Book Review: The Cranes Dance

The Cranes Dance
by Meg Howrey
Review by Alex

I read this book on a whim after a long string of highly anticipated, yet mediocre novels. I had no idea who the author was, no real interest in it and didn’t have much hope for it. It is the best book I have read in months. The writing is beautiful and descriptive but not bogged down overcomplicated. The use of words is complete and perfect, precise yet fluid. Just like ballet itself.  I could compare The Cranes Dance to Black Swan and that would be accurate, but also completely inadequate. Howrey blends genres so seamlessly you don’t even realise she’s done it. Slice of life, literary fiction, psychological thriller and a few others are all woven into one beautiful piece. Not a stitch out of place. This book is long, but not heavy. It’s the only story of a ballerina that has ever felt real. There is no romanticism of the craft, no drawn-out explanations on the beauty of the art form. Just a woman, Kate, working a job she enjoys and living life as best she can while her family falls apart. The Cranes Dance feels lived in, not observed. Timeless, like it could be read in the 1980’s or the 2040’s and still be as relevant and feel full it is today. If you couldn’t tell, I really like this book. There are too many characters to keep track of though, but there is an entire ballet company to write about so that can be forgiven.

Trigger warnings: Suicide, mental health struggles/distress, psychosis, mild mention of disordered eating.