Josephine Baker’s Last Dance by Sherry Jones is a biographical novel about American Josephine Baker, who, because of her race, had to go to France in the 1920s to be declared the entertaining star that she was. She lived life on the edge whether she was struggling as a poor black child in St. Louis or achieving fame by dancing partially nude on the stage of the Folies Bergere. But there was more to this woman than what was shown on stage, she was equally at home in the uniform of the French Air Force, or working with the French Resistance during World War II, for which she was awarded the Resistance Medal and the Croix de Guerre. She also spent time as a Civil Rights Activist and was the only woman invited to speak at the 1963 March on Washington. Unfortunately she was never able to attain popularity in the United States and her star turn in the 1936 Ziegfeld Follies was not commercially successful.

The author brings this vibrant personality to life on these pages. As Josephine Baker conquers Paris in the Jazz Age we read of her transformation and her interactions with some of the greatest artists of the day among them, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, Cole Porter and George Gershwin. Her romantic life was very bumpy but she never gave up her search for love and acceptance. The words “too young, too dark, too ugly” haunted her and her celebrity status at times was much more important to her than being faithful in a relationship. Josephine’s rise to stardom took place in France but meanwhile the Nazi party and Hitler were rising in Germany and soon cast their shadow over all of Europe.

I thoroughly enjoyed Josephine Baker’s Last Dance not only for learning about this intriguing personality, but also for the author’s wonderful writing and creative research which brought the setting and the times vividly to life. ( )

I didn't finish this book. I was intrigued by the back cover blurb that promised an "illuminating biographical novel," but was disappointed by the author's technique of skipping large chunks of time and only obliquely referring to other events. After reading about a third of the book, I decided that it probably wasn't going to get any better and set it aside in favor of another book in my TBR pile. ( )

This was a riveting, well researched, fact based though slightly embellished account of the life of Josephine Baker from her childhood and beyond her rise to fame, becoming the highest paid black performer in the world. Since Josephine is no longer with us to be able to share her intimate thoughts, there was a good mix of story telling and facts. It held me captivated from start to finish as Josephine grew from a poverty stricken neglected child to a strong willed woman who stood along side MLK to fight for civil rights.

I received an advance copy for review. ( )

This is a re-read for me. Thus, this is a highly modified review previously written. While I heard of Josephine Baker, I did not know the details of her life. Born in severe poverty to a non existent (perhaps white) father, and a very physically and verbally abusive mother, she rose above it all through sheer determination.

Told she was too black, too ugly, and too stupid, she showed her adversaries and the world that a poor girl could become a world wide star. Her career started in Paris, France where she was known as the 19 year old girl who danced naked on the stage, rising to fame in her famous banana skirt dance.

Embraced in France, when she returned to the United States, she once again was saddened by the extreme prejudice and discrimination toward blacks at the hands of the white majority.

Strong and feisty, she refused to perform where blacks were prohibited. Rising to fame by her activism, she spoke at the Washington, DC March for jobs and freedom. Her inspiring words were spoken immediately before Martin Luther King and helped solidify the tone of MLK's speech.

Becoming a member of the French Resistance during World War II, she helped others defy Hitler and his reign of terror.

This is a fascinating study of a woman who refused to remain where people wanted her to stay when she was told she did not know her place! I admit to feeling prudish because the book contained quite a bit of sexual activity, and promiscuity. She was as free with her body as she was with her dance and song. ( )

I'm not sure why I haven't heard more of Josephine Baker, because her life is too fascinating for only one novelist to tackle it. Growing up in poverty and segregated St. Louis, Josephine rises to fame in the 1920s and finds a home in Paris, France, where her performances become a symbol of the Jazz Age. She continues, with personal ups and downs, to sing and dance through the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. She had a bad manager who stole her own money, she aided the French Resistance, she refused to perform for segregated audiences, and she adopted a tribe of mixed race children and gave them a home at her French chateau. Josephine was a fascinating woman and in some ways, I felt like this novel was just a teaser about her life. I want to know more and hopefully others find this story just as fascinating. ( )