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The Dancer Who Flew: A Memoir of Rudolf Nureyev
Few ballet dancers have held the world’s attention like Rudolf Nureyev. Naturally talented and technically brilliant, Nureyev had a charisma that knocked the dancing world on its heels. This stunning book is a very personal glimpse of a unique artist through the eyes of a fellow dancer and friend.
Linda Maybarduk was a first soloist with the National Ballet of Canada, one of Nureyev’s favorite companies. She tells the story of her colleague, her mentor, and her dear friend from his late start as a ballet dancer, through his escape to the West and meteoric rise to fame, to the sad ending of his career, when his body, but never his spirit, was defeated by age and illness.
Complete with a glossary of ballet terms, a useful reading list, and index, this is a book for both those who dance, and those who wish they did.
Linda Maybarduk was a first soloist with the National Ballet of Canada, one of Nureyev’s favorite companies. She tells the story of her colleague, her mentor, and her dear friend from his late start as a ballet dancer, through his escape to the West and meteoric rise to fame, to the sad ending of his career, when his body, but never his spirit, was defeated by age and illness.
Complete with a glossary of ballet terms, a useful reading list, and index, this is a book for both those who dance, and those who wish they did.
- GenresBiographyNonfiction
184 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 1999
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 12, 2021
Fabulous book (and what an apt title!), even if you haven't got an overwhelming interest in ballet. Nureyev is beyond doubt one of the greatest ballet dancers ever, who with his defection made a huge splash on the world scene.
The book has very good photos and is beautifully written by a ballet dancer who includes engaging descriptions that place readers in the action, give us a feel for the man, his magic, and the enthrallment of his audiences.
Maybarduk's focus is on those essentials, his defection, his association with Dame Margot Fonteyn (his perfect counterpart, though much older than him), his relations with choreographers, other dancers, his public, and himself.
No pretense is made that he was any kind of saint, yet other biographies are left to cover the grittier side of his life (such as I heard in NY from a few who knew him, and his much publicized party-animal ways at Studio 54, various affairs and romances, etc.).
His death by AIDS is put in context--including that the spread of AIDS/HIV resulted from gay promiscuity, a fact that seems to have been erased for new generations.
A genius who cared deeply about his art and its exponents, including Canada's Karen Kain, and who made the highest demands of himself artistically. His intense caring extended to his audiences, who--it seems cliched to say it--no matter how remote or insignificant, he thought always deserved his very best.
The book comes in an attractive format: large enough to include big photos yet not so hefty as to discourage lifting it off the coffee table for fear of subluxation.
An inspiring read for anyone eager to achieve, since Nureyev was deeply driven in ways that shame those among us who incline toward the mañana ethos and wanting to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Strongly recommended for readers of all ages.
The book has very good photos and is beautifully written by a ballet dancer who includes engaging descriptions that place readers in the action, give us a feel for the man, his magic, and the enthrallment of his audiences.
Maybarduk's focus is on those essentials, his defection, his association with Dame Margot Fonteyn (his perfect counterpart, though much older than him), his relations with choreographers, other dancers, his public, and himself.
No pretense is made that he was any kind of saint, yet other biographies are left to cover the grittier side of his life (such as I heard in NY from a few who knew him, and his much publicized party-animal ways at Studio 54, various affairs and romances, etc.).
His death by AIDS is put in context--including that the spread of AIDS/HIV resulted from gay promiscuity, a fact that seems to have been erased for new generations.
A genius who cared deeply about his art and its exponents, including Canada's Karen Kain, and who made the highest demands of himself artistically. His intense caring extended to his audiences, who--it seems cliched to say it--no matter how remote or insignificant, he thought always deserved his very best.
The book comes in an attractive format: large enough to include big photos yet not so hefty as to discourage lifting it off the coffee table for fear of subluxation.
An inspiring read for anyone eager to achieve, since Nureyev was deeply driven in ways that shame those among us who incline toward the mañana ethos and wanting to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Strongly recommended for readers of all ages.
February 8, 2017
I loved reading this book! It is an up-close-and-personal look at one of the greatest stars of ballet, from one of his dear friends. It is always moving in both ways. There is so much intriguing information that I never knew about him, and during the few days I read it I couldn't wait to get back to pick it up again.
August 28, 2011
My heroes all seem to share the trait of animal persistence, something my attention deficits and I can't quite match. I don't lack will, just focus :/ This guy *never* missed a performance. The writer dances coyly (har) around Rudolf's homosexuality, relationship with his masseuse, and eventual death of AIDS-related complications. This may have been respect for those still living, squeamishness, or a product of the era; either way, I saw the edges and had to do some googling to find out. The high rating is a mark of the quality of the writing and because she clearly loved the guy, and reading the memoir, I came to love him too. I've always thought the point of writing is to make one feel things. I was glad he'd lived and sad he'd died, and I read this in college, little interest then or now in dance. Great, dynamic photos too.
February 5, 2011
For any ballet lover, this is a must. Maybarduk was a close friend and fellow ballerina and provides another view of an often controversial and misunderstood dancer, who was one of the best ever. How Rudy rose from utter poverty to become one of the world's most accomplished dancers is fascinating.
I am still irritated that I never saw Rudy dance in person.
I am still irritated that I never saw Rudy dance in person.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews