Final Review

"I bind love to me. I bind joy to me. I bind up negative thoughts and loose the piece of God in my life." (0:28:34)

The Swans of Harlem is the sort of story that seems dreamlike and surreal even though it is a realistic depiction of the lives of real people. The professional dancing world explored in this book is breathtakingly fraught with the threat of injury. Reading about this subject makes me wonder and ask question– how does someone survive such a world? Could such abuse be gotten away with today? What makes someone stay in such an environment?

It's an interesting and moving read. I recommend it to people who are interested in behind the scenes of the performing arts, fans of tell-alls, and history readers.

"No matter what, we have the right to eat!" (6:15:29)

Reading Notes

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. She was still young enough that even if she hadn't seen it, she could still be it. What a wild thing to think about, aging out of opportunities that were unavailable to you in the years of your youth.

2. There is a lot of detail in this book about the abuse that is rampant in the ballet industry. Trigger warning for sexual harassment, ED, verbal and physical abuse.

3. I love that this book's sections are written in first person from the perspective of the different ballerinas. This form offers so much perspective!

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. The author at one point compares a dancer to a prize stallion. I think this and similar issues are actually a matter of style, though. Numerous overly direct metaphors. And it's just not for me.

2. They wanted the dancers bigger, stronger, thinner, perfect. I feel like this quotation perfectly encapsulates the unobtainable standards directors demand from ballet dancers. Being bigger and stronger requires muscle building, which is the opposite of 'thinner.' Therefore 'perfect' actually meant to this industry that dancers must obtain the unobtainable.

3. She would have loved to teach at the school. ...He didn't want her near the school. It would have been an embarrassment for him. He didn't want the wheelchair. (3:22:14)

Rating: 🩰🩰🩰🩰 /5 toe shoes
Recommend? yes
Finished: Dec 7 '24
Format: Audiobook, Libby
Read this book if you like:
💃 dancing
🕰 history (nonfiction)
💇🏾‍♀️ women's coming of age
🎧 good audiobooks

Thank you to the author Karen Valby, publishers Pantheon, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE SWANS OF HARLEM. I found an accessible copy (audiobook) on Libby. Read by multiple narrators. All views are mine.
---------------
Pre-Read Note:

This is another arc that got away. I requested this book from NetGalley because I used to be a ballerina. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done. I love stories about ballerinas and stories about perseverance, so I knew this book was for me.

I received an ARC of The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby through NetGalley. This was my first time reading this author, and I found the book to be a captivating and enlightening read that brought to light an important piece of history. SThe Swans of Harlem tells the forgotten story of five pioneering Black ballerinas—Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton-Benjamin—who were instrumental in the founding and success of the Dance Theatre of Harlem in the 1960s and 70s. These women broke racial barriers in the world of ballet, performing for royalty and celebrities, and gracing the covers of major magazines. Despite their groundbreaking achievements, their contributions were largely erased from history until now. The book is structured around the personal and professional journeys of these five ballerinas. It begins with their early years, detailing their struggles and triumphs as they trained under the demanding yet visionary Arthur Mitchell, the first Black principal dancer of George Balanchine’s City Ballet. The narrative follows their rise to prominence, highlighting their performances in iconic ballets and their impact on the dance world. The story also delves into the challenges they faced, including colorism, sexism, and the pressures of maintaining their positions in a predominantly white industry. As the ballerinas' careers progress, the book explores their enduring sisterhood and the formation of the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy Council, which aims to preserve and celebrate their legacy. The narrative is rich with vivid details and personal anecdotes, bringing to life the glamour and grit of their professional ballet careers. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in The Swans of Harlem. Valby’s writing is both engaging and informative, providing a well-rounded portrayal of each ballerina’s unique personality and journey. The book’s exploration of their sisterhood and the impact of their work on future generations of dancers is particularly moving. While some parts of the narrative felt a bit repetitive, the overall execution and depth of research made this book a compelling read.
Valby’s ability to weave together historical context with personal stories creates a powerful narrative that sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of Black ballerinas to the world of dance. I highly recommend The Swans of Harlem to anyone interested in ballet, Black history, or stories of resilience and triumph. I look forward to reading more from Karen Valby in the future. #netgalley #theswansofharlem

A special thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this advance copy of The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby. I really enjoy a strong non-fiction work, and I was pleased to read about this group of African-American ballerinas - it was great for those lovers of historical fiction as well. Thank you again to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review. I would definitely read another work from this author.

