Rating: 
Summary: What a Waste of Plot
Review: I vowed never again to read a Danielle Steel book, after limping through "Vanished". But I was sucked in by the idea of a story aobut ballet. However, Steel wrote ambigously about the ballet aspect of the story. The only actual ballet term she used was "pirouette" - in a novel about the Russian ballet! Steel glossed over details and seriously under-developped a plot which had the potential of being a great story. This time I'm serious - I will not read another book by Danielle Steel!
Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: I am not a romance junkie nor a regular Steel reader. I bought this book in the hopes of finding something different and exciting, a glimpse into the world of Russian ballet training, along with a tender love story. I got neither.To me this was an outline of what could have been a great book with only a few of the scenes developed. Much of the action, including Danina's entire training at the ballet, was summarized in a few narrative paragraphs. I never formed a bond with any of the characters nor could I "feel" for them because they never became real to me. Except for a few scenes most of the integral conversation and description that should have lead to that bond was merely reported on not shown in detail. Ms. Steel forgot the elemental rule of fiction writing, don't tell, show. Make each scene come alive with detail and conversation. It's a shame because this COULD have been a great book if it had been written correctly.
Rating: 
Summary: Ending is given away in early chapters
Review: I enjoyed the plot and time period of this book. I was upset that the ending was given away at the beginning. It kind of makes you feel hopeless and not want to finish it. I was pretty sick of Dan being 'sick'. She made a lot of DUMB choices as well as Nicolai. So, they made their bed and had to lie in it. Literally, at times it seems. I would have enjoyed the book more if the overall tone of the book wasn't so depressing.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed Steel Fan!
Review: This was the worst offering I have read by Danielle Steel. I read her titles while relaxing at the beach. Read THE GIFT, FULL CIRCLE, FINE THINGS etc and loved them! GRANNY DAN did not capture nor hold my attention.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Read
Review: I picked this book up because I really enjoyed Zoya and wanted to read about that subject again. I was disappointed in this book though. It seemed as if nothing was happening in this book. It was a slow read for me and was very difficult to finish.
Rating:
Summary: As Romance novels go, it was okay.
Review: This romance novel explored the life of its central character "Danina" through the eyes of her granddaughter at the introduction. Rather than being romantic and mysterious, I felt in many ways this was tragic and all too common an occurrence. A young woman supposedly close to her grandmother while she was a child and a young adult, inherits through her grandmother's death, a package that contains toe shoes and love letters. This young woman through translation of these letters discovers how little she truly knew about her grandmother. Amazing. I see this happen every day, with children that have parents and grandparents from a foreign country or just a distant past. The children are bored or embarrassed about their "different" relatives and miss the richness of their own past. What is defined as a close relationship here, in many cultures would pass as a mere acquaintance. The author was wise to point out the opportunities missed. The story goes on the about the grandmother's past life. This as most romance novels do, go on about a very attractive petite incredibly graceful child with a widower father and four sons placing his only daughter in a ballet boarding school. She of course flourishes and is the favorite of the head mistress. I'm being particularly heavy on the adjectives here because I believe the author outdid herself in this regard. Danina (the grandmother) the young adult at the peak of her popularity becomes acquainted with the Czar's family and enchants them all. Unfortunately, at some point in time she catches the flu and becomes gravely ill and is taken under the wing of the Czar's family. There she is nursed to recovery. She becomes involved with a member of the Czar's staff and her head mistress is understandable shaken about her commitment to ballet. Unfortunately, this is no simple relationship, this man is married and would lose his position and she her position as a prima ballerina with the scandal. The story goes on about this struggle and some of the upheavals in Russia at that time as well as Danina and her lover's involvement. Without giving the rest of the story away, the book goes on to unfold how she ends up in Vermont and her life there. As far as romance novels go, this was typical with the obsession on how unusually attractive, graceful and every over the top gushing adjective there could be to describe the central character. This girl was ultra devoted, right as rain and always trying to do the right thing. The lover was dashing powerful and true. The story was interesting in the setting, ballet, pre-revolution Russia and the situation that unfolded. However, just for once, I would like a romance novel, to have an average looking central character, maybe a little pudgy, with bad skin and with the usual questions about what the right thing to do is, versus just knowing it. I would like the love interest to be not quite so perfect, maybe skinny with a big nose and less than perfect employment history. It would be nice if they would find each other and work through day to day struggles to pay the bills and define their relationship. You know the important stuff, like who does the dishes and who cooks. You would see them, dealing with corporate America, or maybe Central South America or today's Korea, with all the issues that play in a normal relationship: Money, Sex, Commitment, Long term planning and Communication. But, Hey, if they did that it wouldn't be a Romance novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Ugh!
Review: To the author of Granny Dan.....Who are you and what have you done with Danielle Steele? This one rates right down there with The Klone and I.......stinkers. I didn't think I'd ever get through it, kept waiting for something to happen.
Rating:
Summary: Steel Steals Your Heart
Review: Whenever I want to relax with a book of love, hope, conquering fears....I buy Danielle Steel. Although it may be simplistic, "Granny Dan", is a short, sweet, provocative story. Using the backdrop of Czarist Russia allowed me to see the glitter, the gold & the powers of the rich. As well as the trials & tribulations of those held in the grip of their powers. Steele always describes so well I feel as if I am "there". From crystal chandeliers to peasant feasts of butter and marmalade and fresh baked breads. Not just a dancers story...a story of love for everyone. if you find my comments interesting, please click the "yes"--thanks--CDS
Rating: 
Summary: A Ballet Inspiration
Review: This was a book I just could not put down. As a dancer, myself, Mrs. Steel describes it very well, almost perfect.
Rating:
Summary: Dissapointing Ending
Review: When I began reading Granny Dan, I was captivated. It was wonderful reading about the events that happened in Danina's life and the things that happened between she and Nikolai. However, I was very disappointed at the ending. I feel Danielle Steel needed to add at least one more chapter to the book. The content of the book lifted me higher and higher, then at the end, I felt as though I was dropped. I believe there could have been a much better way to end Granny Dan.
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