The Illegal Dance: Memories of a Young Bolivian Woman in London

In 1980, Ana, a young Bolivian middle class girl, is sent to Europe, having had an unexpected and interrupted pregnancy. Ana s parents see her departure from her country and boyfriend Rafael, a young activist of the Socialist Party, as the only way forward for her. At nineteen years old the young girl arrives in Sweden, at the house of her Uncle Hector, a political exile from the Bolivian dictator General Hugo Banzer. One night, a month after Ana has arrived in Sweden and while celebrating the imminent departure of Uncle Hector back to Bolivia to become a senator for the newly elected Socialist Party, the family learn there has been a coup d etat. That same night Ana's father calls Hector from La Paz to tell him of the dramatic situation facing the country and pleads with his brother not to return. He also tells Ana to stay in Sweden because of the dangers of a country in turmoil. "The University is closed, there is nothing you can do here," he says. A few months later her father suggests Ana should study in England, which obediently she does. Once in London alone, and without speaking a word of English she faces a series of misfortunes, many of them with painful consequences. While trying to overcome her difficulties, Ana meets other immigrants also struggling to make a living. One night out of the blue, a complete stranger makes her an illegal proposal. Twenty six years later, she returns to Bolivia where the political events are becoming very exciting. Ana then decides to seek out Rafael. He reveals a hidden truth related to Ana s parents. The book is full of unexpected events and stories of a girl alone in London. Attachments area Click here to reply or forward