Dreams of the Solo Trapeze: Offstage with the Cirque du Soleil [Hardcover]

Mark Schreiber (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Circus is family.... Do you understand? Every circus begins with a family": these words by solo trapeze artist Olga Sidorova are dramatically illuminated by Schreiber's portrait of the artists who perform in Cirque du Soleil's Saltimbanco. A serendipitous meeting with Sidorova at an Amsterdam nightclub drew the author, a novelist (Princes in Exile), into an intriguing world of acrobats, Olympic gymnasts, jugglers, mimes and aerial artists, and he immersed himself in that world for a year. The Cirque, founded in 1984 with headquarters in Montreal, is famed for dazzling productions that creatively employ circus arts mixed with theater, dance, music, sound and costumes. Although Schreiber was refused permission to speak with troupe members backstage (he did meet with them outside the hightop), he was assisted by his deepening friendship with Sidorova while following Saltimbanco to Barcelona, Vienna and Brussels. Schreiber provides a wealth of perceptive portraits, but his eloquent evocation of Sidorova is the heart and soul of this account. Sidorova fled her childhood home in Siberia at the age of 14, determined to realize her dream of becoming a trapeze artist. After some very rough spots, she trained with several excellent aerial coaches before finally joining the Cirque. Here she emerges as a woman who has achieved success in a highly dangerous profession by grit and grace.
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From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–Schreiber loves the circus, and he is particularly fond of that immensely successful blend of acrobatics, theater, dance, music, and spectacle known as Cirque du Soleil. His deep appreciation shines (perhaps too brightly at times) on every page of his account of the behind-the-scenes life of the artists who perform in Saltimbanco, one of the company's many shows. The American writer turned a chance encounter with a Russian trapeze artist, Olga Sidorova, into an opportunity to hang out with the circus as it moved through Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Vienna. He met many intriguing characters, but none more fascinating than she. The highly talented performer is by turns feisty, charming, furious, endearing, and infuriating, but at all times devoted to her art. Any teen with ambitions of a career in the performing arts, as well as anyone who has attended a Cirque du Soleil show, should be especially attracted to this informed and enjoyable glimpse into the high-energy world of the circus performer.–Robert Saunderson, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 317 pages
• Publisher: Canal House (December 20, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0975466402
• ISBN-13: 978-0975466407
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #589,343 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!!!, January 16, 2005

By 

Tara (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreams of the Solo Trapeze: Offstage with the Cirque du Soleil (Hardcover)

Great Book!!!! I from the moment I started it I just could not put it down. I am not sure what it is about the circus life, the community and the art that is circus which attracts and captivates me so much, but what I was most impressed with in this book was that I feel the book had a good way of capturing and communicating that feeling. And I think that even a non circus junky person unlike myself might also be able to take that away from the book as well. I highly recommend it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enthralling odyssey of human striving, December 6, 2004

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreams of the Solo Trapeze: Offstage with the Cirque du Soleil (Hardcover)

Dreams of the Solo Trapeze is the memoir of one man's amazing journey alongside trapeze artists Olga Sidorova, as he sees firsthand the globe-trotting experience of the Cirque du Soleil. From Amsterdam to Barcelona to London, Montreal and Las Vegas. Witnessing firsthand the demands of art, physical conditioning, high-stakes performance, competition, candor, and love, Dreams of the Solo Trapeze is an enthralling odyssey of human striving and the secret lives of performers in the spotlight. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and Inspiring, April 16, 2005

By 

Annie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dreams of the Solo Trapeze: Offstage with the Cirque du Soleil (Hardcover)

This is a brilliant book that gives everyone a look into the daily lives of the performers of Cirque du Soleil. An entertaining and inspiring book. Schreiber writes beautifully and brings the reader into the world of Cirque through vivid descriptions. I couldn't put this book down. This book will delight you whether you are a fan of the circus or not.