Elizabeth was weeks away from graduation, on the precipice of youth and adulthood. Options for women were limited to being a wife and mother or a secretary until married. Her family was already astonished at her courageous move to London immediately after receiving her diploma. She was happy with her newly found independence, and providing for herself gave her self-confidence. Still, she felt as though she was seeking something more.

When Elizabeth's mom encouraged her to try out for the Bluebells, she was exhilarated and scared. The Bluebells were the definition of glamour and excitement in Europe during the fifties and sixties. To be a Bluebell was to be in an exclusive sorority. Elizabeth auditioned several times before getting invited to dance in Italy. No one in her family had ever left the country. The next year was a whirlwind of practices and performances in cities all over Italy and France. Although the dancers were overwhelmed with their duties, there was occasionally time to explore their surroundings and enjoy the culture. Elizabeth learned a lot about people and herself living in this microcosm of a performance troupe. Upon returning home to Birmingham, she felt much changed and ready for life's next adventure.

This memoir, an action-packed journey through Italy and France, is based on hundreds of letters written to and from the author while she was overseas. She wrote the book in her eighties, nearly six decades after dancing with the troupe. This offers both the firsthand account as she experienced it in her youth and the perspective gained from maturity. The reader is treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the dedication, glamour, and drama of a dance company. Imaginations will be captivated by vivid descriptions of Italian towns and extraordinary theatres. The author has created an exciting, endearing, and delightful memoir.

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