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kbranfield 's review for:
The Ballerinas
by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
4.5 stars.
The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale is an enthralling friendship novel set in the world of ballet.
Delphine Léger, Margaux Bisset and Lindsay Price are childhood friends who met as ballet students. Despite the intense competition, the three remain close friends through their early twenties. After finishing school, they rise through the ranks of the Paris Opera Ballet together. But Delphine’s path diverges when she leaves the ballet to move to St. Petersburg. After her relationship with a much older Russian choreographer falls apart, Delphine returns to Paris where she has high expectations of picking up her friendships with Margaux and Lindsay. But her years of neglect are not easily overcome and she struggles to find her footing among her friends.
Delphine is a somewhat self-involved and a little immature despite being in her mid-thirties. She is determined to make up for past mistake but with the Paris Opera Ballet’s and her reputation on the line, she has to make a tough decision. It is also a choice that could destroy her chance at making amends. With a grand vision for the ballet she is choreographing, Delphine casts her past crush, Jock Gerard, in a lead role that soon leads to her butting heads with the person who could sideline her and her project.
In her personal life, Delphine attempts to mend fences with Stella, the woman she views as a mother figure and Margaux. Stella is forgiving and welcomes her back into her life until Delphine’s immaturity causes a seemingly unfixable rift between them. Margaux is angry at Delphine for essentially abandoning their friendship and making little attempt to stay in contact. She is quick to point out that Delphine knows nothing of her life and it might be too little, too late for them.
The Ballerinas is a compelling novel with a hint of mystery. The characters are well-drawn with realistic flaws and strengths. The details about the ballet are quite interesting and paint a vivid behind the scene portrait of the hard work, dedication and physical toll of ballet dancing. The storyline is engaging and moves at an even pace. With a shocking scandal and an unexpected plot twist, Rachel Kapelke-Dale brings this complex story of friendship to an unpredictable conclusion.
The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale is an enthralling friendship novel set in the world of ballet.
Delphine Léger, Margaux Bisset and Lindsay Price are childhood friends who met as ballet students. Despite the intense competition, the three remain close friends through their early twenties. After finishing school, they rise through the ranks of the Paris Opera Ballet together. But Delphine’s path diverges when she leaves the ballet to move to St. Petersburg. After her relationship with a much older Russian choreographer falls apart, Delphine returns to Paris where she has high expectations of picking up her friendships with Margaux and Lindsay. But her years of neglect are not easily overcome and she struggles to find her footing among her friends.
Delphine is a somewhat self-involved and a little immature despite being in her mid-thirties. She is determined to make up for past mistake but with the Paris Opera Ballet’s and her reputation on the line, she has to make a tough decision. It is also a choice that could destroy her chance at making amends. With a grand vision for the ballet she is choreographing, Delphine casts her past crush, Jock Gerard, in a lead role that soon leads to her butting heads with the person who could sideline her and her project.
In her personal life, Delphine attempts to mend fences with Stella, the woman she views as a mother figure and Margaux. Stella is forgiving and welcomes her back into her life until Delphine’s immaturity causes a seemingly unfixable rift between them. Margaux is angry at Delphine for essentially abandoning their friendship and making little attempt to stay in contact. She is quick to point out that Delphine knows nothing of her life and it might be too little, too late for them.
The Ballerinas is a compelling novel with a hint of mystery. The characters are well-drawn with realistic flaws and strengths. The details about the ballet are quite interesting and paint a vivid behind the scene portrait of the hard work, dedication and physical toll of ballet dancing. The storyline is engaging and moves at an even pace. With a shocking scandal and an unexpected plot twist, Rachel Kapelke-Dale brings this complex story of friendship to an unpredictable conclusion.