Customer Reviews

Drina Goes on Tour

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

***Summary (with SPOILERS)***
As the book opens, the final term at the old Dominick building is ending. Drina and Rose reminisce about the first time they met and all the fun things they've done in the building. The day ends and they say good-bye to the building. Drina goes to the new flat her grandparents have rented. Because of her grandfather's health (Drina Dances in Madiera, Drina Dances in Switzerland), the family has moved away from Westminster and the river. Drina holds a party when they've moved in. Her friends from the Dominick and Jenny meet for the party.

The new term then starts. The first day, everyone is bewildered by the new building. The second day, Drina's life crumbles around her. The aunt of one of her friends identifies her as Andrina Adamo, the daughter of Andrea Adamo and Elizabeth Ivory. The friend announces this fact to everyone in her class and soon the whole school knows that Drina is Elizabeth Ivory's daughter. This is big news because Elizabeth Ivory was the prima ballerina of the Dominick company who was killed in a plane crash at the height of her popularity. Queenie, who had made much of the fact that her mother had been a dancer with the Dominick is incredulous. Soon, the media gets hold of the story, and Drina knows no peace.

Drina is hounded by the press who want to know everything about the daughter of Ivory. One good outcome of all the attention is that a paper in New York carries the story and Grant Rossiter sees it. Seeing Drina in the paper reminds him of how much he liked her and he arranges to come to London with his father's firm.

Drina is offered ballerina positions with other companies, advertising deals, and movie roles. She turns them all down and continues to work as a student. The term ends and Drina visits Italy again. The next excitment in her life is Jenny's wedding to Robert Hodgen. Drina serves as a bridesmaid as her friend marries.

Drina then returns to school as a Senior Student. She and the other Seniors don't go to classes, but spend their days learning the many ballets in the Dominick repetoir. Drina and her friends are surprised when Madame Volonaise calls them out of class. Several members of the company (which is on tour in northern England) are ill with the flu. Drina, Rose, Queenie, and Jan are chosen to go north and take roles in the company til the other members are better.

The four get on a train and head north. It is winter and bitterly cold. Drina and Queenie are put in a boarding house sharing a room. The "digs" are awful and cold and dirty. Drina and Queenie are still not friends so sharing the space is a big hardship. Drina also finds trouble on the stage. Dancing is no longer effortless for her. She is miserable and her performances are not as inspired as they were in the past.

Drina and Queenie come to an understanding one cold night and some of the troubles between the two are eased. Drina can see that Queenie is just as unhappy as she is and needs friends. In contrast, Rose has no difficulty adjusting to being on tour. Drina and Queenie, who are used to luxury, have problems. The company moves on to the next city and Drina gets a better room with both Queenie and Rose. She is still miserable at her inability to handle the cold and the dancing (though nothing outward shows her inner turmoil). It isn't until the last few performances that she finds her equillibrium and is able to find her joy in dancing again.

The tour ends and Drina and the rest return to London. Drina is still a bit depressed by her inability to cope on tour but her depression is lifted when she gets a happy surprise. Grant is waiting for her outside the Dominick! Grant and Drina begin dating and the book ends with the two of them looking forward to her entrance into the company after Christmas.

***The Review***
This book seemed shorter than the others (it certainly is thinner than the others on my bookshelf). Most of the story was spent on the Tour aspect (thus the name) but the other parts seemed ignored. Jenny got married and Drina and Igor drove out to the counrty, but other than that, not much seemed to happen. It wasn't a very upbeat book and didn't have the charm of the previous novels. Maybe this is because Drina is growing up, but some of the wonder in ballet was lost. The troubles on Tour were very well done and believable, but again, seemed short. Maybe if the tour had included a few other cities or something. The part about revealing Drina's mother was done pretty well but was resolved quickly and moslty "off screen."

So, in conclusion, I did like the book, it was an interesting chapter in Drina's life and made her seem somewhat less perfect, but it could have been better. I like how Queenie became a more rounded character but didn't like how little Rose and Jenny were in the book. Ilonka made a few appearances but basically had nothing to do once Drina's secret was revealed. The book covered a lot of time but seemed to just skip over most of it. The other books were more richly detailed than this one and it shows. I'd recommend this book for Drina fans but save this one and Drina Ballerina for last on your wishlist. They are good to read, but not as good as the previous books.

Drina is back from Switzerland and going to the new Dominick Ballet School because the old place is doomed(mentioned in Drina dances in Madeira).Then the truth about her mother came out and Drina is miserable for a time.After that she is a Senior,she is ask to replace the members of the corps de ballet which are having flu.When she returns, she becomes friendly with Queenie and know she will soon be a member of the Company.