Hester's Story by Adele Geras
Luminious writing and a page-turning story separates this from the usual run of romantic sagas.
The story of a ballerina's life, this is very much a 'woman's novel' but the writing prevents it from being too melodramatic or sentimental and even the coincidences at the end become believable.
This is rather a tragic and memorable story about a ballerina who struggled against poverty, adversity and the rigid attitudes of her nasty relatives who wanted to prevent her realising her dream to become a famous dancer. It also tells how Hester's love for a married man almost ruins her life and her success.
Adele Geras also combines the stories of other memorable characters in this book which also describes the life of a ballet company. These include the nasty prima donna, Claudia, beautiful and sweet Silver, determined Hugo, and Claudia's teenage daughter, Alison, struggling to find her own identity.
I liked the way that this book flitted between Hester's past and her life now and the way that Adele Geras 'ties up' the ends as well as her memorable story.
The story of a ballerina's life, this is very much a 'woman's novel' but the writing prevents it from being too melodramatic or sentimental and even the coincidences at the end become believable.
This is rather a tragic and memorable story about a ballerina who struggled against poverty, adversity and the rigid attitudes of her nasty relatives who wanted to prevent her realising her dream to become a famous dancer. It also tells how Hester's love for a married man almost ruins her life and her success.
Adele Geras also combines the stories of other memorable characters in this book which also describes the life of a ballet company. These include the nasty prima donna, Claudia, beautiful and sweet Silver, determined Hugo, and Claudia's teenage daughter, Alison, struggling to find her own identity.
I liked the way that this book flitted between Hester's past and her life now and the way that Adele Geras 'ties up' the ends as well as her memorable story.
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