Wishing Everyone a Magical 2015!
Love Zoe xx
I review children's books from picture books, middle grade fiction, non fiction and young adult books. Formerly the children's book reviewer for The South Wales Evening Post
Showing posts with label ballet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ballet. Show all posts
Wednesday, 31 December 2014
Monday, 19 May 2014
Book Review The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Synopsis
A gripping novel set in Belle Époque Paris and inspired by the real-life model for Degas’s Little Dancer Aged Fourteen and a notorious criminal trial of the era.
Paris. 1878. Following their father’s sudden death, the van Goethem sisters find their lives upended. Without his wages, and with the small amount their laundress mother earns disappearing into the absinthe bottle, eviction from their lodgings seems imminent. With few options for work, Marie is dispatched to the Paris Opéra, where for a scant seventy francs a month, she will be trained to enter the famous ballet. Her older sister, Antoinette, finds work — and the love of a dangerous young man — as an extra in a stage adaptation of Émile Zola’s naturalist masterpiece L’Assommoir.
Marie throws herself into dance and is soon modelling in the studio of Edgar Degas, where her image will forever be immortalized as Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. Antoinette, meanwhile, descends lower and lower in society, and must make the choice between a life of honest labor and the more profitable avenues open to a young woman of the Parisian demimonde — that is, unless her love affair derails her completely.
Set at a moment of profound artistic, cultural, and societal change, The Painted Girls is a tale of two remarkable sisters rendered uniquely vulnerable to the darker impulses of “civilized society.”
My Musings
Two sisters who struggle to survive in the underbelly of society in The Belle Epoque of Paris. Both have dreams that lead them to make wrong decisions and you are drawn into this dark and mysterious world of the not so glamorous life in the theatre. You can see and smell their Paris in which young girls used and abused by rich men. This is fascinating tale based on fact that Buchanan has spun into a vibrant dark world. These few threads of truth draw the reader in and really make us care about the girls and their survival. There is something magical about The Little Ballerina by Degas and the book really imagines and brings life to the art of Degas. Particularly fascinating to me was the relationship between Degas and Marie, the younger sister who models for him for a couple of yearas. It is an impersonal and cold relationship of a voyeur studying his model and creating something beautiful and sensuous. This love and passion are strictly kept for his drawings, paintings and finally the creation of his statue. There is no real friendship from him or caring or interest. The love in the book is imbued into the relationship between the sisters and what they will sacrifice for each other. A beautiful dark novel for those interested in ballet, theatre, art and historical novels.
For more books on ballet or art see my two book lists below
A List of Books for Ballet Lovers
A List of Books For Art Lovers
Wednesday, 5 March 2014
Darcey Bussell talking about her life
Darcey Bussell talking about her life and career as a Prima Ballerina on BBC Iplayer
Darcey Bussell on Iplayer
Darcey Bussell on Iplayer
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
Books for Ballet Lovers Part 2 Fiction for Adults and Children
Books for Ballet Lovers Part 2 Fiction for Adults and Children
Pia Soto is the sexy and glamorous prima ballerina, the Brazilian bombshell who’s shaking up the ballet world with her outrageous behaviour. She’s determined that no man will ever control her destiny. But ruthless financier Will Silk has Pia in his sights, When a devastating accident threatens to cut short Pia’s illustrious career, Sophie has to step out of the shadows and face up to the demons in her own life. A really fun holiday read by an author who has clearly done her research. Very enjoyable with larger than life characters and lots of glamour!
A historical romance in which one Harriet Morton comes to life only when she attends her weekly ballet class in 1912. She finds her fortune as a dancer, but all the time she is followed by her father and by the man intent on becoming her husband. A great read for Ibbotson fans and a modern day classic!
Picador ISBN- 978-0230014848
Children 9+
The story of three sisters going to stage school, the youngest being an inspiring dancer. A Classic.
Stories of a little student ballerina being whisked away into the words of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and the Nutcracker (isbn below). Beautiful illustrations and a real delight.
A Series of adventures of a little mouse who is a ballerina. Picture Books
Aspiring artists can choose from gorgeous projects including a Sugar Plum Fairy, a Fairytale castle and a Princess Sleepover. With simple step-by-step instructions, children will be able to produce satisfying results time and time again.
Dress the ballerinas up in different costumes with 400 stickers provided
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| Alina Cojocaru and Sergei Polunin by Zoe James-Williams, pastel |
My list of ballet books was getting so long I thought I had better put it into two parts.
Books for Ballet Lovers Part 2 focuses on ballet in fiction for adults and children.
Ballet In Fiction
Prima Donna by Karen Swan
Pia Soto is the sexy and glamorous prima ballerina, the Brazilian bombshell who’s shaking up the ballet world with her outrageous behaviour. She’s determined that no man will ever control her destiny. But ruthless financier Will Silk has Pia in his sights, When a devastating accident threatens to cut short Pia’s illustrious career, Sophie has to step out of the shadows and face up to the demons in her own life. A really fun holiday read by an author who has clearly done her research. Very enjoyable with larger than life characters and lots of glamour!
Dancer by Colin McCann
Fictional life of Rudolf Nureyev as a child and how he became a dancer.
Phoenix ISBN: 978-0753817049
First Love by Adrienne Sharp
Gripping story of two ballet dancers in love making their way through the ranks. Quite dark in places so have put it in Fiction but could be given to older teenager. NB this seems to be out of print but if you can get it worth the read. An easy holiday read.
