Excellent, but oddly detached
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This is an excellent biography of Nureyev conveying well the magnetism, charisma and sheer complexity of the man. It is, howver, oddly detached in its style, which might not be a big problem but felt quite strange as if the author was reining in her own feelings.
It might possibly be too detailed on the ballets and technical details for someone who knows little about ballet, but is superb on Nureyev's personal life without ever being intrusive or prurient. The last chapters are incredibly sad as the aging Nureyev refuses to stop dancing as if he has no other identity other than as a dancer and no home other than the stage.
More photos would have been good although I guess there are so many other books on Nureyev that focus on capturing him photographically that there was little need.
But altogether this is an excellent record of an amazing man, without any of the gossipy speculation of the Peter Watson book.
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and amazingly well written book
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This is a thoroughly absorbing book. I would never read a biography normally –but couldn’t put this down. Dianne Solway has done a wonderful job. You would expect someone who has a background in ballet to be coy about some of the aspects of Nuryev’s life she is not -but is honest and frank about all aspects. Nuryev’s life was one of extremes – and she covers them all. You cannot but get absorbed by the story in the way she tells it. At times you can feel deep sympathy for him when she describes his poor childhood in the USSR. At other times you can be annoyed at his arrogance –but at other times some of the events in his life can not but help make you laugh (as the time he got his first payment as a dancer here in Britain so he and his partner went out to buy a new car – even though neither of them could drive – and would drive it to Sadlers Wells in a straight line then phone to secretary to come and park the car when they arrived. They eventually went to sit the test –but that event in itself was another story.). There are some ballet details which if you know nothing about ballet would normally put you off –but Dianne Solway has written it so expertly and well that you will hang in there. I sat up to 4 a.m to finish the book it was so difficult to put down –and there are few books I’d have ever done that for
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An example to follow for all the biographers
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I'm an experienced (since 1976 whe I ws eleven) Russian (Siberian-born) balletomane resident in Spain and I was naturally interested to know every detail about the world dance idol whose very name was strictly prohibited during my chilhood, beign even excluded (as his fellow ballet West-goers) from the 1st Soviet Ballet Encyclopedy (published in 1981). Diane Solvay's biography shows a very serious and honest approach which is to be followed by any author of this genre.The author gives a really panoramic view of the dance's life and the underlying circumstances. Her study is excellently documented, objective (but not distant) and surprisingly well-written. Its's a pity I found various bad-spelled Russian names (I'd like to communicate my corrections to the author but don't know how to do it) and some other imprecisions. It's also to be lamented that the author succumbed to a tentation of painting the life in Soviet Russia all-black and exaggeratedly miserable. I admit it was and still is full of contrasts, but Russian province is surely not that tetric! Just remember that Ufa (as well as dozens of other Russian cities, apart from the two capitals) do have opera and ballet theaters... But it doesn't diminish Diane Solvay's great merit, and I recommend this book enthusiastically to every ballet-lover!
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This was a no punches pulled book about a complex genius.
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The author has written a thoroughly absorbing biography of one of the most fascinating characters of the twentieth century. I found that there was so much more to Nureyev's life than I had ever imagined. The very complex nature of this larger than life person is shown all too clearly. It was a book which was very difficult to put down. Although lengthy, it was never tedious. One of the most amazing things about the biography was the way in which it showed the enormous number of people who surrounded Nureyev and influenced his life and success. The book was well structured and drew the reader in. It was a sympathetic biography, but not written with rose coloured spectacles. Nureyev is shown with all his brilliance and all his flaws. This was an excellent read and to which I for one, will return again.
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