For Harriet Morton Ballet is the only escape from her dreary home and strict family. When a Russian ballet master in search of dancers appears Harriet’s world turns upside down. Defying her fathers wishes Harriet runs away to join the ballet and journey to the Amazon. In a grand opera house, deep in the heart of the wild Amazon jungle, she performs Swan Lake and falls in love with a mysterious British exile. But when Harriet’s father manages to track her down her new life is put in jeopardy…

Bestselling author Eva Ibbotsen has turned her writing talents to a story of the ballet. Adventure and romance have also been included for good measure! ‘A Company of Swans’ is an enthralling romantic adventure story set in the early years of the twentieth century.

Life for Harriet Morton is restrictive. Bought up in the beautiful and academic surroundings of Cambridge by her distant academic father and mean penny-pinching aunt Harriet finds herself removed from school when her headmistress dares to suggest to her father that she would benefit from a place at Oxford University. The only enjoyment remaining in her life is her ballet classes that she attends regularly to escape her family and her impending forced engagement to a scholar her father feels would tame her and make a handsome addition to the family. When a Russian ballet master visits her ballet class in the search for new talent to take on his tour of the Amazon Harriet is thrilled to be asked to join the company but knows she will never be allowed. As predicted her father refuses but Harriet is a headstrong, intelligent and determined girl who will let nothing stop her from realising a dream.  

Ibbotson cleverly interweaves the story of the ballet; Harriet’s yearning for a better life and romance into a novel that is beautifully written and compelling from the first page. Fans of ballet will love the descriptions of the company and fans of romantic literature cannot fail to swept along in the stunning love story that evolves.

A Company of Swans  is a must read book from a well-loved author.

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2008-08-03