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Dancing at the Victory Cafe
FROM THE ACCLAIMED AUTHOR OF THE LAST PEARL AND THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER , this is a beautiful and dramatic novel about family secrets, wartime betrayal and redemption.
When Isobel Morton takes over the café in Lichfield’s market square, she has big plans. Soon renamed The Victory Café, with a menu that delights despite rations, the girls who work at the Vic are swept away by Belle’s lust for life.
Among the regular customers is a trio of soldiers from the nearby American base and waitress Dorrie Goodman soon befriends them, learning about jazz and romance in the process. But the stifling morality of a Midlands town in the 40s cannot accommodate such a friendship; jealously, hatred and the weight of public disapproval combine to precipitate a tragedy.
It is not until many years after the war that friendship and reconciliation can begin to heal the wounds of the past …
Praise for Leah Fleming
'I enjoyed it enormously.It's a moving and compelling story about a lifetime's journey in search of the truth' RACHEL HORE
'A born storyteller' KATE ATKINSON
When Isobel Morton takes over the café in Lichfield’s market square, she has big plans. Soon renamed The Victory Café, with a menu that delights despite rations, the girls who work at the Vic are swept away by Belle’s lust for life.
Among the regular customers is a trio of soldiers from the nearby American base and waitress Dorrie Goodman soon befriends them, learning about jazz and romance in the process. But the stifling morality of a Midlands town in the 40s cannot accommodate such a friendship; jealously, hatred and the weight of public disapproval combine to precipitate a tragedy.
It is not until many years after the war that friendship and reconciliation can begin to heal the wounds of the past …
Praise for Leah Fleming
'I enjoyed it enormously.It's a moving and compelling story about a lifetime's journey in search of the truth' RACHEL HORE
'A born storyteller' KATE ATKINSON
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2016
12 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 2, 2017
It says at the beginning of this book that it's a reissue of her first novel and it shows. I've read other books by Leah Fleming and she definitely upped her game. However it's still a very good read.
The blurb on the back reads like the main character of the book is Belle Morton and even though she is a thread through the book it's mostly about Dorrie who works in the cafe for her. We follow all her ups and downs and she is the central character to the outcome of the story.
The first half of the book felt a bit rushed to me. It galloped along at a rate of knots. I was just catching my breath from one chapter and we were into the next on a different thread. I felt we didn't get to know people well enough who were central to the plot.
It ended too abruptly for me too. I was turning over to see what would be the outcome of the meeting ahead but that was it. End of story.
It also includes recipes from the story and a short story at the end which was enjoyable.
A very nice read.
The blurb on the back reads like the main character of the book is Belle Morton and even though she is a thread through the book it's mostly about Dorrie who works in the cafe for her. We follow all her ups and downs and she is the central character to the outcome of the story.
The first half of the book felt a bit rushed to me. It galloped along at a rate of knots. I was just catching my breath from one chapter and we were into the next on a different thread. I felt we didn't get to know people well enough who were central to the plot.
It ended too abruptly for me too. I was turning over to see what would be the outcome of the meeting ahead but that was it. End of story.
It also includes recipes from the story and a short story at the end which was enjoyable.
A very nice read.
July 6, 2017
This book held so much promise for me, I enjoy stories set during the second world war and I am familiar with Lichfield, where the story is located. Unfortunately it didn't live up to my hopes, I wasn't keen on the writing style and found it hard to get into. Luckily it's quite short, so I got through it quickly. The story is okay but could have been so much better.
November 3, 2019
I own this book so can read it anytime.
love this it was a gripping story line from the start, would read again,
love this it was a gripping story line from the start, would read again,
February 28, 2021
The first time that I have picked up a book by this author and a brilliant read that it was. I greatly enjoyed all of the characters in their own ways, and the journeys each of them makes while working away at the Victory cafe. you can feel all of their joys and pains, their wants and hopes.
but most of all, you can feel the way that they come together to cover the the GI's when they are threatened in the cafe, in the love between one of the girls and a a GI.
You see a blend of history and present times coming together, forming the truth which happened during the war years, the coming together of old friends for the sake of family.
