11-year-old Mira Able leads a hard life in Brooklyn. Her father is absent, her mother may as well be. She takes her frustrations out in ballet class where this fueled anger works in her favor. When her skills get the attention and praise from an older gentleman Maurice, who frequents the ballet, Mira blossoms under the attention and his desire to improve her future as a ballerina. Soon Mira is doing everything Maurice asks of her despite the warnings she receives.
Years later, Mira now goes by the name of Kate, a young woman still battling the demons of her past. Kate is up for review in her teaching job for sleeping with a student. Kate starts to question decisions she has made in her life and feels the answers lie in her past, in that early world of ballet.
Does anyone remember the short-lived tv show Bunheads? A fun show about a group of ballet students? Yeah?
Well this is nothing like that.
Girl Through Glass has a delicious darkness to it. It is well written, beautifully actually at times, but this is not a lighthearted story. Told in alternating chapters, as the reader we are slowly let into the what happened then…. that lead to the happenings now. The journey unravels as the two stories work their towards one another.
As I often do when books are told in alternating perspectives… I find myself leaning to one story line over the other. In this case it was young Mira’s story that drew me in the most wanting me to know what happens to this young girl and how our life decisions play out into our futures.
I found this book to be unique in its telling, definitely a book that will give you plenty to think about.
- Hardcover: 304 pages
- Publisher: Harper (January 26, 2016)
- Language: English
I found my way into this world of ballet thanks to TLC Book Tours
Book Journey 
I actually have a hold on this one at the library while waiting on the library order to come in. I’m first in the queue. Yay! I’ve just had a really good feeling about it and actually love that it has a darkness about it. I hope it doesn’t disappoint me because I’ve really built it up in my mind.
It wasn’t what I was expecting, but it was good.
Sounds like a winner!
It will be interesting to see what happens with this one.
Sheila, this does sound like a compelling story, and Mira sounds like a compelling character. I’m glad you enjoyed reading it.
I have not read many heavier books this past year so this one was a bit of a stretch for me but I am glad I read it.
Despite the fact that I have the grace of Bambi encountering a frozen pond for the very first time, I love books about ballet dancers! And movies too- Center Stage is an all time favorite. And I really like the darker side of ballet too- so I am all for this book!
I love it too!
I’ve heard the same thing from others about this one….that they leaned towards the young Mira’s storyline. But, I do love a dark ballet story (or gymnastics or ice skating…any of those pixie girl sports that breed craziness!).
When we were talking abut movies I had to look up one this mooring, it was called The Cutting Edge – not ballet – ice skating….. but I sooooo love that movie.
Ha! I totally watched the show Bunheads! I’ve taken dance classes all my life and was quite entertained. I’m super intrigued by this book!!
Thanks for being a part of the tour!
I agree with Sarah — I love dark books about ballet or other seemingly light things.
Sounds like it would make a good movie! Do you think so?