- Paperback: 591 pages
- Publisher: Shadow Mountain (April 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1606410520
- ISBN-13: 978-1606410523
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 3.7 cm
- Shipping Weight: 703 g
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #844,843 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.3 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning!, April 3 2009
By Suzanne V. Reese "author" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Last Waltz: A Novel of Love and War (Paperback)
It's not very often that a fictional character comes to feel like an old friend. But that's exactly how I feel about Amalia, the heroine of G.G. Vandagriff's `The Last Waltz'. Ever since my high school visit to Europe, where I danced around the gazebo used in `The Sound of Music' singing `I am seventeen going on eighteen' (Yes, I was one birthday too many for it to be the perfect moment), I've had a fondness for Austria and its rich history. The Last Waltz didn't disappoint in any way. It is a beautifully-written epic story of Amalia, an Austrian who seems to have a penchant for men falling in love with her. The romance portion is full of surprising twists and turns, while being grounded in the most gruesome parts of World War I and the ushering in of World War II. The true futility of war is highlighted, along with the power of love and strong character. There was a perfect balance of story-telling and description that allowed the reader to see the subtle contrasts between Austria and Germany while losing themselves in Amalia's anguish. I'm sure I'll never forget the poignant tale of this brave woman who loses everything without complaint, but perseveres--thinking only of others--to rise again to success. Vandagriff is truly a gifted writer. The amount of research put into the story is truly impressive. I highly recommend the Last Waltz to anyone, whether or not they consider themselves a history buff.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Splendid Read, April 1 2009
By Anne Bradshaw "Author" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Last Waltz: A Novel of Love and War (Paperback)
I'm sad to have finished G. G. Vandagriff's epic historical romance, The Last Waltz, and grateful for the splendid read. What a grand, eye-opening adventure! I feel like I've lived in Austria and Germany since Page 1 and enjoyed every minute of my visit.
This novel of love and war carries messages from which nations today could well take heed. Dangerous politics that produced World Wars I and II also brought immeasurable tragedies to individuals and families.
Along with heartbreaks come selfless heroics, and individual growth. And this to me is the theme of The Last Waltz. One piece of dialogue that stays in my mind is found on Page 206 when the main character, spunky young Amalia, asks her friend Louisa, "And what is the ultimate tragedy, then?" Louisa replies, "To become less than we were born to be."
To quote from the back cover:
"In this gripping tale of love and war, a dazzling young socialite of the old world contends with deeply contradictory notions and personal crises to become a woman who would be extraordinary in any age."
Amalia has to choose between a love so deep it refuses to die, and a different kind of love that holds her heart with loyalties born of sacrifice, devotion, and an iron will.
I highly recommend this book for everyone who enjoys soaking up history in foreign lands and at the same time getting teary-eyed over a wonderful love story. I can well imagine The Last Waltz as a breath-taking movie production that fills movie theaters worldwide.
From the publisher, Shadow Mountain: "The Last Waltz is a culminating work for the author. She started it decades ago during a study abroad in Austria and has been revising and researching it ever since. When she wasn't publishing one of the other half dozen novels she has published, she was working on this historical romance novel."
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Historically fascinating!, Aug 6 2010
By A. Paxman - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Last Waltz: A Novel of Love and War (Paperback)
I'll admit, I've had this sitting on my shelf for a few weeks now trying to find the time to get around reading it, but once I picked it up, it was nearly impossible to put down! Beginning in 1913 Vienna, Amalia is a young and naive nineteen year old girl unaware the world around her and all she has ever known is on the brink of crumbling. The Last Waltz takes you through the political upheaval, and heartbreak of WWI and into the beginning of WWII. What fascinated me most about this book was learning so much of the political instability of Austria as it tried to emerge from its monarchal past with the people torn between socialism, democracy, and fascism. Beautifully written, with poetical poignancy, Vandargriff does a beautiful job weaving a plot rich in romance, history, and individual growth.
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