From the prize-winning author of Seating Arrangements comes an exquisitely written, fiercely compelling glimpse into the demanding world of professional ballet and its magnetic hold over two generations.
Astonish Me is the irresistible story of Joan, a young American dancer who helps a Soviet ballet star, the great Arslan Rusakov, defect in 1975. A flash of fame and a passionate love affair follow, but Joan knows that, onstage and off, she is destined to remain in the shadows.
After her relationship with Arslan sours, Joan decides to make a new life for herself. She quits ballet, marries a good man, and settles into the rhythm of Californian life with their son, Harry. But as the years pass, Joan comes to understand that ballet isn’t finished with her yet: for there is no mistaking that Harry is a prodigy. Inevitably Joan is soon pulled back into a world she thought she’d left behind and back to Arslan.
Gripping and dramatic, Astonish Me is a story about the nature of talent, the choices we must make in search of fulfilment, and how we can never truly escape from the secrets of the past.
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‘Beautifully written, a top-class novel set in a fascinating world’ Louisa Young, Observer
‘Brims with emotion ... an accomplished novel embracing both domestic drama and the competitive quest for perfection’ Sunday Times
‘So graceful, so dazzling, so sure-handed and fearless, that at times I had to remind myself to breathe’ Maria Semple, author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette
‘I will be paying close attention to Shipstead’s career from here on in’ Jeffrey Eugenides
‘A bravura display of high-performance art, the only constant its quest for perfection’ Catherine Taylor, Guardian
‘Very well-written, and cleverly constructed with some elegant pirouettes of its own in the story’s twists and turns’ Daily Mail
‘Passionate, gripping and wise about the human heart. One of those wonderful books that leave you bereft yet completely satisfied’ Lucie Whitehouse, author of Before We Met
‘Shipstead is shaping up as a master storyteller’ Financial Times
‘Brilliantly written; the first ballet novel for grown-ups’ The Times
Maggie Shipstead graduated from Harvard in 2005 and earned an M.F.A at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She was also a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. Her debut novel, Seating Arrangements, won the Dylan Thomas Prize and the LA Times Prize for First Fiction. Astonish Me is her second novel.
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Fair. A readable copy of the book which may include some defects such as highlighting and notes. Cover and pages may be creased and show discolouration. Seller Inventory # GOR013481317
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.01. Seller Inventory # G0007525362I3N00
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. From the New York Times bestselling author of Great Circle Brilliantly written; the first ballet novel for grown-ups THE TIMES A bravura display of high-performance art GUARDIAN Brims with emotion an accomplished novel embracing both domestic drama and the competitive quest for perfection SUNDAY TIMES Astonish Me is the irresistible story of Joan, a young American dancer who helps a Soviet ballet star, the great Arslan Rusakov, defect in 1975. A flash of fame and a passionate love affair follow, but Joan knows that, onstage and off, she is destined to remain in the shadows. After her relationship with Arslan sours, Joan decides to quit ballet and make a new life for herself. But as the years pass, Joan comes to understand that ballet isnt finished with her yet From the prize-winning author of Seating Arrangements comes an exquisitely written, fiercely compelling glimpse into the demanding world of professional ballet and its magnetic hold over two generations. Cleverly constructed with some elegant pirouettes of its own DAILY MAIL A gripping mix of family drama and insight into the world of ballet GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Shipstead is a gifted writer who examines families and relationships in a poignant, insightful way STYLIST A dazzling story rooted in the competitive world of dance WOMAN & HOME So graceful, so dazzling, so sure-handed and fearless, that at times I had to remind myself to breathe Maria Semple, author of Whered You Go, Bernadette I will be paying close attention to Shipsteads career from here on in Jeffrey Eugenides. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR005898672
Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. From the New York Times bestselling author of Great Circle Brilliantly written; the first ballet novel for grown-ups THE TIMES A bravura display of high-performance art GUARDIAN Brims with emotion an accomplished novel embracing both domestic drama and the competitive quest for perfection SUNDAY TIMES Astonish Me is the irresistible story of Joan, a young American dancer who helps a Soviet ballet star, the great Arslan Rusakov, defect in 1975. A flash of fame and a passionate love affair follow, but Joan knows that, onstage and off, she is destined to remain in the shadows. After her relationship with Arslan sours, Joan decides to quit ballet and make a new life for herself. But as the years pass, Joan comes to understand that ballet isnt finished with her yet From the prize-winning author of Seating Arrangements comes an exquisitely written, fiercely compelling glimpse into the demanding world of professional ballet and its magnetic hold over two generations. Cleverly constructed with some elegant pirouettes of its own DAILY MAIL A gripping mix of family drama and insight into the world of ballet GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Shipstead is a gifted writer who examines families and relationships in a poignant, insightful way STYLIST A dazzling story rooted in the competitive world of dance WOMAN & HOME So graceful, so dazzling, so sure-handed and fearless, that at times I had to remind myself to breathe Maria Semple, author of Whered You Go, Bernadette I will be paying close attention to Shipsteads career from here on in Jeffrey Eugenides. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR006318040
Book Description Condition: Good. Most items will be dispatched the same or the next working day. Ex library copy with usual stamps & stickers. Seller Inventory # wbs3093413884
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. First Printing. Author of GREAT CIRCLE which was shortlisted for the Booker Award, 2022. Signed on Full Title Page. Seller Inventory # 017588
Book Description Condition: Good. Buy with confidence! Book is in good condition with minor wear to the pages, binding, and minor marks within. Seller Inventory # bk0007525362xvz189zvxgdd
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. title page. A fine, unread copy of a first edition, first impression hardback in a fine, unclipped dustjacket which has been enclosed in a removable protective cover. All books are swathed in biodegradable bubble wrap and posted in strong, custom made book boxes to ensure undamaged delivery. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 012836