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melissa08112's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars really.
I read this book in two gulps with a long pause in the middle. I liked the second gulp much more than I did the first though. As if the second half was written first and then the author went back and tried (not nearly so successfully) to take all of these very interesting characters and relationships and show where they came from. The transitions between where the characters begin and where they end don't feel organic, they feel pushed or forced. Often the author just tells us something is so without really showing us (which she does quite well later on).
I read this book in two gulps with a long pause in the middle. I liked the second gulp much more than I did the first though. As if the second half was written first and then the author went back and tried (not nearly so successfully) to take all of these very interesting characters and relationships and show where they came from. The transitions between where the characters begin and where they end don't feel organic, they feel pushed or forced. Often the author just tells us something is so without really showing us (which she does quite well later on).
sjruskin's review against another edition
1.0
Couldn't even finish this one. Can't blame it on the story. It was the narrator.
jsboswell22's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A window into the harsh reality of ballet, which looks so beautiful and effortless on the outside. Compelling and as gritty and grotesque as real life.
smemmott's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Entertaining.
mfliegel17's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
missmim's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one. I know that Shipstead took a lot of actual history, and actual people of the dance world, and put them in a fiction blender to pop out these characters, but I still loved it. I didn't really know too much about the dance world (although I have read articles about Baryshnikov's defection), so this was a great intro. And then of course I had to watch The Turning Point. Anyway! This book is great. The end I'm not in love with, but up until then it's solid.
pennylane49's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
cainscr's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shelbyjocampbell's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0