Scan barcode
epgr's review against another edition
Oh, blah, blah, blah. While I'm mildly curious about what happens to the characters in the end, I'm not curious enough to wade through the second half of this boooooring book.
cherircohen's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. A little too much jumping around, though.
maggiemad's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. A beautiful work about passion, love, and desire and the way we intertwine all 3 as humans. All through the lens of professional ballet. I really loved this one.
ohemgee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
eveningreader's review against another edition
3.0
My love of ballet and my enjoyment of Maggie Shipstead's writing kept me going with this novel. The first half is especially absorbing and well done, but the the second half has too many elements that seem pulled from a Lifetime movie.
stevienlcf's review against another edition
4.0
Spanning three decades and a handful of cities, including New York and Paris, Shipstead grounds "Astonish Me" in the rarified world of professional ballet. It is 1977, and Joan Joyce, a member of the company, recognizes that despite her rigorous discipline, her ballet career has run its course. Pregnant, she reunites with her best friend from home, Jacob, a "reasonably handsome, affable" man who has pined for Joan since high school. They move to Southern California, where Joan gives birth to their son, Harry, and opens a dance studio. Jacob wants to satisfy Joan and be a good father to Harry, but he realizes that the "unobtainable" Joan cannot love him the way he wanted her to.
Before their marriage, Joan had a one-night stand with the dazzling Soviet dancer, Arslan Rusakov, a stand-in for Mikhail Baryshnikov. Joan helped Arslan defect and "for two months, maybe three, [she] was the main woman, the lead -- the one on his arm at parties and events, famous as his accomplice, the brave girl in the news story -- but she slipped bit by bit down into the ensemble cast." Tormented by her own inadequacies, Joan leaves Arslan and the company, but the repercussions of their affair form the book's twist, although even the most inattentive reader could surely see the twist coming.
Although the novel is weak on plot, Shipstead does a masterful job of presenting the inner-lives of her rich characters, particularly Joan's former roommate, Elaine Costas, who had a long affair with the company's artistic director, one of the most famous choreographers of the 20th century, and Chloe Wheelock, a neighbor and ballet protege whose relationship with Harry mirrors Joan's relationship with Arslan. "Astonish Me" is not just an expose of the punishing world of ballet where even the most dedicated dancer may be enagged in a constant battle with her own limbs, but is also a rumination on universal themes, such as insecurity, friendship and love.
Before their marriage, Joan had a one-night stand with the dazzling Soviet dancer, Arslan Rusakov, a stand-in for Mikhail Baryshnikov. Joan helped Arslan defect and "for two months, maybe three, [she] was the main woman, the lead -- the one on his arm at parties and events, famous as his accomplice, the brave girl in the news story -- but she slipped bit by bit down into the ensemble cast." Tormented by her own inadequacies, Joan leaves Arslan and the company, but the repercussions of their affair form the book's twist, although even the most inattentive reader could surely see the twist coming.
Although the novel is weak on plot, Shipstead does a masterful job of presenting the inner-lives of her rich characters, particularly Joan's former roommate, Elaine Costas, who had a long affair with the company's artistic director, one of the most famous choreographers of the 20th century, and Chloe Wheelock, a neighbor and ballet protege whose relationship with Harry mirrors Joan's relationship with Arslan. "Astonish Me" is not just an expose of the punishing world of ballet where even the most dedicated dancer may be enagged in a constant battle with her own limbs, but is also a rumination on universal themes, such as insecurity, friendship and love.
hmonkeyreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story about professional ballet and the intricate relationships between principal dancers, their co-workers and their non-ballet friends and family. The story sets its focus on Joan, a dancer in the corps with no hope for advancement, and her unlikely relationship with a Russian star who defects from Russia to dance in New York. Over decades we learn what happens to Joan, her family, and the Russian dancer.
Had I not recently watched a few seasons of reality TV that showed the backstage of a professional ballet company I don't know that I would have really appreciated this story. Knowing what I know about how difficult the life of a ballet dancer is added a great deal of depth to the story for me. I also did some quick googling to determine that the defector and the mysterious Mr. K seem to be representations of Baryshnikov and Balanchine.
The story tended to be dark but I found it all quite enjoyable.
Had I not recently watched a few seasons of reality TV that showed the backstage of a professional ballet company I don't know that I would have really appreciated this story. Knowing what I know about how difficult the life of a ballet dancer is added a great deal of depth to the story for me. I also did some quick googling to determine that the defector and the mysterious Mr. K seem to be representations of Baryshnikov and Balanchine.
The story tended to be dark but I found it all quite enjoyable.
kumipaul's review against another edition
3.0
My wife and I started ballet lessons together 10 years ago in our 50's. I lasted one year, and she's still dancing. With all the sports and activities I've done in my life, ballet was the most difficult. However, I learned enough to understand all the technical ballet language in this book, and also to understand that ballet life for professionals is miserable. You're always in competition, never good enough, constantly fighting aging and injury, and surrounded by arrogance. This story reflects all of that very well. My very limited beginner ballet experience was enough for me to closely relate to the story, and for that reason, I waver between rating this 3 stars or 4, so I'll settle on 3 1/2. I really enjoyed Shipstead's storytelling, and I look forward to reading Great Circle as well.