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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
This book is definitely slow and you have to care about the world of ballerinas to get through the first half. Which interested me so I enjoyed it. The 2nd half however is when it takes a dark turn and it was so good. I loved the feminist take on the Ballet and I always love to see women’s wrongs.
The is now the 3rd time I accidentally deleted my review.
This is not a thriller and does not resonate with the 2 thrillers listed in the preview. There were mild moments of suspense (mostly in the end) but should not be categorized as a thriller. I felt mild satisfaction with the ending but would probably not recommend to a friend. I was excited to read this based off the preview but it fell short. I did like the cover TBH.
This is not a thriller and does not resonate with the 2 thrillers listed in the preview. There were mild moments of suspense (mostly in the end) but should not be categorized as a thriller. I felt mild satisfaction with the ending but would probably not recommend to a friend. I was excited to read this based off the preview but it fell short. I did like the cover TBH.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an ARC of "The Ballerinas" by Rachel Kapelke-Dale from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest, I was kind of confused by the Ballerinas. It took me a minute to write this review because I didn't quite know what I felt or what I wanted to say. I feel like this should have been a book I would LOVE or really like, but I just didn't connect with it that way. I think I had misconceptions going in that I was going to be more of a thriller/mystery type book than it ended up being. Maybe that is where it went wrong for me?
I appreciated the friendships that were built around the ballerinas, but overall just could not connect with these characters. When I can't connect with characters, usually a book doesn't resonate with me.
To be honest, I was kind of confused by the Ballerinas. It took me a minute to write this review because I didn't quite know what I felt or what I wanted to say. I feel like this should have been a book I would LOVE or really like, but I just didn't connect with it that way. I think I had misconceptions going in that I was going to be more of a thriller/mystery type book than it ended up being. Maybe that is where it went wrong for me?
I appreciated the friendships that were built around the ballerinas, but overall just could not connect with these characters. When I can't connect with characters, usually a book doesn't resonate with me.
I’m giving this two stars because the writing is great, and I enjoyed the ballet and choreography side of the plot. But the second half of the book is a train wreck, and I just can’t appreciate the “#metoo” theme that excuses murder. Just meh.
Wow I had so many mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed the writing but I thought the story was a little boring. I love books about ballet but this one just didn’t really do it for me.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Blarg. I hated everyone in this book. I didin't technically finish it as I slept through the end but I didn't even rewind what I missed cause I just didn't give a shit what happened to these characters. Gave it two stars instead of one as I love all things dance and those parts made me happy.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In her debut novel, Kapelke-Dale tells the story of three best friends, Delphine, Lindsay, and Margaux, who are talented and passionate ballerinas at the elite/prestigious Paris Opera Ballet. At a young age, they have to learn how to navigate the highly demanding and competitive world of ballet that is inherently exploitative of women and girls. Although their relationships with each other are strong, they’re aso rife with rivalry, secrets and betrayal that are always posed on the outskirts of their friendship, ready to rip them apart if revealed.
As we start the novel, our main character, Delphine, 36 years old is back in Paris after being in Russia for 13 years. There’s the sense that she was running away from something all those years ago- something that still haunts her to this day. Back home, she attempts to make amends, reconcile with her two best friends, reconnect with her elderly neighbor who’s a mother-figure to her, and reignite a relationship with the one that got away, Jock. In the process, shocking discoveries come to light, revealing dreadful truths and unforeseen events that irrevocably change everyone’s lives.
This novel is fundamentally about two things: the power of female friendships and women’s justified rage in the face of patriarchal control. It reminded me of Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends in that they both artfully examine the messiness of women's friendships. It also reminded me of the sensational film Promising Young Woman, since they both cover MeToo themes excellently, featuring men who abuse their power with impunity, the women that are complicit with their inaction, and ultimately the women that expose their abuse to the world.
I enjoyed this book although I wish it had been a little faster-paced.
I would categorize it as Women’s Fiction and would recommend it to fans of books set in Paris, novels featuring female friendships, ballet and MeToo storylines.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
As we start the novel, our main character, Delphine, 36 years old is back in Paris after being in Russia for 13 years. There’s the sense that she was running away from something all those years ago- something that still haunts her to this day. Back home, she attempts to make amends, reconcile with her two best friends, reconnect with her elderly neighbor who’s a mother-figure to her, and reignite a relationship with the one that got away, Jock. In the process, shocking discoveries come to light, revealing dreadful truths and unforeseen events that irrevocably change everyone’s lives.
This novel is fundamentally about two things: the power of female friendships and women’s justified rage in the face of patriarchal control. It reminded me of Sally Rooney’s Conversations with Friends in that they both artfully examine the messiness of women's friendships. It also reminded me of the sensational film Promising Young Woman, since they both cover MeToo themes excellently, featuring men who abuse their power with impunity, the women that are complicit with their inaction, and ultimately the women that expose their abuse to the world.
I enjoyed this book although I wish it had been a little faster-paced.
I would categorize it as Women’s Fiction and would recommend it to fans of books set in Paris, novels featuring female friendships, ballet and MeToo storylines.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.