Collusion: Memoir of a Young Girl and Her Ballet Master

Rating:
Summary: Uncaptivating
Review: As a former dancer I was intrigued by reviews of this book. It turned out to be a complete waste of my time. The writing was dull and thoroughly uncaptivating. Although I'm sure Evan Zimroth gave up her childhood for dance, I found her storytelling to be written more for shock value than for anything else. I had difficulty finishing this book. I'd reccommend skipping this one.

Rating:
Summary: Not very clear
Review: I'm not sure what I expected from this book. Perhaps a glimpse inside the world of a dancer that has not been whitewashed? An honest account of how a dancer's life is as painful as it can be magical? Well whatever I hoped for, this book did not provide it. Written in a style that I found aggravating ( I wish I could explain WHY but words fail me), I finished it only because I had spent my money on it, not because I was intrigued or drawn in. I've read other customer reviews about this book and it seems you either love it or hate it. Many objected to the "glorification of violence" (or something along those lines). I didn't. I wanted the truth- honesty. The manner of how many young dancers are trained is in the Eastern Bloc style, where hitting and yelling are par for the course. But the auther descibes this all in a rather dreamy style as if it's a pretentious novel rather than a non fictional account of her experience. So at the end I never came to understand why she felt so attached to her teacher, abusive or not. Nor did I come to understand the sexual chemistry that exsists between a dancer and his/her instructor (or choreographer). So I have to agree with one reviewer who wrote "What was the point of this book? "

Rating:
Summary: Not very clear
Review: I'm not sure what I expected from this book. Perhaps a glimpse inside the world of a dancer that has not been whitewashed? An honest account of how a dancer's life is as painful as it can be magical? Well whatever I hoped for, this book did not provide it. Written in a style that I found aggravating ( I wish I could explain WHY but words fail me), I finished it only because I had spent my money on it, not because I was intrigued or drawn in. I've read other customer reviews about this book and it seems you either love it or hate it. Many objected to the "glorification of violence" (or something along those lines). I didn't. I wanted the truth- honesty. The manner of how many young dancers are trained is in the Eastern Bloc style, where hitting and yelling are par for the course. But the auther descibes this all in a rather dreamy style as if it's a pretentious novel rather than a non fictional account of her experience. So at the end I never came to understand why she felt so attached to her teacher, abusive or not. Nor did I come to understand the sexual chemistry that exsists between a dancer and his/her instructor (or choreographer). So I have to agree with one reviewer who wrote "What was the point of this book? "

Rating:
Summary: Uncaptivating
Review: This is an autobiography that reads like a novel of self-revelation. We are even given Evan's fantasy of what she wanted to have happen at the climax of her relationship with "F". When he asked her at the outset, "Do you want to be a great dancer?" Her answer in all honesty should have been, "Yes, if that will make you mine."

Did she really have the potential to become a great dancer, a potential she squandered in her obsession with possessing "F"? Or was he using her, making her his pet not only to inspire her but an an object lesson to the rest of his class? In ballet there is always someone who is better than you, someone who gets more attention, more praise, more respect. Dancers fail to develop who will not strive in the face of this disappointment. "F's" motives in singling Evan out may have been to harden his pupils to his fact, and to goad them into working harder. Were her responses to his attentions merely the perfervid imaginations of a love-struck teenager, or was this a genuine duel of love and power between a svengali and his most promising pupil? At fourteen she already understood her powers of attraction, and in testing the limits of her power it was she who either betrayed or defeated him by simply neglecting to learn a simple stand-in role. In his humiliation and frustration he lashes himself not her, and their relationship collapses. Subsequently we learn that the highlight of her life was never dancing, but always "F". Zimroth's narrative is sad, compelling, well told, and raises more questions than it answers.

Rating:
Summary: Collusion - "a secret agreement for a fraudulent purpose"
Review: This is an autobiography that reads like a novel of self-revelation. We are even given Evan's fantasy of what she wanted to have happen at the climax of her relationship with "F". When he asked her at the outset, "Do you want to be a great dancer?" Her answer in all honesty should have been, "Yes, if that will make you mine."

Did she really have the potential to become a great dancer, a potential she squandered in her obsession with possessing "F"? Or was he using her, making her his pet not only to inspire her but an an object lesson to the rest of his class? In ballet there is always someone who is better than you, someone who gets more attention, more praise, more respect. Dancers fail to develop who will not strive in the face of this disappointment. "F's" motives in singling Evan out may have been to harden his pupils to his fact, and to goad them into working harder. Were her responses to his attentions merely the perfervid imaginations of a love-struck teenager, or was this a genuine duel of love and power between a svengali and his most promising pupil? At fourteen she already understood her powers of attraction, and in testing the limits of her power it was she who either betrayed or defeated him by simply neglecting to learn a simple stand-in role. In his humiliation and frustration he lashes himself not her, and their relationship collapses. Subsequently we learn that the highlight of her life was never dancing, but always "F". Zimroth's narrative is sad, compelling, well told, and raises more questions than it answers.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Account of One Ballet Student's Experience
Review: This was an interesting story and it gave a good feel for the drive and obsession that is associated with being a standout ballet student and ultimately a professional dancer. This was a very subtle book, however....in some ways, it seemed that very little actually happened within its pages and that much of the activity was felt, implied, unspoken, and under the surface. I feel that the girl's teacher, F., acted very cowardly in his final act and was very much to blame in making the heroine feel that she was "above the law" at his ballet school....no doubt driving her over-confident behavior. Overall, an interesting read for anyone interested in the day-to-day lifestyle and requirements of a ballet dancer in-the-making!

Rating:
Summary: Do you really think you know everything about your child?
Review: Yes, well written. Yes, somewhat disturbing. Yes, obsession. But, as far as memories can be accurate the best description of what a child is able to do to please an adult, how much a child is able to deny what we would call normal needs to reach a goal itself has the urge to reach. First it is perfection in ballet, perfect posture, perfect body control - pleasing herself. Then, with a strike of his cane her ballet master claims her, and so there comes a shift - he becomes the center of her universe, starting an emotional bonding which excludes the rest of the world, also her family. Emotional needs can be as strong as hunger and thirst, and in fulfilling or denying an adult can do as much good and damage as with starving or overfeeding. Read and decide for yourself if this relationship was good or evil - or both.