Ward Kehoe Stasia 9780143566595 Penguin Publishing 31 Oct 2011 In stock

I must confess to glancing at the contemporary, stylised ‘movie poster’ cover for Stasia Ward Kehoe’s Audition and dismissing it instantly. (Interestingly, I did the very same thing with Anna And The French Kiss- Stephanie Perkins, which thanks to Persnickety Snark, I later read and adored)

Still unsure of what caught my attention and prompted me to open the book itself I am now however, grateful for whatever it was.

Poetic, achingly lovely and utterly enthralling, Ward Kehoe offers readers a gripping and realistic view of the life and psyche of a ballerina. The self doubt, the insecurities, the physical injuries, the dedication, loneliness, heartbreak and successes that are all too often infrequent and hard won.

As a former ballerina, I was immensely impressed by the accuracy of the technical knowledge contained within the pages of Audition.

Sara is a gorgeous and utterly believable protagonist, talented, well spoken and truthful, willing to bare her soul to the reader and shine the harsh light of reality upon the inner mechanisms of the ballet world and the thoughts and feelings of a teenage girl caught in that precarious place between childhood and becoming a woman. Her journey of self discovery and exploration of her own wants and desires is beautifully written.

Readers who have no interest in ballet or dance will still relate easily to Sara, and recognise the determination that drives us to achieve a dream. Even when we may no longer be sure whose dream it was in the first place.

Graceful, flawless, lovely… Audition is well worth the read.