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A review by inthelunaseas
Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
3.0
I enjoyed the vast majority of this book. Ballet will always be a passion close to my heart, even though I'm unable to dance the way I once did. The ballet scenes were exquisite, and though Shipstead claims to not be a dancer herself, there's a real understanding there. There's a sound understanding of both what it takes to be a good dancer, and what it takes to be a great dancer.
The non-linear storytelling style was an interesting choice, and one that I felt worked in this novel. If it was told linearly, I believe it would be a far more dull story.
The book hooked me until the end, when the relationships become, uh, a little bizarre. I didn't like the sudden relationship development between Arslan and Chloe, which felt just a touch incestuous. Then there was the gratuitous ballet Arslan staged at the end and it all felt just flat. The rest of the novel had developed so wonderfully, and it felt as though Shipstead wasn't sure how to end it all- and maybe she didn't. Arslan and Harry eventually needed to meet, for certain, but there was the issue of Chloe. It all left a sour taste in my mouth.
The non-linear storytelling style was an interesting choice, and one that I felt worked in this novel. If it was told linearly, I believe it would be a far more dull story.
The book hooked me until the end, when the relationships become, uh, a little bizarre. I didn't like the sudden relationship development between Arslan and Chloe, which felt just a touch incestuous. Then there was the gratuitous ballet Arslan staged at the end and it all felt just flat. The rest of the novel had developed so wonderfully, and it felt as though Shipstead wasn't sure how to end it all- and maybe she didn't. Arslan and Harry eventually needed to meet, for certain, but there was the issue of Chloe. It all left a sour taste in my mouth.