As the Waltz Was Ending

by Emma Macalik Butterworth

An autobiographical account of a young girl whose ballet career with the Vienna State Opera was interrupted by the invasion of the Nazis and who later had to fight for her life during the Russian occupation.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, World War II, Childrens, Historical, War, Young Adult Historical Fiction

187 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1984

Reviews

[Book Concierge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an autobiography / memoir of a young girl growing up in Vienna. The time span covers Emmy from about age six to seventeen. As a child she and her family had a lovely apartment and she enjoyed the city’s many parks and coffee shops where she would get a treat of a rich mocha topped with whipped cream and powdered sugar. Their home was filled with books and music, and she loved to dance. That love of dance led her to become a ballet student at the Vienna Opera’s Ballet School – a world-renowned venue and totally state-supported, but highly competitive. After her first performance, a tiny role as a doll brought to life, she was even more dedicated to training to become the prima ballerina she wanted to be. But she did not foresee how World War II would affect her, her family, and her country.

This memoir is written for a young adult audience. It is very interesting to see how the historic events unfold through the eyes of a child, and how seductive the opportunities promised by the Nazis (summer camps, nice uniforms, trips to Paris) were to the young students they recruited. As the war progresses, Emmy and the citizens of Vienna are subjected to rationing, deprivation and bombings. The book is rated as being for age 12 and older; there are some horrific experiences related here, (students forced to dig out burned and decaying bodies from rubble, assault by Russian soldiers, kidnapping and rape) so it may not be the best book for particularly sensitive youngsters.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh god, this made me cry so much. It was a little slow going at first but then definitely picked up, and was truly an enthralling read. It's so interesting to read a WWII story from a different POV to what I usually read. Emmy was a young girl in Vienna who was at first not really touched by the goings on in the late 30s/early 40s. When Hitler first came to Austria there were parades and the people of Vienna welcomed him, most believing this would end the Great Depression and help people find jobs. Emmy herself toyed with the idea of joining the BDM, mostly because of the holidays they seemed to offer. She didn't really understand - when countries fell, they were countries she'd never been to, it didn't affect her. She didn't know many Jewish people and I don't think really understood what was going on when the few she did know suddenly disappeared, and her parents didn't explain very much to her so all she really knew was that her father didn't like Hitler.

The book was as much about the war as it was her passion for ballet, and how when the bombs finally came to Austria, the clear path she had ahead of her was suddenly thrust into doubt. I wept a little as beautiful, old Vienna was bombed. Somehow this book, more than any other, showed how stupid and unfair all the fighting was. And poor, beautiful Sissy who should have been a ballerina. The last chapter or so, when the Russians came, was a shock to me - proving how little I knew about Austria's fate in WWII.

(Makes me want to track down this film too, to catch a glimpse of young Emmy in one of her extra roles!)

[Benjamin Clow · Rating 4 out of 5]

At least once a year I try and read a book totally out of my ballpark. (Why on earth are you reading that? Etc).
My choice for this year, at least so far, is this seemingly teen girl book on a ballerina in Vienna during ww2.

I really enjoyed this, although it's very harrowing and accurate. It took me halfway through the book to finally realise that this is autobiographical. The book starts off very comfy, with Vienna portrayed in all its romance and mystery. At first it seems like a simple coming of age story, but as ecah Chapter goes by, the real world crashes in, and by the final few chapters it becomes very adult and harrowing, and it took me quite by surprise.

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I understand it, the real life Emmy met the real life American soldier also known as W.E.B. Griffin, whom she later married. Although the marriage did not last forever, I hope there were some happy years for her after her wartime experience.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book, and it has to be one of the best historical non fiction books ive ever read. Emmey's story is so powerful and heartbreaking. LIke all the books about WW2, it was depressing that she actually went through all that and survived it. I was sad that none of her children folowed her in her love of dance, and that she didnt pursue her dream either. I also couldnt believe her father shot himself just 1 year after the war ended! Gosh, talk about a lot going on at once. I just wish Emmey stuck with dancing.

[Mazzou B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely love true World War II stories; especially autobiographies. This one is just a real look into the life of a young ballerina living in Vienna during the war. Not suitable for very young readers (brief mention of an actress and a man in her dressing room and brief account of raping), but can be easily edited by an older sibling or parent.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I could read over and over again. It has everything for me: The love of dance, friendship and the repercussions of war and how it impacts everyone. A must read.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

(trigger warning) Pretty sure this was the first book I read with any kind of sexual trauma content.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom always told me this was her favorite book, and I held off on it for so long. But COVID hit so I started reading it and OMG WHY DID I NOT MAKE MYSELF READ THIS SOONER!

[Rachel Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book probably at least a dozen times as a kid.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing this review it has been about 9 years since I actually read the book, but it still continues to stand out in my memory. Upon finishing this book (at age 12) I was a blithering, sobbing mess completely swept up by the story, the writing and the depth of these characters. To this day I still remember the images that scenes created in my mind, from Emmy’s white dress, her ballet teacher’s cane and even the heartbreak of her father during the war. My memory is not perfect and my 12 year old self was somewhat naive so some of the complexity of this story was lost on me, but even as I child I could understood so much of the emotion so entwined within this book (and it stood out so much more as it is based on autobiographical events that so align with some of my own family’s story in wartorn Europe). Even if this book reduces you to tears you cannot halt, you will not regret nor forget this amazing story!

