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No Way Home: A Dancer's Journey from the Streets of Havana to the Stages of the World
Carlos Acosta, the Cuban dancer considered to be one of the world's greatest performers, fearlessly depicts his journey from adolescent troublemaker to international superstar in his captivating memoir, No Way Home.
Carlos was just another kid from the slums of Havana; the youngest son of a truck driver and a housewife, he ditched school with his friends and dreamed of becoming Cuba's best soccer player. Exasperated by his son's delinquent behavior, Carlos's father enrolled him in ballet school, subjecting him to grueling days that started at five thirty in the morning and ended long after sunset.
The path from student to star was not an easy one. Even as he won dance competitions and wowed critics around the world, Carlos was homesick for Cuba, crippled by loneliness and self-doubt. As he traveled the world, Carlos struggled to overcome popular stereotypes and misconceptions; to maintain a relationship with his family; and, most of all, to find a place he could call home.
This impassioned memoir is about more than Carlos's rise to stardom. It is about a young man forced to leave his homeland and loved ones for a life of self-discipline, displacement, and physical hardship. It is also about how the heart and soul of a country can touch the heart and soul of one of its citizens. With candor and humor, Carlos vividly depicts daily life in communist Cuba, his feelings about ballet -- an art form he both loves and hates -- and his complex relationship with his father. Carlos Acosta makes dance look effortless, but the grace, strength, and charisma we see onstage have come at a cost. Here, in his own words, is the story of the price he paid.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
25 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
About the author
Carlos Acosta
40 books10 followersBorn in Havana in 1973, Carlos trained at the National Ballet School of Cuba with many of its most influential teachers, including Ramona de Sáa. From 1989 to 1991 Carlos performed throughout the world, guesting with several companies including the Compagnia Teatro Nuovo di Torino in Italy, where he danced alongside Luciana Savignano.
In 1990 he won the Gold Medal at the Prix de Lausanne, the Grand Prix at the 4th biennial Concours International de Danse de Paris, Vignale Danza Prize in Italy and Frédéric Chopin Prize, awarded by the Polish Artistic Corporation.
Upon the invitation of Ivan Nagy, Carlos was invited to dance as a principal with the English National Ballet in London during their 1991/92 season. He made his debut in the Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor and also appeared in Cinderella (partnering Eva Evdokimova and Ludmila Semenyaka), Le Spectre de la Rose, Les Sylphides, and also as the Prince in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker.
In 1991 he won the Prize for Merit in the Young Talent Competition, Positano, in Italy, the Italian Osimodanza Prize and the Grand Prix at Cuba's prestigious Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC) competition.
Carlos danced with the National Ballet of Cuba for six months during 1992/93 under Alicia Alonso. In October 1993 and September 1994 he toured with the company to Madrid, Spain, where he danced various roles including Albrecht in Giselle, Basilio in Don Quixote and Siegfried in Swan Lake.
In 1990 he won the Gold Medal at the Prix de Lausanne, the Grand Prix at the 4th biennial Concours International de Danse de Paris, Vignale Danza Prize in Italy and Frédéric Chopin Prize, awarded by the Polish Artistic Corporation.
Upon the invitation of Ivan Nagy, Carlos was invited to dance as a principal with the English National Ballet in London during their 1991/92 season. He made his debut in the Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor and also appeared in Cinderella (partnering Eva Evdokimova and Ludmila Semenyaka), Le Spectre de la Rose, Les Sylphides, and also as the Prince in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker.
In 1991 he won the Prize for Merit in the Young Talent Competition, Positano, in Italy, the Italian Osimodanza Prize and the Grand Prix at Cuba's prestigious Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC) competition.
