3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A riveting debut that nicely mixes magic and morals, February 17, 2008
Daphne can't say exactly how she came to find herself at the Orphanage of St. Jude. The most she can gather from the Sister's at St. Jude's is that she was found on the doorstep of the orphanage when she was just a tiny infant; bundled into a basket, a note pinned to her. Since then, she has spent her days doing nothing even remotely exciting, and having very little contact, if any at all, with the world outside the walls of St. Jude's. That is, until she receives a mysterious package that changes her life forever.
The year is 1923. Thirteen-year-old Daphne has resided at the Orphanage of St. Jude's in Hoxton - an area of London - her entire life, never feeling the love of a mother, or the doting affection of a father. The closest she has ever come is her friendship with Sister Mary Euphoria - the music mistress. Sister Mary is the only person who has encouraged Daphne's passion for dance, and for that, Daphne loves her. Daphne has dreamed of being a ballerina since she could walk. Over the years, she has spent countless hours creating dances of her very own, much to the chagrin of many of the people surrounding her. But with no professional lessons to perfect her form, Daphne feels that there may be no hope for her to ever fulfill her dream. Until she receives an unexpected package, from a mysterious stranger, containing a pair of scarlet stockings that are magic, and a book full of information about ballet, which is home to a confusing riddle which Daphne must solve in an attempt to fulfill her destiny. With the arrival of this package, Daphne is convinced that the life she longs for is within her grasp, and begins perusing the book whenever she has a free moment. But as Daphne delves deeper and deeper into the world of competitive ballet, she comes face to face with horrors that she never knew existed. Ballet isn't just about dance, passion, love, excitement, physical hardships, and discipline. On the contrary, it involves competition between dancers, and hatred. Two things that will chew Daphne up and spit her out, if the magic she now holds within her is not enough to battle the demons and the loneliness of her past, which threaten to bubble up and overtake her.
There are two things that I very much enjoy reading: historical fiction and ballet. Newcomer Charlotte Kandel has managed to weave both of these things into one splendid little package, which will keep you entranced from the very first to the very last page. Daphne is an interesting character whom you hate to love and love to hate. At times she is the sweetest thing ever, other times she is nasty and mean, and you want nothing to do with her. Her flip-flopping personality makes it confusing and difficult to pinpoint whether you want her to succeed or fail at her task. The people surrounding her seem to come and go, but Daphne remains the main focus of the story, and it's hard to tear your mind away from her situation long enough to truly meet the other characters. Even so, Kandel manages to create an intoxicating tale that is neither boring nor dull; but leaves you wishing for a sequel. A riveting debut that nicely mixes magic and morals.
Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRAVA!, February 13, 2008
What a perfect blend of history and the art of dance! As an "auntie," I look for quality books to give as gifts. After reading "The Scarlet Stockings" myself, I knew it would be ideal for the young readers in my life. The highest compliment came from a fifth grader who left her brother's birthday party to pull her chair around the corner to start reading the book! I knew this combination of fantasy and ballet would entrance the young girls I know...and it has. Brava to Charlotte Kandel...and here's to the sequels.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Read!, February 5, 2008
Charlotte Kandel's The Scarlet Stockings will be a delightful read for any aspiring dancer, ballet or otherwise. She crafted an amazing setting, characters you could love (or hate), and used a riddle throughout the book to keep our attention. I can't wait to read the sequel!
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