Books like Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
From the author of *Seating Arrangements*, *Astonish Me* follows Joan, a young American dancer who assists Soviet star Arslan Rusakov in defecting in 1975. Her brief rise in fame ends when their romantic and professional ties unravel. Joan leaves ballet, builds a family in California, and believes she has left the dance behind—until her son Harry emerges as a prodigy, pulling her back into the profession and to the intrigue surrounding Arslan. Shipstead crafts a narrative that explores talent, ambition, and the tension between personal fulfillment and artistic passion.
The novel examines the intimate dynamics of family life and the clandestine world of professional ballet, offering psychological insight into the characters’ choices amid secrecy and the demands of art.
First publish date: 2014
Genre: Literary Fiction/Contemporary Literary Fiction
Authors: Maggie Shipstead
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