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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment
Additional TW: revenge porn
I love being submerged into the gritty backstage world of professional ballerinas and their never-ending drive for perfection. It is always so interesting to be exposed to a world you know so little about personally. The author did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was right there in the studio with all of the characters.
Delphine, Lyndsey and Margeaux are best friends who met through the POB (Paris Opera Ballet) as young girls, and the book follows their journey through different time frames starting when they are young, to each at 36 years old. The time frames don't follow a linear direction so it's a little confusing, but I was able to catch on pretty quickly. The character development is amazing. Each character was so flawed and not exactly likeable, but I was just enamored with their individual stories, their journeys and their lives outside of the ballet. There are many other important secondary characters, but these three are the central figures throughout. Delphine's mother was a very accomplished ballet dancer herself, so the pressure on Delphine started at a very early age. Lyndsey was the dancer who didn't have all of the polish, but had all of the emotion and probably worked the hardest to succeed. Margeaux seemed to always be the one a little behind the other two in terms of ballet success.
Their friendship scanned the extremes throughout the 25 years of the book. They were joined at the hip when they were young, yet at the same time, always judging and evaluating themselves against each other and scheming to get ahead themselves. When Delphine separates and moves, their friendship holds on by a string. As she returns to Paris, they try to pick up where they left off, but so much has changed. There is a secret between Delphine and Margeaux in regards to something they did to Lyndsey in the past that is alluded to throughout the book that doesn't get revealed until about 2/3 of the way through the story. It was a touch of a let down after all the build up. The ending was a total surprise. But don't go into this book thinking it is a thriller, it is much more of a character-driven drama that has a touch of mystery.
The themes of ambition, loyalty, misogyny, competition, abuse and perfectionism were central to the story. Women have little power even in an industry like ballet which seems on the outside to celebrate the female. The toll on their bodies (especially their toes), their lack of control over their own bodies, their "limited shelf-life" and their small window to succeed all contribute to this thought train. This book was so revealing and gave me such greater insight into the pressures, the competitiveness and the mental toughness inherent in the ballet industry. I really really liked this read and definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy to read and review. Pub Date: 12.07.21
Delphine, Lyndsey and Margeaux are best friends who met through the POB (Paris Opera Ballet) as young girls, and the book follows their journey through different time frames starting when they are young, to each at 36 years old. The time frames don't follow a linear direction so it's a little confusing, but I was able to catch on pretty quickly. The character development is amazing. Each character was so flawed and not exactly likeable, but I was just enamored with their individual stories, their journeys and their lives outside of the ballet. There are many other important secondary characters, but these three are the central figures throughout. Delphine's mother was a very accomplished ballet dancer herself, so the pressure on Delphine started at a very early age. Lyndsey was the dancer who didn't have all of the polish, but had all of the emotion and probably worked the hardest to succeed. Margeaux seemed to always be the one a little behind the other two in terms of ballet success.
Their friendship scanned the extremes throughout the 25 years of the book. They were joined at the hip when they were young, yet at the same time, always judging and evaluating themselves against each other and scheming to get ahead themselves. When Delphine separates and moves, their friendship holds on by a string. As she returns to Paris, they try to pick up where they left off, but so much has changed. There is a secret between Delphine and Margeaux in regards to something they did to Lyndsey in the past that is alluded to throughout the book that doesn't get revealed until about 2/3 of the way through the story. It was a touch of a let down after all the build up. The ending was a total surprise. But don't go into this book thinking it is a thriller, it is much more of a character-driven drama that has a touch of mystery.
The themes of ambition, loyalty, misogyny, competition, abuse and perfectionism were central to the story. Women have little power even in an industry like ballet which seems on the outside to celebrate the female. The toll on their bodies (especially their toes), their lack of control over their own bodies, their "limited shelf-life" and their small window to succeed all contribute to this thought train. This book was so revealing and gave me such greater insight into the pressures, the competitiveness and the mental toughness inherent in the ballet industry. I really really liked this read and definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy to read and review. Pub Date: 12.07.21
mysterious
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Anyway, one of the characters, who doesn't want kids amd has been harangued for years by her misogynist husband, accidentally gets pregnant and her "feminist" friend tries to make her keep it and argues that a seven week fetus "is a baby." Fuck off
The Ballerinas was an okay book. I enjoyed the fact that we see the trio grow up together while also seeing life in the present day. The book was well written and felt like we were seeing inside the mind of Delphine.
For myself personally, I thought the language was quite vulgar. It felt like a character was cursing in some way on every page. The book also handles sensitive, controversial issues. Finally, I felt like all of the best parts were past the halfway point; the story moved slowly.
For myself personally, I thought the language was quite vulgar. It felt like a character was cursing in some way on every page. The book also handles sensitive, controversial issues. Finally, I felt like all of the best parts were past the halfway point; the story moved slowly.
The disappointing look at a dancer-turned-choreographer, somewhat based on life at Paris Opera Ballet and the larger ballet world (yes, there is a difference in schooling and style among the "great" ballet companies) is really more soap opera than look at ballet. There are a lot of stereotypes and what felt to me like slightly lazy writing. YMMV.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
slow-paced
Nothing like the black swan. It almost felt like it could be YA the writing was so generic. The big huge secret at the end when finally revealed made me laugh. Like really??
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes