The Dance Teacher of Paris

by Suzanne Fortin

'But how will I look after them? Where can I hide them?' She looked up at me and didn't try to stop the tears from falling. 'I'm begging you. Please, save our children.'

Paris, 1942. As the Germans occupy the city she calls home, Adele Basset is determined to keep her pupils' spirits up. Their dance class offers a moment of solace in the dark days of occupation. But when the Germans demand the names of her Jewish students, Adele is spurred into action. She can't stand silent while they're taken from her.

Hiding her Jewish pupils in the school attic, Adele puts her life on the line in search of an escape.

Joining forces with her childhood friend, Manu, the pair gradually entangle themselves in the lives of the Nazi officers. Soon, their plan starts to take shape. They will do anything to help the children to safety. Even if it means paying the ultimate price to save innocent lives...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, World War II, Holocaust, Suspense

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 24, 2023

Reviews

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1942, the German’s occupy Paris and Adele and her father Gerard Basset manage to keep their small school open. Adele’s late mother was a ballerina, she taught both her daughters Adele and Lucille how to dance. Adele continues to hold her dance classes after school, it gives the children a chance to forget about the war and their empty bellies. The Germans demand she make a list of all the Jewish students, Adele has no choice and she’s determined to help the children and their mothers. Adele hides as many as she can in a concealed attic, she smuggles in food and tries to figure out a way of getting them safely out of Paris.

Manu Lafon is Adele’s childhood friend, he’s the curator of the art museum next door to the school and Adele has a crush on him. At a time when you can’t trust anyone, can she turn to Manu for help and together they have to take huge risks. They come up with a plan to get the Jewish children out of Paris, everything has to fall perfectly into place and it’s extremely dangerous. Adding to Adele’s worries, her sister Lucille has fallen in love with a German officer, Adele finds him repulsive and she can’t understand why Lucille can’t see that he’s leading her on. With him lurking around in the background, Adele’s feels vulnerable and she worries about him visiting the school.

The Dance Teacher of Paris has a dual timeline, it's set in Paris during the Second World War and later in 2015.

In 2015, Fleur Anders works as a lab technician in London, she was raised by her grandmother Lydia Calvin and her grandmother moved to Sussex after the war. Lydia doesn’t talk about her childhood growing up in France and she visits Paris every year in August. Lydia is in her early eighties, and it’s time for her to share her story and secrets with Fleur before it’s too late. Lydia asks Fleur to travel with her to Paris, she's keen to go and she has no idea what's going to be revealed and the people she will meet.

I received a copy of The Dance Teacher of Paris from NetGalley and Embla Books in exchange for an honest review. I have read and enjoyed two of Suzanne Fortin’s previous books, The Forgotten Life of Arthur Pettinger and Beyond A Broken Sky and her latest book is my favorite. The narrative is outstanding, and Ms. Fortin is the queen of dual timelines and it's easy to follow. A story about having the courage to stand up for what is right and the awful consequences of war, honor, courage, dedication, keeping secrets, loss, and being in love. Five stars from me, never feel guilty about surviving, be happy and keep on dancing for those who can't.

[Taury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a wonderful WW2 book The Dance Teacher of Paris by Suzanne Fortin. A dance teacher who hides jewish children out of Paris. Dual timeline that concentrates on 1942. But goes forward to a young girl with her grandmother driving the presence telling of the past.
The children hidden, then smuggled out…all the dangers. Including family. Sometimes you can’t trust anyone until you have to trust everyone.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely un-putdownable!
Wonderful WW2 historical fiction!
The setting is Paris, 1942. The Nazis are exercising their power at every opportunity, enforcing stricter and stricter laws upon the citizens. If you are a Jew, you live in constant fear of the Gestapo banging on your door. Many people have closed their eyes to the atrocities of the regime, out of fear for their own safety. Adele is a schoolteacher and loves teaching, especially her after-school dance class. It’s one of the few things that the children have to take joy in anymore. When the Gestapo threaten the Jewish students, Adele makes the decision to protect them, by any means necessary…
I actually teared up, reading about the sacrifices those brave people were willing to make in order to save innocent lives. This is a must-read for any historical fiction lover!
*I received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sad,as well as interesting. It brought home to me how many people suffered during WW2 especially the Jewish children who were rounded up and sent to camps without a second thought. It gave me shivers. I do enjoy Suzanne’s books and this was just another one added to my enjoyable list. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked The Dance Teacher of Paris. I know there are so many stories about saving Jews during WW2, but every one is so important. I know I can’t read them all, so when I come across suggestions for a book with a situation that’s new to me I am excited to read it. This one is about a ballet dance teacher, Adele, that helps some of her Jewish students flee from Paris to Switzerland.

