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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
There are so many good elements of Kapelke-Dale's The Ballerinas. For about 80% of the book, it's a character-driven, intense look at the French ballet world--told in two timelines when the protagonist is a young girl going through the intense training and then as the protagonist is older and trying to find her place in the world as an aging ballerina turned choreographer. I really enjoyed the dynamic of Delphine's relationships with her two best friends as they tried to navigate their place in the ballet world and each other. Even when Delphine is self-involved there's still something likeable about her. However, the book does jump shark almost near the end, taking us on a weird journey that ultimately makes the book feel unsatisfying.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took a long time to get into the actual story, but when it got going, I understood why. The character development was wonderful. I feel it does the reader a disservice to liken this story to “The Black Swan,” though. I distracted myself for a good chunk of the book with theories that never played out because the author never intended for that to be what the reader should focus on. I would definitely recommend this book to others.
reflective
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
The first 75% of the book is slow paced and character driven. The last 25% is plot based although there is also character growth.
This is a great book that references ballet and life in Paris, which is what I mainly read it for. The author’s writing is beautiful, but the first 75% of the book may be too slow if you’re not interested in either of those things.
This is a great book that references ballet and life in Paris, which is what I mainly read it for. The author’s writing is beautiful, but the first 75% of the book may be too slow if you’re not interested in either of those things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Abortion
Minor: Death
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway…Thank you! If you are even mildly interested in the world of ballet, then this is the book for you. This book immerses you into the intensity of being a top level student in one of the most prestigious ballet schools, along with all of the competition, friendships, and betrayals that can come along with it. I had a bit of a hard time following all of the past and present time jumps, but overall I enjoyed the storyline.
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
"Whatever, it's a thing in America. There's just this idea that you can do whatever you want. But no one ever tells you there's going to be so much judgement."
The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke - Dale is a story about a trio of girls who meet in ballerina school and become lifelong friends going through different stages of their lives. When I first became interested in this book, I originally thought it would be a thriller but it is definitely not and closer to a women's fiction, historical fiction kind of read.
The book goes back and forth between timelines of when the three friends were younger in ballerina school and current time as adults - one still dancing, one as a ballet choreographer, and one who is trying to move on from the ballet world.
I really enjoyed reading this novel but it is definitely a more slow read and a more deep and thoughtful kind of book. It was really interesting reading about what the ballerina world is like and it was really sad to me what ballerinas go through not just physically but emotionally in a world where the way you look, your youth, and how you dance really play into how successful a career you can have. It is such a competitive field in which even your closest friends could become enemies in order to get chosen for a prized part. The male counterparts have a much longer career in the ballet world which kind of surprised me but infuriated me because once again, you really get that misogynistic vibe that really is still an ongoing issue. Also touches on pro-choice vs. pro-life.
I really enjoyed the well-developed characters, the Paris scene, and learning about the ballet world. So if you want a slower read and learn about ballet as well as some drama, then check this book out.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke - Dale is a story about a trio of girls who meet in ballerina school and become lifelong friends going through different stages of their lives. When I first became interested in this book, I originally thought it would be a thriller but it is definitely not and closer to a women's fiction, historical fiction kind of read.
The book goes back and forth between timelines of when the three friends were younger in ballerina school and current time as adults - one still dancing, one as a ballet choreographer, and one who is trying to move on from the ballet world.
I really enjoyed reading this novel but it is definitely a more slow read and a more deep and thoughtful kind of book. It was really interesting reading about what the ballerina world is like and it was really sad to me what ballerinas go through not just physically but emotionally in a world where the way you look, your youth, and how you dance really play into how successful a career you can have. It is such a competitive field in which even your closest friends could become enemies in order to get chosen for a prized part. The male counterparts have a much longer career in the ballet world which kind of surprised me but infuriated me because once again, you really get that misogynistic vibe that really is still an ongoing issue. Also touches on pro-choice vs. pro-life.
I really enjoyed the well-developed characters, the Paris scene, and learning about the ballet world. So if you want a slower read and learn about ballet as well as some drama, then check this book out.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
It was very well written. The setting of Paris and the atmosphere of being in POB were very interesting. The overall story felt a bit boring at times. Delphine’s monologues especially dragged towards the ending. An okay read!
The Ballerinas is a look at the world of international professional ballet. I would call this book a psychological thriller. It is a character driven book. Honestly, I really struggled to even like the Delphine for most of the book. She was self-centered, conniving, and a terrible friend to so many.
The book is a dual timeline book based about three girls: Delphine, Margo and Lindsey. The story flips between when the girls were younger and starting out in the ballet and 2018 when three were women in the mid-thirties. Honestly, I really struggled to even like the Delphine for most of the book. She was self-centered, conniving, and a terrible friend to so many. She did redeem herself at the very end of the book but it was almost a little too late for me.
This book shows, all too realistically, the pressure and attention these girls felt for how they looked, how they performed, and how they progressed up the ranks where there was little friendship due to the competition.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
The book is a dual timeline book based about three girls: Delphine, Margo and Lindsey. The story flips between when the girls were younger and starting out in the ballet and 2018 when three were women in the mid-thirties. Honestly, I really struggled to even like the Delphine for most of the book. She was self-centered, conniving, and a terrible friend to so many. She did redeem herself at the very end of the book but it was almost a little too late for me.
This book shows, all too realistically, the pressure and attention these girls felt for how they looked, how they performed, and how they progressed up the ranks where there was little friendship due to the competition.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. All thoughts & opinions are my own.
Slow start, and I found myself opting for the radio over the book several times in the first third, but by the end, I was listening at work. Lovely story, strong feminist themes, really beautiful writing.