Carlos danced with the National Ballet of Cuba for six months during 1992/93 under Alicia Alonso. In October 1993 and September 1994 he toured with the company to Madrid, Spain, where he danced various roles including Albrecht in Giselle, Basilio in Don Quixote and Siegfried in Swan Lake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
June 18, 2010
As a dancer, I am intrigued by other dancers Biographies, and how they achieved what they have throughout their career. Often reading about physical, financial, and psychological difficulties (sometimes ending or changing a their career drastically) has been truly inspiring, motivating, and has allowed me to understand their artistry that much more indepthly. However, with Carlos' account, I was left almost in disgust at his never ending juvenile mentality, his obvious ego, and his resistance to acknowledge that perhaps his family, especially his father(because Carlos never lets us forget that he was forced into dance by his father), suffered as much if not more than he did in order for him to pursue a career in classical dance. I too have traveled far from home to countries where I did not speak the language, and although I was not blessed with Carlos' natural and phenomenal talent,or share his cultural background, I too was not immediately welcomed with open arms, and knew that some other dancers were extra scrutinizing of my technique and abilities just because I was new and foreign. However, that did not stop me from trying to befriend them, remain open minded, and treat everyone with the respect I would like in return; something which I think Mr. Acosta was/is unaware of, or unwilling to reduce himself to. After reading the illuminating and inspiring biographies of Edward Villella ("Prodigal Son: Dancing for Balanchine in a World of Pain and Magic"), and Li Cunxin ("Mao's Last Dancer"), both of whom also had to escape socio-economical and political barriers to be able to dance professionally, Carlos Acosta's publication verified the many opinions of his character that I had heard from both North American and European dance professionals. Opinions which I had previously dismissed immediately, unwilling to make such a judgment based on what others said. I'm afraid that I no longer dismiss them completely.
December 3, 2016
From BBC Radio 4 - Book of the week:
ot Davies reads from ballet superstar Carlos Acosta's enchanting and inspirational memoir.
1/5. A Bunch of Stars
The great grandson of a plantation slave, Acosta grows up in a poor suburb of Havana.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008gwyy
ot Davies reads from ballet superstar Carlos Acosta's enchanting and inspirational memoir.
1/5. A Bunch of Stars
The great grandson of a plantation slave, Acosta grows up in a poor suburb of Havana.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008gwyy
April 18, 2017
Carlos Acosta is a ballet legend. Born to an impoverished family in Cuba, as a kid Carlos was always getting into trouble. He hung around a gang of boys who loved break-dancing as much as they loved bad behavior, so his father enrolled him in ballet school to keep him off the streets. Despite often skipping class, it was obvious to those around him that Carlos had a gift for dancing. At the age of 16, he won a gold medal at the Prix de Lausanne and at 19 he was offered the position of principal dancer at English National Ballet.
I really enjoyed this autobiography, even though I felt that Acosta complained too much. It was clear that he felt forced into this world, and resented a profession that took him away from his family. As a mother of a male dancer, it's difficult not to judge Acosta as a man who clearly does not understand how truly fortunate he is. Most dancers do not have the gifts that he does. They also train away from home and give up a lot to be dancers. While dancing gave him a career, being a star gave him the means to earn a very good living - a living that most dancers will never have. Most working dancers in the Western world make very little money, and yet THEY are fortunate just to have a job contract. This legend retired from Royal Ballet and dancing last October. He is still young, has wealth and fame. He can go anywhere now and his name will open doors everywhere in the dance world. For Carlos Acosta, dancing is his passport to freedom, even if he doesn't realize it yet.
I really enjoyed this autobiography, even though I felt that Acosta complained too much. It was clear that he felt forced into this world, and resented a profession that took him away from his family. As a mother of a male dancer, it's difficult not to judge Acosta as a man who clearly does not understand how truly fortunate he is. Most dancers do not have the gifts that he does. They also train away from home and give up a lot to be dancers. While dancing gave him a career, being a star gave him the means to earn a very good living - a living that most dancers will never have. Most working dancers in the Western world make very little money, and yet THEY are fortunate just to have a job contract. This legend retired from Royal Ballet and dancing last October. He is still young, has wealth and fame. He can go anywhere now and his name will open doors everywhere in the dance world. For Carlos Acosta, dancing is his passport to freedom, even if he doesn't realize it yet.
March 6, 2021
Very interesting memoir and a relatively "light" read for me (although of course, some of the themes in the book are a bit pesado).
