Jenifer Ringer

Really between a 3 and a 4.

The behind-the-scenes details of Ringer's life as a New York City Ballet dancer are fascinating, but at times her account is frustratingly vague. This is most apparent when she discusses weight issues, which are obviously a tender subject for her (you may remember her as the dancer whom NYT critic Alistair Macauley said had "eaten a sugar plum too many" in her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy). Ringer, who did at one point have an eating disorder, says that Macauley was wrong about her weight (as he surely was) but doesn't really delve into the body image issues that must be rampant in dance companies. For example, she talks about being overweight due to her eating disorder, but never explains whether she was actually overweight or just overweight by ballet standards.

Ringer also has a tendency to lapse into religious language, which may resonate with some but to me felt mostly like a way to avoid examining her own psyche and emotions.

Still, if you want to know what the New York City Ballet is like when the dancers are off-stage, you should pick this up.… (mehr)

Really between a 3 and a 4.

The behind-the-scenes details of Ringer's life as a New York City Ballet dancer are fascinating, but at times her account is frustratingly vague. This is most apparent when she discusses weight issues, which are obviously a tender subject for her (you may remember her as the dancer whom NYT critic Alistair Macauley said had "eaten a sugar plum too many" in her role as the Sugar Plum Fairy). Ringer, who did at one point have an eating disorder, says that Macauley was wrong about her weight (as he surely was) but doesn't really delve into the body image issues that must be rampant in dance companies. For example, she talks about being overweight due to her eating disorder, but never explains whether she was actually overweight or just overweight by ballet standards.

Ringer also has a tendency to lapse into religious language, which may resonate with some but to me felt mostly like a way to avoid examining her own psyche and emotions.

Still, if you want to know what the New York City Ballet is like when the dancers are off-stage, you should pick this up.… (mehr)

This was a stretch for the third star but what the heck, I will be generous. There were parts of this book that were very good and parts that I just said what? The layout of the book is odd and mskes for disjointed storytelling. Also, while I have zero reason to doubt Ms. Ringer's faith, the constant references became tiresome and insincere. On that note I am pretty sure God has better things to do than cure a heel spur on this gal's foot. It seemed to me that she uses her faith as a crutch. For me it was a "he who protesth too much" sort of situation. That said , good story about the NYC Ballet. Didn't love it, didn't hate it.… (mehr)