Loved learning more about black womens roll in ballet. This was such a treat and also eye opening too. Should be required reading for all dancers to fully understand the contribution black women have give to the art.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor/Knopf for the digital arc.
Love this book for it's depiction of the men and women who decided their exclusion from the world of classical ballet needed to end. Chronicles the personal struggles of the Dance Theater of Harlem's founding ballerinas Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells. The founder, Arthur Michell, demanded a rigorous training schedule along with exacting rules of behavior. All this was accomplished against a backdrop of discrimination and constant financial uncertainty. This is a multifaceted book--cultural history, memoir, civil rights, social history. I highly recommend!! It is a book to savor.
#TheSwansofHarlem #NetGalley

This was so beautiful! The sisterhood between the Swans radiated within the pages, and as a former dancer myself it resonated with me, as well as the display of harsh power dynamics from their instructor. It was such an engaging read about an aspect of dance history that is seldom discussed. I’m glad their stories were finally told 🥺

5/5 stars…Superb work! I remember the talk about The Swans of Harlem when Misty Copeland became famous and she did a performance I believe with them or in tribute for them! And I watched the performance! It was the most beautiful performance on screen because all I saw was black people being honored for their work, love, literal blood, sweat and tears poured into this intoxicating ballerina world! This is a part of our history! It changed the trajectory of a lot of young black girls and boys of seeing themselves knowing there’s a place for them! The Swans of Harlem was made by us for us and that’s also the message we need to project to our community! If you want a place create the space for you and our people will follow!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Karen Valby's "The Swans of Harlem: Five Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History," with a publication date of April 30, 2024. Please forgive my delay in reading and reviewing this novel. "The Swans of Harlem" is the first novel I have read by Ms. Valby.


"The Swans of Harlem" is not just a story but a significant historical correction. It is the story of the five (5) founding African-American members - Lydia Abarca, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sills, Gayle McKinney-Griffin, and Karlya Shelton-Benjamin - who were ballerinas in the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). These five (5) ballerinas, the original pioneering black ballerinas, were erased from history. I had never heard of these phenomenal ladies and thought Misty Copeland was the first black ballerina to dance with a prestigious troupe. I'm glad Ms. Valby, through her book, has corrected this historical error.

The five ballerinas performed worldwide under the tutelage of danseur Arthur Michell, the brilliant yet demanding founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. They worked tirelessly, experienced discrimination, supported one another, and shed blood, sweat, and tears during their intensive training; they had to be the best!

I am so thankful to Ms. Valby that I had a chance to read and learn about these illustrious pioneers. "The Swans of Harlem" reminds us that we should never forget those who paved the way. History may erase your existence, but erasures become startling revelations in the future.

4.5/5 stars

I love how you are immersed in this world. The author gives you the characters and the life experiences in such a way that you feel them. I love the knowledge that is provide with this book. A beautiful well written for the ages story. We need more like it

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Team for this Advanced Digital Readers Copy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I loved this. Huge fan of ballet and history, and this combined the two. We need more books that delve into lesser-known aspects of the arts!

A history of 5 Black ballerinas and the history of the Dance Theater of Harlem. This was so informative and well written. Sometimes histories are just one event after another. This included personal stories of these women throughout their lives.

Karen Valby’s compelling new history tells the forgotten story of Dance Theatre of Harlem, a Black ballet company that gave dancers of color the opportunity to perform and star when most doors in the industry were closed to them. Formed in 1968 by Arthur Mitchell after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, the company was soon performing around the world, playing before Queen Elizabeth II and David Bowie and meeting celebrities like Mick Jagger. Celebrated as groundbreaking dancers at the time, DTH is not widely known today. During the pandemic, five of the company’s founding ballerinas reunited for regular Zoom sessions to reminisce and share their legacy with the world; Valby’s book compiles their stories.

Although all five dancers shared a love for ballet, each came from different backgrounds. Lydia Abarca grew up in the New York housing projects, having abandoned any hopes of actually performing. Sheila Rohan, from Staten Island, initially lied about her age (she was twenty-eight) and claimed she had no children in order to join the company; when she finally told Mitchell, he gave her a slight raise and was more lenient if she showed up late. Gayle McKinney-Griffith, the daughter of a mechanical engineer, grew up in suburban Connecticut; she would later become the company’s ballet mistress. Marcia Sells was from an elite Black community in Cincinnati whose family hosted DTH when they were on tour. Karlya Shelton-Benjamin, the only Black dancer in the Colorado Concert Ballet, was inspired to join DTH after seeing Abarca on the cover of Dance Magazine.

These ballerinas worked incredibly hard both on and off-stage. On tour, they would have to unload their own equipment from the bus and often prepared makeshift stages by pouring soda on the floors to make them sticky. They learned how to dye their ballet shoes and tights brown, experimenting to find shades that suited each of them.