March 24, 2024
Interesting to read his journey as I’ve seen him dance a couple of times. Have to say, he dances with a beauty and elegance that I honestly couldn’t find in his writing.
March 27, 2011
It is clear Carlos Acosta is not a great writer, relying much too frequently on overwrought or clichéd prose (sample line, re: a teacher: "I was with Nancy throughout fourth grade, taking classes in tenderness and understanding as well as science and arts."), but it would be forgiven if the story he had to tell was more interesting.
In truth, he spends most of the book being handed amazing opportunities, bemoaning them, and wanting to go back to Cuba. That is his prerogative, but it makes for a dull story. The only struggle he mentions regularly is that of his relationship with his father, because everything else seems to be handed to him - he gets kicked out of one school, another takes him in; every time he performs abroad, he gets a prize and/or someone offers him a job; he takes a job, they extend his contract; he refuses the contract and goes back to Cuba, they give him a job anyway when he changes his mind three months later - and still he finds a multitude of reasons to complain.
Still, the book paints a vivid picture of life in Cuba, and of family life under difficult circumstances. I just wish I hadn't come to the end sad to think of the many dancers out there who would kill to have half the opportunities Acosta blithely saunters past.
In truth, he spends most of the book being handed amazing opportunities, bemoaning them, and wanting to go back to Cuba. That is his prerogative, but it makes for a dull story. The only struggle he mentions regularly is that of his relationship with his father, because everything else seems to be handed to him - he gets kicked out of one school, another takes him in; every time he performs abroad, he gets a prize and/or someone offers him a job; he takes a job, they extend his contract; he refuses the contract and goes back to Cuba, they give him a job anyway when he changes his mind three months later - and still he finds a multitude of reasons to complain.
Still, the book paints a vivid picture of life in Cuba, and of family life under difficult circumstances. I just wish I hadn't come to the end sad to think of the many dancers out there who would kill to have half the opportunities Acosta blithely saunters past.
August 8, 2011
No Way Home is a moving story of the dancers life, Cuba, sweat, tears, inspiration, and love. Finally near the end, he is proud of himself for dancing as the mud-eating kid. Acosta speaks in his own words. He wrote the book as the mud-eating kid. He is an engaging storyteller with another talent aside from ballet. He tells his tale from the heart; and tells us that he dances that way. I had the good fortune to find this and the new pocket biography of Acosta by Margaret Willis at the same time, for two perspectives. The Willis book is more basic and not as telling..but also useful. It is a quick read...Acosta's many memories are engaging and winning in "No Way Home." His candor is admirable. We get insight into the ballet characters and stories, and a glimpse backstage with the Royal, Houston Ballet, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, and more.
September 25, 2015
A brutally honest account of life in Cuba and the road from poverty to success as a male ballet dancer. It is a story of friendships and loyalty and family, of difficulty and poverty and isolation, of loneliness despite amazing success and the eventual realization that his dream of Cuba no longer exists.
It is rare to find a book that is so honest about both the good and bad of Cuba without being influenced by either US politics or Communist propaganda. It is almost an unintentional history of Cuba, of its social disintegration of families and fidelity, and its economic disintegration after the fall of the Soviet Union.
It is the story of amazing determination fueled by psychological pain and poverty that results in intense drive to perfection in a difficult art as well as the intensely emotional acting which is a part of ballet.
It is rare to find a book that is so honest about both the good and bad of Cuba without being influenced by either US politics or Communist propaganda. It is almost an unintentional history of Cuba, of its social disintegration of families and fidelity, and its economic disintegration after the fall of the Soviet Union.
It is the story of amazing determination fueled by psychological pain and poverty that results in intense drive to perfection in a difficult art as well as the intensely emotional acting which is a part of ballet.