Its different than others because Adele has to deal with both German soldiers and resistance in close relationships. Sometimes at the same time! It was very suspenseful and at times I hated to stop listening to so other things!

The story is told in a then and now format and the only thing I didn’t care for was the romance in the now timeline. But, that’s just me. I don’t usually like romances.

[linda hole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love love loved it ...

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

While the core story was powerful and engaging, the pacing issues and lackluster modern timeline held the book back from being truly great.

This book certainly had its moments of brilliance, but it ultimately left me with mixed feelings. The World War II storyline was captivating and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved how the school and dance studio became the heart of the story, symbolizing resilience and hope amidst so much darkness. The slow-burn love story between the main characters was also beautifully done, adding depth to the narrative without overshadowing the larger themes.

That said, I struggled with the present-day timeline. The granddaughter’s character felt frustrating, and her Grandmother’s story took far too long to unfold compared to the gripping pace of the WWII plotline. This imbalance made the modern storyline feel like an unnecessary distraction from the main event. Honestly, my opinion is that you could cut out the dual timeline all together and it would be a much more satisfying read.

As always with historical fiction, I came away having learned something new—this time about the harsh realities of anti-Jewish sentiments during the war, a heartbreaking reminder of how such prejudices still persist in today’s world.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What more could anyone ask for these children as the war in Europe raged on? The hour after school each day was an escape for them and for her after a long day teaching. Here at the classes, through the medium of dance, they could be anything and anywhere they wanted. Goodness knows, they deserved a little pleasure and respite the hour brought - they had already witnessed horrors children had no right to see.”

Suzanne Fortin’s latest book, The Dance Teacher of Paris, explores the pressures teachers felt under the Nazi regime. It’s a powerful homage to those educators who refused to let their belief in a compassionate world give way to hatred and extremism.

Alternating between Paris in 1942 and England in 2015, Fortin’s book enables readers to see how the past and the present inform each other. As I reached the vanishing point (where the timelines come together), I finally realized what the two stories had to do with each other. Fortin’s ability to (1) write equally compelling timelines and (2) keep me intrigued by sharing just enough facts to propel the story forward, was outstanding. Her transitions were beautifully choreographed. In addition to realizing the strength of the human spirit and the courage of ordinary people, readers are reminded about what it takes to be a great educator - a willingness to take the first step beyond their duty and make a life-changing impact.

I was hooked from the first page! As the options for Jewish children in Paris dwindled, Fortin ramped up the tension and I needed to see if the dance teacher could find a solution to keep her students safe. I’ll remember Manu and Adele’s story for quite some time because Fortin appealed to my emotions, placed me in the action, and quickly drew me in, enveloping me in a fantastic story.

As I turned the last page I was reminded of Maya Angelou’s wise statement about the influence I have on children. Adele Basset, the dance teacher of Paris, is holding out the torch. Take it and become intentional about how you make children feel.

Do you have a place of influence in a child’s life? If so, you’ll want to put this book on your 2023 reading list. I can’t think of a better book to kick start the year running alongside our quest to become better people in the next 365 days.

This five-star book will have a place in my top three historical fiction reads of 2022!

[Gophergirl58 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, a predictable story that was further blindsided by a modern day romance between Lydia’s granddaughter, Fleur, and a Frenchman named Didier. The now widely used dual storyline was split between Adele’s 1942 story and Lydia’s 2004 (is this right? Sorry, but the modern day story, IMO, mostly took away from Adele’s). Adele was hiding Jewish children and mothers in her dance studio, and Lydia, an 80 year old French woman who had married an Englishman, took her granddaughter, Fleur, to her annual pilgrimage to France in order to share her previously untold story so someone would finally know it; the operative word being FINALLY. It takes ok FOREVER for Lydia to tell her story so Fleur could begin a romance with Didier. 🙄 I was disappointed in the ending of the story, but I won’t divulge anything. What could have been a much better story, gripping, even, about the WWII parts, was ruined for me by the modern era storytelling way it was written. I’m ready to go back to my preferred Christian and/or clean books. While the F word was only said once, I just much prefer the cleaner stories, and especially those with a Christian message. Just MO.

