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pagespoursandpups 's review for:
The Ballerinas
by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
I love being submerged into the gritty backstage world of professional ballerinas and their never-ending drive for perfection. It is always so interesting to be exposed to a world you know so little about personally. The author did a wonderful job of making me feel like I was right there in the studio with all of the characters.
Delphine, Lyndsey and Margeaux are best friends who met through the POB (Paris Opera Ballet) as young girls, and the book follows their journey through different time frames starting when they are young, to each at 36 years old. The time frames don't follow a linear direction so it's a little confusing, but I was able to catch on pretty quickly. The character development is amazing. Each character was so flawed and not exactly likeable, but I was just enamored with their individual stories, their journeys and their lives outside of the ballet. There are many other important secondary characters, but these three are the central figures throughout. Delphine's mother was a very accomplished ballet dancer herself, so the pressure on Delphine started at a very early age. Lyndsey was the dancer who didn't have all of the polish, but had all of the emotion and probably worked the hardest to succeed. Margeaux seemed to always be the one a little behind the other two in terms of ballet success.
Their friendship scanned the extremes throughout the 25 years of the book. They were joined at the hip when they were young, yet at the same time, always judging and evaluating themselves against each other and scheming to get ahead themselves. When Delphine separates and moves, their friendship holds on by a string. As she returns to Paris, they try to pick up where they left off, but so much has changed. There is a secret between Delphine and Margeaux in regards to something they did to Lyndsey in the past that is alluded to throughout the book that doesn't get revealed until about 2/3 of the way through the story. It was a touch of a let down after all the build up. The ending was a total surprise. But don't go into this book thinking it is a thriller, it is much more of a character-driven drama that has a touch of mystery.
The themes of ambition, loyalty, misogyny, competition, abuse and perfectionism were central to the story. Women have little power even in an industry like ballet which seems on the outside to celebrate the female. The toll on their bodies (especially their toes), their lack of control over their own bodies, their "limited shelf-life" and their small window to succeed all contribute to this thought train. This book was so revealing and gave me such greater insight into the pressures, the competitiveness and the mental toughness inherent in the ballet industry. I really really liked this read and definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy to read and review. Pub Date: 12.07.21
Delphine, Lyndsey and Margeaux are best friends who met through the POB (Paris Opera Ballet) as young girls, and the book follows their journey through different time frames starting when they are young, to each at 36 years old. The time frames don't follow a linear direction so it's a little confusing, but I was able to catch on pretty quickly. The character development is amazing. Each character was so flawed and not exactly likeable, but I was just enamored with their individual stories, their journeys and their lives outside of the ballet. There are many other important secondary characters, but these three are the central figures throughout. Delphine's mother was a very accomplished ballet dancer herself, so the pressure on Delphine started at a very early age. Lyndsey was the dancer who didn't have all of the polish, but had all of the emotion and probably worked the hardest to succeed. Margeaux seemed to always be the one a little behind the other two in terms of ballet success.
Their friendship scanned the extremes throughout the 25 years of the book. They were joined at the hip when they were young, yet at the same time, always judging and evaluating themselves against each other and scheming to get ahead themselves. When Delphine separates and moves, their friendship holds on by a string. As she returns to Paris, they try to pick up where they left off, but so much has changed. There is a secret between Delphine and Margeaux in regards to something they did to Lyndsey in the past that is alluded to throughout the book that doesn't get revealed until about 2/3 of the way through the story. It was a touch of a let down after all the build up. The ending was a total surprise. But don't go into this book thinking it is a thriller, it is much more of a character-driven drama that has a touch of mystery.
The themes of ambition, loyalty, misogyny, competition, abuse and perfectionism were central to the story. Women have little power even in an industry like ballet which seems on the outside to celebrate the female. The toll on their bodies (especially their toes), their lack of control over their own bodies, their "limited shelf-life" and their small window to succeed all contribute to this thought train. This book was so revealing and gave me such greater insight into the pressures, the competitiveness and the mental toughness inherent in the ballet industry. I really really liked this read and definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy to read and review. Pub Date: 12.07.21