Arrow ISBN-13: 978-0099491026
Two books using Degas and the ballet world so must read
Painted girls by Cathy Buchanan
Set in the Paris it tells the story of three sisters, one of whom becomes the model for Degas' Little Dancer Aged Fourteen. A Darkly Beautiful read on theatre life in The Belle Epoque. For My Review click here
US Imports ISBN-13: 978-1594486241
Ballet in Children's Fiction 7+
Company of Swans by Eva Ibbotson
A historical romance in which one Harriet Morton comes to life only when she attends her weekly ballet class in 1912. She finds her fortune as a dancer, but all the time she is followed by her father and by the man intent on becoming her husband. A great read for Ibbotson fans and a modern day classic! Picador ISBN- 978-0230014848
Children 9+
Ballet Shoes Noel Streatfield
Puffin ISBN- 978-0141334424
Children 9+
Children 9+
Dancing Shoes by Noel Streatfield
When their mother dies, leaving them orphaned, Rachel and Hilary are sent to live with their aunt, who runs a troupe of dancing girls -'Mrs Wintle's Little Wonders'. Hilary, a talented dancer, settles there immediately and loves the chance to dance every day. Rachel finds it more difficult to fit in. She's also got another worry on her mind. Her mother's dying wish was for Hilary to attend the Royal Ballet School. But Hilary seems to have other ideas! Another classic
Hodder ISBN- 978-0340626634
Children 9+
Children 9+
Magic Ballerina Series by Darcey Bussell
A delightful series of stories about different little ballerina's on various adventures. The first one is called Delphie and the Magic Ballet Slippers.
Harper Collins ISBN- 978-0007286072
Children 7+
Children 7+
Ballet in Picture and Activity Books
TIGER IN A TUTU BY FABI SANTIAGO
PICTURE BOOK 3+
A striking picture book about a tiger who aspires to be a ballet dancer in Paris. Against all the odds he follows his dream and with a little help from his new friend finally performs in a proper theatre. The bold limited palette really captures the French capital and the twilight world of theatre life. Enchanting and inspiring with the lovely sentiment that nothing is impossible this is the perfect present for little dancers everywhere.
ISBN: 9781408336885 HB Orchard Books £11.99
5/5 Stars
ISBN: 9781408336885 HB Orchard Books £11.99
Ella Bella Series by James Mayhew
Stories of a little student ballerina being whisked away into the words of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and the Nutcracker (isbn below). Beautiful illustrations and a real delight.
Dogs Don't Do Ballet by Anna Kemp
Funny and heart warming story of a Dog who Dreams of Being a Ballerina
Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1847384744
Tutu Tilly Series by Adele Geras
Tilly's adventures as a ballerina including My Ballet Dream and Little Ballet Star and The Ballet Class(isbn below)
Orchard ISBN: 978-1843624134
Angelina Ballerina Series by Katherine Holabird
A Series of adventures of a little mouse who is a ballerina. Picture Books
Puffin ISBN- 978-0723271666
Fairy Pop-Up Ballet Tree
A beautiful 3D pop-up tree with movable pieces, press-out fairies and decorations, fun fairy facts and a novelty pocket
Macmillan ISBN 978-0230760301
How to Draw Princesses and Ballerinas by Fiona Watt 5+
Aspiring artists can choose from gorgeous projects including a Sugar Plum Fairy, a Fairytale castle and a Princess Sleepover. With simple step-by-step instructions, children will be able to produce satisfying results time and time again.
Usborne ISBN 978-1409566366
Ballerinas, Usborne Sticker Fashion by Leonie Pratt 5+
Dress the ballerinas up in different costumes with 400 stickers provided
Usborne ISBN 978-0746076583
Monday, 2 December 2013
Books for Ballet Lovers Part 1 Non Fiction
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| Waiting to Dance, pastel by Zoe James-Williams www.zoejameswilliams.com Books for Ballet Lovers Being a huge ballet lover and fan I have read and have been given all types of ballet books so I thought I would make a categorised list from my bookshelf and wish list. Please feel free to add suggestions that I may have missed. Ballet BiographiesNo Way Home by Carlos Acosta
Harper Perennial ISBN 978-0007250783
Xander Parish, Russian Prince This tells the extraordinary story of the former Royal Ballet dancer, whose exceptional talent was spotted by Yuri Fateyev, artistic director of the legendary St Petersburg company.
ISBN 978-09549804-6-7 £15.95
Rudolf Nureyev, The Life by Judith Kavanagh
A fascinating biography of one of the worlds most famous ballet dancers. It covers his highs and lows and you will laugh and cry. A real work of love.
Penguin ISBN- 978-0141029696
Daria Klimentova, The Agony and Ectasy by Daria Klimentova and Graham Watts Autobiography of Daria Klimentova Senior Principal at English National Ballet. Daria had forged a remarkable partnership with the young Russian Principal, Vadim Muntagirov,
Metro Books ISBN 978-1857828832
Margot Fonteyn by Meredith DanemanThe extraordinary life of one of Britains most loved prima ballerina's.
Penguin ISBN 978-0140165302
Dancer in Wartime by Gillian Lynne
Biography of a young dancer working her way through the ranks in WW2 alonside such names as Fonteyn and Moira Shearer. I thought this was a delight. Very insightful and fascinating.
Vintage ISBN 978-0099555773
Bloomsbury Ballerina by Judith Mackrell
The extraordinary story of Russian ballerina Lydia Lopokova who lived a long and remarkable life.
Orion ISBN- 978-0753825785
Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin
Told in his own distinctive voice, this is Li's inspirational story of how he came to be Mao's last dancer, and one of the world's greatest ballet dancers.
Penguin ISBN: 978-0141040226
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