An original story that is as educational as it is engaging.
It is 1968, and the only thing Anna Rossi is sure of is that she doesn’t fit in, not into the American Ideal, not with her romantic partners, not with her multinational heritage, and not even among her peers. So when she gets an opportunity to take an extended trip across Europe to do some soul-searching, Anna packs her bags. With only her naive perspective and a close friend for company, Anna embarks on an adventure that has the potential to change the way she sees the world. Whether enjoying the stoic elegance of the Orient Express or wandering down aged cobblestone streets, every location is an opportunity to learn about the lands, the culture, and the resilience of the people. But this Southeastern European vacation is not without challenges. Anna is abandoned by her traveling companion, charmed by a rebel, and comforted by a criminal. Her eyes are opened to the scars left behind from war and ethnic conflicts, the cruel realities for Jews across the globe, and to the heritage she’s never been brave enough to embrace. She encounters contrasts among the people, generosity pitted against greed, acceptance battling anger, and love warring with hate. But most of all, Anna discovers the parts of herself that have been missing, finally finding the direction in life she’s been searching for.
From fearless hitchhiking to courageous reckonings, Anna’s Dance is set against a backdrop of cultural change, global uncertainty, and the geopolitical unrest marking the late 1960s. A well-balanced presentation of historical events offers unique insights into a variety of perspectives that are slowly being lost to time. Levy’s descriptive prose is rich and evocative without a hint of pretense, warmly inviting readers to join Anna on her search for authenticity. Whether it’s a displaced Sorbonne student or an impassioned old man in a synagogue, each encounter makes an impression on the woman Anna is becoming. Her outward racial ambiguity invites many assumptions and interesting interactions with locals, though one of the most surprising connections is with a handsome smuggler. While Anna’s Balkan acquaintances don’t always live up to her expectations, these surprises provide context for the region and era, along with opportunities for Anna to look for strength within. Transitions from emotionally charged memories to the ever-changing present are handled with skill, leaving readers on steady ground as the author presents an original story that is as educational as it is engaging. What starts as a journey of self-discovery evolves into a humbling lesson on our shared history in Anna’s Dance, a nostalgic fusion of language, spirituality, movement, and music.
