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matteahayn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
oddsbodikins7's review against another edition
2.0
Dragged on, I had the hardest time focusing on the story.
se_wigget's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this for a book discussion group, and when I started reading it, I forgot that it's a novel, not a biography. I was 24 pages in when I paused and checked the cover because... this "biography " seemed written a lot like a novel.
Assuming the novel is as accurate as I think it is (like... the main made-up stuff is dialogue), I learned so much more about Josephine Baker. My knowledge of her was vague before I began reading: basically, she was a singer and dancers in the 1920s, I knew about the banana skirt, I knew she ended up working and living in Paris because the U. S. was too racist to appreciate her, and I knew she spied on Nazis during WWII. It's great to learn so much more and have a better understanding of her as an individual.
Assuming the novel is as accurate as I think it is (like... the main made-up stuff is dialogue), I learned so much more about Josephine Baker. My knowledge of her was vague before I began reading: basically, she was a singer and dancers in the 1920s, I knew about the banana skirt, I knew she ended up working and living in Paris because the U. S. was too racist to appreciate her, and I knew she spied on Nazis during WWII. It's great to learn so much more and have a better understanding of her as an individual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Vomit and War
Minor: Miscarriage, Colonisation, Fatphobia, Abortion, Antisemitism, Body shaming, Death, Infertility, and Grief
winterreader40's review against another edition
I DNF'd this due to content, not even 60 pages in and she falls prey to 2 different pedophiles, I can't bring myself to keep going...
100pagesaday's review against another edition
5.0
Josephine Baker is well know for her dancing and singing and wild routines. However, her childhood growing up in Missouri, how she began in show business and her activism during World War II is less known. Josephine's rise to fame was anything but smooth as she endured poverty, racism, and sexual abuse. Through her own fortitude and determination Josephine carved a place out for herself in the entertainment industry and the world.
As a dancer, Josephine Baker is someone I have learned about and idolized. Through this biographical story we are carried through the lesser known ups and downs of Josephine's exciting and controversial life. The opening scene absolutely dazzled me as we are thrown into Josephine's preparations for what would be her last performance. This is a perfect introduction to the person who is a true force of nature and a true performer. This introduction gave just enough hints into Josephine's life to keep me wondering about her life. The elegant writing conveyed the highs and lows of the journey through Josephine's life and the emotions that went alongside of it. I was constantly amazed at how Josephine pulled herself up again and again and continued to add good to the world after all that she went through. Josephine Baker's Last Dance is a whirlwind of an inspirational story of a remarkable woman.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
As a dancer, Josephine Baker is someone I have learned about and idolized. Through this biographical story we are carried through the lesser known ups and downs of Josephine's exciting and controversial life. The opening scene absolutely dazzled me as we are thrown into Josephine's preparations for what would be her last performance. This is a perfect introduction to the person who is a true force of nature and a true performer. This introduction gave just enough hints into Josephine's life to keep me wondering about her life. The elegant writing conveyed the highs and lows of the journey through Josephine's life and the emotions that went alongside of it. I was constantly amazed at how Josephine pulled herself up again and again and continued to add good to the world after all that she went through. Josephine Baker's Last Dance is a whirlwind of an inspirational story of a remarkable woman.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
hugbandit7's review against another edition
4.0
I am not a history buff but I do enjoy learning about influential people in our past that made an impact on our world. Josephine Baker is such a person from her civil rights activism to being a part of the French Resistance...this doesn't even cover her dancing career which made quite a statement for the time period. I will admit that I had heard her name but really didn't know much about her life so I was glad to be able to read this book and glean a little insight into what made Josephine Baker tick and how she became the woman she was in our history.
Josephine had a tough childhood, one that no one should have to endure. That being said, I think what she was exposed to made her a tough individual and shaped her as a young woman. She learned to look out for herself but that doesn't mean that she knew what she was doing or what her best interests were at the time. She was still a teenager when she moved to Paris and started dancing in various shows....nude at that! Her immaturity was obvious but I wouldn't have expected anything different. She was still a babe in the woods with much to learn about life and who to trust or not trust.
This is a biography so while the story is well researched there is an element of fiction since some of the conversations are probably assumed or embellished to make for a more interesting read. I think my favorite parts were the beginning and learning about her childhood (which will break your heart) and the last quarter of the book where we learn more about her role during WWII. I enjoyed watching her mature as a young woman and perhaps realize that no one is to be trusted except yourself. I did think that the middle half of the book seemed somewhat repetitive. Granted it was her dancing career but it felt like Josephine was out of control (and she may have been) and was not looking out for her own best interests.
Overall I enjoyed the book and learning more about this iconic entertainer. We give it 4 paws up.
Josephine had a tough childhood, one that no one should have to endure. That being said, I think what she was exposed to made her a tough individual and shaped her as a young woman. She learned to look out for herself but that doesn't mean that she knew what she was doing or what her best interests were at the time. She was still a teenager when she moved to Paris and started dancing in various shows....nude at that! Her immaturity was obvious but I wouldn't have expected anything different. She was still a babe in the woods with much to learn about life and who to trust or not trust.
This is a biography so while the story is well researched there is an element of fiction since some of the conversations are probably assumed or embellished to make for a more interesting read. I think my favorite parts were the beginning and learning about her childhood (which will break your heart) and the last quarter of the book where we learn more about her role during WWII. I enjoyed watching her mature as a young woman and perhaps realize that no one is to be trusted except yourself. I did think that the middle half of the book seemed somewhat repetitive. Granted it was her dancing career but it felt like Josephine was out of control (and she may have been) and was not looking out for her own best interests.
Overall I enjoyed the book and learning more about this iconic entertainer. We give it 4 paws up.
fleurdelis's review against another edition
5.0
Kept me interested to the last word!
I’ve always loved Josephine Baker, but never knew very much about her story. I really only knew about her work with the civil rights movement, though I did know she was a dancer. As I grew older, I learned more about her life and this book gives even more life to what I already knew. So many hardships in her life and she danced through them all. Not afraid to stand up and fight for what was right. She was grateful for what she had the chance to do, but that didn’t mean she shouldn’t be treated like a full human being. She’s still such an inspiration. She was THE reason I ended up being enamored with French culture.
I’ve always loved Josephine Baker, but never knew very much about her story. I really only knew about her work with the civil rights movement, though I did know she was a dancer. As I grew older, I learned more about her life and this book gives even more life to what I already knew. So many hardships in her life and she danced through them all. Not afraid to stand up and fight for what was right. She was grateful for what she had the chance to do, but that didn’t mean she shouldn’t be treated like a full human being. She’s still such an inspiration. She was THE reason I ended up being enamored with French culture.
winona_reads3's review against another edition
3.0
between 3-4 stars...i LOVED the last 150 pages of course but the writing throughout just wasn’t great... subject matter was good and interesting and what kept me going especially in the end it was worth reading about her red cross and espionage work but boy the beginning was rough
dblue236's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0