Leah Fleming is an author that I enjoyed and is an author that I will most certainly pick up another book from.
but most of all, you can feel the way that they come together to cover the the GI's when they are threatened in the cafe, in the love between one of the girls and a a GI.
You see a blend of history and present times coming together, forming the truth which happened during the war years, the coming together of old friends for the sake of family.
Leah Fleming is an author that I enjoyed and is an author that I will most certainly pick up another book from.
April 9, 2019
This novel features wartime romance and tragedy set in the Victorian times which is an easy read. The book focuses on the lives of a few women who're part of the Victory cafe. Despite the lack of a fairytale happy ending, the events are realistic and believable.
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December 4, 20252,5 stars and that for the atmosphere and the descriptions of the vibes of WW2. Not any great shakes otherwise
August 23, 2019
I love historical stories of all time periods, really, so this was a good choice. It was originally written almost 25 years ago but reissued recently. The story is set in two time periods, the present day which I take to be 1995, and 1943.
In wartime Lichfield, Belle Morton manages The Victory Café and Dorrie Goodman is one of the waitresses. In 1943, Belle’s marriage breaks down and over 50 years later Dorrie gets in touch with her out of the blue, but why? What secrets does she want to reveal?
Though the story deals with food shortages, GIs, wartime romances, racism, family secrets and taboos, it’s not light and fluffy and handles some very serious topics that led to grief and pain through sheer ignorance. The friendships between the café waitresses and the GIs serve to explore these issues in an engaging way. The ending is a resolution rather than a typically happy ending, and the story makes you think.
In wartime Lichfield, Belle Morton manages The Victory Café and Dorrie Goodman is one of the waitresses. In 1943, Belle’s marriage breaks down and over 50 years later Dorrie gets in touch with her out of the blue, but why? What secrets does she want to reveal?
Though the story deals with food shortages, GIs, wartime romances, racism, family secrets and taboos, it’s not light and fluffy and handles some very serious topics that led to grief and pain through sheer ignorance. The friendships between the café waitresses and the GIs serve to explore these issues in an engaging way. The ending is a resolution rather than a typically happy ending, and the story makes you think.
January 14, 2017
It was okay. It didn't suck but I guess I was expecting another Fannie Flagg and it fell short. Something was missing but I can't say what. This review is lame.
November 24, 2017
For the most part I enjoyed this book although the ending felt rushed. A good picture of wartime rationing, relationships with American soldiers and racial attitudes. I would have liked to know more about Belle's mistake of a marriage, glossed over at the start and hardly mentioned again. I expected her to be the main character but Dorrie soon took over, with Belle's story only really re-emerging near the end. The 50 year jump between then and now, and what had happened in that time, could have been better handled and explained. As I said, this part felt much too rushed and (without giving the plot away) a little implausible.
January 27, 2025
The plot twist revealed at the end will appeal to some, but I found it contrived and totally unbelievable. Also, the "accents" and speech patterns given to some characters are really off and frankly embarrassing. And, if someone is a bad guy, then they have no redeeming qualities whatsoever. This is a fast read, there is romance, it's a WW2 home front setting (which is what drew me in). And one character is about the most clueless "rebel", then selfish hypocrite I have come across in fiction, and yet she is intended as a heroine of sorts. This is immature writing.
December 28, 2024
Very mixed about this novel, but overall disappointed.
The storyline was full of promise and good ideas, but I didn't like the delivery or writing style. Sometimes hard to follow. It also seemed very rushed at the end and dragged out at the beginning, so I think the balance was all wrong.
Not for me, but I think the basic storyline was very good, shame it didn't live up to what it could have been.
The storyline was full of promise and good ideas, but I didn't like the delivery or writing style. Sometimes hard to follow. It also seemed very rushed at the end and dragged out at the beginning, so I think the balance was all wrong.
Not for me, but I think the basic storyline was very good, shame it didn't live up to what it could have been.
March 22, 2017
I liked it, though it was a bit more gritty than the cover suggests. Actually quite sad & not a light bit of froth. It raised some interesting topics that I hadn't really thought of before. I thought Isobel had a bit of a character change towards the end of the book; namely her decision regarding Prin & the baby, which I struggled with, but overall, an interesting & thought provoking book. I don't think that's a spoiler...