November 4, 2010
it is amazing that he is alive and doing well.
it is obvious he is not a writer. but his life story, to me. was captivating.
one reviewer refereed to him juvenile and egotistical. he was so young and basically on his own in an alien world. Imagine being in a country where you do not speak the language and know nothing of the customs or modern convienences. he did not even know what a bank was or why one uses one, and he had to negotiate all of this at 18. i could not have done what he did.
it is obvious he is not a writer. but his life story, to me. was captivating.
one reviewer refereed to him juvenile and egotistical. he was so young and basically on his own in an alien world. Imagine being in a country where you do not speak the language and know nothing of the customs or modern convienences. he did not even know what a bank was or why one uses one, and he had to negotiate all of this at 18. i could not have done what he did.
January 5, 2022
Carlos Acosta is mesmerising and being able to read his story was even more so.
November 7, 2022
An autobiography and a light read about Carlos' journey to fame as an extraordinary ballet dancer. African-Italian and born in Cuba, Carlos grows up tough and wayward, however his hard as nails father channels that energy into ballet.
Tragedy at home and lack of direction mean that Carlos acts out, missing many classes, until he is inspired by a male ballet dancer. He then dedicates himself to his craft and embraces every opportunity, of which there are many.
A bone spur in his ankle briefly derails his career, but after several operations he continues to dance and climb through the competitive ranks, culminating with the most competitive, the British ballet, by his early 20's.
He describes the culture shock of America and England, his love affairs, and the financial, social, gender, racial, political, class and psychological barriers of a teenage boy entering manhood.
It's a story told from the heart, with a lot of drama and passion which at times feels a bit over the top and at other times petulant. Carlos repeatedly blames his father, for example, for pushing him into ballet and keeping him caged there. He ignores the fact he lives for and loves ballet. To me his father keeps Carlos' head out of the clouds and feet firmly on the ground. He has a similar fiery temperament to Carlos and appears to understand him well.
It's unclear why the title is "No way home" when Carlos can choose to go back, and does, many times. He eventually has the ability to make regular phone calls to his family, but it's not clear if he does. Instead he wallows in self pity that his family is unable to share his success.
There are also quite a few gaps in the narrative. Where did the voice come from telling him not to forget his family? Did he suffer a nervous breakdown? Did he provide for his immediate family? What were the visions of his dead aunt? Hallucinations due to mental stress?
Poorly produced black and white photos provide glimpses of dance scenes and his family. Better and larger photos are needed.
I'm not a ballet fan, so didn't mind the brief descriptions about the necessary preparation, performances and venues. However, as this was a big part of his life, the book would have benefited from a description of how he approached these events and what he learned/gained.
Carlos' mother's love, his ballet teacher's patience, his father's guidance, his sense of a spiritual home and self discipline are well portrayed and underpin his incredible achievements. I got a sense of the importance of one or two inspirational people in your life and how we each can pass that torch on.
Life in Cuba, it's political upheavals are sensitively told as Carlos' perspective changes from that of a child to an adult. The struggles of other, less gifted dancers are skipped over, as are any other details about his friends or family. This may be deliberate, to protect privacy, but his approach to writing a memoir needs a preface or introduction.
Carlos is not a likeable child, nor once fame finds him, a likeable young man. He outlines a number of moral conflicts and reflects on his luck with gratitude near the end, which redeems him.
Reading this from the perspective of a priveledged first world inhabitant, it is tempting to think that a better education may have steadied Carlos' turbulent emotional life. He thinks that suffering is the source of genius, and he has a point. His father, too, is philosophical and the book gives pause for thought.
Tragedy at home and lack of direction mean that Carlos acts out, missing many classes, until he is inspired by a male ballet dancer. He then dedicates himself to his craft and embraces every opportunity, of which there are many.
A bone spur in his ankle briefly derails his career, but after several operations he continues to dance and climb through the competitive ranks, culminating with the most competitive, the British ballet, by his early 20's.
He describes the culture shock of America and England, his love affairs, and the financial, social, gender, racial, political, class and psychological barriers of a teenage boy entering manhood.
It's a story told from the heart, with a lot of drama and passion which at times feels a bit over the top and at other times petulant. Carlos repeatedly blames his father, for example, for pushing him into ballet and keeping him caged there. He ignores the fact he lives for and loves ballet. To me his father keeps Carlos' head out of the clouds and feet firmly on the ground. He has a similar fiery temperament to Carlos and appears to understand him well.
