed by the German during WWII in Paris come alive as Helena struggles to keep her promise to Mereck, her neighbor and lover, to protect his family are unimaginable in today's society. Helena becomes mother and protector to Olivier and Laurient after their parents are captured by the German forces during the early days to German occupation of Paris. By sheer cunning and will Helena, forges a safe environment for both of the young boys and protects them from the vagaries of war and the madness of the Nazi machine. Be prepared to read the last 100 pages with a glass of wine and a box of kleenex.
August 31, 2024
Another WWII historical that certainly did not disappoint. A story of a woman who left her country of Italy because of the rumblings of war coming. She went to Paris, considering it safer. She becomes friends with her neighbor who have 2 young boys. When the Germans invaded, the family being Jewish, were afraid with no where to flee. Helena their neighbor promises them she will do all in her power to keep them safe. What unfolds is the Germans occupying Paris and Helena does everything in her power to protect the boys. The boys become her children who love her as their mother. She and the boys survive the war, but much more sorrow and hurt will wound this close knit family. It is a page turner and you do not know the outcome until the end. I even spilled a few tears.
October 4, 2021
It is so true that “you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors” and “what you see isn’t really what is going on”. This book is about a woman who does unimaginable things during WWII in order to save the lives of two little Jewish boys, children of her friends and neighbors. I couldn’t put it down! And, I wondered if I would be that brave if I were in her position.
I’m a huge fan of WWII books and feel that we should never forget what happened during the Holocaust. Reading these books remind me of how lucky I am to be living in the USA - my freedoms and my family are such treasures.
I highly recommend reading “the Parisian Dancer”
I’m a huge fan of WWII books and feel that we should never forget what happened during the Holocaust. Reading these books remind me of how lucky I am to be living in the USA - my freedoms and my family are such treasures.
I highly recommend reading “the Parisian Dancer”
August 18, 2023
I liked this story, but the writing wasn't my favorite.
Helena leaves Italy and moves to Paris todie the war and follow her dreams of being an actress. With little opportunities, Helena becomes a dancer at a high-end nightclub and works her way to lead dancer.
In her apartment building is a young family that she befriends. She is friendly with the wife, falls in love with the children, and has an affair with the husband.
Their relationship is what eventually leads to Helena taking in the children to hide them from the Nazis.
Helena faces seemingly endless hardships but always manages to survive and care for those around her
Helena leaves Italy and moves to Paris todie the war and follow her dreams of being an actress. With little opportunities, Helena becomes a dancer at a high-end nightclub and works her way to lead dancer.
In her apartment building is a young family that she befriends. She is friendly with the wife, falls in love with the children, and has an affair with the husband.
Their relationship is what eventually leads to Helena taking in the children to hide them from the Nazis.
Helena faces seemingly endless hardships but always manages to survive and care for those around her
October 4, 2021
I don't even know what to say about this book. For the first quarter of the book I hated it. It was awful. The dialog was stilted and the purpose sounded like a bad translation. I was only finishing it because I never don't finish something I started.
And then the storyline took over and raced with the book over the finish line. What a story! I was teary eyed at the end. I wish the book had included a bit about the real people behind the story.
So, if you can get through the beginning, it's a very compelling read.
And then the storyline took over and raced with the book over the finish line. What a story! I was teary eyed at the end. I wish the book had included a bit about the real people behind the story.
So, if you can get through the beginning, it's a very compelling read.
December 10, 2021
Less about the war and more of a love story
While still a good read, this book is less about WWII and more about a woman's love for two little Jewish boys left in her care. Her main goal is to save these little boys, yet she faces danger from both sides of the war. The disgusting Nazi commander who will let the boys stay with her if she becomes his plaything, and the French underground who only see her as a Nazi collaborator, and force her to provide them information on the commanders movements.
While still a good read, this book is less about WWII and more about a woman's love for two little Jewish boys left in her care. Her main goal is to save these little boys, yet she faces danger from both sides of the war. The disgusting Nazi commander who will let the boys stay with her if she becomes his plaything, and the French underground who only see her as a Nazi collaborator, and force her to provide them information on the commanders movements.
July 7, 2023
really good read
I love stories of the Nazi period and of those who fought for dignity and survival. This book does it wonderful fashion.
The story of a nightclub dancer maintaining herself and two young boys is riveting. I continued to think there was no way out. It showed a dancer whose main achievement was to rescue two children in the midst of of an occupation that made her a slave to a brutal Nazi officer. When the war ended I expected the book to conclude, but it continued beyond the war and beyond saving the children to an unexpected finish
Walter
I love stories of the Nazi period and of those who fought for dignity and survival. This book does it wonderful fashion.