September 20, 2023
This is a classic case of don't judge a book by the cover. You would be forgiven for thinking this was a sappy love story set at Christmas. However, it truth this book has a more tragic tale set during WWII. The pacing was a little slow to star and them seemed very rushed at the end. Overall I enjoyed the book.
January 23, 2020
Slightly predictable wartime romance set in Lichfield, England. Cafe owner Belle serves ration friendly dishes to civvys and army folk alike. Kitchen hand and waitress Dorrie falls in love and rebels her religious upbringing, singing and dating Lucky.
September 12, 2020
The premise had promise but the writing is so rushed and choppy. So many things are missed out or glossed over or just dangled and then ignored. It moves from one thing to the next without a connection or a flow. I tried to like it but didn't enjoy it.
March 24, 2018
A totally, beautifully written story.
July 29, 2018
Touching
Made me realise how do many people suffered in every during WW2. Broken hearts, food shortages and it went on for ever.
Made me realise how do many people suffered in every during WW2. Broken hearts, food shortages and it went on for ever.
December 30, 2018
Enjoyed this book, although not as much as I usually enjoy Leah Fleming's books. Was a nice little story although I didn't give it a strong rating as high as I normally do her books.
May 18, 2021
Throughly great read
Not one of my normal authors but really enjoyed reading this book. Tales of love, war & tears
Will lookout for more of Leah’s books
Not one of my normal authors but really enjoyed reading this book. Tales of love, war & tears
Will lookout for more of Leah’s books
January 5, 2024
I like it but it has no "boom" factor. It was written cleanly and it's easy to love.
March 5, 2017
This is an engaging story that captures the mood of the times. There is no romantic happy ending for any of the characters as they struggle with the changes that war brings and the small town spitefulness and morality of the 1940s. However, time and friendship is proved to be redemptive.
December 11, 2016
I found this book difficult to get into at the start however I stuck with it and enjoyed it. It is set in a small Cafe during WWII where the patrons are some of the American GI's who also happen to be coloured. This causes some racial tensions with the other GIs who prefer that both whites and coloureds should stay separated. This was a reflection of the 1940s and certainly something that would thankfully not be condoned today. The story looks at the lives of the cafe staff and how they interact with the Americans during this time. Eventually the story comes into more modern times and deals with the aftermath of War and relationships.
I enjoyed the story but I do think it ended a little bit abrupt and rushed but its well worth the read. I believe it is a first novel of Leah Fleming, who's later works are much easier to read.
I enjoyed the story but I do think it ended a little bit abrupt and rushed but its well worth the read. I believe it is a first novel of Leah Fleming, who's later works are much easier to read.
November 26, 2016
So I didn't rush with this book due to me spending all my time binge watching season 7 Gilmore girls ready for the release day! It's definitely your classic war time book with secrets and happenings which are all eventually revealed years later. although I did enjoy it, I just thought it did end very abruptly hence the 3 stars!
March 13, 2017
I kept reading as some elements worked for me, but overall I didn't engage with any of the characters. What worked for me were the war time phrases, recipes, and the feelings of uncertainty. Some things were entirely predictable- but that could be because I have read and seen a lot about this period.
July 24, 2017
Helene Wiggin explores everyday life in WWII England, both for military members and the people on the homefront. She uses the constraints of food rationing, religion and race and has her characters overcome them in a realistic manner. However, I simply wasn't engaged with her plot or the characters very much.
February 21, 2009
Belle Mortonbuys a tea-restaurant and transform it into the "Victory Cafe," to serve good food, even in the wartime. If I remember rightly, there are recipes scattered among the stories of employees, friends and lover.
December 18, 2016
I enjoyed this.
Very short book for a difficult subject & situation.
Liked the characters but felt like there was a book missing in between the beginning and the end!
Very short book for a difficult subject & situation.
Liked the characters but felt like there was a book missing in between the beginning and the end!
January 14, 2019
its a good book to read if your starting in to war time books
May 1, 2017
I found this book to be not quite as good as many of her previous books, the last third I enjoyed and was disappointed when I reached the end, I thought it could have gone on. I liked the cover of this book and found the recipes interesting at the end, I will have a go at baking some of them.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews