Customer Reviews

Prodigal Son

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Edward Villella's passion for dance jumps off the pages.Diplomatic but honest, this is one of my favorite autobiographies by a former Balanchine dancer (or dancer period).It is a book where as I approached the end I felt sad...I didn't want it to end! If Mr. Villella ever reads this commentary I have a request: PLEASE write a book regarding all you have learned regarding technique.Your passion and detail moved and inspired me!

I am a dancer in Edward Villella's acclaimed Miami City Ballet and I would like to say (as biased as it may seem) that this is a must read. If you are a ballet dancer, or even a ballet fan, please purchase this book. It is a unique look at how men thrive in this dance world and still come out looking like men. It takes you deep into the world of ballet..the parts that most people don't see. Edward explains all of the secrets past the pink tutus and pointe shoes and shows what it's really like the be a part of our world. He is an amazing man with a facinating career and I urge you to buy this book because of that. You won't regret it!

I was so enchanted with the story of Edward Villella's life that I found it impossible to put the book down and it prompted me to write my first review! He not only tells you about an exciting time in ballet of which he was a part of - you also feel each moment with him. His hard work, the competitiveness, the disappointments, his success all flows into a story that leaves you no doubt of the love and passion that he has for dance. It's a fitting ending to know that he's now passing this on to other dancers. I'm just sorry I never saw him dance...

This was a wonderful book! It was so well written that it was almost as if Edward Villella were sitting in front of me telling me his life story. It was honest and heartfelt. I was glad that he not only told of his experiences with Balanchine but also of his life. In doing so, it personalizes his experiences and helps the reader to see him as a real person. This is not some stuffy biography! It is easily one of the best books I have read in years! I could not put it down.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is one more autobiography from one of the original principal dancers schooled by the reknowned choreographer, george balanchine , during the early days of the new york city ballet. edward villellas memories of those times are as honest and blunt- and interesting! - as the recollections that other principal dancers from that time have offered as unstintingly in their books. and so who can resist these illustrious dancers accounts of how and why they immersed themselves in this art ? their backrounds before, during, and after they stumbled upon fame; their quirky stage mothers; and their unyielding admiration for their mentor, balanchine, despite his ever present ability to nearly make or break them as dancers.(*as balanchine did not compromise in his expectations of dance ; his neo-classical brand of ballet choreography was a complete vision of his , and a vision that would change ballet forever.) these early muses of his endeavors were caught up in the excitement of this time, and used by balanchine for their abilitys and strengths as artists. that they all achieved balanchines favor as he set out to calmly put new/more life and inspiration into this incredible dance form, ballet - ultimately brought their names with him to as well be recorded in perhaps the most uplifting time in the history of ballet.

Although not a literary masterpiece, it is an easy read. It was important historically to write this book. It helped put much into perspective, and documented an impactful life. As a late babyboomer child, I adored watching him dance on television. He made ballet interesting and exciting. I also met him at Illinois Wesleyan University in the late 70s when he was on the speaker's circuit. Now I know why he was lecturing at that time. His openness about his own weaknesses was delivered well without being too specific or tacky. Villella's strengths, however, were very well portrayed. As a long-time fan, it was important for me to see that he grew/integrated into not just a talent, but a good man/husband/father/mentor.

This autobiography gives a very interesting account of the authors life in dance under the direction of George Balanchine. The reading is very fast, as it keeps your attention, and there are photos inserted in the book that give more insight on the authors life and family. One gains an appreciation of the difficulties and joys of being a professional dancer while reading the book, and also insight on what it was like to work under Balanchine. A fine book for everyone interested in the personal lives of those who dance professionally.

A wonderfully honest autobiography of the first great American male ballet dancer, who spent two decades with New York City Ballet under the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. One question never answered in this book: why has Ed Villella refused to allow all video of his dance performances from becoming commercially available? Put another way: why did Villella offer a history of his dance life in print but prevent the public from viewing that dance life on film?

Mr Villella in this book try really hard to potrait himself like Rocky Balboa, but instead to became a boxer became a dancer. 90% of the book he critizice Mr Balanchine, and at the end declare his eternal love to him, no wonder thanks to Balanchine he have a book out and an artistic directorship in Miami. He repeatedly mention his troubling relantionship with Mr Balanchine because he never like Mr Balanchine's classes, I wonder how the situation with classes in Miami City Ballet?