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The Phoenix ballroom : a novel

Call Number

  • FICTION HOGA (CEN, OSH)

Edition

First U.S. edition.

Publication Information

New York, NY : William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2024.

Physical Description

308 pages ; 24 cm

Summary

A wealthy widow, 74-year-old Venetia Hargreaves declares her independence, first with a makeover, then by adopting a dog and then by buying the Phoenix Ballroom to revive one meaningful thing from her past, finding a supportive and loving community of lost souls who become a multigenerational family-by-choice.

"For fifty years, Venetia Hargreaves' s world revolved around her husband. She built their life around his big career, with dinner on the table at six, a lovely home, and a dutiful son just as business-minded as his father. Now Venetia's a wealthy widow left with a beautiful but empty home, an enviable bank balance, and a distinct feeling that she missed the boat. Once upon a time, she was a dance instructor who dreamed of opening her own ballroom school with a fellow teacher who won her heart. Instead, Venetia chose the safer path. So, at seventy-four years of age, Venetia declares her independence, first with a makeover, and then by adopting a new dog. But something is still missing...until on one of her dog walks by the river she passes by a building she remembers all too well. In her youth it was the spectacular Phoenix Ballroom, where she used to teach waltzes and tangos. These days it';s a community center and spiritualist church, funded by a mysterious benefactor. Eager to revive at least one meaningful thing from her past, Venetia buys the Phoenix Ballroom, and finds a supportive and loving community of lost souls. As the ballroom regains its former glory, Venetia and her newfound family find their lives have a bit of new dazzle as well." - Dust jacket