From the author of the widely praised The Yokota Officers Club, a superbly alive novel about two young American women caught up in the fever...
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reviews
Jul 25, 2010
Belinda
rated it: 
Frenemy. It’s a conundrum endemic to socializing the American teen girl: at one time, your best friend – the girl who knows *all* your secrets, crushes, and weaknesses – will also at one time be your worst rival. It’s a new category of conflict onto its own: next to “Man versus God” and “Nature versus Man”, “Woman versus Frenemy” should be given its own rung on the ladder in the drama nomenclature.
Cindi Rae in “The Flamenco Academy” signed on with a doozy of a frenemy, Didi “Dirty De More...
Cindi Rae in “The Flamenco Academy” signed on with a doozy of a frenemy, Didi “Dirty De More...
Dec 06, 2009
Charles
rated it:
Early in her career, Sarah Bird wrote a clutch of romance novels as Tory Cates – a pseudonym that might be translated as "conservative delicacies," which almost sums up the damsels-and-rakes genre in a phrase. But genre fiction is too limiting for a writer as irrepressibly clever as Bird, whose novels under her own name have earned her critical praise and a small, enthusiastic following. The best of them is probably "The Yokota Officers Club," a coming-of-age tale about the r
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Sep 18, 2011
matt
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 26, 2011
Angela
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 26, 2009
Meg - A Bookish Affair
rated it: 
I'm so torn about this book. On one hand, the writing was really good and kept me reading but on the other hand,the storyline was really bad and almost made me want to stop reading the book. This book tells the story of Rae and her outrageous friend Didi. Basically Rae meets a guy one night who happens to be the best flamenco player in New Mexico. She falls head over heels with him but only sees him that night. She pines for him for 3 and a half years until they meet again. Meanwhile, Rae has ta
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Mar 13, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
I loved this book, and devoured it in early mornings and late evenings. I don't give it a full five stars because at times the writing is clunky and it's a slow start, but the story is excellent and one that will stay with the reader - it's not fast food. It cuts right to the heart of authenticity in flamenco, while detailing a love triangle and several personal Spanish histories. I was entertained and also informed.
And bonus: it's set in Albuquerque! These characters went to th More...
And bonus: it's set in Albuquerque! These characters went to th More...
Dec 21, 2009
Phyllis
rated it:
An Anglo high school girl spends one night with a devastatingly handsome young flamenco guitarist, Tomas, and decides she must make herself worthy of him by immersing herself in his world. Fortunately, she lives in Albuquerque, NM, where there is the country's only flamenco academy. She and her best friend compete throughout her college years for Tomas. What is amazing about this novel is the author's knowledge, gained after much research, of "flamenco puro", and its origins in the c
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Apr 17, 2010
I heard an interview with the author on the radio when this came out and, because I have gotten into bellydance, was interested in a fictional take on what it means to become immersed in a dance subculture. The main character becomes obsessed with flamenco, and so does her glamorous best friend, who upstages her and steals the love of her life, a fabulously sexy flamenco guitarist (not bad for someone who thinks she's an ugly duckling!). (BTW, this is not the plot spoiler it sounds like, b/c you
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Aug 11, 2008
Evon
rated it: 
It is August, and I am declaring the Flamenco Academy as a favorite novel for 2008.
A strong weaving of the culture of flameno, past and present, with a coming of age tale, or more aptly - a coming to one's own.
I enjoyed the entire story so much that I slowed down near the end, thinking it could not possibly have a satisfying ending, but Bird did not disappoint, it stayed solid to the end.
The only thing I did not like about the book was the reader's group questions f More...
A strong weaving of the culture of flameno, past and present, with a coming of age tale, or more aptly - a coming to one's own.
I enjoyed the entire story so much that I slowed down near the end, thinking it could not possibly have a satisfying ending, but Bird did not disappoint, it stayed solid to the end.
The only thing I did not like about the book was the reader's group questions f More...
