Deirdre Kelly's "Ballerina"

jannie
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Posts: 5

Deirdre Kelly's "Ballerina" Jan 25, 2013 6:15:31 GMT -5

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Post by jannie on Jan 25, 2013 6:15:31 GMT -5

Good Evening!

Any professional dancers out there who read Deirdre Kelly's book "Ballerina"? I wonder what the professionals and Balletomanes would think of it, or if you would agree with the contents in general.

I saw it at my local bookstore recently - and judging only from reviews it seems to contain a lot of information that I'd rather NOT know. There are several reviews on the author's website: www.deirdrekelly.com/

No, I haven't read it myself (As a Male of the human species I prefer to live in blissful ignorance when it comes to certain things... Violence against, or suffering of any kind where women and children are involved is something that REALLY upsets me.)

Opinions?
-- JN

atlantic
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Posts: 8

Deirdre Kelly's "Ballerina" Jan 25, 2013 16:45:46 GMT -5

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Post by atlantic on Jan 25, 2013 16:45:46 GMT -5

I actually own this book! I purchased it on Amazon on a whim. It was very interesting (I am just a balletomane/recreational dancer). It examines ballet from a feminist point of view and highlights the general mistreatment female dancers endure.

In the past they were more like a western Geisha (trained 'artists' that served as mistresses). Obviously that is no longer the case, but it does make the reader question if they are much better off nowadays.

I wouldn't say there is much violence against women, but there is still a lot of disregard for a ballerina's health and well being.

If you want a more fist hand account of the life of a modern-day ballerina, I would recommend "Bunheads" by Sophie Flack. It is a teen fictional novel, but it is based on her experiences. You can definitely find it at the library.

jannie
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Posts: 5

Deirdre Kelly's "Ballerina" Jan 28, 2013 19:53:19 GMT -5

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Post by jannie on Jan 28, 2013 19:53:19 GMT -5

Jan 25, 2013 16:45:46 GMT -5 atlantic said:

....It examines ballet from a feminist point of view and highlights the general mistreatment female dancers endure.

In the past they were more like a western Geisha (trained 'artists' that served as mistresses). Obviously that is no longer the case, but it does make the reader question if they are much better off nowadays....

Thank you for the info, Atlantic! I recall that during my military service years ago, out of absolute sheer boredom I picked up and started reading a book that looked like some kind of romance novel (no I don't read those as a rule - I'm a GUY!!! - but you'd be amazed at what silly things one can do if you get bored enough). This book turned out to be NOT a romance novel, but a sort of dramatized / novelized biography of an early-19th century Ballet dancer by the name of Fanny Elssler. From what the life of young dancers were supposedly like back then, there is no comparison at all to today (other than that most dancers STILL seem to be grossly underpaid!)

-- JN

Post by jannie on Jan 25, 2013 6:15:31 GMT -5

Post by atlantic on Jan 25, 2013 16:45:46 GMT -5

Post by jannie on Jan 28, 2013 19:53:19 GMT -5

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