The Light of Seven Days

by River Adams

Living with her Babby after her parents’ death, 10-year-old Dinah Ash is invited to train at Leningrad’s legendary Vaganova Ballet School. In the world of elite dance, she works hard, falls in love, and weathers the Soviet Union’s ubiquitous antisemitism, but despite an impressive talent, she quickly learns that dancers of her “profile” don’t make prima ballerinas.

Love of Leningrad, ballet, friends, family, and books sustain Dinah until history intervenes. The Soviet war in Afghanistan, the rise of perestroika, and a re-emergence of Nazism leave her vulnerable and exposed. Realizing escape is her only option, she applies for refugee status in America.

Dinah’s adjustment to life in the US is a test as much of her identity as of her perseverance. Is who she is something Dinah can forge on her own? Or is identity imposed by upbringing, public opinion, and the myths of our cultures? As Dinah struggles with the questions of religion, race, and worth, her choices and the people she encounters will determine whether the dream of a better life can survive the weight of the past.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 12, 2023

Reviews

[Samara Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a darkly gorgeous book. I shed more than a few tears throughout and was deeply absorbed in the protagonist Dinah’s life, the sadness and horror of the discrimination she had to endure as a Jew in Soviet Russia and the trials she faced as an immigrant in the States.

At the same time, there was so much nuance, nostalgia, friendship, soul, and humour in this story, not to mention inspiring resilience of character in Dinah. It felt almost mystically relatable to follow her story and be privy to her thoughts—simply as a Jewish person, even though I was born in North America.

The Light of Seven Days reads like a modern classic, and Adams’ velvety poetic prose exudes a love of the setting and architecture of an old world, especially the portions about Russia.

Finishing this one felt like mourning the loss of a friend.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Dinah is a Jew growing up in Soviet Russia in the 1970's-80's. Though she is raised agnostic, antisemitism occurs as people can recognize those of Jewish heritage. Her talent as a ballerina is discovered and she excels at her ballet school, but finally in her early 20's she must emigrate to the US. The author, herself, was a refugee from the Soviet Union and a classical pianist so I'm guessing a lot of this novel was autobiographical. The story is engrossing, though the writing is at times a little wordy.

[Jeremy Goodell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book at a five star level for much of the read, but the last 100 pages were a struggle. The main problem I had with this book was that I couldn’t help but want to know how much of it was autobiographical and how much was fiction.

I googled River Adams but couldn’t find much about their family or health. So it was hard to tell how much of the final chapters of the book was based on reality. To me, this made a big difference in my ability to enjoy it. Was I reading a true-life drama/tragedy? Or the fruits of the imagination of a gifted story teller?

Also, I was unfairly interested in the author’s choice of pronouns stated in their bio. Since the book seemed to be so autobiographical in nature, I felt that at some juncture, they might share some mild indication of what motivated them to identify as non-binary. But that revelation never comes. It shouldn’t matter. But I was disappointed to find that this important part of their personal story wasn’t included in what seemed at times like a memoir.

My rating, if the book had ended on a higher note, would have been five stars, but the story just seemed to crumble quickly and mercilessly toward the very end, enough to leave me with only three stars to give, although I waffled between three and four. I’m not sure I understand why the steep and rapid endgame was necessary. My only guess at an explanation is that it was based in reality. And reality often isn’t convenient or pretty.

And hence, back to my original problem! How real was it? A question I may never know the answer to. If it is mostly true, I am sad, and disappointed in the author for hiding their story in a fictional account. If it is largely fictional, I am relieved, but also disappointed because in fiction I want happy endings. If a book is going to make me sad, I’d like to know that before I pick it up.

[adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adams' novel covers a broad range of ideas: antisemitism, racism in America, the post-Soviet era in Russia, the immigrant's story, Judaism, making a life and meaning for oneself. The world I'd use to describe how the story is told is: grace. There's grace in how the story reveals itself. I don't know ballet, but I assume there are themes in the movement and music that unfold for the audience. This book has that same magic.

At times, it left me wanting more of the story. I wish Dinah's ultimate love for ballet was told more at the time she first introduced to the art. I also wish her love story with Matthew was more fulsome when they were together in Leningrad.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is both beautiful and heart-wrenching. It is the story of Dinah, a professional ballerina in Russia, during the 1980s. It follows her story of being discriminated against because of her Jewish heritage even though she is not fully sure what that means. Eventually, she settles in the U.S. and works to discover what her past truly means and who she really is at heart.

River writes a beautiful tale full of love and loss. It can get a bit confusing at times, but this seems to fit with the story and all that is going on.

[Shelly Lincoln · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engaging and emotional story, and Adams tells it beautifully. There are so many themes and sub-themes, but they are woven together tightly and there are no loose threads at the end. Adams incorporates thorny issues in her narrative - immigration, religion, culture, prejudice, loneliness - putting together a story that is both funny and heart-wrenching. Adams also does a masterful job with the narration. Definitely a book worth reading.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad I made the effort to check out this book through interlibrary loan and to keep reading after finding the beginning a bit unstructured. Although the portrayals of life in late-20th-century Russia and as a professional ballet dancer were well worth reading the book on their own, they're woven into a tapestry of deeper layers related to exclusion, religion, loss, and love, all with prose that manages to be both gorgeous and amusing.

[Sue Dolesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

River Adams was able to create a realistic story with detail and feelings written in the first person. I like to learn something while being entertained when I read. Adams’ detailed descriptions of living in Russia as a Jew as well as the struggles of a non-English speaking immigrant making their way in the U.S. (Philadelphia) was truly enlightening.
At times heart wrenching, but a great read!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.5.
Dreamy, gauzy quality to the story and writing. Overwhelmingly sad. Interesting period piece.
Disappointed reading author’s bio, that someone who writes so beautifully should know better that they and them is plural. Almost didn’t take the book home, but glad that I did.

[Paige Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although some of the thought processes Dinah, the main character, goes through can feel a bit confusing, the book is very well-written. I love Dinah's sarcasm, resilience, and thoughtful ways of going about life.

[Elain · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book sucked lol. if it was a memoir things would be different, beginning had good potential and there are a lot of moments where it felt emotional but by the end i couldn’t even concentrate on what was going on and reading this felt like a waste of time

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sublime. Big subjects are tackled here: anti-semitism, assimilation, immigration, identity. Love, loss, courage. East v West. All rendered in heartbreakingly beautiful prose - one to savor.

[Mia Thillet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was phenomenal. Truly a work of art!

[Brie Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic and imaginative writing. Adams does a wonderful job of narrating a non-linear story and surprising the reader.

[Efrat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely, poignant story. An interesting personal exploration about a young woman moving across time and cultures, with more than enough conflict and loss, but never despair, to spare.

[Randi · Rating 4 out of 5]

166/150 for Mama in 2024

[Sara Goldenberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off strong but ......

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in the anti-America comments. America took her in yet she still felt some resentment toward America. Disappointing.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, sad and hopeful. This is really a modern myth, but it hits very close to home for today's America. And the human story will break your heart and mend it and break it again.