Review: Dancing Through It

Dancing Through It: My Journey in the Ballet
Jenifer Ringer
Autobiography, Dance

Raised in South Carolina, Ringer led a typical kid’s life until she sat in on a friend’s ballet class, an experience that would change her life forever. By the age of twelve she was enrolled at the elite Washington School of Ballet and soon moved to the School of American Ballet. At sixteen she was a professional dancer at the New York City Ballet in Manhattan, home of the legendary George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins.

Ringer takes us inside the dancer’s world, detailing a typical day, performance preparation, and the extraordinary pressures that these athletes face. Ringer shares exhilarating stories of starring in Balanchine productions, working with the famous Peter Martins, and of meeting her husband and falling in love at the New York City Ballet. Ringer also talks candidly of Alistair Macauley’s stinging critique of her weight in his 2010 New York Times review of The Nutcracker that ignited a public dialogue about ballet and weight. She unflinchingly describes her personal struggles with eating disorders and body image, and shares how her faith helped her to heal and triumph over these challenges. 

Wow. What a book.

As you'll see in my little about me, I've been a dancer for longer than I haven't been in my short teenage life. So besides the incredible story and writing, this book really struck a chord with me.

Jenifer walks you through the humble beginnings of every little girl who puts on pink tights, through the moving around, progressing in the dance school, apprenticing in the company and climbing the ranks. You go through the amazing times and the rough ones, and she never once glorifies herself. Honestly, you have to keep reminding yourself that no matter how humbly she says it, she must be amazing to have been chosen time and time again over the others.

I can tell you that on a much smaller scale, I related to her SO MUCH. I'm telling you this not only because it is a must read for every dancer, but to tell you how REAL and unexaggerated this was. The insanity and excitement that goes on behind stage, how dance can potentially and probably will consume your life when you're not on guard. How you develop perfectionism, and how your view of yourself physically and self-esteem change as you dance more.

Truly, read this book! It is a coming of age story, as well as the story of a courageous and talented young woman overcomes the obstacles society and then eventually herself have put in her way. There were themes of health and happiness that I think anyone can relate to. I was hooked. I will warn you though- Jenifer is a Christian and it is her religion she credits her success to. Her faith is a thing of importance and a running theme in her book, but as a religious non-Christian I can assure you it was not messianic in any way or a bother at all.

Rating:

Happy return to school, everybody! See you on the Hogwarts Express(:
Love,
Esty

Review: A Time for Dancing

A Time for Dancing
Davida Wills Hurwin
Contemporary, "Cancer Book"

Sam and Jules - everyone knows that when you see one, the other can't be far behind. Best friends for more than half their lives, the two are practically inseparable. And in the summer before their last year of high school, Sam and Jules are certain that whatever the future brings - college or professional dance careers or both - they'll be ready for it, sharing the triumphs and facing the tears together. 

But nothing could have prepared them for Jules's sudden illness and the discovery of its cause - cancer. Sam tries to be a true friend, supporting Jules during the weeks of testing and doctors and treatments, but the horrifying pain and indignities that Jules suffers, and the feeling that she has lost control over her own life, force Jules to a place where even Sam cannot follow. Now both Jules and Sam must learn to accept the unacceptable - that Jules's cancer may not go away. How each, in her own way, comes to face the possibility of Jules's death, and learns to celebrate her life, makes for a searingly honest, unforgettable novel.

Two things about the categorization of this book: A) I called it 'contemporary', and by that I mean realistic fiction that could happen today, but if I'm not mistaken it was published in like the 70s and B) Yes. This is a Cancer Book. But I hate that people avoid these amazing books because of the topic because 1) that's not ALL they talk about and 2) So what?? Millions of people battle this illness everyday and others refuse to even read about it?! Lastly 3) It's such a loaded subject, full of heartbreak, love and anger- and aren't those the main themes in all the books we read? The only difference is that this conflict is man vs. nature, and I guess because it hits closer to home for a lot of people...

So. The arguments above^^ come to tell you to PLEASE READ THIS BOOK. The writing, the flow, the feeling behind every word- I was close to tears in the beginning already. 

Part of the beauty of this book was that it centered around dancers- but don't worry, even if you know nothing about it you'll be perfectly fine. And for those of you like me, who not only know the studio life, but live it? You'll be moved by the all-too-true descriptions of the highs and lows of proffessional dancing, the artistry behind it, and most importantly by what it means to the dancers. 

And the main theme? Real friendship. These days, every fad book or epic series is accompanied by touching love story, but not enough center around a having a true and loyal friend, always there through storm or fire. Dare I compare Samantha and Jules to Will and Jem? I wasn't sobbing QUITE as much as I was in Clockwork Princess, so don't take that analogy TOO strongly, but many of the same elements were there.

Cover Comments: While some of you will think it's beautiful, others gross, I was stunned by how realistic the picture is. That's no cover model- someone took a picture of dancer after her class, no question about. Sweat, hair and all. *Respect*

Recommended to everyone. Rating: