Bunheads Paperback – October 9, 2012

I’ve read this book at least half a dozen times. Each time I’m swept backstage of the Manhattan Ballet Company and all of the characters come to vivid life. The characters are so true-to-life that I still expect to see Zoe at the Koch theater or see Hannah and Jacob walking across the plaza. This is the sort of book that makes you search desperately for the author’s next book, or a short story, or anything else she’s written.Sophie Flack knows this world; she was in the corps de ballet of the New York City Ballet for several years. Her knowledge of the life in an elite ballet company shines through.Highly recommended if you love dance like I do. Highly recommended if you have a teen dancer who dreams of joining a company. Highly recommended if you love well-written coming-of-age stories in interesting settings and with fascinating, three dimensional characters.

"Bunheads" is not a new tale; the choice between a personal life and a career has been told many times. Still, Sophie Flack's first novel is a fresh modern story that will keep the reader interested from beginning to end. Flack was with the New York City Ballet for at least nine years, and studied with some of the greats (Suzanne Farrell & Patricia McBride). Fortunately for us, she kept journals and sketches, detailing her experiences in the ballet world. The majority of those who sit in the audience of a ballet rarely see more than movement and tulle; reading Sophie's story, you'll get a sense of the physical and emotional sacrifice that these girls make in order to achieve any kind of status in this cultish world of dance. The heroine of the story is named Hannah, but I am guessing that most of Hannah's exploits were based on what Sophie went through. Hannah is a 19 year old on the verge of a promising career in ballet. She is also beginning to experience curiosity about what happens outside of the rehearsal hall. She juggles two boyfriends; Jacob is the down-to-earth boy who represents a normal life outside of her field and Matt is the handsome and wealthy balletomane (translating to one who follows the ballet feverishly) that sees Hannah's potential and understands the world that absorbs her. Although the plot is fairly easy to guess, I found it to be thoroughly enjoyable, finishing it in a single day. Dancers, both young and old, will find Flack's book to be right up their alley, as it fleshes out the ballet world, warts and all. The sacrifices and costs of being a principal are not to be taken lightly; by the time a ballerina's all-too-brief career is over, there is not much left of her physical or emotional being. On the plus side, the author keeps the story from being overly dramatic, but compelling enough that it will be difficult to put down. Highly recommended for readers of all ages, although it might be a tad scary for the younger set who had their hopes pinned to their tutus. And for those who think that "The Nutcracker" is the epitome of Ballet, prepare to have your bubbles burst as you read the true thoughts of those who perform it.

I really enjoyed this book. My normal reading material usually requires some sort of paranormal something in it, so this was really out of the box for me. I am so glad I took a chance on something new. It was a nice break from the usual books I read and the story was wonderful. It was so interesting to see into the world of dancers and I have to say that I'm really glad it's not as creepy as Black Swan! Haha! It was nice to read a story about a woman who wasn't trying to choose a guy over a career, but rather a LIFE over a career. The struggles and realizations she went through seemed very real and very much like the same ones many of us go through.Again, I'm so glad I read this book, and I don't think you'll be dissapointed if you choose to read it as well. :)

I cared about the characters. And so I finished the book. If you like YA, it’ll do. I was able to finish in a week

I got this book on a whim and wasn’t sure what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Hannah‘s life and feeling her struggle with all it entailed. I’m looking forward to a second book by this author

I was drawn to this book for two reasons. One, because I enjoyed the TV show so much, the other, because I love books about dancers. This was nothing like the TV show, but it was a very honest story about one young woman's life as a dancer. The drive and dedication required to be part of a company is unreal. Hannah and her peers left their families at the age of 14 to pursue their dreams, but there came a point where she had to decide if it was all worth it. If she wanted ballet to be her life or if she wanted to explore more of the world outside the theatre. I really felt like I went on a journey with Hannah, and it was quite an emotional journey at that.

I absolutely loved this book. I’m older than the target audience, but I never felt like the author was talking down to anyone.

It was really entertaining and inspiring. Because of this book I decided that I'm going to start taking dance lessons. I don't know what the other review is talking about, the plot is very original. You get hooked right after the first chapter and I felt like I just couldn't put it down.

The book shows a nice depiction of ballet life, but don't expect a story full of plot twists. Much like real life, the events happen on the span of months and are intertwined with an expected and heavy ballet routine. The most interesting part is that the author really works on the topic of "will I quit ballet/will I give it all of myself" in a light and involving way, and it's really possible to see the character development and understand Hannah's final decision. Honestly, the discution of the main topic is valid for any passion that requires a lot -if not all- of yourself. Overall, it's really well written and worth it of you're a bunhead like myself.

The story was an interesting insight to the world of ballet behind the scenes. It's a simple story, but quite enjoyable, and also the characters feel very human, you cand see yourself in at least one of them.The book arrived perfectly, even though it's a paperback edition, it looks resistant enough. The corners weren't bent, and it arrived sooner than expected (a day or two).

As an ex professional ballet dancer, this is one of the only novels I’ve read that’s actually accurate! (And is written by a professional dancer so makes sense). It was one of my favourite books when I was younger and finding my feet in the dance world. Beautifully written, pulls you in, great characters and a real insight into what company life is really like. The good the bad and the ugly!

My daughter bought this as a gift for her sister who is reading this just now and is loving it she sdays it's a great book.

Loved this look at the life of 19 year old dancer Hannah and the glimpse into her performing for the company, a dream of mine. Good and well written read.