[ananasparachute · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING. This is one of those classics that could be read over and over again by anyone from age 12-100.
I first read this book in Grade 8. It taught me a lot about WW2 experience through Emmy's eyes, who was a girl like I was. It helped me to see that many of the Austrian and German people did not join the military by choice or support Hitler, and many were brainwashed. As a 13 year old Canadian with a limited curriculum at the time, I wasn't aware of that.
Emmy's love of dance and the ballet are fascinating and genuine. The book is at turns funny, tragic, relatable and entirely believable. I wanted to keep reading and to know more about Emmy, and was enchanted by pre war Vienna..it is still a place I would love to go to.
One of the finest pieces of young adult literature I have read.

[Hannah S · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this novel I definitely would say that if you are like me and participate in dance or enjoy learning about dance this would be the book for you. It's based around a true story of a young girl named Emmy who lived in Vienna, Austria and had joined Corps de Ballet of Vienna State Opera. She lived through the Great depression which hit her and many of her close friends hard, put them in serious debt with little to no money or food. She also experienced Nazi invasion which brought many problems for her family and many close neighbors, such as the bombing to their homes which left them stranded without shelter as well as jobs. In conclusion I would definitely recommend this novel if you are into ballet/dance or history revolving around the Great depression and or Nazi invasion.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read about WWII and the experience of all who was part of it. The strength and determination to survive is inspiring to me. This book didn't disappoint in giving me another viewpoint of that time. I wish the author could have continued the story in more detail about how her life continued after the war instead of just putting the information in list form at the end. I tried to google her to see what she looks like, but no luck. I might try to read one of her husband's books - more WWII stories. :)

[Becky Colosimo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so descriptive and read so much like fiction that I actually forgot it was a memoir. The author was a girl in Vienna, studying ballet, when the Nazis took over Austria. It's a different point of view on WWII and its impact on a civilian teenager's life. Highly recommend.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside look at Nazi occupation that's aimed at the junior high level. It's easy to see why it's a favorite of many pre-teen/early teen readers, although I think the impact is lessened a bit if it's not your first exposure to the civilian atrocities of World War II.

[Adrienne Mendrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favorite book. I read it for the first time at 13 over 25 years ago. Now I can’t wait to pass it down to my daughter to read. If you ever have the opportunity to read this, please do. It is the epitome of human resilience.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few books I have read more than once.

[Shannon Balloon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and loved this book as a teen and loved it just as much as an adult. It’s a memoir.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received my original copy through the RIF (Reading is Fundamental) way back in 6th grade. I read and re-read that book so many times; one of my childhood favorites!

[Shana OkieCozyReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book in high school

[Bec · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a haunting story. Don't let your preteens read it, as there are some really disturbing parts. A beautiful depiction of the will to survive.

[Jane Roycroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still as good as I remembered it being

[Renee Helton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew Emma Butterworth....
She taught calligraphy to our senior class so that we could do our diplomas in calligraphy....
She was a one of a kind woman....

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a kid more times than I can remember and it has always stuck with me. I still have my very, very worn paperback.

[Tricia McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm leaving a 5 star review based solely on the fact that I LOVED this book when my 8th grade English teacher offered it to me as a book I would enjoy.

[Jacob Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting diary novelization mix. The story of a little Viennese girl who loves to dance. She finds joy and purpose in her dancing. As she grows the world pushes against the safe confines dance has created for her. A slow start, but a sobering tale of the joys and horrors humans are capable.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the Waltz Was Ending teeters somewhere between 3.5 and 4 stars.

I read this back in the 4th grade if you can believe that. One day I got the nostalgic bug to reread favorites from my childhood but I couldn't remember the name of this one! From the help of book reading Instagram friends, we uncovered the title and I immediately ordered it.

A real life autobiography of a young girl who dreams of being a ballerina while simultaneously having to live through the hardships of WWII. We grow with her from her very first dance lesson, to her first on stage performance, to investigating the Hitler Youth program, being captured by Nazi's, falling in love with an American paratrooper, to moving with them to the US.

Overall this story is fascinating and sad - like most WWII stories. After all of these years I could not remember how the story ended. I'm sorry to say that it doesn't really end on a positive note. She and her paratrooper end up divorced and she wrote this book. The hardships they endured are insane but it's definitely handled delicately enough for young readers.

I wanted this story to end with her back on the stage as a ballerina. Unfortunately, real life doesn't end up like fiction novels. While a great story, the first half is focused on her career in ballet and the later half is not. I love ballet so that was a tiny bit disappointing. Overall though, this is a great WWII story for young readers.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sad to say that I didn't really end up liking this book. The writing is good and the story is compelling in parts, but it ended rather abruptly and darkly - I was left kind of scratching my head, wondering what the point of all that was. It was interesting, though, learning more about ballet training and pre-World War II Vienna. There are some content issues in this book that would lead me to not recommend it to children or young teens (rape and sexual indiscretion discussed, but not in a lot of detail).

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this on the shelf (while shelf-checking) I couldn't believe I hadn't already read it. Ballet - check. Austria - check. World War II - check. All elements that usually mean I'll at least give a book a go, and this had all three!

Yet, despite perhaps one or two scenes seeming vaguely familiar, I'm fairly certain that I hadn't read this one before.

It was beautiful and sad and terrible. Realistic (it seems to me) in its portrayal of the ballet world, terrifying in the descriptions of Vienna at the end of the war, when the notorious Russian soldiers roamed the streets. I suppose the ending really makes it YA rather than children's lit, but still.

It's essentially a true story, as so many of these stories are. The author's story, their childhood in the war. It's a valid companion to Hans Peter Richter's I Was There and Judith Kerr's When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, and other stories of that ilk. Very glad that I stumbled across it.