Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler
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Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler
Read and Download Ebook Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler
Like generations of little girls, Lauren Kessler fell in love with ballet the first time she saw The Nutcracker, and from that day, at age five, she dreamed of becoming a ballerina. But when she was twelve, her very famous ballet instructor crushed those dreams—along with her youthful self-assurance—and she stepped away from the barre.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.
Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler - Amazon Sales Rank: #301858 in Books
- Published on: 2015-11-24
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: 8.30" h x 1.10" w x 5.50" l, .85 pounds
- Binding: Hardcover
- 272 pages
Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler Review Publishers Weekly, 10/26/15“[Kessler] inspires readers as she realizes that ‘you can’t feel the thrill unless you take the risk.’”People, 12/7/15“[Kessler’s] book is eloquent, funny and so inspiring that readers might want to ‘attempt the impossible’ too.”Eugene Weekly, 11/19/15“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.”Kirkus Reviews, 10/15/15“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 The Nutcracker in particular, and she ably captures the abundant physical punishment…An amusingly shrewd memoir of following a lifelong dream.”Library Journal, 12/4/15“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.”PBS’s Next Avenue, 12/8/15“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.”Washington Post, 12/11/2015“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.”Oregon ArtsWatch, 12/10/15"[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.”Mediander, 12/17/15“Kessler’s book is well structured, generates suspense and culminates with amusing stories of performance mishaps and the rigors of touring.”"The Bookworm Sez" syndicated column, 12/18/15“[A] slice-of-life story…Raising the Barre is a nice surprise…Kessler proves that ballet — and, really, seizing any dream worth having — isn’t as easy as it looks. You may even see yourself in what she endures: the doubts, aggravations, and triumphs, especially, but also in the journey itself. And for sure, you’ll laugh, too, because Kessler keeps readers on their toes with plenty of self-depreciating humor. You don’t need to be an aspiring ballerina to love this book…Raising the Barre is a book to leap for.”Oregon Arts Watch, 12/17/15“Raising the Barre is not unlike The Nutcracker itself: a delicious confection, a fast-paced romp.”Providence Journal, 1/3/16“Kessler’s overall message about The Nutcracker will appeal to the hundreds of thousands who saw one of the many productions this holiday season…As a model then for trying different things in the New Year, Raising the Barre, gets a standing ovation.”
About the Author Lauren Kessler is an award-winning author and immersion reporter. She is the author of seven nonfiction books, including Counterclockwise: My Year of Hypnosis, Hormones, Dark Chocolate, and Other Adventures in the World of Anti-aging, as well as My Teenage Werewolf: A Mother, a Daughter, a Journey Through the Thicket of Adolescence. Her journalism has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Los Angeles Times Magazine, O, the Oprah Magazine, Ladies' Home Journal, Woman's Day, Prevention, and Salon. She also directs the graduate program in narrative journalism at the University of Oregon.laurenkessler.com
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Most helpful customer reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful. Hooray for Adult Dancers By John Ash Just as I was about to hang up my ballet slippers at seventy-one years of age. I read about Lauren's book in People Magazine. To me Raising the Barre, is the best D.I.Y. book for aging dancers ever written. Yes I enjoyed all the history, but mostly I enjoyed all the exercise tips to prepare a dancer for the overwhelming demands of class and rehearsals. I especially enjoyed the detailed explanation of the dancers belt. They never explained it in quite that way at my beginning ballet class. I started ballet at age sixty-seven. This is my third season dancing in the Nutcracker. My thanks to Lauren for giving voice to the challenges all Adult Class dancers face in an art dominated by fabulously fit twenty year olds.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. I loved this book- the writing was accessible and funny By Amazon Customer I loved this book- the writing was accessible and funny, the voice felt intimate and open, and the story was relatable and moving. I literally couldn't put it down and finally finished it in a four hour fevered nighttime read. The story is Lauren Kessler's own personal narrative but while reading it I couldn't help thinking about my own "ballet dream"- a dream or passion that I let go of as a kid because I thought I wasn't enough (or I just wasn't) and those moments where Kessler looks back it felt like...a lot of things at once: personal, painful, darkly and pointedly funny. I can also say that I laughed out loud (like, really) four times. There's also a boatload of history about the Nutcracker and ballet in general that was really interesting. But this book really isn't just for people who love ballet or even know anything about it - it's about doing something new, shaking up your life and letting go of some of that junk you started believing when you hit puberty. Loved it, loved it.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. I'm a big fan of Lauren Kessler -- reading her books is like catching up with a good friend over an Americano By knitnread Can a midlife woman who gave up on ballet as a young girl join a professional company and dance in The Nutcracker? I'm a big fan of Lauren Kessler -- reading her books is like catching up with a good friend over an Americano. This book is no exception--Kessler investigates the history of The Nutcracker, travels the country to watch different companies dance the holiday classic, and documents her struggles and triumphs in relearning the art of ballet. You'll be cheering for her every step of the way.
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Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler
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Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler
Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler
Raising the Barre: Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker, by Lauren Kessler