[Bri C · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Fleur goes to Paris with her grandmother to learn the story from her past, she also discovers what she truly wants. A story told in 1942 and in 2015. The story of Adele trying to save some Jews by hiding them in her school, with the help of her friend Manu, under the nose of her sister who is seeing a German officer, is great. Rich storytelling full of a variety of characters. However the 2015 story of Fleur is not as engrossing, and you just want to get back to finding out what happened with Adele.

[Carolyn Scarcella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another beautiful book and it will stay with me for a long time. The book I’m reading is called “The Dance Teacher of Paris” written by Suzanne Fortin. This is the new author I am enjoying because I have been reading a lot about WW2. History that should not be forgotten. I don’t normally read a lot of dual timelines, but I loved this story. It was exciting, suspenseful, and had a bit of a love story included. The characters seemed so real. The story is about Adele and her father Basset runs their small school open to honour her late mother’s legacy who was a ballerina. Her late mother taught her and her sister Lucille how to dance. When the German arrives in France, the German went in their school to demand the names of Jewish students. Adele realised they are in danger. Manu is her childhood friend, he’s the curator of the art museum next door to the school and she has crush on him. In the present day, Fleur was raised by her grandmother Lydia. Fleur has agreed to go with her to Paris and she is helping her grandmother with old memories that are set to reveal many secrets. As a result, did they survive? You can decide.

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy. This book was so well researched and written. I was captivated by both timelines from the start and enjoyed this book immensely. I couldn't wait to get back reading it each time. This is the first book I've read from this author but I can't wait to read more ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Good story.
The secrecy of the grandma gets a bit annoying after a while. She wants to tell her story, but not yet, or just a tiny detail at a time... frustrating.

[Bev Walkling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was able to read this novel courtesy of Amazon Prime, and once I started it could barely put it down. While the story is fictional it reflects how difficult it was for those who lived through the second world war to tell their stories to family who had not experienced it themselves. It also details the difficulties faced by those living in Paris during 1942, especially the Jewish people and those who tried to help them.

Told in dual timeline, it moves seamlessly from 2015 to 1942. Lydia has visited Paris every year for fifty years to remember those she loved and lost. Recognizing that she may not have many years left, she decides it it time to share her story with her her grand-daughter Fleur, who lost her mother in a senseless car accident at the age of eight. Fleur has grown up without ever really moving past her loss and Lydia feels that by telling her own story, it may also help Fleur. They head to Paris and Lydia begins to share her story through visits to places that are of personal significance. When they arrive at the school Lydia used to attend, a ballet shoe hanging from the fence sends Lydia into shock. A local antique dealer in a nearby cafe seeing the situation introduces himself and offers assistance. He has his own ulterior motives which eventually become clear, but he becomes deeply involve in Lydia's sharing of her story.

In 1942, a young dance school teacher is horrified by what she sees happening around her in Paris as the Nazi's have taken control and begin to enact their hatred against the Jewish people. When the mother of one of her pupils abandons her child to Adele's care, she decides that she must do whatever she can to save the child. When she learns that there will be a round-up by the local police under German command, she tells the parents of her other Jewish children that they must leave their homes immediately. With nowhere to go, they end up back at the school where Adele hides them with the helpful of her lifelong friend Manu, who works at the neighbouring art museum. The story of how she helped them and the consequences to her and her family are very moving. I definitely shed some tears.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

My second read by this author, and another cosy wartime novel set in occupied Paris. I like the way this author writes, with fluidity and attention to detail. Some areas of the book are a little predictable, however there were several areas that I found myself on edge, so this was a good balance for this genre.

Adele is a dance teacher tasked with hiding her Jewish pupils safe from the local German soldiers. Navigating teaching, family and ensuring the safety of her charges is no mean feat. In 2015, Fleur is determined to help her elderly grandmother unlock the secrets to her past. As with the authors previous book that I enjoyed, I note that the author writes duel timelines well and with the appropriate amount of chapters devoted between the two.

I look forward to my third book by this author and hope she continues to write these kind of novels.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Suzanne Fortin novel — and definitely not my last!

I’m convinced this story needs to be made into a movie. And when it is, Manu absolutely must be played by Lucas Bravo (yes, Gabriel from Emily in Paris!).

But I digress…

Adele, a passionate dance teacher and fiercely loyal friend, finds herself torn between right and wrong as Nazi occupation takes hold of her beloved Paris. Determined to protect those she loves, she begins to quietly resist the injustices unfolding around her — especially those affecting her students and closest companions.

