Title: The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
Thirteen years ago, Delphine abandoned her prestigious soloist spot at the Paris Opera Ballet for a new life in St. Petersburg––taking with her a secret that could upend the lives of her best friends, fellow dancers Lindsay and Margaux. Now 36 years old, Delphine has returned to her former home and to the legendary Palais Garnier Opera House, to choreograph the ballet that will kickstart the next phase of her career––and, she hopes, finally make things right with her former friends. But Delphine quickly discovers that things have changed while she’s been away…and some secrets can’t stay buried forever.
Moving between the trio’s adolescent years and the present day, Rachel Kapelke-Dale’s The Ballerinas explores the complexities of female friendship, the dark drive towards physical perfection in the name of artistic expression, the double-edged sword of ambition and passion, and the sublimated rage that so many women hold inside––all culminating in a twist you won’t see coming, with magnetic characters you won’t soon forget
Review:
The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale is an enthralling friendship novel set in the world of ballet.
Delphine Léger, Margaux Bisset and Lindsay Price are childhood friends who met as ballet students. Despite the intense competition, the three remain close friends through their early twenties. After finishing school, they rise through the ranks of the Paris Opera Ballet together. But Delphine’s path diverges when she leaves the ballet to move to St. Petersburg. After her relationship with a much older Russian choreographer falls apart, Delphine returns to Paris where she has high expectations of picking up her friendships with Margaux and Lindsay. But her years of neglect are not easily overcome and she struggles to find her footing among her friends.
Delphine is a somewhat self-involved and a little immature despite being in her mid-thirties. She is determined to make up for past mistake but with the Paris Opera Ballet’s and her reputation on the line, she has to make a tough decision. It is also a choice that could destroy her chance at making amends. With a grand vision for the ballet she is choreographing, Delphine casts her past crush, Jock Gerard, in a lead role that soon leads to her butting heads with the person who could sideline her and her project.
In her personal life, Delphine attempts to mend fences with Stella, the woman she views as a mother figure and Margaux. Stella is forgiving and welcomes her back into her life until Delphine’s immaturity causes a seemingly unfixable rift between them. Margaux is angry at Delphine for essentially abandoning their friendship and making little attempt to stay in contact. She is quick to point out that Delphine knows nothing of her life and it might be too little, too late for them.
The Ballerinas is a compelling novel with a hint of mystery. The characters are well-drawn with realistic flaws and strengths. The details about the ballet are quite interesting and paint a vivid behind the scene portrait of the hard work, dedication and physical toll of ballet dancing. The storyline is engaging and moves at an even pace. With a shocking scandal and an unexpected plot twist, Rachel Kapelke-Dale brings this complex story of friendship to an unpredictable conclusion.
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