It's unclear why the title is "No way home" when Carlos can choose to go back, and does, many times. He eventually has the ability to make regular phone calls to his family, but it's not clear if he does. Instead he wallows in self pity that his family is unable to share his success.
There are also quite a few gaps in the narrative. Where did the voice come from telling him not to forget his family? Did he suffer a nervous breakdown? Did he provide for his immediate family? What were the visions of his dead aunt? Hallucinations due to mental stress?
Poorly produced black and white photos provide glimpses of dance scenes and his family. Better and larger photos are needed.
I'm not a ballet fan, so didn't mind the brief descriptions about the necessary preparation, performances and venues. However, as this was a big part of his life, the book would have benefited from a description of how he approached these events and what he learned/gained.
Carlos' mother's love, his ballet teacher's patience, his father's guidance, his sense of a spiritual home and self discipline are well portrayed and underpin his incredible achievements. I got a sense of the importance of one or two inspirational people in your life and how we each can pass that torch on.
Life in Cuba, it's political upheavals are sensitively told as Carlos' perspective changes from that of a child to an adult. The struggles of other, less gifted dancers are skipped over, as are any other details about his friends or family. This may be deliberate, to protect privacy, but his approach to writing a memoir needs a preface or introduction.
Carlos is not a likeable child, nor once fame finds him, a likeable young man. He outlines a number of moral conflicts and reflects on his luck with gratitude near the end, which redeems him.
Reading this from the perspective of a priveledged first world inhabitant, it is tempting to think that a better education may have steadied Carlos' turbulent emotional life. He thinks that suffering is the source of genius, and he has a point. His father, too, is philosophical and the book gives pause for thought.
June 10, 2019
This is a poorly written (probably ghost-written: Acosta places a heavy hint in the Acknowledgements that Imogen Parker may have done it) account of an unusual life. It would have been better without references to Acosta’s orgasms.
Acosta’s father’s mid-point assessment of him as a dissatisfied brat feels accurate, but - credit to him - Acosta leaves the accusation in the story. Similarly Acosta seems to have had difficulty in facing the truth and taking the consequences of his mistakes.
I’m not particularly interested in ballet, but undoubtedly Acosta is/was extremely talented and maybe for that level of attainment, single-minded self absorption is required. Great credit to Acosta as well for his even handed assessment of Cuban communism and Western capitalism.
Alas, snobby English racism raised its ugly head. Would that we were a better society to those coming here from overseas...
Acosta’s father’s mid-point assessment of him as a dissatisfied brat feels accurate, but - credit to him - Acosta leaves the accusation in the story. Similarly Acosta seems to have had difficulty in facing the truth and taking the consequences of his mistakes.
I’m not particularly interested in ballet, but undoubtedly Acosta is/was extremely talented and maybe for that level of attainment, single-minded self absorption is required. Great credit to Acosta as well for his even handed assessment of Cuban communism and Western capitalism.
Alas, snobby English racism raised its ugly head. Would that we were a better society to those coming here from overseas...
June 16, 2019
Read this as the rebranded Yuli. I enjoyed all the references to and descriptions of Cuba and ballet training but found the writing very strange in parts - maybe because English is the second language? I didn't mind his complaints about homesickness but could have done without the strange descriptions of his sex life. Also what happened when his mother visited him in America was unforgivable! 4 stars because his is an interesting journey rather than for the writing.
August 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It's about a story from Carlos'life in Cuba to ballet fame today.
I thought the relationship with his dad was fascinating, clearly a very tough love. Also how his struggle potentially made him so mich more successful.
There was also the element of feeling at home and how being rich and famous doesn't bring happiness.
Also very honest account of his partners, which i hope they were okay with
I thought the relationship with his dad was fascinating, clearly a very tough love. Also how his struggle potentially made him so mich more successful.
There was also the element of feeling at home and how being rich and famous doesn't bring happiness.
