Ever, Lindsay, and Josie have ushered their daughters—Bea, Olive, and Savvy—through years of dance classes in their coastal California town. They’ve tended bloodied feet, stitched ribbons to countless pairs of pointe shoes, and in the process, forged friendships that seem to transcend rivalry.
But now Etienne Bernay, enfant terrible of French ballet, has come to their conservatory. Not only will he direct this year’s production of The Nutcracker, but he’s brought along a film crew to document his search for one special student who will receive a full scholarship to the Ballet de Paris Academie. For the girls, this is the chance to fulfill lifelong dreams. For Ever, recently widowed and struggling financially, it may be the only way to keep Bea dancing. And Bea is a truly gifted dancer—poetic and ethereal, breathtaking to watch.
Lindsay, meanwhile, frets that Olive is growing tired of the punishing reality of training, while Josie has no such qualms about Savvy, who is a powerhouse of ambition.
From auditions to casting to rehearsals, the cameras capture the selection process, with its backstabbing and jealousy, disappointment and triumph. But it’s behind the scenes that Bernay’s arrival will yield the most shocking revelations, exposing the secrets and lies at the heart of all three families—and the sacrifices women make for their children, for friendship, and for art. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)
I have said it before and I will say it again, I love all things ballet. This story did not disappoint. In fact, it exceeded any expectations I could have had. I read all 403 pages in one day…I couldn’t put it down.
The Still Point takes place in Southern California and follows a group of teenage ballet dancers who are competing for a prestigious scholarship to train in Paris. However, it is about so much more than that. The competition is fierce, and the backstabbing is rampant, not only among the dancers, but also the parents. I loved how each chapter was a different main character’s point of view and voice. This way the reader gets to know them all separately while weaving the stories together.
Every single chapter held some level of drama or conflict. It was like watching a ten-episode Netflix series that I never wanted to end. As I read on, the story became more and more complex and there were many surprises in store. The cattiness between the dance moms, and even sometimes the dads, played out perfectly. I loved this book and anyone who has been a dancer, or dance parent, will definitely relate to this story. This is a must read for anyone looking for a soapy drama with lots of twists.
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