Granny Dan - By Daniel Steel. A story which brings out the human pathos and the love and affection of a Russian widow very neatly dressed in Black. Danina Petroskova --- known as Granny Dan....or the lady in Black who makes Russian Cookies. The Granny who loves her grand daughter.
The story starts with the grand daughter opening the box left behind by Granny Dan after her death. She remembers how exciting it was with her granny in the kitchen laughing and dancing. How suddenly Granny tells about the Swan Dance and shows few steps and how she suddenly withdraws into her shell again. The beautiful ballet dresses and the Pink Ballet Shoes all bring a flood of memories to Granny Dan.
The secret behind this is known once the grand daughter comes across her letters which carried the secret that Granny Dan always had in her heart. The flashback begins with how the motherless child Danina Petroskova was left under Madame Markova. The strict ballet classes and the rigorous exercises and the fight against the death brings out the human emotions.
The life at the palace where Danina was sent to recover and the love story between her and the married doctor Dr. Nikolai Obrajensky. The final straw comes when the young talented ballerina slips during a rehersal and breaks her ankle. Madame Markova who always opposed her love affair finally sends young Danina whom she always took to be her daughter is very heart wrenching. The story takes an unexpected twist when the doctor whom she always wanted to be with has to be with the King when he’s imprisoned making Danina take the ship to freedom alone.
Danina then marries the doctor’s cousin and soon life changes and she becomes Granny Dan - The Granny Who makes Russian Cookies.
A good book which stirs a lot of emotions in the reader. We never get to know a person when they are alive and the secret behind the person’s happiness.
The book highlights the fact that life is very unpredictable and one has to relish and care every moment.