Dancer - Colum McCann

He returns from the wings already in midair, moves through four cabrioles, keeping his line long until the sound catches up, an instant of conjunction, a flash of muscle and he sweeps the stage with his body, owning it, no limits. Eight perfect entrechats-dix, a thing of wonder, the audience silent now, no body anymore no thought no awareness this must be the moment the others call god as if all doors are open everywhere leading to all other open doors nothing but open doors forever no hinges no frames no jambs no edges no shadows this is my soul born weightless born timeless a clock spring broken, he is in flight, he could stay like this forever and he looks out into the haze of necklaces eyeglasses cufflinks shirtfronts and knows he owns them.

I loved this book--one to consider for a small desert island collection. The writing is superb! This is creative non-fiction take on Rudolf Nureyev's life. And what a life it was! Rising from a poor Russian ethic minority to become a ballet dancer that is famous throughout the world is a story worth telling. McCann chooses perfect selections from Nureyev's life to create an experience more real than a typical biography. His portrayal of Rudy's father as a soldier during Russian battles is perhaps the best and most chilling writing I have ever read on war.

The book is startling in its breadth. Nureyev's travels from Russia to Paris to New York to South America help define this immensely complicated person. Rather than telling the reader about life among the famous people in the world, McCann is able to create the scenes that both portray the fame and mold the individual. On top of it all, the love and art of ballet is beautifully and movingly delivered.