To say that this book has been well researched would be an offensive understatement. The Great Terror under Joseph Stalin from 1936 to 1939. The Siege of Leningrad by Germany and subsequent evacuation from 1941-1943. These darkest parts of Soviet history have been obscured by more than just the passage of time.

Yet through meticulous research and the discovery of 75-year-old letters, author Christian Ezrahi has recreated the never-before-told story of dancer and choreographer Nina Anisimova, whose iron will rivaled the strength of the Iron Curtain.

Ezrahi sticks strictly to the history in a somewhat dry recounting of prison interrogations and letters. However, it is through records such as these that Ezrahi describes Anisimova’s remarkable experiences during what amounts to multiple years in exile from the loves of her life, both her husband, writer Konstantin Derzhavin, and the theater.

Dancing for Stalin: A Dancer’s Story of Courage and Survival in Soviet Russia is an excellent biography. It is not, however, one I would recommend to every reader. If you have a particular interest in the rise of communism and/or World War II history particularly related to the Soviet Union, I highly recommend this book. It left me wanting to learn more about other artists of this period such as Vaganova, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Pasternak.

If, on the other hand, you are drawn in by the word “Dancing” in the title, you may not find enough actual dance, beyond a history of the early Kirov Ballet, to keep you reading. The title is more of an ironic choice which the author doesn’t explain until the Epilogue, which was actually my favorite chapter of the book.

In the end, the beauty of Dancing for Stalin lies in its portrayal of triumph over a system bent on destruction–proof, as Ezrahi mentions more than once, that art is stronger than politics.

Thank you so much for this advanced copy - a very well written insight into the system of communism under Stalin, an era that is often overlooked in history.

The story at times was very slow and could have had a bit more depth. However, the overall message was hard hitting.

A Nina’s story is the story of an era of terror, imprisonment, and a hard hitting communism regime.

Highly recommend - especially for the history lovers out there!

I received an advanced copy of this book from Elliott & Thompson via NetGalley.

The true story of one couple’s fight for survival in Stalin’s Russia: a famous ballerina, sent to the Gulag, Nina Anisimova, and her husband, Kostia, who found a way to save her against all odds.

I was originally intrigued by the true story aspect of the description. I did like how the author used Nina and Kostia's words from the letters that they wrote and weaved the story along from there. I know Nina was a ballerina, however, there was a great deal revolving around the theater. The story as it was written was way longer than it needed to be; parts of it were boring to read.

Interesting look into communist Russia through the eyes of a dancer. Recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book!

A hard hitting and cold look at the terror Stalin inflicted on his people and the criminal system that trapped and ground innocent people into dust. Nina’s story is the story of an era and of a people imprisoned and terrorized in their own country by a paranoid dictator in the name of Communism.

This biography on Nina Anisimova was very interesting and well researched. Her life during this difficult time was very interesting and intriguing. I really liked this book.
I just reviewed Dancing for Stalin by Christina Ezrahi. #DancingforStalin #NetGalley
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Thank you to Christina Ezrahi and netgalley for the opportunity to review this great piece of history.
I went into this with an open mind and enjoyed it throughly.
Pros:
🔸️ through investigation and knowledge
🔸️unprecedented view of Stalin lead Russia
🔸️ unprecedented view of russia "work camp"
🔸️a 'real' love story
🔸️great use of description of what was actually leading to Russian internment
🔸️amazing use of historical documents

Cons:
🔻 very fact driven, minimal story
🔻 slow read: at times read more like a high school history book than a novel
🔻I would sometimes find myself overwhelmed with dates and additional facts that would not actually pertain to the story at all.
🔻 Limited "views" everything is third person. Sometimes this would prevent me from an attachment or feeling the true impact.

The history buff in me loved it, the bibliophile not so much. Anybody with a strong interest in soviet russia during this period, a love of Anna "Nina" Anisimova, or even the history of soviet dancing.
Happy to have enjoyed this beautiful piece of history.