Also very honest account of his partners, which i hope they were okay with
January 16, 2022
One of the best books I have read!
What an autobiography that is not just state the facts as so many do but tell a story with emotion, and paints a picture so you feel like you have gone to Havana and Houston.
What an autobiography that is not just state the facts as so many do but tell a story with emotion, and paints a picture so you feel like you have gone to Havana and Houston.
October 6, 2023
Fascinating book with so much insight into Cuban life, family and politics. Loved the angle that the western world has its own problems. Fantastic compelling story great insight into how he was feeling all the way along
January 31, 2025
Loved the book but then I love ballet and Cuba. A fantastic insight into the early life and reluctance to become a dancer, as well as the estrangement from his beloved native land. There is an undercurrent of sadness and isolation.
March 29, 2019
Simply written but what an inspiring story of raw talent, opportunity & success.
January 29, 2021
3.5 stars. A truly incredible story of an amazing dancer. The descriptions of Havana were colourful and authentic but I just felt some of the writing lacked and left me feeling unfulfilled.
August 25, 2021
I loved this story. It's raw and authentic and true, like every Cuban I've met.
September 4, 2022
Interesting story of a dancer's journey.
December 30, 2024
Fascinating start, time for volume 2?
Read
January 13, 2025Reminds me how lucky we are to dance … need to watch some clips of him performing I’ve actually never seen him
April 24, 2019
I loved this book. I saw the film 'Yuli' last week - the film version of this book - and it was just glorious, visceral and powerful. It's simply written and I ate up the pages. It's about Acosta's journey into dance, his family, his homeland, love, belonging and the agony of leaving home to follow his father's dream. A must-read if you love dance.
December 11, 2015
I really enjoy reading books about people before I see them perform. I just think it helps me put people in their environment and, frequently, appreciate the performance in a different way. Obviously, the downside to this is that sometimes I end up reading a book that is complete and utter dross. This is, absolutely, not one of these books. This is an amazing story of someone who used a skill that he had (and, frequently, something that he didn't realise and didn't really want to use) in order to move himself from an extremely deprived challenging background to something, that some would say, is better. It's written wonderfully. Obviously Carlos Acosta is not primarily English speaking and I loved the way that some turns of phrase were unusually constructed but that they hadn't been edited out. In fact, some of the use of language was beautiful and something I have never noticed in someone who is a natural English speaker. This isn't a, 'I was born into poverty and now my life is fantastic'. Yes, Carlos is extremely grateful for the opportunities dance has given him but also he's hauntingly honest about that which he has lost - the sense of belonging, the lack of anywhere to call home, the loss of relationships both within and without the family. He's very honest about the challenges his family have had too - his challenging relationship with his father, the one who realised that his skills with dance would help him move out of Cuba, the mental health and suicide attempts of his sister and the fact that he misses births of nieces and nephews because he moved away from Cuba and could just not, physically, manage to contact his family. He would go away to work for a period of years with a dance company and be unable to contact his family until he walked back in the family house in Cuba having got off the plane a couple of years later.
In summary - please read this book. If you are a dance fan then it may mean more to you but, in all honesty, it's a book that's well written, interesting and would stand alone even if you have never, previously, heard of Carlos Acosta. Having said that; I'm going to see him perform in Cardiff next month and I can hardly wait!!
In summary - please read this book. If you are a dance fan then it may mean more to you but, in all honesty, it's a book that's well written, interesting and would stand alone even if you have never, previously, heard of Carlos Acosta. Having said that; I'm going to see him perform in Cardiff next month and I can hardly wait!!
January 22, 2012
Original review posted here
I’ve always had a thing for the underdog. I mean, honestly, who hasn’t at one point or another in their lives? I put this book on my TBR list a few years ago, and only recently did the notification pop up that it was available in my library (granted, I wasn’t looking too hard when I was in GA, but I digress…).
I’m really torn on this book, because I really, desperately, want to admire what Carlos Acosta, and his family, sacrificed for him to achieve his status in the world today. I think what makes it hard to fully admire this is because the hard work is so downplayed in this memoir, and instead, the delinquency, the disrespect for his parents, the disregard for the world of ballet is brought to the forefront, cheapening the effect of what could have been a very, very powerful story.
