Review: Bunheads by Sophie Flack
Title: Bunheads
Hardcover, 294 pages
Author: Sophie Flack
Publisher: Poppy
Publication Date: October 10, 2011
Source: Purchased
Buy: Amazon
Add To: Goodreads
Book Summary:
As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.
But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah’s universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other “bunheads” in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?
Review:
Of the subgenres in contemporary YA, the performing arts is one I like to read about perhaps the most of all. There’s something about transforming into a different world within the realm of reality that is appealing – not only that, but I think we all have dreamt of being a dancer or singer or actor at one time another, so these books help us fulfill that dream in our imagination for a little while.
The focus of Bunheads is dancing; ballet in particular. The cover is quite beautiful, with a repeating image of ballerinas on a soft matte background.
Hannah is a super ballerina – by which I mean she dances with the elite Manhattan Ballet Company. This detail changes her life drastically from what we normally know a teenager to be like. She is constantly thinking about her diet, and exercise, and her routines. Her friends are strictly other dancers because she doesn’t have time to do anything else, and they all obsess over who will get coveted roles in each of the new dances.
I really loved to read about Hannah’s world. Sophie Flack does an excellent job of immersing the reader in the life of a dancer – and I suspect that is because Flack was a dancer herself, which just proves that sometimes it’s great to write what you know.
When Jacob, a potential love interest, gets thrown in the mix, I found myself wavering right alongside Hannah. She has committed so much of her life to dance, but for that very reason has missed out on other things and has to decide what she wants in her life.
I have happily added Bunheads to my list of recommended performing arts books, and would especially recommend it to those interested in dance and ballet.
Wonderful review! I completely adored Bunheads!
-★Wendy★
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I gots to get to this one on my pile. So many people have read it and enjoyed it.
Michelle recently posted..Interview: Daniel Nayeri
I look forward to reading this one. I used to be a dancer so it would be fun to go down memory.
Tea Time with Marce recently posted..Quote it Saturday
I would love to know what a dancer thinks of this one! It seemed very realistic to me.
I loved this book. The ballet, the personalities, the plot. It’s great! Nice review.
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I had been wondering about this book! I’ll definitely have to add this to my to read pile now.
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This looks a great read! I just realized that I haven’t read YA contemporaries about dedicated protagonists (mostly just the ones who go through life-changing events).
Kind of weird to realize, isn’t it? I noticed how many performing arts books were coming out and decided to read in that focused genre for a little while; I had a lot of fun!