A Dancer in Wartime: One Girl's Journey From the Blitz to Sadler's Wells

by Gillian Lynne

Lynne, Gillian

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, World War II, Memoir

290 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2011

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best way of expressing my love for this book is that it's an eloquent and moving account of a life I'd love to live. If a dream is passionately mentored and disciplined it can come true.

[Megan Norred · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was a quick read and I enjoyed reading about Gillian Lynne’s life as a dancer. It was interesting reading about during WWII in Great Britain. I’m hoping to share this book with my niece one day.

[Macklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in a day. Couldn't put it down! A neat look at World War II from a different perspective.

[Ceri · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’re a fan of ballet, dancing or the theatre in general then this is a lovely insight into the life of a ballerina during WW2.

I enjoyed reading about Gillian’s start with dancing and how she progressed from various dance schools in order to end up with the prestigious Sadler’s Wells ballet company, however the war effort took a massive backstep in this book. Gillian led a very sheltered life (which she does admit) and did not seem to be affected much by the daily goings on and horrific happenings of war.

A nice little book but not much substance to it really!

[Londranomala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very touching story.
Maybe if you are a professional dancer, you appreciate it more as it is full of technical details and meticulous rehearsals descriptions.
On the other hand, it shows how passion can overcome every difficulty, even WW2.
I expected to also read about Gillian collaboration with sir Andrew Lloyd Webber but the story ends in 1946.
Can be highly inspirational and motivational though.

[Frances Gaudiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book about a young girl finding her way in the ballet profession. What is remarkable about it is that she danced through WW2, avoiding bombs, suffering through rationing and even going on tour on the continent while war still raged. The courage and dedication of the dancers is inspiring and it is lovely to hear her remember her company members with fondness.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gillian Lynne (dancer, choreographer) tells of her transition from provincial dancer to soloist at Sadlers Wells/Covent Garden from the 1930's to the post-war period. Interesting on her experiences with ENSA, and often touching, but strictly for the balletomanes!

[Rowlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight to the world of ballet during the second world war.

[LeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant—a must read for anyone truly passionate about performance. Lynn takes the reader theilough the challenge—and sacrifice—of staying fit and focused during WW2.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love books about history, ballet, and dancers but this was a tough read.
Ms. Lynne is tooting her own horn so often it distracts from the story and eventually becomes annoying.

[Meggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A dancer in a wartime" was a nice surprise for me. I wasn't expecting it to be truly interesting and i certainly haven't thought i could identify myself with Mrs Lynne. However, to my great surprise, it turned out I did. I'm not saying content of this book will satisfy everyone. I'm sure people who are or had ever been 'on a stage' or have been performing as an artist / performer ( no matter if as a dancer, musician, actor, etc.). These people should at least give it a go. Mrs Gillienne uses ballet terminology now and then, but for me who knows rather basics of ballet (and i definitely overestimate my knowledge) it didn't cause any trouble. The subtitle of this book is: "The touching true story of a young girl's journey from the Blitz to the Bright Lights" and... so it is about. A story of a girl who became a dancer, not a story about the dance. For me it was definitely worth reading book.

[Fluffychick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gillian Lynne (for me at least) is famous for her choreography of ALW musicals, particularly Phantom of the Opera (as my all time favourite musical!!) but I was pretty ignorant about her background and early dancing career. This autobiography charts her childhood and early ballet career at Sadler's Well through the war, taking in the tragic death of her mother, the trials of London in wartime and her nomadic existence between loving relatives and ballet schools.
I loved this book,it was a enthusiastic and loving tribute and Lynne's passion for the art form really come through. The famous names scattered throughout and the photographs used make it even more special. A must for all theatre and dance fans and I hope there's a follow up!

[Victoria Sigsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not many of the reviewers have rated this book with 5 stars.I find this surprising as I loved this book and found it unputdownable! I have to say that some people have been downright awful with their comments and without any constructive comments. I found this book easy to lose myself in and could go to sleep with thoughts of this book in my head. I also found it to be cosy even though it has some tragic aspects to it but I loved all the writing about the ballet productions. If you are a ballet or dance or theatre lover, you should hopefully find something to enjoy in it. It also shows how well the people managed to keep going through the terrible adversity of the war. This is currently my second book in my top three of the year.

[Stacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book started off great! Through the first half I couldn't put it down.

The second half moved too slowly. She gave too many details... I danced this part at this theater, then we went here and I danced this part at this theater. (Although, her humility shines through.) It ended on her 20th birthday... she's 90 (2016). I would have liked it more if she talked about her time in the Sadler Wells ballet and dancing as a part of the ENSA in more cursory terms and talked about how she became a choreographer. Her short biography on her website says she was, "...Britain's foremost exponent of Jazz Dance" I want to know why she left ballet and how was she introduced to jazz dance. There's so much of her amazing life that she didn't touch on. I would have just loved more!

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although not the best written book ever with rather a gushing style,this is a good read. Gillian tells an amazing story of persistence and resilience that many people could learn from. Who now would carry on dancing on a bad ankle? Who would dance all day on such a limited wartime diet? Gillian Lynne tells an uplifting tale of her hard work and success. I would love to read more about her subsequent career choreographing and directing some amazing musicals.

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd been looking forward to reading this but it was a big disappointment. Superficial, twee and irritating in its sugariness, I abandoned it after a few chapters. Life's too short and there are many other far, far superior memoirs of this period.

[Claire Joicey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a remarkable woman Gillian Lynne was, and this book just makes me even more sad that I never got to meet her! She was a true pioneer in the world of choreography, and she writes her story unapologetically but beautifully.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book but found the pace too slow and the details too abundant. It read a bit more like a diary than a story.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK! I could barely put it down. The style which it is written in is so nice to read.

[Zoe James-Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

great biography of a dancer through the second world war and the emergence on The Royal Ballet

[Andrea Lightfoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I was given last year as a Christmas present, fitting as I had recently got back into doing ballet, and I still find it interesting and inspiring.