What makes Adele so compelling is her transformation. As the stakes rise, she discovers a strength she didn’t know she had — all while evil sits just across from her at the dinner table.

Told through two interwoven timelines, this story pulls you in with suspense, emotion, and just the right amount of intrigue.

[Kayla Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I knew that I was going to be hooked on this book and have a hard time putting it down. Suzanne Fortin has crafted a very compelling story showcasing the struggles of a school teacher and ballet teacher, Adele, as she navigates her way through living in Occupied Paris. This book is dual timeline setting that alternates between 1942 and 2015. One thing that really grabbed my attention from the beginning was it was not very obvious how both timelines were connected. It really drew me deeper into the story as I tried to figure out the connection, all the while falling in love with both timelines, their characters and their stories. The way Suzanne crafted each chapter and subtly blended them together to piece together puzzles of the story was very smoothly done.

This story shows the great lengths that many ordinary people of Occupied Paris went to in order to save Jewish people, especially children. This is a story of bravery, selflessness, determination, love, compassion, strength that is displayed by Adele and her co-conspirator Manu. They work together to craft a mastermind plan to help Jewish children escape from the school that was once a safe haven to them, but in a short time, became like a prison.

This is one of those books that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

[karla_bookishlife · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping and emotional read set in dual timelines of Nazi occupied Paris in 1942 and 2015 UK.
Adele is a dance teacher and is concerned when Nazi soldiers demand the names of her Jewish children. She cannot turn a blind eye when the children are at risk. She uses the attic space to conceal and feed the Jewish children until she can help them move safely out of Paris.
In 2015, in the UK, Fleur agrees to help her grandmother confront the past and horrific memories. They return to Paris and uncover secrets that have been hidden for decades. A beautiful story of love, compassion and confronting the past. A superb read. #thedanceteacherofParis #suzannefortin #embla

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dance Teacher of Paris is a wonderful well written dual time line, forming an intriguing story as you follow a Grandmothers journey sharing her untold past with her Granddaughter.
Paris in 1942, under Germany rule, we follow Adele Basset as she continues to try to bring some solace to her students during the darkest time. But when the Germans demand the names of Jewish students and start the roundups of Jewish families, she can’t just do nothing. Hiding her friends, Jewish pupils in the school attic she puts her life on the line. With the help of her long-time friend, Manu, they begin forming a plan to help those hidden to escape.
Suzanne Fortin captures the strength of ordinary people risking their lives for others. Along with the bravery, determination and courage while also sharing the beauty of love.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Embla Books as I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story

This is a story of strength and determination of a demure well raised teacher and daughter who hid her young students and their mothers, who were persecuted due to the AntiSemitism that was so much a part of Nazi Germany as well as the collaborators in the conquered countries. I loved the way the story was intertwined with the present and the past. I also loved how there were 2 love stories to be resolved one with Adele and Manu and one with Fleur and Didier. Delightfully written and a jewel of a story. Sad when it concluded but delightful that it had a good ending.

[Kristie Crossley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book, I have read several other books based on WWII, such as The Rose Code, The Nightingale and others. Whiles this was not what I would say was my favorite book about this time it does touch on the importance of much of the art work that was lost during the war to the German forces.

[Emily Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like historical fiction and sweet stories, but don’t want to read a 600 page book, this is for you! I definitely recommend. Really really sweet story of love, courage, & friendship. Super quick read, exciting from the beginning, & quality characters.

[Nicole Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this sweet story of a dance teacher willing to risk all to save her Jewish dance pupils. The book has danger, romance, & a little mystery. Another great WWII novel to add to my favorites!

[Mandi Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly slow start but caught my attention straight away. I have to say I much preferred the sections that were written in the past but overall a good, inspiring story, not badly written 😊

[Gail Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Beautifully written...

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

[Holly Hassler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story, well written, and I enjoyed every minute of it!

[Deirdre Yates · Rating 2 out of 5]

The historical element was interesting enough but the contemporary element didn’t appeal to me - Fleur and Didier’s falling for each other was just too cringy and predictable. Skim read plenty of it.

[Dawn Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommend

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Human Story About WWII

A great novel about a school teacher (dance ) who risked her life to save Jewish children in the attic at their school.
Trying to outwit a German officer,whom her sister was in love with,took a great deal of concentration.
Just another great find in my quest to read every WWII novel that I can.