Starring Adele Astaire: A Novel

STARRING ADELE ASTAIRE by Eliza Knight is an engaging historical fiction/biographical historical women’s fiction novel featuring dual narratives alternating between one half of the famous brother sister dancing duo of Fred and Adele Astaire and an up-and-coming London West End dancer with dreams of stardom. This story is a wonderful mix of historical fact and fiction that brings these two women and their era to life.Adele Astaire was the older sister of Fred Astaire and his first partner in dance, vaudeville, and theater productions. Adele was full of life and always laughing and endearing herself to audiences. While she loves the success and fame they have achieved, she also yearns for the life of a wife and mother.Violet Wood is from the poor West End of London and has forever been told her washerwoman mother that she should quit trying to rise above her station, but Violet continues to practice dance on her own as she works as a cocktail waitress in the theaters. On an audition, she is befriended by Adele Astaire and proves she has the drive and ambition to become a star.This is an emotional story of two strong women, one historical and one fictional who work, sacrifice, and strive for what they want. The timeline of this story is from the “Roaring Twenties” through WWII in both the UK and New York. There were several times in this story I was completely heartbroken for Adele and yet she was able to pick herself back up and start again. The triumphs and tragedies of both women’s stories intertwined to depict the ups and downs of their choices, but also the lack of choices due to the times. It is evident there was in-depth research done on Adele’s life and the use of Violet as a counterpoint the author was able to bring the decades depicted to life.I highly recommend this captivating biographical historical fiction novel!

Staring Adele AstaireBy: Eliza Knight5🎷🎷🎷🎷🎷I have always loved Fred Astaires dancing and movies, but had no idea he had a sister Adele. She was his original dancing partner before Ginger Rogers.🎷Adele is such a fun girl and her life was fascinating. She has been on stage everywhere but dreams of a life of children and a husband. She meets Lord Charles Cavendish and hopes to finally have her dreams met. Can she have it all?🎷Violet Wood befriends Adele and they are both women with ambition during the roaring twenties which comes with sacrifices, love during war. Another delightful read by Knight.🎷#williammorrow, #elizaknight, #starringadeleastaire, #roaringtwenties, #historicalfiction, #booksconnectus, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #stamperlady50

I was really enjoying reading this book but it fell apart. Pages started to fall out and then the cover completely came off. I was more then halfway through reading. I read mostly in bed at night, so it has not been roughly treated. The glue just gave way. It has kind of ruined my reading experience. I would have given it four stars but could not.

Starring Adele Astaire by Eliza Knight is a story of glitz, glam and a rags to riches story. Adele Astaire was a glamorous star, dancing with her brother, Fred, with fans from New York to London. While she hobnobs with royalty and the celebrities of the day, she truly dreams of a loving husband and children. When she meets Lord Charles Cavendish, her dream may come true but is she ready to pay the cost? Violet Wood is a determined young dancer who dreamed of the London stage. Her dream comes true when she befriends Adele, becoming a star herself, she soon realizes that the road to fame is never easy. Adele and Violet, two women with unquenchable spirit, their lives intertwined as they witness the world around them change, they must ask if fame is really worth it?Starring Adele Astaire takes readers from the fast-paced world of the roaring 20s, from New York to London and beyond to the horrors and sacrifice of wartime. While I was more familiar with Fred Astaire and did not know he had a sister, I was intrigued by this fictionalized account of her story. I enjoyed the look into the theater life at the time. I enjoyed seeing the historical figures which Adele would have interacted with and her life away from the stage. Adele’s life is contrasted with Violet’s as Violet tries to find her way into the theater world and leave her old life behind. Overall, I enjoyed Starring Adele Astaire. Throughout my time reading, I would stop and google Adele and Fred, amazed that I never knew about Adele and enjoyed learning about her. I recommend Starring Adele Astaire.Starring Adele Astaire is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Even though it’s historical fiction, the emotions and situations felt authentic, endearing. The fun of the entertainment careers wereentwined with the heartbreaks that Adele suffered, along with the sadness and trauma of war.