Forthcoming book: Bolshoi Confidential

[John Mallinson]

Publisher's blurb about this new history of the Bolshoi Ballet (October 2016).

 

Amazon UK pre-order hardback price £20; paperback £9.99 but not till April 2017.

[Fiz]

Thank you, John! It's on order.

[Fiz]

Eek! Wrong emoticon! is what I meant!

[MAB]

Sounds like sensationalism to me I'm afraid.  Is the author appears to be a musicologist rather than a dance historian of any repute, think I might pass on this one.

[alison]

Hmm, a book purporting to be a "definitive new history" of the Bolshoi - but with the title Bolshoi Confidential?  Doesn't really compute for me, I'm afraid, although I suppose it may just be the publishers trying to "sex up" the book (would it need it?)

[toursenlair]

of course the publishers need a snappy title. Do you think "A History of the Bolshoi Ballet" would fly off the shelves?

[MAB]

This article by Morrison may give a clue to his writing style:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/opinion/the-bolshois-spinning-dance-of-power.html

 

Perhaps someone else can enlighten me about "Ballet is a self-destructive art" and I would question his assertion that " Great dancers retire in physical ruin".

 

Much speculation and rumour in his article, he writes on the political side too and it is clear Russia isn't a country he has much regard for.  Don't think I'll be getting this one even when it's remaindered.

[Don Q Fan]

If it is anything like the recent Bolshoi docu-film it'll be disappointing.