Last Dance on the Starlight Pier

A Novel

By: Sarah Bird

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 13 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Set during the Great Depression, Sarah Bird's Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is a novel about one woman - and a nation - struggling to be reborn from the ashes.

July 3. 1932. Shivering and in shock, Evie Grace Devlin watches the Starlite Palace burn into the sea and wonders how she became a person who would cause a man to kill himself. She’d come to Galveston to escape a dark past in vaudeville and become a good person, a nurse. When that dream is cruelly thwarted, Evie is swept into the alien world of dance marathons. All that she has been denied- a family, a purpose, even love - waits for her there in the place she dreads most: the spotlight.

Last Dance on the Starlight Pier is a sweeping novel that brings to spectacular life the enthralling worlds of both dance marathons and the family-run empire of vice that was Galveston in the Thirties. Unforgettable characters tell a story that is still deeply resonant today as America learns what Evie learns, that there truly isn’t anything this country can’t do when we do it together. That indomitable spirit powers a story that is a testament to the deep well of resilience in us all that allows us to not only survive the hardest of hard times, but to find joy, friends, and even family, in them.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press.

©2022 Sarah Bird (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Something different for a change

I love historical fiction. While a little light on pure history, there was enough to satisfy my interest in the world of vaudeville/marathon dances as they related to the Great Depression. I didn't know about that connection. The story takes place in the years before FDR's election, and the characters make no secret of the fact that they want him to win. (If you don't like FDR, you may not like this book.) The plot is well-constructed with a few clever twists. One of the main plots fits quite neatly into current-days issues. Galveston and Chicago, as well as the Texas Panhandle, also play roles in the story. I found that I really cared about the characters and the situations in which they found themselves. This is not the best book I've ever read in my entire life which is a long one), but it is a memorable one I won't forget.

Such a FABULOUS book - start to finish and everything in between.

Fell in love with all the characters. Felt like I was there with them each step of the way. The storyline development was outstanding and the twists and turns were superb! The reader was great. This needs to be a movie. Would and will recommend this book to everyone I know!

Repetitive

Although interesting, there was too much of the same info and situations about the marathon. It seemed like she was trying to make a short story into a long one. I have been a big fan of her previous books but this one was not my favorite. The narrator’s voice was annoying at times. The men’s voices were better than the women’s.

Great read and history

Delighted with both the story and Galveston history I learned from this fascinating and rewarding novel set during 1930s Depression era America. The characters were brought to life by an excellent audiobook reader whose voice matched the strength and authority of the narrative.

A Must Read!!

This historical novel captures you in the first chapter. A story about Galveston, true love and understanding that our own prejudices cloud our good judgment. Love comes in many forms and people who are the forgotten, downtrodden are resilient and still have hope and faith. Loved loved this book!!!!

Surprisingly enjoyable

The only reason I stuck with the book is because I used a credit for it. I am so glad I did. The variety of topics in the book mirror what is going on now - politically in particular (just the names have been changed). I highly recommend the book. The only negative comment concerns the voice of Sophie - I found it grating.

Hope

Last Dance was an interesting study of the pre-FDR Depression years. I enjoyed Sarah Bird’s interpretation of historical facts, relationships, attitudes and survival. The characters were believable amidst a dying marathon business, The story clearly brings to light political facts that would change the financial climate of the USA. It also draws the reader in with emotion and suspense. I especially enjoyed the narrator’s variety of voices.

Good Read

A look into another time and place through the eyes of those caught in time.

Happy Days Are Here Again

Please forgive my poor title for this review. If you listen to this book, and I hope you do, you will understand.

This book has such a broad and deep story, that I am not sure where to start. So, I will let others give you an outline of the storyline.

What I will say is that Sarah Bird has captured the feel of those desperate Great Depression years. But, the story is more than that. Much more.

Perhaps it is a message to our generation.

I must be honest and say that what caught my attention regarding this audiobook was the fact that Cassandra Campbell was the narrator. My favorite narrators I can count on one hand, and Cassandra is definitely one of them. As always, though this audiobook must have been quite the workout for a narrator, Cassandra Campbell did not disappoint.

I highly recommend this audiobook.

Dangerously powerful

Bird touches today's reality of suffering in the Margins of politics and economics through history. Painful and beautiful. Tragic and necessary.