Book of the Month/August 2018 - Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
"Étonnez-moi" Diaghilev would insist to his company.....'Astonish me'.
Maggie Shipstead's novel spans three decades and is told from multiple points of view; it is set within the world of a New York Ballet Company and to quote Jennifer B McDonald from The New York Times it is:
'a mash-up of late-20th-century ballet’s hottest tabloid hits; a “Turning Point”-style tale of fateful choices, resentments and regrets'
AKA, the perfect summer/holiday read, all the beloved ballet characters are present within the narrative.
The 'Deeficult Russian Artiste' who has defected to the west, the charismatic, demanding and brilliant ballet impresario/choreographer and the troubled muse.
It'a a well observed and nuanced tale, that explores relationships, the quest for perfection and the demands of classical ballet within personal and professional lives.
'Astonish Me' is available in Hardcopy, Digital and Audio Formats.
Comments