Jan 27, 2009
Gingub
rated it:
i read this book last summer and was completely lost in the world of flamenco - i was already to take up lessons until watching a youtube video demonstrating the flamenco soleá - rhythm. count this 2 left footed - no rhythm flunky out - the beat count is like long division crossed with rocket science. so instead enjoy the sumptuousness that is sarah's world of love, loss, and mythical histories of gypsy legend.
Sep 13, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
I picked this book up at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival this summer as it was featured with books related to the production of Don Quixote. It was my favorite summer read -- I learned a lot about flamenco and New Mexico and the talents of author Sarah Bird. It's a coming of age novel, but imbedded in the plot line are wonderfully intimate insights into Gypsy culture and the world of dance.
Feb 01, 2011
Yvonne
rated it:
"He led me down a street where conquistadors ruled coffee shops and whiskey grew in a garden of green bottles. A secret park appeared in the middle of a sleeping neighborhood. He played falsetas so beautiful that the leaves on the trees turned into hearts and rained down on me. And, on a giant's swing, we sailed so high that the stars blurred into streaks of silver next to our heads."
May 04, 2010
Jonna
rated it:
I've been a fan of Sarah Bird's novels for a long time, always enjoying her quirky characters & amazing descriptions. While many of this novels characters aren't as fully formed as I'd have liked, the stories told by Dona Carlota more than make up for it.
One of my favorite things about this novel was it's setting. I lived in Albuquerque for several years, and found myself missing New Mexico while reading!
One of my favorite things about this novel was it's setting. I lived in Albuquerque for several years, and found myself missing New Mexico while reading!
Apr 20, 2010
Diane
rated it:
My husband picked this up thinking it might be interesting since he's taking flamenco guitar lessons. At first I was dubious, but I ended up absolutely loving it. I loved the relationship between Didi and Cyndi Rae - the bad girl and the good girl. I empathized with Cyndi as she pined for Tomás. And I was fascinated by the history of the gypsies as told by Doña Carlota.
Sarah Bird is a talented author and I'm definitely going to read her earlier works.
Sarah Bird is a talented author and I'm definitely going to read her earlier works.
Jul 07, 2009
Kristen
rated it:
The passion of the dance and Dona Carlota's stories fill the center of the novel, revealing much about flamenco, Gypsies, and New Mexican culture. But it is the beginning and end of the book, told through Rae's honest and captivating voice that moves the story and compel the reader. The concept of losing oneself in love and finding yourself again strikes close to home.
Oct 20, 2010
jobiwan6
rated it:
things i like about this book:
i like stories that appear to be about one love affair, but are really about another (like the Piano.)
i love writers who can make me "hear" the music or "see" the artwork they are describing. this made me "feel" the dancing.
i really appreciate a book that educates while it entertains, that leads me to research some new areas of interest.
if you know (or are) an erotomaniac, this wil
Jun 26, 2011
Christopher
rated it:
As someone who is very interested in flamenco, I had to pick up this book. Although my knowledge on the subject isn't very large, I know enough to really enjoy it. The Flamenco Academy is a jewel. I won't spoil anything for anyone, but it is a definite must-read. Love, trust, friendship, history, drama, beauty, all are used cleverly to make this a wonderful page-turner.
I highly recommend this book!
I highly recommend this book!
Feb 10, 2008
Julia
rated it:
The Flamenco Academy is a busy novel. First, we have the friendship between Rae and Didi, girls who bond after meeting at the doctor's office when both of their fathers have cancer. They survive highschool and go on to the univesity, into a flamenco program. Rae is smitten with a flamenco guitarist and is determined to meet him again and dance. Then, we have the interesting gypsy backstory of Dona Carlota, an institution in the flamenco world. Bird's writing is lyrical in parts, especially
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Aug 07, 2011
Amy
rated it:
Finished this book for last week's book club meeting. Once I could sit for more than 4 1/2 minutes to focus it read fairly easily. It was a quick read and if you are intersted in the history or choreography of Flamenco I would recommend it. Otherwise I would suggest you move on the next book on your readng list.