Mitchell was a fiercely demanding personality, pushing the dancers to perfection; he was also verbally abusive, frequently berating the dancers about their weight. On one tour, he sniffed at each dancers’ hotel room door to tell who was baking their complimentary pastries. He also drove away board members and advisors who dared suggest improvements to his vision; despite his talent and ambition, he was his own worst enemy. Yet Mitchell worked well with children, letting the neighborhood kids take lessons in their street clothes, showing them how dance techniques could help them jump higher in basketball, and breaking down street dances into ballet moves.

Valby goes into great detail about the five dancers, even presenting entire chapters in their own words. Abarca, however, seems to be the main character of the book. It makes sense, as she was the “star” of DTH and her story is one of the most dramatic. After leaving the company, she taught Michael Jackson the moves for the movie version of The Wiz; following her dance career, she married and took administrative jobs, falling into alcoholism before her daughter helped her back to sobriety. Indeed, The Swans of Harlem begins with Abarca’s granddaughter confused after a school presentation where classmates honored current ballet star Misty Copeland, wondering if the stories she had heard about her grandmother’s pioneering performances were true. By spending so much time on Abarca, the book almost unwillingly turns her into a Copeland figure, a lone history-making woman, whereas the dancers of DTH shaped history as a group.

The bond between these women, even decades later, is powerful to witness. In several Zoom sessions, Abarca shares deeply personal stories, including of having an abortion in 1968 and of Mitchell once kissing her after an event. When the others are asked if they felt resentment for Abarca getting so many of the lead roles and being Mitchell’s clear favorite, they defend her, knowing it was not her intention to steal their thunder. There is also frank acknowledgement that Mitchell preferred lighter-skinned and thinner dancers; even while he wanted to promote and celebrate Black dancers, he was influenced by traditional white ballet.

In 2008, DTH went on hiatus for five years due to financial difficulties. During this time, publicity heightened around Misty Copeland as a groundbreaking Black ballerina, which contributed to the company becoming forgotten. (The dancers and Copeland meet at several events, and while Copeland gratefully acknowledges them and the dancers are gracious about her stardom, some awkwardness and resentment is evident.) The five dancers contemplate other reasons for their erasure as well, noting the tendency many women have to downplay their talents and how Mitchell encouraged them to consider their individual accomplishments as the company’s.

Well-researched and written with an easy, flowing style, The Swans of Harlem gives a platform to these talented women who have been hidden for too long. It also raises questions about race, gender, and publicity in the arts, and reminds us that even now, few dancers of color belong to U.S. ballet companies.

This was such an interesting book and a well-developed exploration of groundbreaking Black ballet dancers. I, for one, felt enriched by learning this history, and wish that more stories like these were integrated into classrooms. Let’s keep on exploring stories like these, please!

The Swans of Harlem provides a look into the first Black Ballerina company. It follows five of their notorious ballerinas and their experiences in navigatinga predominantly white art form. I felt this told such an important story, and provided both a linear timeline and alternate perspectives that kept you interested.

This is a very important read and I think this would make fantastic spin off novels or shows or a movie. I have never been a part of the ballet world and the majority of the span of this book happened before I was born or when I was a small child, do it was wonderful to learn more about people I had never heard of but so heavily contributed to history and black history specifically.

I loved learning more about the women and men that poured their blood, sweat and tears into the first black ballet company.

This is a must read for anyone wanting to learn more about black history.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an advance reader copy of the eBook in exchange for my honest opinion.

This nonfiction book details a perhaps forgotten or at least unknown part of performance arts history. The talents and stories of Black ballerinas are brought to life again in this work. The book includes an index and extensive sources. For ballet fans, as well as those readers who are not familiar with the world of ballet, this work provides a much needed addition to the literature and an eye-opening history of overlooked performers.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This one was very emotional for me. I couldn’t believe what it took to just be a ballerina and let alone to be a person of color. It took me a while to read it but I am glad I did. Very informational and really gets to the heart of these characters - who they are- what they did and why it’s important. I read a NetGalley copy.

This book follows the story of 5 Black ballerinas…a story that has largely been left untold. I learned so much about the life of a ballerina - the obstacles to achieving their goals and greatness in a world that made those things nearly impossible. It is imperative that the untold stories come to the forefront in an effort to ensure our history is documented and not lost. I would recommend this book for anyone who has a love of the arts and enjoys stories of achievement even when the road is not easy.

You can’t help but just love this. I agree with other people saying the is book was at times a bit jilted and the ownership of the story fluctuates a lot. However the story is just so powerful that it completely bypasses any technical issues. The light it brings to a completely white washed industry is so crucial and I found myself not only learning but really having the stories settle with me.