Nijinsky

Lucy Moore's biography traces the life of Vaslav Nijinsky, the legendary early 20th century ballet dancer who revolutionized male dance. The book follows his rise from humble beginnings in Russia through his meteoric career with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Moore draws on letters, diaries and historical records to reconstruct Nijinsky's artistic achievements and personal struggles. The narrative covers his groundbreaking performances and choreography, his complex relationship with Diaghilev, and his eventual mental decline. The book details the vibrant world of early modern ballet and the cultural upheaval of Europe before and during WWI. Key figures in dance, art and society move through the story, providing context for Nijinsky's innovations and impact. This biography explores themes of genius, madness, sexuality and the price of artistic dedication in the modern era. Through Nijinsky's story, Moore examines broader questions about the relationship between creativity and mental stability.

Readers appreciate Moore's research depth and her ability to capture both Nijinsky's artistic genius and personal struggles. Multiple reviews note how she contextualizes his life within the broader cultural landscape of early 20th century ballet and European society. What readers liked: - Clear explanation of ballet terminology and history - Balance between professional and personal life details - Quality of historical research - Engaging narrative style What readers disliked: - Some found the chronological jumps confusing - A few readers wanted more detail about specific performances - Several note repetitive passages Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (285 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (52 ratings) One reader on Goodreads writes: "Moore excels at showing how Nijinsky's innovations changed dance forever." An Amazon reviewer notes: "The book loses focus in the middle sections when discussing his time with Diaghilev."

Apollo's Angels by Jennifer Homans This history of ballet traces four centuries of dance evolution through the lives of its greatest innovators and performers, providing context similar to Moore's examination of ballet's golden age.

Nureyev: The Life by Julie Kavanagh The biography chronicles Rudolf Nureyev's rise from poverty to international ballet stardom, mirroring themes of artistic genius and cultural transformation found in Nijinsky's story.

Winter Season: A Dancer's Journal by Toni Bentley This memoir from a New York City Ballet dancer reveals the physical and psychological demands of professional ballet life during the Balanchine era.

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin The autobiography follows a ballet dancer's journey from rural China to international stages, exploring themes of artistic dedication and cultural displacement that echo Nijinsky's experiences.

Dancing on My Grave by Gelsey Kirkland This memoir exposes the intense pressures and personal costs of ballet stardom during the 1970s and 1980s, reflecting the psychological struggles documented in Nijinsky's story.

🩰 Vaslav Nijinsky kept detailed diaries during his mental decline, which form a significant part of Moore's research. These writings were initially suppressed by his wife and weren't published in their complete form until 1999. 🎭 The book explores how Nijinsky's revolutionary choreography for "The Rite of Spring" in 1913 caused a riot in the theater, with audience members fighting and throwing things at the orchestra. 🌟 During his prime, Nijinsky could perform leaps so high that audiences believed he had some mechanical device helping him stay suspended in the air. Moore details how he achieved this through incredible muscular control. 💕 Moore reveals that Nijinsky's marriage to Romola de Pulszky occurred after only a few meetings, and she didn't speak his language - they communicated primarily through gestures and expressions. 🎪 The final public performance of Nijinsky's career was in 1917, entertaining troops at a YMCA in Uruguay. Moore describes how, even then, his movements were so powerful that the soldiers were moved to tears.