The story of a nightclub dancer maintaining herself and two young boys is riveting. I continued to think there was no way out. It showed a dancer whose main achievement was to rescue two children in the midst of of an occupation that made her a slave to a brutal Nazi officer. When the war ended I expected the book to conclude, but it continued beyond the war and beyond saving the children to an unexpected finish
Walter
January 29, 2024
Story of contradictions
Helena, the heroine of this tale is a lovely Italian who has come to Paris to fulfill her dream of becoming a great actress. She befriends a young couple from Poland who have fled from the antisemitism that was a threat to their lives. She falls in love with their little fellow, Olivier, who calls her Nana. Then the War is declared and the world that they know is full of danger, death and separation. It is not until the end of the Nazi occupation that her strength and character shines. Be prepared for tears!
Helena, the heroine of this tale is a lovely Italian who has come to Paris to fulfill her dream of becoming a great actress. She befriends a young couple from Poland who have fled from the antisemitism that was a threat to their lives. She falls in love with their little fellow, Olivier, who calls her Nana. Then the War is declared and the world that they know is full of danger, death and separation. It is not until the end of the Nazi occupation that her strength and character shines. Be prepared for tears!
February 4, 2024
Had a hard time with the fact that even when she could leave, Helena stays to be with Marek and help his family. Understood that sex became a tool for using with the German officer. Couldn’t believe she couldn’t fall for the resistance leader who was willing to do so much for her. Also couldn’t believe she never went to London to check on the kids herself since she knew that the aunt was controlling especially when they became adults. Felt so bad for all Helena did to her sister and then the tragic ending for her family. The brutality of the Germans was scary.
October 22, 2024
a beautiful moving story
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m wiping tears from my eyes as I’ve just finished the story. It’s compelling as you follow Helena, through her struggles saving two boys from the horrors of WW11in Paris. So well written that you are wrapped up in the horrors of war, seeing the innocence, the love and the hate that is heartbreaking. It’s a story everyone should read and remember and hopefully do our best to make our world a better place.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’m wiping tears from my eyes as I’ve just finished the story. It’s compelling as you follow Helena, through her struggles saving two boys from the horrors of WW11in Paris. So well written that you are wrapped up in the horrors of war, seeing the innocence, the love and the hate that is heartbreaking. It’s a story everyone should read and remember and hopefully do our best to make our world a better place.
September 29, 2021
I actually read this whole book in one sitting, finishing at 3:00 this morning — not because the book was too good to put down, but because I couldn’t sleep. I was interested in the story, especially knowing it was based on true events. However, the writing was simplistic. The editing was poor, with incorrect words and poor punctuation.
I am not sure which parts of the story were true, but I think the events after the end of the war were poorly written.
I am not sure which parts of the story were true, but I think the events after the end of the war were poorly written.
September 30, 2021
Great story, if you can see through the translation and need for further editing.
Helena is a Parisian dancer who is the courtesan of a Nazi soldier Helmut. She rescues and cares for two young Jewish boys.
I finished the book because I wanted to know what happened to the characters but it was a difficult read with some graphic torture scenes. If you want a gritty historical novel, this is for you.
Helena is a Parisian dancer who is the courtesan of a Nazi soldier Helmut. She rescues and cares for two young Jewish boys.
I finished the book because I wanted to know what happened to the characters but it was a difficult read with some graphic torture scenes. If you want a gritty historical novel, this is for you.
October 12, 2021
A touching story
We read many stories about the horrors and atrocities of WW II. This one weaves the lives of a Jewish couple and their children and an Italian immigrant, all living in Paris at the outbreak of the war. We follow them through the war and thirty years beyond. I was engrossed in the story. I did find the dialogue to be choppy and often immature. Some need for editing has been overlooked. Even so, the book is worth reading.
We read many stories about the horrors and atrocities of WW II. This one weaves the lives of a Jewish couple and their children and an Italian immigrant, all living in Paris at the outbreak of the war. We follow them through the war and thirty years beyond. I was engrossed in the story. I did find the dialogue to be choppy and often immature. Some need for editing has been overlooked. Even so, the book is worth reading.
November 11, 2023
The Parisian Dancer.....this was a beautiful story of a young Italian woman who helped save 2 young Jewish boys. The layout of the book could have been a little better--there was no transition spacing between scenes of character and time. And towards the end, there came a point that was extremely frustrating in how a certain court order was not acted upon, thus creating a situation that did not need to happen.
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