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Baryshnikov's Nutcracker
With the help of a young girl, a nutcracker becomes a handsome prince. Illustrated with photos from a performance by the American Ballet Theatre.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 1983
About the author
Norma Klein
70 books112 followersNorma Klein was born in New York City and graduated cum laude and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard College with a degree in Russian. She later received her master's degree in Slavic languages from Columbia University.
Ms. Klein began publishing short stories while attending Barnard and since then she had written novels for readers of all ages. The author got her ideas from everyday life and advised would-be writers to do the same -- to write about their experiences or things they really care about.
Ms. Klein died in 1989.
Ms. Klein began publishing short stories while attending Barnard and since then she had written novels for readers of all ages. The author got her ideas from everyday life and advised would-be writers to do the same -- to write about their experiences or things they really care about.
Ms. Klein died in 1989.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
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September 4, 2019I've owned this book for ages. I don't remember when I read it, but I know that I loved ballet when I was quite young, and I read this at some point then. (Or, I at least looked at all the pictures. I no longer remember which.) I suppose I should re-read it now as an adult, since I've kept it on my bookshelf all these years.
December 2, 2011
To the best of my knowledge, this book is out of print. My own copy, aged and scarred, resides on a bookshelf all year until Advent. I try reading it at least once during the holiday season. Usually I squeeze in another read or so before Twelfth Night, and suddenly I'm in sync with my childhood, the book's cover art crisp and glossy smooth, the story's words new treasure warming my heart as my impressionable tween eyes devour photos of Baryshnikov in his heyday.
Norma Klein's retelling of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse-King" is carefully constructed to interpret the choreography of the American Ballet Theater's studio performance capturing Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland at the height of their artistic prowess. Beautiful, evocative narrative flowing from Clara's (1st person) viewpoint reinvents the old fairy tale, accommodates the 1977 choreography and expands beyond it to include a flashback (located in the intermission) better combining parts of the original story not included in the ballet.
Clara's characterization is wonderful. She is very convincing as a 19th C. young daughter of a well-connected family and niece to her well-loved, mischievous Uncle Drosselmeyer. Her acceptance of the paranormal events in the story reflect her remnant childhood clinging to her. At the same time, coming of age looms ahead of her with its promise of new complexities and pleasures in life. For this one night, this one dream (or is it?) Clara moves easily between the two roles, experiences first love with a prince who was once a toymaker, and dances with fairies.
Other characters, including the Nutcracker/Prince, are pretty one-dimensional and it makes sense in this reading experience. "The Nutcracker" is a fairy tale about a young girl on the cusp of womanhood dreaming of first love. Clara doesn't know her Prince so well, perhaps does not want to. She isn't entirely ready for that kind of intimacy, only ready to yearn for it.
The book includes a brief finale not featured in the ballet or in the original book. I liked the addition very much; it softens the abruptness of the traditional ending and makes for better-rounded story-telling.
Finally, this volume is full of gorgeous photos of the ABT performance. Quality of the photos vary, but they make wonderful eye candy for ballet afficionados. There is also an interesting, almost bohemian feel to it since some photos are obviously of dress rehearsals. Some shots of Gelsey Kirkland feature the prima ballerina with curlers in her hair.
This book is well worth digging up and sharing with younger readers in your family. Copies of the recorded ballet are also still available and make a great gift for family friendly viewing. I think one of the saddest days in my life was when I watched my DVD of this performance with a friend's young daughter who promptly informed me that the Barbie version was so much better because it contained spoken dialogue. Who needs magic, mystery, and cultural enrichment when they can have Barbie? Riiiiiight.
Norma Klein's retelling of "The Nutcracker and the Mouse-King" is carefully constructed to interpret the choreography of the American Ballet Theater's studio performance capturing Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland at the height of their artistic prowess. Beautiful, evocative narrative flowing from Clara's (1st person) viewpoint reinvents the old fairy tale, accommodates the 1977 choreography and expands beyond it to include a flashback (located in the intermission) better combining parts of the original story not included in the ballet.
Clara's characterization is wonderful. She is very convincing as a 19th C. young daughter of a well-connected family and niece to her well-loved, mischievous Uncle Drosselmeyer. Her acceptance of the paranormal events in the story reflect her remnant childhood clinging to her. At the same time, coming of age looms ahead of her with its promise of new complexities and pleasures in life. For this one night, this one dream (or is it?) Clara moves easily between the two roles, experiences first love with a prince who was once a toymaker, and dances with fairies.
Other characters, including the Nutcracker/Prince, are pretty one-dimensional and it makes sense in this reading experience. "The Nutcracker" is a fairy tale about a young girl on the cusp of womanhood dreaming of first love. Clara doesn't know her Prince so well, perhaps does not want to. She isn't entirely ready for that kind of intimacy, only ready to yearn for it.
The book includes a brief finale not featured in the ballet or in the original book. I liked the addition very much; it softens the abruptness of the traditional ending and makes for better-rounded story-telling.
Finally, this volume is full of gorgeous photos of the ABT performance. Quality of the photos vary, but they make wonderful eye candy for ballet afficionados. There is also an interesting, almost bohemian feel to it since some photos are obviously of dress rehearsals. Some shots of Gelsey Kirkland feature the prima ballerina with curlers in her hair.
This book is well worth digging up and sharing with younger readers in your family. Copies of the recorded ballet are also still available and make a great gift for family friendly viewing. I think one of the saddest days in my life was when I watched my DVD of this performance with a friend's young daughter who promptly informed me that the Barbie version was so much better because it contained spoken dialogue. Who needs magic, mystery, and cultural enrichment when they can have Barbie? Riiiiiight.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews