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feather_ghyllI have read other books that I could very well have reviewed over the past few weeks, but is it serendipity or the apt icon that is getting this review written?
Belle of the Ballet's Gala Performance: George Beardmore, Hulton Press, 1957 reprint.
I think that I have another 'Belle' book, but it's been a while since I read it. I also probably have a copy or two of some Girl annuals, which equally probably feature stories about Belle Auburn, heroine and future ballerina.
This book tells more about the feud between Belle's ballet school, which is run by Madam Arenska, a former prima ballerina assoluta and Good If Eccentric Teacher, and the pupils of the Imperial Academy, taught by a Second-Rater. His pupils, led by the arrogant Margo, institute a series of malicious pranks to try to get rid of the opposition, beginning with a whispering campaign and ending with what can only be described as criminal activity.
The craziness of these antics, and the characters' light-hearted response is hand-waved away by the author as their being of the stage, darlings. Certainly, Belle is a less intense and more fun ballet heroine than most of the others I can think of, despite having a street urchin backstory (!?) who are all intensely destined to play the swan in the spotlight at the end of the first night. (Maybe that's harsh on Drina). Belle is the leader of a gang of friends plus a couple of adoring proteges, who decide to take their own, much nicer, revenge on their rivals, and win the day, with a cheeky performance that assures the success of their school (although it's not quite the gala performance promised in the title, it does feature a dance that was quickly choreographed by the kids).
The writing, in terms of turns of phrases, is surprisingly good. Or lively, at least. Yes, there's some reliance on cliche, and none of the characters have any depth, and it isn't funny enough to work satirically (a la the Stroganov ballet's adventures), but it is fun enough, and there's some element of teaching the reader about ballet going on, even.
Belle of the Ballet's Gala Performance: George Beardmore, Hulton Press, 1957 reprint.
I think that I have another 'Belle' book, but it's been a while since I read it. I also probably have a copy or two of some Girl annuals, which equally probably feature stories about Belle Auburn, heroine and future ballerina.
This book tells more about the feud between Belle's ballet school, which is run by Madam Arenska, a former prima ballerina assoluta and Good If Eccentric Teacher, and the pupils of the Imperial Academy, taught by a Second-Rater. His pupils, led by the arrogant Margo, institute a series of malicious pranks to try to get rid of the opposition, beginning with a whispering campaign and ending with what can only be described as criminal activity.
The craziness of these antics, and the characters' light-hearted response is hand-waved away by the author as their being of the stage, darlings. Certainly, Belle is a less intense and more fun ballet heroine than most of the others I can think of, despite having a street urchin backstory (!?) who are all intensely destined to play the swan in the spotlight at the end of the first night. (Maybe that's harsh on Drina). Belle is the leader of a gang of friends plus a couple of adoring proteges, who decide to take their own, much nicer, revenge on their rivals, and win the day, with a cheeky performance that assures the success of their school (although it's not quite the gala performance promised in the title, it does feature a dance that was quickly choreographed by the kids).
The writing, in terms of turns of phrases, is surprisingly good. Or lively, at least. Yes, there's some reliance on cliche, and none of the characters have any depth, and it isn't funny enough to work satirically (a la the Stroganov ballet's adventures), but it is fun enough, and there's some element of teaching the reader about ballet going on, even.
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Date: 2009-02-15 08:53 pm (UTC)A Girl novel I find very enjoyable is A Stepmother for Susan of St Bride's, by Ruth Adam. Nursing was nursing in those days!
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Date: 2009-02-21 08:18 pm (UTC)I will keep an eye out for A Stepmother.... I don't believe I've come across any other Girl books other than Belle of the Ballets.