So, rather than focus on the work, on detailing the hours of sweat, speaking of the performances and the struggles within the world of ballet, Carlos Acosta instead, focuses solely on the struggles in his outer world. Now, granted, they were struggles no one should have to deal with. His family frequently was in need of food, and Cuba is definitely not a paradise on earth. His descriptions of his hometown, and the nature surrounding it were lush and I felt like I could envision what he was trying to paint for me … but then he would move back to these, semi-dramatic moments that just distracted from the story.
The other issue I had with the story is the massive rise of ego – from virtually nothing at the beginning until I felt like I was being choked with it at the end. That could be his youth (he was only 25 at the time of this memoir), but it left me with a distaste for the person he’d become.
I’d only recommend this book if you are a fan, or a ballet enthusiast. Otherwise, pass this memoir by and go read his Wikipedia entry.
I’ve always had a thing for the underdog. I mean, honestly, who hasn’t at one point or another in their lives? I put this book on my TBR list a few years ago, and only recently did the notification pop up that it was available in my library (granted, I wasn’t looking too hard when I was in GA, but I digress…).
I’m really torn on this book, because I really, desperately, want to admire what Carlos Acosta, and his family, sacrificed for him to achieve his status in the world today. I think what makes it hard to fully admire this is because the hard work is so downplayed in this memoir, and instead, the delinquency, the disrespect for his parents, the disregard for the world of ballet is brought to the forefront, cheapening the effect of what could have been a very, very powerful story.
So, rather than focus on the work, on detailing the hours of sweat, speaking of the performances and the struggles within the world of ballet, Carlos Acosta instead, focuses solely on the struggles in his outer world. Now, granted, they were struggles no one should have to deal with. His family frequently was in need of food, and Cuba is definitely not a paradise on earth. His descriptions of his hometown, and the nature surrounding it were lush and I felt like I could envision what he was trying to paint for me … but then he would move back to these, semi-dramatic moments that just distracted from the story.
The other issue I had with the story is the massive rise of ego – from virtually nothing at the beginning until I felt like I was being choked with it at the end. That could be his youth (he was only 25 at the time of this memoir), but it left me with a distaste for the person he’d become.
I’d only recommend this book if you are a fan, or a ballet enthusiast. Otherwise, pass this memoir by and go read his Wikipedia entry.
December 18, 2019
Having seen the film that was recently made about this book, the autobiography of Carlos Acosta, I have to say the film is actually better which isn't something I usually find. The film is great and gets 5 stars from me which led to me reading the book. However the film did miss quite a lot out of the book but I think that is why it worked. The film covered the main areas of the story, Carlos not wanting to do ballet and wanting to be a footballer, the poverty from which he came, his pushy father, the fact that he was made to leave home in order to pursue it and none of the filler from the book.
The book was well written and he acknowledges the help he had in order for it to be written. However it was disappointing because as he gets older, he keeps talking about his girlfriends that he had and all the sex he had. Now whether that is true or otherwise, it actually became very wearing to read it and also, to be honest, I'm not really interested in this. That is his very personal part of his life and should remain so. I wonder how those ladies feel knowing there are these intimate details in the book.
It also showed him to be a not very nice person and whether his intention was to be completely honest I do not know. While it is very good he is so honest, it isn't a showcase for him as a person. Has he changed since this?
Also I think he needs to write a second book about how he met his wife and if this has settled him down a bit. The book finishes where he is working for the Royal Ballet and his family came to see him dance but what about since then? A very unsatisfactory conclusion to a book that set off full of promise but in places is not very satisfying. Sadly cannot recommend but can recommend the excellent film.
The book was well written and he acknowledges the help he had in order for it to be written. However it was disappointing because as he gets older, he keeps talking about his girlfriends that he had and all the sex he had. Now whether that is true or otherwise, it actually became very wearing to read it and also, to be honest, I'm not really interested in this. That is his very personal part of his life and should remain so. I wonder how those ladies feel knowing there are these intimate details in the book.
