*** Product was received for free in exchange for an honest review. ***
The Sleeping Beauty
A Journey to the Ballet of the Mariinsky Theatre
illustrated by Nikita Polyansky
The Sleeping Beauty: A Journey to the Ballet of the
Mariinsky Theatre, illustrated by Nikita Polyansky,
is a new version of the classic
story of Sleeping Beauty, based on the legendary 1890 Kirov Ballet
performance at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, illustrated
with dreamily delicate artwork.
The publication of this very special book, created to accompany the 300th anniversary celebration of the city of St. Petersburg, allows every aficionado of the ballet to experience it and the wonder of St. Petersburg and, most particularly, the most famous ballet in the world, the ballet of the Mariinsky Theatre.
This book introduces little ballerinas-in-training to
11-year-old Lena Gabrielle, who wants to attend the debut performance of The
Sleeping Beauty at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg in 1890.
Informed by her father that this is impossible—the performance is sold out—Lena
Gabrielle begins her secret journey through the streets of the historic city,
in an effort to get to the Mariinsky to see the ballet. During the course
of her travels statues come alive, and she meets an endearing old man
(Tchaikovsky), who leads her to the door of the Mariinsky and shows her the
stage where the ballet will be performed.
When Lena Gabrielle touches the curtain, it parts; and she sees with her own eyes the entire Sleeping Beauty ballet unfold before her. The conclusion of the story leaves us wondering if Lena Gabrielle has actually witnessed this historic event - or just imagined it with such clarity that we feel we have been there ourselves.
The book features the forty-eight page classic story taken directly from the first English translation of the French tale - on which the ballet is based - with 50 full-colour illustrations created expressly for this book. Lavishly illustrated by Russian set designer Nikita Polyansky and endorsed and overseen by the curatorial staff of The Mariinsky Theatre to ensure accuracy of representation, this unique rendition is sure to live beyond the exciting first year of it's introduction as companion to an important international event. With the special tie-in to an international press event and the longevity of a classic tale at its core, here is the only book that is sure to endure as classic product for years to come that tells the original story of Sleeping Beauty.
Book: 8 5/8 x 10 7/16" hardcover, 48 pages, 40 full-color illustrations
ISBN 978-0-9721152-0-9
Suggested List Price : $20
The Sleeping Beauty may be purchased at major online retailers such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Our Thoughts
I always loved the story of The Sleeping Beauty with all its fantasy, mystery, and romance all wrapped up in a child's tale. This 1890 version is a little different than the version I grew up with - the number of fairies, the fairy names, how the princess finds the spindle, and how the prince finds her. Of course, the basics of the story are the same across different versions as is the ending. The artwork of this story has always been one of my favorite parts.
I like how this version, The Sleeping Beauty, A Journey to the Ballet of the Mariinsky Theatre is different - it begins with Lena Gabrielle, a little girl determined to find her way to the theatre to see the performance and meets talking statues and Tchaikovsky himself. The illustrations are beautifully done, with lots of intricate detail. The illustrations are not just of the story of The Sleeping Beauty itself, but of the ballet performance, which really sets the tone and reminds you that you are watching it through Lena's eyes. I've never been to the ballet, and this book makes me want to go!
There is only one tiny part of this story that I'm not sure if it translated as such, or if it was in editing the book, but it doesn't make sense. I'm a details gal and this version has the fairy putting everyone to sleep except the princess's parents, the King & Queen. They give her one last kiss and then leave the castle. 100 years later, the prince wakes the princess (and thereby the whole castle) and asks her parents, the King & Queen, for permission to marry their daughter. Wait, didn't they leave the castle and NOT get put to sleep? LOL, I just need those little details taken care of!
This book would be a great gift for a little girl who loves fairy tales or the ballet, or both!
***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in the review are my own and were not influenced in any way.***