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Raising the Barre
Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker
Contributors
Formats and Prices
- On Sale
- Nov 14, 2017
- Page Count
- 272 pages
- Publisher
- Da Capo
- ISBN-13
- 9780306903274
Price
$15.99Price
$20.99 CADFormat
Format:
- Trade Paperback $15.99 $20.99 CAD
- ebook $9.99 $12.99 CAD
Buy from Other Retailers:
Fast forward four decades. Lauren — suddenly, powerfully, itchingly restless at midlife — embarks on a “Transcontinental Nutcracker Binge Tour,” where attending a string of performances in Chicago, New York, Boston, and San Francisco reignites her love affair with the ballet–and fuels her girlhood dream.
What ensues is not only a story about The Nutcracker itself, but also an inside look at the seemingly romantic — but oh-so-gritty — world of ballet, about all that happens away from the audience’s eye that precedes the magic on stage. It is a tale told from the perspective of someone who not only loves it, but is also seeking to live it. Lauren’s quest to dance The Nutcracker with the Eugene Ballet Company tackles the big issues: fear, angst, risk, resilience, the refusal to “settle in” to midlife, the refusal to become yet another Invisible Woman. It is also a very funny, very real look at what it’s like to push yourself further than you ever thought you could go — and what happens when you get there.
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"[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that 'you can't feel the thrill unless you take the risk.'"Publishers Weekly
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"[Kessler's] book is eloquent, funny and so inspiring that readers might want to 'attempt the impossible' too."People
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"With a funny and warm writing style, Kessler describes a history of doubts, from the poking comments of her early dance teachers to her powerful drive to succeed in Eugene Ballet Company's performances--by any means necessary."Eugene Weekly
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"Kessler has a wonderfully self-conscious mettle as well, not to mention a deft hand with the evocative expression of her inner feelings. She provides a useful vest-pocket history of ballet, and in particular, and she ably captures the abundant physical punishment...An amusingly shrewd memoir of following a lifelong dream."Kirkus Reviews
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"This delightful story of one woman's personal quest will be enjoyed by anyone who thinks age is just a number, but Nutcracker fans will find it especially appealing."Library Journal
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"Kessler brings the reader along on a 250-page journey that's brutally challenging, hilariously funny and incontestably inspiring as she tries to morph from fit-but-not-ballet-fit mother and writer to lithe and limber Aunt Rose."PBS's Next Avenue
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"Breezy...Inspiring...Kessler's experience...will resonate with lots of readers...Self-reflective and funny, Kessler has an infectious enthusiasm, and her struggle to balance family, work and her time on social media will be amusingly familiar to many."Washington Post
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"[An] adventurous immersion into the subculture of ballet, this is a great, inspirational story for someone who is looking for a push to take that leap and do that thing they have been putting off for a really long time. If Kessler can do it, you can do it."Oregon ArtsWatch
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"Kessler's book is well structured, generates suspense and culminates with amusing stories of performance mishaps and the rigors of touring."Mediander
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"Remarkably informative, inherently fascinating, surprisingly instructive, exceptionally well written...Refreshingly candid...A compelling read from beginning to end."Midwest Book Review
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