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nazjaimercdes's reviews
283 reviews
The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History by Karen Valby
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.25
I got this as my first ARC it was super exciting! Thank you to Netgalley!
The Swans of Harlem is not only the story of the five women it prominently features. It is the untold story of ballet. With each name, and story the author details decades worth of erased history. She never misses the chance to give credit to each person mentioned. In many ways it is also a love letter to Harlem. The writing is approachable not condescending, or preachy. The author from her white, and outside perspective writes the history of women she has grown close too. She helps us peer into their greatness. In one word she is genuine. she writes there words and experiences but does mot speak for them. Through each perspective we navigate the white space of ballet through each young black woman’s eyes. We weep when they weep, we smile when they do, but more than that we feel their despair from being erased. Then there pride being the ones to set the record straight, and create a modern world of ballet, for black ballerinas everywhere. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s! highly recommend.
The Swans of Harlem is not only the story of the five women it prominently features. It is the untold story of ballet. With each name, and story the author details decades worth of erased history. She never misses the chance to give credit to each person mentioned. In many ways it is also a love letter to Harlem. The writing is approachable not condescending, or preachy. The author from her white, and outside perspective writes the history of women she has grown close too. She helps us peer into their greatness. In one word she is genuine. she writes there words and experiences but does mot speak for them. Through each perspective we navigate the white space of ballet through each young black woman’s eyes. We weep when they weep, we smile when they do, but more than that we feel their despair from being erased. Then there pride being the ones to set the record straight, and create a modern world of ballet, for black ballerinas everywhere. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s! highly recommend.
The Prospects by KT Hoffman
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
**Thank You to Netgalley, the publisher & author for the E-Arc.**
This is a story at its core about hope. The characters I adored, they felt so real and fleshed out. Gene is a beautifully written character, I loved watching him grow through his own limits and reach for bigger things. I found myself wanting and hoping for everything he could become. I believed in him. More than that I believe in this message. so to every transgender, individual reading this reach for the stars, hope , want and yearn because you can.
This is a story at its core about hope. The characters I adored, they felt so real and fleshed out. Gene is a beautifully written character, I loved watching him grow through his own limits and reach for bigger things. I found myself wanting and hoping for everything he could become. I believed in him. More than that I believe in this message. so to every transgender, individual reading this reach for the stars, hope , want and yearn because you can.