SHAPE OF LOVE, THE

Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone, but a must for ballerina-wannabes
Review: Gelsey Kirkland, the author of "Dancing On My Grave," goes deep into "how to build a character" in this book, using Juliet and Giselle as examples. So, if you don't know much about ballet, you probably won't get much from this book. However, the book is certainly educational and benefits all ballerina-wannabes. A lot of humor, and also, this book offers great encouragement for those who are planning to go back to dancing after years of not taking lessons.
If you haven't read her first book "Dancing On My Grave," read that first. It is one of the best autobiographies of dancers and it's much more entertaining (and shocking) than this one.

BTW, if you are an Anthony Dowell fan, you'll enjoy this book. I can't believe he can be so nice and cheerful in this nasty dance world!

This is a quote from the part Anthony Dowell is waiting for Gelsey and her husband at the airport, to meet her for the first time in years.

"[Anthony Dowell] was quick to offer me an apology, admitting with an innocent blush that he had already approached a woman whom he had mistakenly identified.
'Well, there was a resemblance from behind, you see. Same hair... and she was with a man. But when I approached her from the front my heart stopped, dear. I said to myself, Oh my God, she's had her face done! I realize this must sound frightful, but she did have me in a bit of a panic, and as it turned out, she weighed, well, more than I'd have expected...' "

Rating:
Summary: This book stirred my heart...
Review: Kirkland's moving and in depth sequel to "Dancing on my Grave" is wonderful. She uses her experiences and struggles to find meaning and life in her dancing. From one who has been classically trained in ballet, but never been taught to feel emotion or a character, I am forever grateful to Ms. Kirkland for opening her life and sharing it with me. Please, if you dance, read this book!

Rating:
Summary: This book stirred my heart...
Review: Kirkland's moving and in depth sequel to "Dancing on my Grave" is wonderful. She uses her experiences and struggles to find meaning and life in her dancing. From one who has been classically trained in ballet, but never been taught to feel emotion or a character, I am forever grateful to Ms. Kirkland for opening her life and sharing it with me. Please, if you dance, read this book!

Rating:
Summary: This book stirred my heart...
Review: Kirkland's moving and in depth sequel to "Dancing on my Grave" is wonderful. She uses her experiences and struggles to find meaning and life in her dancing. From one who has been classically trained in ballet, but never been taught to feel emotion or a character, I am forever grateful to Ms. Kirkland for opening her life and sharing it with me. Please, if you dance, read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Better than "Dancing On My Grave"
Review: This book goes beyond "Dancing On My Grave" and extends the "happy ending." Gelsey describes her experiences with teaching. The best part was when she takes you through the rehearsals and performances of Romeo and Juliet. She describes how she develops the character, and makes the character come alive. I loved this book!

Rating:
Summary: Better than "Dancing On My Grave"
Review: This book goes beyond "Dancing On My Grave" and extends the "happy ending." Gelsey describes her experiences with teaching. The best part was when she takes you through the rehearsals and performances of Romeo and Juliet. She describes how she develops the character, and makes the character come alive. I loved this book!

Rating:
Summary: Better than "Dancing On My Grave"
Review: This book goes beyond "Dancing On My Grave" and extends the "happy ending." Gelsey describes her experiences with teaching. The best part was when she takes you through the rehearsals and performances of Romeo and Juliet. She describes how she develops the character, and makes the character come alive. I loved this book!

Rating:
Summary: The Happy ending at last
Review: This book is a continuation of the first autobiography by Gelsey Kirkland. It tells about her starting back up in dancing and winning her final aclaim for her career before finding out what she has to give to the new young generations of dancers. This book is full of Gelsey's wonderful insights and methods of working on ballets, and I am sorry that it is out of print. I recommend it to dancers and autobiography readers. It is rare that you see a star find true happiness in the course of their life.