It also showed him to be a not very nice person and whether his intention was to be completely honest I do not know. While it is very good he is so honest, it isn't a showcase for him as a person. Has he changed since this?
Also I think he needs to write a second book about how he met his wife and if this has settled him down a bit. The book finishes where he is working for the Royal Ballet and his family came to see him dance but what about since then? A very unsatisfactory conclusion to a book that set off full of promise but in places is not very satisfying. Sadly cannot recommend but can recommend the excellent film.
July 11, 2011
The troubles of Lee Cunxin ('Mao's Last Dancer')were bad, but seem like almost nothing when they are compared with those of the famous ballet star, Carlos Acosta. This book made my hair stand on end!
Born in a poor area of Havana, Acosta overcame terrible conditions to become a ballet dancer. He really wanted to be a footballer so he played truant from his first school and played football and joined breakdancing groups. His father gave him a good thrashing when he found out. Luckily, another school accepted him. Once Acosta was inspired by going to the ballet, he decided to put up with his coackroach-ridden shed in a swamp, absence from his family, and long bus-rides to school. His teachers saw his potential and helped begin to achieve his ambitions.
These weren't his only problems. His father was injured in a car accident which worsened his already bad temper. His mother suffered a stroke at only 35 and one of his sisters was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. It was almost too much for anyone to cope with. Acosta must have had supreme inner strength and determination, however. He was also spurred on by his father who wanted to help him get ahead.
This is probably the most miserable book that I've ever read! It improves when Acosta starts becoming successful. It's interesting to see how he copes with life in the wealthy West and isolation. He longs for his family and Cuba but he wants to become famous.
It's certainly an emotionally powerful story and it's well-written and easy to read. Acosta's very honest as well. He gives a lot of details about his love life which makes the book spicier and even more interesting.
Born in a poor area of Havana, Acosta overcame terrible conditions to become a ballet dancer. He really wanted to be a footballer so he played truant from his first school and played football and joined breakdancing groups. His father gave him a good thrashing when he found out. Luckily, another school accepted him. Once Acosta was inspired by going to the ballet, he decided to put up with his coackroach-ridden shed in a swamp, absence from his family, and long bus-rides to school. His teachers saw his potential and helped begin to achieve his ambitions.
These weren't his only problems. His father was injured in a car accident which worsened his already bad temper. His mother suffered a stroke at only 35 and one of his sisters was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. It was almost too much for anyone to cope with. Acosta must have had supreme inner strength and determination, however. He was also spurred on by his father who wanted to help him get ahead.
This is probably the most miserable book that I've ever read! It improves when Acosta starts becoming successful. It's interesting to see how he copes with life in the wealthy West and isolation. He longs for his family and Cuba but he wants to become famous.
It's certainly an emotionally powerful story and it's well-written and easy to read. Acosta's very honest as well. He gives a lot of details about his love life which makes the book spicier and even more interesting.
June 24, 2009
i read a review on this in a magazine and i am so glad i got it. this is definitely one of my top ten favorite books. i had never heard of carlos acosta before this book, but i am curious to learn more aout him. he came from a tiny town in havana, cuba from a life of poverty and because of his father's insistance, he became a world recognized, prize winning, top ballet dancer. the story, as i am sure his dance ability, was beautiful. i didn't want it to end. it wasn't silly or cheesy or exaggeragted as a lot of memoirs are. it was just a beautiful tale of life- ups and downs, and finding your own definition of home. eeryone should read this.
February 11, 2012
This engaging autobiography charts the author’s life from childhood in Cuba through to his eventual success and fame as an international renowned dancer. Of particular fascination are his memoires of Cuba growing up and the influence and impact both of those who come from Cuba and its effect on the wider world, including how people treated (and to a lesser extent still treat) Cubans and the Cuban culture. I have little connection with dance and thus am poorly placed to fully emote with the author and truly understand the dancing culture, but Carlos Acosta’s life story and the worlds in which he describes is worth reading and finding out about.
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