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petitehelene's review against another edition
3.0
Uma história que não conseguiu convencer-me e previsível. Demonstra o lado cruel do ballet. E de como os os relacionamentos podem ser cruéis e enganosos!
livnewman's review against another edition
4.0
If you've talked to me about reading, you know I'm evangelical about Maggie Shipstead's Great Circle, which I discovered in reading the Booker longlist last year. So, I was really excited to delve into Shipstead's backlist and Astonish Me did not disappoint.
This novel is a thorough, entertaining exploration of the world of ballet and the kind of artistic ambition required to make it as a professional dancer. It considers how we are impacted by failure, the pressure of parental expectations, and the competing importance of talent and hard work—do you need to be born with the X-factor, or can you muscle your way into success? The prose is rich with detail but this never feels laboured or overdone. Some plot points in the back end felt a touch melodramatic, but this didn't detract from what was ultimately a very diverting read.
This novel is a thorough, entertaining exploration of the world of ballet and the kind of artistic ambition required to make it as a professional dancer. It considers how we are impacted by failure, the pressure of parental expectations, and the competing importance of talent and hard work—do you need to be born with the X-factor, or can you muscle your way into success? The prose is rich with detail but this never feels laboured or overdone. Some plot points in the back end felt a touch melodramatic, but this didn't detract from what was ultimately a very diverting read.
stinalee's review against another edition
4.0
This book was completely engrossing. A perfect book to read on a snowy and cold day. Shipstead's descriptions of ballet and body movements were very well done and allowed me to imagine what was happening even with no past knowledge of ballet.
#popsugar Read in a day
#popsugar Read in a day
jenna0010's review against another edition
2.0
A story of domestic routines and the demands of professional ballet, Shipstead's novel is beautiful and melancholy in its deferred dreams and family dramas. I was in the mood for ballet, bodies stretching graceful and taut, and this novel was enough. The characters didn't quite connect for me and the story itself was quite underwhelming but Russia! Ballet! Forbidden love!
sarahcastic's review against another edition
4.0
I loved all of this book until the super-weird and rushed ending, so had to dock a star. Ballet! French! A scene in 1984 Disneyland! So much promise and potential and mostly great characters (though the big twist was pretty obvious to me from the start) but the end just went completely off the rails.
inthelunaseas's review
3.0
I enjoyed the vast majority of this book. Ballet will always be a passion close to my heart, even though I'm unable to dance the way I once did. The ballet scenes were exquisite, and though Shipstead claims to not be a dancer herself, there's a real understanding there. There's a sound understanding of both what it takes to be a good dancer, and what it takes to be a great dancer.
The non-linear storytelling style was an interesting choice, and one that I felt worked in this novel. If it was told linearly, I believe it would be a far more dull story.
The book hooked me until the end, when the relationships become, uh, a little bizarre. I didn't like the sudden relationship development between Arslan and Chloe, which felt just a touch incestuous. Then there was the gratuitous ballet Arslan staged at the end and it all felt just flat. The rest of the novel had developed so wonderfully, and it felt as though Shipstead wasn't sure how to end it all- and maybe she didn't. Arslan and Harry eventually needed to meet, for certain, but there was the issue of Chloe. It all left a sour taste in my mouth.
The non-linear storytelling style was an interesting choice, and one that I felt worked in this novel. If it was told linearly, I believe it would be a far more dull story.
The book hooked me until the end, when the relationships become, uh, a little bizarre. I didn't like the sudden relationship development between Arslan and Chloe, which felt just a touch incestuous. Then there was the gratuitous ballet Arslan staged at the end and it all felt just flat. The rest of the novel had developed so wonderfully, and it felt as though Shipstead wasn't sure how to end it all- and maybe she didn't. Arslan and Harry eventually needed to meet, for certain, but there was the issue of Chloe. It all left a sour taste in my mouth.
beth_b's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
amelie5m's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
_joiereads's review against another edition
5.0
The book is centered around Joan, a ballerina, who lives for ballet but realizes that she will never be a star and decides to leave ballet to start a family. I loved this story. It was well written, engaging, and the big secret of the story...I did not see that coming.