Simply brilliant! I love this book. It is examines a myriad of social issues encompassed within the ballet world and the future outlook of such a beautiful artform in taking into context the covid19 crisis. Definitely an easy read, the author writes eloquently and hooks you from the very first chapter. Overall a wonderful book.

*Thanks to Perseus Books, Public Affairs & NetGalley for this Ebook in exchange for my honest review

I was granted eARC access to Turning Pointe via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.

I'm going to admit something before we dive into the review. I saw this book in the "arts & photography" section on NetGalley, completely forgot that books ABOUT art and photography can be in that section as well, and thought I was requesting a book full of photography with captions or adjacent pages of stories. Upon discovering that the only photo (at least in my eARC file) is the one on the cover and that this was 300 pages of dense text, I was disappointed. This is my fault, not the book's fault, but it did leave me to ignore this book on my NetGalley shelf for nearly two months. I was ridiculously busy with tour review deadlines in January anyway, and I'm still getting this review out well before publication day, but in retrospect, I feel bad for putting this book on the back burner simply because I didn't investigate it enough before requesting the review copy.

Turning Pointe is a compelling look at a classical art form in a modern world and how the next generation of dancers are fighting to transform this art form for the better, to bring it into the 21st century, and refuse to let it die out. I appreciate this so much because I have always been a lover of ballet, and while I didn't get the opportunity to train in ballet as a child and thus missed any possible shot at living the life the dancers in this book are living, I did treat myself to a couple of years of adult recreational ballet classes in my early 20s as a college student. I got to take an RAD exam, I got to perform in recitals and compete in an adult-only competition, I got to do a summer intensive course, and I got to take my very first hesitant steps en pointe. Then I moved away, got married, had a kid, and before I knew it I hadn't set foot in a dance studio in a 9 years. This book brought me back into the studio, if only in my mind, and I loved that!

This book addresses marginalization and abusive/toxic attitudes in the ballet world, from racism and sexism to extreme teaching techniques to unhealthy body images and dieting. It looks at how ballet is perceived in the current decade and what ballet companies need to change to thrive in the coming years. It faces very difficult issues head-on, drags them out into the light, and forces us all to acknowledge them. Ballet is such a beautiful thing and it would be a shame to lose it, but we'll lose it forever if we don't change the culture around ballet to be more accepting, more humanizing, and more open to change.

Read this book if you love dance, especially ballet, whether you're involved professionally (or hope to be) or just love watching from the sidelines.

Author Chloe Angyal provides an insightful look at the behind the scenes world of ballet in this nonfiction read full of facts, history, and interviews. Through this inside look at the ballet world's present, readers can see how this art form is shaped by race, gender, and class inequalities, as well as how dancers and professionals are fighting for a more inclusive and positive future. This book is written by journalist Chloe Angyal who aims to capture students' love for ballet all while they grapple with its unfair and unbalanced shortcomings in terms of power, beauty, and race. Angyal interviews students, parents, teachers, health care workers, professionals, and more industry insides about the damaging path of this industry in the modern world and how that affects the dancers. She takes a concept that isn't largely discussed outside of gruesome or idealized TV or movies and blows everything you didn't know about this hard field wide open. It's all about how the art form s broken and how to fix its inequities to move forward. The writing is very detailed and informative. However, at times the text could be quite dry, although I found it interesting as a former dancer myself.

Read if you: Want a no holds barred look at the current state of ballet, with regard to sexism, abuse, racism, homophobia, as well as the enormous strain it puts on dancers' bodies. The effects of COVID-19 are discussed (although, of course, any permanent effects are not yet known). Chloe Angyal has both a passionate and critical eye on ballet, which makes this an enlightening and intriguing read.


Librarians/booksellers: Definitely purchase if you need new books about ballet.

Many thanks to Perseus Books/PublicAffairs and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Content warnings in this book for: racism, homophobia, eating disorders, abuse, sexual assault

This book is incredibly well-written and well-researched. The analysis that the author provides of the dance world - past and into present - is so crucial in understanding the dance world - both for dancers, those who enjoy watching dance, and anyone else. This book was truly captivating and intriguing, and though there were certain parts in particular that were difficult to read, I think that it is all too important to discuss these things.

Thank you to NetGalley and Perseus Books, PublicAffairs/Bold Type Books for the chance to read this book!

Content notes: sexual assault, eating disorders, sexism, racism, fatphobia, homophobia, abuse, metal illness and bodily injury/disease

This was an extremely enlightening book that should be required reading for anyone involved in the dance world. While the prevalence of eating disorders, injuries, mental health issues and the general level of abuse suffered by dancers has never been a secret, Angyal really digs into the lived experiences of modern dancers. The author doesn’t only shine a light on the pervasive themes of sexism, racism, homophobia, fatphobia and toxic masculinity in the dancing community, she explores those trends within the greater social context. This provides an excellent framework for the path dance must take if it wishes to persist in the modern era. This analysis is vital for anyone entering the world of dance, or those of us who support young dancers.

(Personal note: this book made me all the more grateful for our local studio that runs non-competition based, genuinely body positive and enjoyable programs, at great rates, for anyone who is interested. This studio environment has made it safe for myself and my children in ways that traditional dance pathways can’t (or won't) provide.)

Trigger Warnings: Racism, mentions and specific detail of sexual assault, abuse (mental, emotional, and physical), injury, sexism, mentions of depression and suicide, mentions of death, mentions of COVID-19

This book was absolutely astonishing and before I even finished it I was telling my theatre friends that they NEED to read it. I firmly believe that this book should be required reading for anyone who loves dance/ballet or wants to be a dancer/ballerina.

While this book tackled many things I know about ballet in a grand scheme - the long hours, sacrificing pretty much everything to make your ballet dream come true, the racism, the sexism, as well as the abuse that these dancers go through - reading about it was an entirely different experience. Hearing first-hand accounts of what some dancers have gone through was mind-blowing. Though I am not a ballerina (I've taken some beginner ballet classes, so I understand and can do many of the basics) I am a dancer as well as a theatre performer, soo I understood a lot of the things that the dancers talked about and was able to sympathize because I could relate in a way, which I think made this all the more personal for me.

The best thing about this book is that Angyal and the dancers, creators, doctors, etc. whom she interviewed did not at all shy away from the dark side of the industry. Instead, she pointed a giant spotlight on it and said "enough is enough, this needs to change". This book brought me to tears multiple times, but none more than in chapter 7 when she discusses the case of Alexandra Waterbury and the cases of many other dancers who suffered abuse at the hands of those who were supposed to guide and nurture them. It was incredibly difficult to read, but I hope that this book helps to catapult the change that is needed, not just in ballet, but in all areas of the arts as well.

I can't wait until this book is officially released and I can purchase a copy. A 5 star read and one of my favorite reads of 2020.