Fri, 30 Jan 2009
Nureyev
Julie Kavanagh, Nureyev: a life, Vintage
When I was a child Nureyev was one of the emblems
of being absolutely fabulous - always seen in photos
with gorgeous and glamourous women, always looking
fabulous himself, and then, of course, he was a
fabulous ballet dancer.
Julie Kavanagh also does a fabulous job of tracing
his career from Russia's deep wilderness to the
heights of society in the West and the heights of
artistic creation. She also manages to reveal some of
his least lovable characteristics without seeming
judgemental or prurient.
He was of course extremely Gay, which wasn't known
to many in the general world at the time. It was AIDS
that killed him prematurely and this world of
extreme promiscuity is also covered with some grace as
is his decline and death.
In the end, this book is an affectionate and
admiring tribute that nevertheless manages to look its
subject full in the face. It is a must for ballet fans
I should say.
(Baron K)
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pre Dec 04 reviews are here