Customer Reviews

The Melting Season

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

 

 

This is an excellent teen novel that adults can enjoy as well. While most of the characters in the book are ballet dancers, it's not your typical ballet book. It's not about whether the main character will make it into a professional company or be the star of the upcoming recital but whether she'll grow into the woman she wants to be. Many of the passages of the book are so exquisitely written you just have pause and enjoy as if you've just taken a bite out of the most delicious dessert. Highly recommended.

Giselle and her mother Marina, a retired famous ballerina, live in a Manhattan high rise that is now funded by Marina's new boyfriend, Blitz. The apartment is huge, and the rooms once cherished by Giselle's equally famous father, a dance historian and choreographer, now deceased for ten years, are closed off and in disrepair. Blitz and Marina are a content couple trying to construct a new life together. On a 'family outing' they insist Giselle accompany them to a garden center to purchase items to refurbish the closed-off ballroom in the apartment. Giselle wants no part of it--she hates Blitz and wants to live in the past, idolizing her father. But at the garden center she meets Will, a talented horticulturalist; they are attracted to each other and strike up a dating relationship. will shows Giselle there is more to life than being a recluse with old memories. Inadvertently, in the midst of becoming a little less reclusive, Giselle finds repressed, unhappy and frightening memories emerge. This complex coming-of-age story, narrated by Giselle, has a well-defined cast of characters. With typical teen-aged angst, Giselle feels that her mother does not understand her, but ultimately Marina is her biggest and most supportive fan, who has allowed Giselle to come to terms with her life's decisions on her own. A good meaty read with a tender first love story and a bit of fun insight into the opposing worlds of artistic Manhattanites versus life in the Westchester suburbs.

This is a beautifully written coming-of-age story that centers around the life of a dancer and her famous dancer parents, but is not written for dancers. I originally read it to be sure the content was suitable for my 2 daughters (it was!); I ended up completely absorbed in the richness and sophistication of the book. This book relates to the present day reality and the sophistication of our young teens, while speaking to them entirely in a voice that they relate to. It's delicious and something you can feel entirely comfortable sharing with your daughter. No sketchy material at all - not a Gossip Girls type of thing, but something they'll relate equally well to and feel honored to have read!

Much of this book has some really glorious writing but you should understand while it's about ballet and ballet dancers it's not the usual Center Stage type plot which is sort of every dance movie and book plot and gets a little tiresome. it's not about--will I get into a company or will I get the lead in the year end recital. It's more about the inner psychological relationships between a daughter, her mother and her father who all happen to be ballet dancers. The author's descriptions, however, of ballet class and of dancers and their lives is terrific. A very, very good read.

Celeste Conway's THE MELTING SEASON tells of Giselle, a ballet student and daughter of a famous ballerina. Her journey to a different county of New York introduces her to the most beautiful boy she's ever seen, who introduces her to a world quite different from her familiar Manhattan. Despite her enchantment problems from her home life continue to haunt her - and will ultimately affect her decisions.

After reading the good review here and a good review in the Philly Inquirer, I decided to buy this book. I'm a dancer and I thought I would be interested in the subject of this book. This book has potential, but the plot is carried out terribly. The characters, especially the mother, are often unrealistic and almost laughable. I hate to sound harsh, but this book was a waste of money for me. If you're thinking about buying it, I suggest you get it from the library first.