A heart-warming nostalgia memoir from a member of the world famous dance troupe; The Tiller Girls. Based in London in the 1930s; 40s and 50s; Irenersquo;s story will transport readers back to a more innocent; simple way of life.This is the story of a little girl who loved to dance. Growing up in London in the 1930s; dancing was so much more to Irene than just a hobby. It was her escape and it took her off into another world away from the harsh realities of life. A fairytale world away from the horrors of WW2; from the grief of losing her father and missing her mother who she didnrsquo;t see for three years while she was drafted to help with the war effort. And far away from her cold-hearted grandparents who treated her like an inconvenience.Finally it led to her winning a place as a Tiller Girl; the worldrsquo;s most famous dance troupe known for their 32-and-a-half high kicks a minute and precise; symmetrical routines. For four years she opened and closed the show at the prestigious London Palladium and performed on stage alongside huge stars such as Frank Sinatra; Nat King Cole and Judy Garland.It was a strange mixture of glamour and bloody hard work but it was certainly never dull. And being a Tiller Girl also gave Irene the opportunity to see firsthand the devastating effects of WW2; both here and abroad.Heart-warming; enlightening and wonderfully uplifting; Irenersquo;s evocative story will transport readers back to a time when every town and holiday resort had several theatres and when dance troupes like The Tiller Girls were the epitome of glitz and glamour.
#3384925 in eBooks 2014-02-05 2014-02-05File Name: B00IANKWM0
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Outstanding and Riveting BookBy Paula HigginsThis book is beautifully written and in many places; it reads like poetry. Having come from Scituate; Massachusetts myself I know how accurate her descriptions of old houses are (I do not know the author). She has a true feel for the early period of this country and what life was like at that time. Mr. Murena (another reviewer) you are wrong. Ice did actually form in water bowls even in rooms with fireplaces if they were placed at the opposite end of the room. This is documented as fact by people living in early American homes in New England even into the 19th century. Its true that forks were in use in England by 1608 by the very privileged Mr. Murena; but they were not in use in early America until much; much later. Especially not by the early settlers. So she got that right too. Check your facts; she did.So back to the book. Its a wonderful read. I couldnt put it down and finished it in one night. Her descriptions of the early overgrown road behind the house is just like one that ran behind our house in Scituate. The book evokes accurate images of the past in wonderful detail. She alternates the story of the Hatch family; who originally built and lived in the house; with the story of her own family. The house is fascinating enough on its own; but the families are what gives it life. It even has a ghost or two. What more could any reader want. I strongly recommend this book. I intend to read it again.Paula Higgins0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Red HouseBy goodfruitThis could have been so much better than it was; sadly I could not stick with this book; it meandered and talked about things that did not seem relevant to the story.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Walter Hatch HomeBy Janice StockmanExcellent! A history of my ancestors home. Easy to read. Detailed. Diagrams and photos.