Aug 08, 2011
Wonderful, both comic and tragic, and I loved the depiction of Rae and Didi's friendship. The values of flamenco--passion, truth and authenticity--are artfully contrasted with Didi's quest for fame and Rae's self-doubt. Why isn't Bird more popular? She's an excellent writer.
Apr 02, 2010
Relyn
rated it:
I wanted to like this. I really did. It started off so compelling, just great, but it fizzled fast. The story went on and on and ON about their childhood. As a teenager there was nothing likable or even very interesting about the main character. Or her best friend. Bummer.
Mar 09, 2010
The cover of this book seems misleading to me--it looks like it's going to be historical fiction, but it's actually a book set in contemporary New Mexico and the protagonist is a blond, blue-eyed, pale skinned woman who tumbles into the world of flamenco. Maybe the cover designer went in that direction because the author's most well known title, The Yokota Officers Club, was historical fiction?
Nov 29, 2010
Mona
rated it:
I had a real love/hate relationship with this book. I was tired of the relationship of Rae with Didi. It was not healthy. And all this obsession. How could someone meet a man for five hours and obsess over him for several years??? This is just crazy.
I loved the story of Dona Carlotta. The scenes at the academy were great and caused the four star rating. Otherwise it would have been a three for me.
I loved the story of Dona Carlotta. The scenes at the academy were great and caused the four star rating. Otherwise it would have been a three for me.
Dec 05, 2008
Alex
rated it:
I had a hard time getting into this book, but mainly because I was frustrated with the main character and the decisions she made. However, I did like the flamenco aspect of the book and the interwove stories of gypsy life in Spain.
Jun 26, 2011
Theresa
rated it:
Liked it, didn't love it. The author's timeline and facts weren't always consistent so I wasted some mental energy trying to make sure I was following the story - which, of course, distracted me from the story. I gave it three stars, though, for three reasons: 1)the details of flamenco were fascinating; 2) I could relate to being "Metronoma" to someone like Didi, and 3)one scene in the book will stay with me forever - the language, tension and lust leading up to the hidden park scene
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Aug 07, 2010
Elaine
rated it:
The book pulsates with rhythm and romance. Takes place in Albuquerque where I knew every place that was mentioned in the book. Took me back to when I lived there. One of my favorites of Sarah Bird who lives in Austin , by the way.
Jan 22, 2008
Nina
rated it:
schlaaaaaak.
novel about 'friendship betrayal and flamenco as somekind of a common denominator . story weaves into francos spain in granada and sevilla as well as albuquerque and its flamenco scene in the end of the nineties. pitiful main characters made me want to put the book down many times as well as the suuuuuuuuuuuper schlaky descriptions of this that and the next thing. the story line in spain was as if it were written by another author. two different books...hmmmmmm
yaiks, ho More...
novel about 'friendship betrayal and flamenco as somekind of a common denominator . story weaves into francos spain in granada and sevilla as well as albuquerque and its flamenco scene in the end of the nineties. pitiful main characters made me want to put the book down many times as well as the suuuuuuuuuuuper schlaky descriptions of this that and the next thing. the story line in spain was as if it were written by another author. two different books...hmmmmmm
yaiks, ho More...
Oct 14, 2009
Helen
rated it:
Who would have thought that there was a flamenco academy in Albquerque, New Mexico? The first part of the book was uninteresting, but when the flamenco was brought in, the book took on a life!
Mar 04, 2010
Cheryl
rated it:
Bravo!!! I loved the history presented in this book. I loved the descriptions of music, local, dance, guitar . . Sarah Bird obviously has a passion for her subject matter. The love story was absorbing .. and brave.
Nov 12, 2009
Erin
rated it:
I took me 75 pages to get going, but once I did I couldn't stop. This book totally makes you want to run off to New Mexico and become a gypsy. Truly enjoyable.
