Reviews: (by author)

Linda Maybarduk. The Dancer Who Flew: A Memoir of Rudolf Nureyev. Toronto: Tundra Books, 1999. ISBN 0-88776-415-0. $18.50H.

Beautiful is the word that most fits this book: its production, the writing, the photographs, but primarily the subject-Rudolf Nureyev. The 180 pages of biography take the reader from Nureyev's difficult childhood in Russia and his unswerving commitment even as a child to dance to his final years as the world's premier dancer, director of ballet companies, and conductor, his poignant return to dance in Russia and to visit his invalid mother, and his difficult death. For those among us old enough and fortunate enough to have seen Nureyev dance-and yes, he did fly-- the facts of his life as told by a student, partner, and friend of his fill in the mysteries and mystique of his life. He was a man who lived for the stage, but was, after all, a man; this biography presents his faults along with his greatness. Thus, for its honesty and for the exceptional craft of its writing, The Dancer Who Flew is highly recommended.

Recommended reading level: Age 12 and up

Reviewed by Alida Allison
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