The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner | Book Review
The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner
Genres: Historical Fiction, Womens Fiction
A heart-wrenching and unforgettable story of courage, friendship and resistance, inspired by the incredible true story of a Jewish ballroom dancer in Paris during WWII, perfect for fans of The Paris Library.
Paris, 1938. Annie Mayer arrives in France with dreams of becoming a ballerina. But when the war reaches Paris, she's forced to keep her Jewish heritage a secret. Then a fellow dancer offers her a lifeline: a ballroom partnership that gives her a new identity. Together, Annie and her partner captivate audiences across occupied Europe, using her newfound fame and alias to aid the Resistance.
New York, 2012. Miriam, haunted by her past, travels from London to New York to settle her great-aunt Esther’s estate. Among Esther’s belongings, she discovers notebooks detailing a secret family history and the story of a brave dancer who risked everything to help Jewish families during the war.
As Miriam uncovers Esther’s life in Europe, she realises the story has been left for her to finish. Grappling with loss and the possibility of new love, Miriam must find the strength to reconcile her past and embrace her future.
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my review
This was a beautifully written, deeply emotional, and utterly compelling story that showcased the strength and resilience of women. From the very first page, I was completely engrossed in the lives of Miriam and Annie, eagerly turning the pages while bracing myself for the emotional impact—especially as the story reached its heart-wrenching conclusion.
I loved how the past and present intertwined, with each revelation unfolding in a way that felt natural and powerful. While both storylines were captivating, I found myself particularly drawn to Annie’s journey. The tension, emotion, and vivid storytelling in her timeline had me on edge, my heart racing as events unfolded. The final moments left me completely shattered, with tears streaming down my face at the unexpected turns.
Beyond being a gripping dual-timeline novel, this book is a tribute to the strength, sacrifice, and determination of women throughout history. It is immersive, beautifully crafted, and deeply moving—a story I would highly recommend. I can’t wait to read more from Nicola in the future!
meet the author
About Nicola Rayner
Born in South Wales, Nicola Rayner is a novelist and dance writer based in London. She is the author of The Girl Before You, which was picked by the Observer as a debut to look out for in 2019, optioned for television and translated into multiple languages. Her second novel, You and Me, was published by Avon, HarperCollins, in 2020. In her day job as a journalist, Nicola has written about dance for almost two decades, cutting her teeth on the tango section of Time Out Buenos Aires. She edited the magazine Dance Today from 2010 to 2015 and worked as assistant editor of Dancing Times, the UK’s leading dance publication, from 2019 until 2022. She continues to dance everything from ballroom to breakdance, with varying degrees of finesse.
Sounds like one I will have to add to my must read list.
This sounds like an emotional read. My mom would love the green coat on the cover.
Thank you for your review, Rita! Sounds like a great read 🙂
This looks like a very enjoyable read. Thanks for sharing.