ALICIA ALONSO: The Story of a Ballerina

by Beatrice Siegel ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 1979

This is one of those juvenile arts biographies that read like tributes. Siegel takes the Cuban dancer from triumph to triumph, quoting raves and lavishing superlatives, often assuming readers' acquaintance with the names of fellow dancers. About the only breaks from the career chronology and compilation of credits come with Alicia's eye problems--several operations at 19 involved months in bed and left her with impaired sight which deteriorated later to the point of almost total blindness--but this topic too is treated with gushing admiration and little skill. One comes away from the book with a sense of Alonso as a personage, but Siegel never gets close to the person; and even Alicia's dancing is curiously subordinated to the applause. Well-timed, but executed without Alonso's grace.

Pub Date: June 1, 1979

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Warne

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 1979

Categories: NONFICTION