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The Four Temperaments
The spellbinding story of a father and son, both married, who fall in love with the same alluring ballerina.
Oscar Kornblatt has been a first violinist with the New York City Ballet for so many years that he scarcely notices the throngs of eager young dancers who fill the ranks of the corps de ballet. But Ginny Valentine catches his eye, and when he comes to know her he becomes utterly enchanted by her. One night when Ruth, his quietly independent wife, is away, he brings Ginny back to his Upper West Side apartment and the two become lovers.
While the affair doesn’t last, Oscar’s attachment to Ginny continues to flourish. He invites her to join his family for Thanksgiving dinner, where she meets and falls in love with Oscar’s eldest son, Gabriel, home from San Francisco for the holiday. Gabriel, married to a beautiful, highly unstable woman, finds himself falling under Ginny’s spell. As the bonds of the family begin to erode, Ruth takes drastic and shocking measures to salvage what is most precious to her: her baby granddaughter, Isobel.
Set against the glamorous, exciting world of the New York City Ballet, The Four Temperaments explores the ways in which love and marriage are tested. Through its unforgettable cast of characters, this novel reveals how the demands of the flesh can suddenly, almost inexplicably, turn lives upside down. With the assurance and virtuosity of a seasoned storyteller, Yona Zeldis McDonough presents the powerfully sexy story of two adulterous affairs and imbues them with an irresistible emotional undercurrent.
From the Hardcover edition.
Oscar Kornblatt has been a first violinist with the New York City Ballet for so many years that he scarcely notices the throngs of eager young dancers who fill the ranks of the corps de ballet. But Ginny Valentine catches his eye, and when he comes to know her he becomes utterly enchanted by her. One night when Ruth, his quietly independent wife, is away, he brings Ginny back to his Upper West Side apartment and the two become lovers.
While the affair doesn’t last, Oscar’s attachment to Ginny continues to flourish. He invites her to join his family for Thanksgiving dinner, where she meets and falls in love with Oscar’s eldest son, Gabriel, home from San Francisco for the holiday. Gabriel, married to a beautiful, highly unstable woman, finds himself falling under Ginny’s spell. As the bonds of the family begin to erode, Ruth takes drastic and shocking measures to salvage what is most precious to her: her baby granddaughter, Isobel.
Set against the glamorous, exciting world of the New York City Ballet, The Four Temperaments explores the ways in which love and marriage are tested. Through its unforgettable cast of characters, this novel reveals how the demands of the flesh can suddenly, almost inexplicably, turn lives upside down. With the assurance and virtuosity of a seasoned storyteller, Yona Zeldis McDonough presents the powerfully sexy story of two adulterous affairs and imbues them with an irresistible emotional undercurrent.
From the Hardcover edition.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
3 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Yona Zeldis McDonough
54 books234 followersI live in Park Slope, Brooklyn and many of my novels take place here. But my new novel takes place in New Hampshire, and I have woven into it a historical component: the tragic story of Ruth Blay, who in 1768 was the last woman hanged in the state. When I read about Ruth, I was fascinated and horrified in equal measure, and I knew I had to write about her.
I was educated at Vassar College and Columbia University, where I studied art history. But I started writing fiction in my 20's and never looked back. I am the author of seven novels, 27 books for children and am the editor of two essay collections. I'm also the fiction editor of Lilith Magazine . Please visit my website, http://www.yonazeldismcdonough.com or find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/yzmcdonough; I love to connect with readers everywhere.
I was educated at Vassar College and Columbia University, where I studied art history. But I started writing fiction in my 20's and never looked back. I am the author of seven novels, 27 books for children and am the editor of two essay collections. I'm also the fiction editor of Lilith Magazine . Please visit my website, http://www.yonazeldismcdonough.com or find me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/yzmcdonough; I love to connect with readers everywhere.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 6, 2020
This book is beautiful for so many different reasons. It focuses on the character of Ginny, a passionate ballet dancer, and the impact she has on one particular family when she enters their lives. Through her and the other characters, the reader is shown the many different kinds of loves that can enter our lives and how they impact us in different ways.
The focus shifts in the book through 5 or 6 different characters. Normally I find this narrative style irritating, but McDonough has the skill to carry it off. Each characters voice is distinct and they are well rounded, fleshed out individuals with their own flaws.
The writing style is simple stunning, the right combination of lyrical but not overly flowery. It was especially poignant and powerful when discussing the ballet dancing. I adore books that discuss the arts in any form, but this is one of the best at talking about the performing arts. The joy Ginny feels when dancing is so real and visceral.
The focus shifts in the book through 5 or 6 different characters. Normally I find this narrative style irritating, but McDonough has the skill to carry it off. Each characters voice is distinct and they are well rounded, fleshed out individuals with their own flaws.
The writing style is simple stunning, the right combination of lyrical but not overly flowery. It was especially poignant and powerful when discussing the ballet dancing. I adore books that discuss the arts in any form, but this is one of the best at talking about the performing arts. The joy Ginny feels when dancing is so real and visceral.
