{"product_id":"the-great-nijinsky-god-of-dance-9781580898003","title":"The Great Nijinsky: God of Dance","description":"\u003cb\u003eDance prodigy, sex symbol, gay pioneer, cultural icon--Vaslav Nijinsky rose to fame as the star of the Ballets Russes in Paris before mental illness stole his career and the last thirty years of his life. A tragic story of a great genius, this compelling work of narrative nonfiction chronicles a life of obsessive artistry, celebrity, and notoriety.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWith one grand leap off the stage at the 1909 premiere of the Ballets Russes's inaugural season, Nijinsky became an overnight sensation and the century's first superstar, in the days before moving pictures brought popular culture to the masses. Perhaps the greatest dancer of the twentieth century, Nijinsky captured audiences with his sheer animal magnetism and incredible skill. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHe was also half of the most famous (and openly gay) couple of the Edwardian era: his relationship with Serge Diaghilev, artistic director and architect of the Ballets Russes, pushed boundaries in a time when homosexuality and bisexuality were rarely discussed. Nijinsky's life was tumultuous--after marrying a female groupie he hardly knew, he was kicked out of the Ballets Russes and placed under house arrest during World War I. Unable to work as he once did, his mental health deteriorated, and he spent three decades in and out of institutions. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBiographical narrative is interspersed with spotlights on the ballets the dancer popularized: classic masterworks such as \u003ci\u003eAfternoon of a Faun\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Firebird\u003c\/i\u003e, and of course, the shockingly original \u003ci\u003eRite of Spring\u003c\/i\u003e, which caused the audience to riot at its premiere. Illustrated with elegant, intimate portraits as well as archival art and photographs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Charlesbridge Teen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 04\/09\/2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781580898003\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 120\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.45lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 10.10h x 7.60w x 0.80d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAward:\u003c\/b\u003e Yalsa Award for Excellence in Non-Fiction for Young Adults - Finalist\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 02\/18\/2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 02\/15\/2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/15\/2019 pg. 58\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 04\/01\/2019 pg. 97\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2019 pg. 156\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHornbook Guide to Children\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/01\/2019 - Superior,Well Above Average\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Lynn Curlee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":36660506099868,"sku":"9781580898003","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_535228c8-4be5-4cb7-83a5-7da88847ca05.jpg?v=1603896884","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-great-nijinsky-god-of-dance-9781580898003","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}