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A review by destdest
Dances by Nicole Cuffy
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This story gets the isolating nature and constant struggles of being a Black ballerina well. Ballet in itself has always been restrictive and rigid.
The threat of being constantly replaced, a token, and having to prove your worth to others and yourself constantly are themes. Ballet can be such a rampant breeding ground for body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and internalized self-hatred.
Even more, Celine "Cece’s" lack of family and community weighs on her more heavily. She has few people who have her best interests in mind. There is a deep, subtle pain when your parents don’t believe in you or accept you fully.
Every moment Cece is waiting to fail. Constant stress. The reading experience was very stressful for me because every moment I was waiting for her to ruin her ballet career irreparably. Then, I was getting squeamish with her medical issues.
With added pressure, Cece becomes a prominent Black ballerina and is thrust overnight into a status symbol for young Black children and people. She wrestles with hating and understanding the value of an unasked symbolism.
Then, of course, the potential career-ending situation pops up. Bruh. she gets pregnant. How do you trust in the pull-out method??? But she was young with no guidance, so I guess. Ain’t bout ish men gon do it every time.
I don’t know how to phrase this correctly. But this felt like watching a fictional movie about enslavement. You’re always left feeling drained, but you understand the execution and the hard truths. It’s just the reality. I don’t believe every story has to make you feel good or uplifting. Sometimes, a story has to lay bare the dirt and grit of a thing, an industry.
Overall, I believe the author effectively showed the tense environments many of these dance studios operate under, but it’s a dampening read. I understood Cece but never really liked her as a character. But I liked the connection and sorrow Cece had for her brother Paul as a positive. The fifth section was my favorite when it went unexpectedly Southern.
Not enjoyable but not bad!
2.5 stars
The threat of being constantly replaced, a token, and having to prove your worth to others and yourself constantly are themes. Ballet can be such a rampant breeding ground for body dysmorphia, eating disorders, and internalized self-hatred.
Even more, Celine "Cece’s" lack of family and community weighs on her more heavily. She has few people who have her best interests in mind. There is a deep, subtle pain when your parents don’t believe in you or accept you fully.
Every moment Cece is waiting to fail. Constant stress. The reading experience was very stressful for me because every moment I was waiting for her to ruin her ballet career irreparably. Then, I was getting squeamish with her medical issues.
With added pressure, Cece becomes a prominent Black ballerina and is thrust overnight into a status symbol for young Black children and people. She wrestles with hating and understanding the value of an unasked symbolism.
Then, of course, the potential career-ending situation pops up. Bruh.
I don’t know how to phrase this correctly. But this felt like watching a fictional movie about enslavement. You’re always left feeling drained, but you understand the execution and the hard truths. It’s just the reality. I don’t believe every story has to make you feel good or uplifting. Sometimes, a story has to lay bare the dirt and grit of a thing, an industry.
Overall, I believe the author effectively showed the tense environments many of these dance studios operate under, but it’s a dampening read. I understood Cece but never really liked her as a character. But I liked the connection and sorrow Cece had for her brother Paul as a positive. The fifth section was my favorite when it went unexpectedly Southern.
Not enjoyable but not bad!
2.5 stars