March 16, 2010
So it was an interesting read, full of a weird series of illicit affairs and twists in the plot that I didn't see coming. In a bizarre way this book was kind of beautiful, the writing and story were like a ballet with a good gentle flow that included a crescendo in the story that finally broke into a wild moment where everything changed and slowly ending in an almost sad and haunting conclusion.
So overall its was weirdly good.
So overall its was weirdly good.
September 18, 2025
The writing & overall characterization was good...but that's about where it stops for me. The story was not as compelling or exciting as the premise promised, and several chapters would go by with very little accomplished. The book was faced with endless "almosts", like edging the reader with excitement just to take the "easy" route.
Overall, it was a fine read, the characters were mostly infuriating/unlikable except for the character I think we're supposed to dislike-- Ginny -- who actually seemed to have some depth and integrity. Beyond that, the book alternates perspectives between several characters, which I really dislike most times because one of the perspectives is always lackluster, and there's just too many voices to connect with any.
Entertaining, but really not a must-read.
Overall, it was a fine read, the characters were mostly infuriating/unlikable except for the character I think we're supposed to dislike-- Ginny -- who actually seemed to have some depth and integrity. Beyond that, the book alternates perspectives between several characters, which I really dislike most times because one of the perspectives is always lackluster, and there's just too many voices to connect with any.
Entertaining, but really not a must-read.
December 19, 2021
This took forever to get into - even once I’d passed half way I wondered a few times if I should give up. The characters and plot felt meh and done. After the unexpected plot twist though, something happened and my connection to both grew stronger. By the time I finished I wasn’t exactly enthralled but I was reasonably glad I’d stayed. Not an earth-shaker for me, but some solid humanity by the end.
June 5, 2017
Interesting, not enough for more stars but entertaining.
June 19, 2012
I thought this book was rather ordinary. There wasn't anything about it that would make me recommend it to anyone. So um, I guess that means I wasn't a big fan? Hehe. I cannot ever imagine returning to it for a second read, so that says something too!
It was about a middle-aged guy who can't accept he's getting older, and develops this sort of infatuation with a young dancer his orchestra plays for. It's kind of a depressing story, I guess, but I wouldn't call it fundamentally passionate or tragic as some other novels can be labelled.
It was...a little tepid. And I just simply disliked the husband, Oscar (who cheated on his wife).
It was about a middle-aged guy who can't accept he's getting older, and develops this sort of infatuation with a young dancer his orchestra plays for. It's kind of a depressing story, I guess, but I wouldn't call it fundamentally passionate or tragic as some other novels can be labelled.
It was...a little tepid. And I just simply disliked the husband, Oscar (who cheated on his wife).
January 12, 2010
Again and again as I read this heart-wrenching tale I thought of Anna Karenina. The authoress might not quite have Tolstoy's finesse with words but her story is flawless. An adulteress affair where two and two don't so much make four as they do five, or six, or even eight.
An excerpt from the review by Adriana Trigiani on the back states, "Ginny Valentine is a love object you won't soon forget, every good woman's nightmare, and every man's fantasy." I'm not certain of the truth of the latter - but if so I hope she never meets my husband.
This book began as a 'PG' rating but about half-way through (and intermittently during the rest of the novel) there is some strong language.
An excerpt from the review by Adriana Trigiani on the back states, "Ginny Valentine is a love object you won't soon forget, every good woman's nightmare, and every man's fantasy." I'm not certain of the truth of the latter - but if so I hope she never meets my husband.
This book began as a 'PG' rating but about half-way through (and intermittently during the rest of the novel) there is some strong language.
May 4, 2008
If we could give ratings in half-star increments, this would be a 3.5 instead of a 4. I really liked how the novel's focus kept going back and forth among the main characters...But Ruth's actions late in the novel seemed out of character for her and didn't feel true.
October 27, 2008
A mildly engaging, light beach-read about a family caught up in an illicit relationship with a young dancer. Attempts at symbolic meaning made it a slightly more interesting read than your average beach book.
March 15, 2007
Named after Balanchine's ballet. A ballet dancer has a relationship with the first violist of the orchestra then falls in love with his son.
November 23, 2011
A family saga - the impact of a tempestuous young ballerina on the lives of an orchestral musician and his family. Quite a ride!
May 29, 2013
Good story - loved the connection to the Balanchine Ballet. Could almost picture Ginny Valentine - dancing through life without concern for the lives left in her wake!
December 14, 2014
A racy little story, with an easy to follow plot line. If you like ballet you will love this book.
January 15, 2016
A gritty book with realistic (not necessarily likeable) characters caught up in a situation that affects an entire family. Liked the ballet/music references.
March 6, 2016
Gradually built to compelling plot then fizzled out again as if the author wasn't sure how or when to finish, eventually wound it up satisfactorily but had by then lost momentum
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February 15, 2026DNF - I just couldn’t get into this book, I don’t know what it was about it but I just couldn’t, might try again in the future.
0 stars for now
0 stars for now
Want to read
June 25, 2011Colchester Library Book Sale - June 25, 2011
October 22, 2012
I have read this before and liked it very much. I am reading again for a refresher.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews