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The Dance of the Dolls
A novel about obsessive love featuring two ballet dancers—identical twin sisters Olivia and Clara Marionetta—with a terrifying climax set in the world of ballet in pre-war London.
The Dance of the Dolls tells the story of identical twin ballerinas rehearsing for Coppélia at the recently opened Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Superficially, even their differences are complementary: Olivia aspires to be the perfect ballerina while Clara is rebellious and independent. Clara takes up a relationship with the bohemian and passionate Nathan, a pianist at the theater. Meanwhile, Olivia is unaware that she has cast a spell on another frequent visitor to Sadler’s Wells: Samuel, a bashful apprentice ballet shoemaker who steals into the building as often as he can to watch her dance. But as the sisters rehearse, danger lurks. The story of Coppélia and the dancing doll threatens to become a dark and sinister reality. Olivia becomes jealous of Nathan’s adoration of Clara, while Clara discovers that being adored can feel suffocating. Samuel dreams of being recognized by Olivia and wonders how far he would go to achieve his goal, while Nathan, a musical child prodigy, struggles to adapt to adulthood and begins to blur the lines between reality and his dark fantasy world . . .
The Dance of the Dolls tells the story of identical twin ballerinas rehearsing for Coppélia at the recently opened Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Superficially, even their differences are complementary: Olivia aspires to be the perfect ballerina while Clara is rebellious and independent. Clara takes up a relationship with the bohemian and passionate Nathan, a pianist at the theater. Meanwhile, Olivia is unaware that she has cast a spell on another frequent visitor to Sadler’s Wells: Samuel, a bashful apprentice ballet shoemaker who steals into the building as often as he can to watch her dance. But as the sisters rehearse, danger lurks. The story of Coppélia and the dancing doll threatens to become a dark and sinister reality. Olivia becomes jealous of Nathan’s adoration of Clara, while Clara discovers that being adored can feel suffocating. Samuel dreams of being recognized by Olivia and wonders how far he would go to achieve his goal, while Nathan, a musical child prodigy, struggles to adapt to adulthood and begins to blur the lines between reality and his dark fantasy world . . .
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 12, 2023
About the author
Lucy Ashe
3 books65 followersLUCY ASHE is the author of CLARA & OLIVIA (Magpie, Oneworld publications), published as THE DANCE OF THE DOLLS in the US (Union Square & Co). Her second novel is THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES.
CLARA & OLIVIA was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association Historical Dagger 2024.
She trained at the Royal Ballet School for eight years, first as a Junior Associate and then at White Lodge. She has a diploma in dance teaching with the British Ballet Organisation.
She studied English Literature at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, while continuing to dance and perform. She then took a PGCE teaching qualification and became an English teacher.
Her poetry and short stories have been published in a number of literary journals and she was shortlisted for the 2020 Impress Prize for New Writers. She also reviews theatre, in particular ballet, writing for the website Playstosee.com.
CLARA & OLIVIA was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association Historical Dagger 2024.
She trained at the Royal Ballet School for eight years, first as a Junior Associate and then at White Lodge. She has a diploma in dance teaching with the British Ballet Organisation.
She studied English Literature at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, while continuing to dance and perform. She then took a PGCE teaching qualification and became an English teacher.
Her poetry and short stories have been published in a number of literary journals and she was shortlisted for the 2020 Impress Prize for New Writers. She also reviews theatre, in particular ballet, writing for the website Playstosee.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
December 17, 2022
I spent most of my life until my teenage years dancing (tap and ballet) so imagine my excitement to see there was a psychological thriller debut about ballet from a former ballerina! You don’t need to know anything about ballet or it’s world in order to like or easily read this book, the author does a beautiful job in using simple terms so that the reader understands things as they move along through the book. The lyrical writing kept things moving along at a steady pace throughout the book right up until the epic conclusion to the book (it truly is EPIC).
If you’re looking for a book that’s dark, obsessive, thrilling and riveting all wrapped up in a bow for you then definitely pick up this one when it’s out. This is one debut you don’t want to miss if you’re a fan of thrillers. I can’t wait to see what Lucy Ashe does next.
Thank you to Margot at oneworld publications for sending me a proof of this gorgeous book that’s releasing February 2nd.
If you’re looking for a book that’s dark, obsessive, thrilling and riveting all wrapped up in a bow for you then definitely pick up this one when it’s out. This is one debut you don’t want to miss if you’re a fan of thrillers. I can’t wait to see what Lucy Ashe does next.
Thank you to Margot at oneworld publications for sending me a proof of this gorgeous book that’s releasing February 2nd.
January 17, 2023
4.5 stars
This was an utterly glorious immersive journey into the world of ballet in the 1930s.
Ballet may be beautiful, but it can also be very dangerous. It certainly isn’t easy and there are many challenges to overcome, both mentally and physically. Ashe deals with these themes well, addressing them in different ways than those readers might expect. In Clara & Olivia it is the mother who struggles with the mental illness, rather than her dancing daughters, but this affects the girls’ relationship and their attitude and decisions. We are also given a glimpse into the darker side of the early 20th century, looking at how illnesses were treated and the sad way that death came to many of those in hospitals and asylums.
The story itself is good, with plenty of twists and enough darkness to keep readers engaged. It didn’t turn out how I expected, but this was a pleasant surprise; I enjoyed how the twins worked together, but also focused on their individual ambitions, rather than being rivals.
It would have been nice to have a little more on the twins’ dynamic and the differences between them. I did enjoy the characters, especially Samuel and Milly, whose relationship developed over time; this also helped us to see a different side to Sam from that which we initially witnessed. I feel there is more to learn about these two characters and I hope there is a sequel.
There’s also plenty of dancing, which I adore, but not too much to deter readers who perhaps know very little about battements and arabesques! Ashe uses her own background as a dancer to capture the thrills and anticipation of performing, the stress of rehearsals and the superstitious rites that many dancers (and actors) cling to. It’s also great that the ballet in the book is Coppélia, which always seems to be overlooked in favour of the more popular stories like Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.
Overall Clara & Olivia is a stunning debut that is well-written and very entertaining.
This was an utterly glorious immersive journey into the world of ballet in the 1930s.
Ballet may be beautiful, but it can also be very dangerous. It certainly isn’t easy and there are many challenges to overcome, both mentally and physically. Ashe deals with these themes well, addressing them in different ways than those readers might expect. In Clara & Olivia it is the mother who struggles with the mental illness, rather than her dancing daughters, but this affects the girls’ relationship and their attitude and decisions. We are also given a glimpse into the darker side of the early 20th century, looking at how illnesses were treated and the sad way that death came to many of those in hospitals and asylums.
The story itself is good, with plenty of twists and enough darkness to keep readers engaged. It didn’t turn out how I expected, but this was a pleasant surprise; I enjoyed how the twins worked together, but also focused on their individual ambitions, rather than being rivals.
It would have been nice to have a little more on the twins’ dynamic and the differences between them. I did enjoy the characters, especially Samuel and Milly, whose relationship developed over time; this also helped us to see a different side to Sam from that which we initially witnessed. I feel there is more to learn about these two characters and I hope there is a sequel.
There’s also plenty of dancing, which I adore, but not too much to deter readers who perhaps know very little about battements and arabesques! Ashe uses her own background as a dancer to capture the thrills and anticipation of performing, the stress of rehearsals and the superstitious rites that many dancers (and actors) cling to. It’s also great that the ballet in the book is Coppélia, which always seems to be overlooked in favour of the more popular stories like Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty.
Overall Clara & Olivia is a stunning debut that is well-written and very entertaining.
December 11, 2022
This is quite a debut, very assured and confident in the writing and this is also passed along to the audience, you’re treated with respect and confidence and never spoken down to in a way that over explains certain aspects of ballet or the theatre, and yet it’s easy to follow along.
The book revolves around the stories of ballet, of classes, of performance, of the theatre and its traditions, of costumes and music and every detail that goes into the everyday workings of a company that come together to create that perfect gem of a performance that you watch from the auditorium.
All of this is masterfully woven into this book with a seamless effort and a deft touch from Lucy.
So many aspects I enjoyed, not just the dance world, but the behind the scenes show making, the details Lucy provided had me drawn into the process and I also very much enjoyed the shoemaker’s character arc.
The book naturally appealed to me as I am from a dance background and I adore the ballet, but it’s a wonderfully told story which will appeal to a wide range of people because of the interesting characters and a strong plot threaded throughout.
The book revolves around the stories of ballet, of classes, of performance, of the theatre and its traditions, of costumes and music and every detail that goes into the everyday workings of a company that come together to create that perfect gem of a performance that you watch from the auditorium.
All of this is masterfully woven into this book with a seamless effort and a deft touch from Lucy.
So many aspects I enjoyed, not just the dance world, but the behind the scenes show making, the details Lucy provided had me drawn into the process and I also very much enjoyed the shoemaker’s character arc.
The book naturally appealed to me as I am from a dance background and I adore the ballet, but it’s a wonderfully told story which will appeal to a wide range of people because of the interesting characters and a strong plot threaded throughout.
February 12, 2024
The Dance of the Dolls is a truly stunning debut novel from Lucy Ashe. A literary thriller, The Dance of the Dolls follows twin sisters, Clara and Olivia, as they live their lives around Sadler’s Wells Theatre and their upcoming performance of Coppélia. Olivia is a pedigree ballet dancer, where as Clara dances with a passion that others do not have. One works tirelessly, one couldn't care less. Alongside them we follow Samuel, a pointe shoe designer, and Nathan, a pianist for the theatre. Both men have obsessions with the girls, but will the obsessions get out of hand?
This was a gorgeous story to read, even with the thriller aspect. Ashe uses great detail to describe the dancers, their outfits, the settings, and the ballets they are performing. I loved the outfits, the glitz mixed in with the true nature of life at the time. The pretty pink against the grime. The old British language and timeframe makes for an eerie, but authentic setting. The timeframe allows for a different style of creepiness than the current times tied to everyone having access to everything on social media. In The Dance of the Dolls it is all right time, right place, the right collection of knowledge to allow you to know ones every move.
ARC provided.
This was a gorgeous story to read, even with the thriller aspect. Ashe uses great detail to describe the dancers, their outfits, the settings, and the ballets they are performing. I loved the outfits, the glitz mixed in with the true nature of life at the time. The pretty pink against the grime. The old British language and timeframe makes for an eerie, but authentic setting. The timeframe allows for a different style of creepiness than the current times tied to everyone having access to everything on social media. In The Dance of the Dolls it is all right time, right place, the right collection of knowledge to allow you to know ones every move.
ARC provided.
February 13, 2023
London, 1933.
Clara and Olivia Marionetta are 19-year-old ballerinas training at the recently opened Sadler’s Wells. Nicholas Sergeyev, a regisseur of Mariinsky Ballet is coming to their ballet classes to oversee the rehearsals for the new show Coppélia.
The young women are identical twins, but their personalities are nothing alike. Olivia is meticulous, quiet and always prepared for classes; whereas Clara is a disorganised extrovert, always searching for the next best thing.
Olivia wishes she could dance like her sister, no matter how much she tries, she cannot move like Clara.
Clara, on the other hand, wishes she could be more organised and prepared like Olivia.
Despite their differences, it is clear that the sisters truly love each other. They suffered hardship in childhood; their father died of cancer, and after his death, their mother succumbed to anorexia nervosa, and is now confined in an asylum.
Olivia in pursuit of dance perfection, is unaware that she has a secret admirer, Samuel, who makes pointe shoes for the dance company. He seems to appear everywhere where Olivia finds herself to be…
Clara’s boyfriend, Nathan, wants to take their relationship to the next level, however, she wants other things…
One man’s love will lead to an unhealthy obsession and one of the sisters will be in danger…
I loved this wonderful debut by Lucy Ashe. It is full of historical figures of British ballet, and as a former ballerina, she certainly writes what she knows best.
I really appreciated the historical timeline and the premise of this novel. It almost felt like I was stepping back into another, magical and mystical world.
The relationship between the sisters was truly spectacular, their bond ever so strong. I think that majority of people have this idea that ballet means rivalry, so it was refreshing of Ashe to portray the opposite. The sisters supported each other and looked out for one another.
I enjoyed how Lucy Ashe weaved the sisters’ stage surname of Marionetta into the storyline. In the novel, the dance company were rehearsing for Coppélia, where Dr Coppélius, a toy maker is trying to bring one of his dolls to life. In French, marionette means ‘a puppet’ that you control. One man in this story wanted to control one of the sisters. I just found their stage name very apt with everything that was happening.
Overall, it is a stunning book, that will grip you from its very first pages.
I definitely recommend it.
Clara and Olivia Marionetta are 19-year-old ballerinas training at the recently opened Sadler’s Wells. Nicholas Sergeyev, a regisseur of Mariinsky Ballet is coming to their ballet classes to oversee the rehearsals for the new show Coppélia.
The young women are identical twins, but their personalities are nothing alike. Olivia is meticulous, quiet and always prepared for classes; whereas Clara is a disorganised extrovert, always searching for the next best thing.
Olivia wishes she could dance like her sister, no matter how much she tries, she cannot move like Clara.
Clara, on the other hand, wishes she could be more organised and prepared like Olivia.
Despite their differences, it is clear that the sisters truly love each other. They suffered hardship in childhood; their father died of cancer, and after his death, their mother succumbed to anorexia nervosa, and is now confined in an asylum.
Olivia in pursuit of dance perfection, is unaware that she has a secret admirer, Samuel, who makes pointe shoes for the dance company. He seems to appear everywhere where Olivia finds herself to be…
Clara’s boyfriend, Nathan, wants to take their relationship to the next level, however, she wants other things…
One man’s love will lead to an unhealthy obsession and one of the sisters will be in danger…
I loved this wonderful debut by Lucy Ashe. It is full of historical figures of British ballet, and as a former ballerina, she certainly writes what she knows best.
I really appreciated the historical timeline and the premise of this novel. It almost felt like I was stepping back into another, magical and mystical world.
The relationship between the sisters was truly spectacular, their bond ever so strong. I think that majority of people have this idea that ballet means rivalry, so it was refreshing of Ashe to portray the opposite. The sisters supported each other and looked out for one another.
I enjoyed how Lucy Ashe weaved the sisters’ stage surname of Marionetta into the storyline. In the novel, the dance company were rehearsing for Coppélia, where Dr Coppélius, a toy maker is trying to bring one of his dolls to life. In French, marionette means ‘a puppet’ that you control. One man in this story wanted to control one of the sisters. I just found their stage name very apt with everything that was happening.
Overall, it is a stunning book, that will grip you from its very first pages.
I definitely recommend it.
February 6, 2023
I think like a lot of young girls I had aspirations of being a ballerina. I didn’t last long at ballet classes though as I was an undisciplined toe rag who did somersaults on the barre even after I was told not to.
Set in the Sadler’s Wells theatre during the 1930’s it blends fact with fiction so you may spot a name or production you recognise. I would also encourage you to read the author’s note at the end.
It takes complete dedication to be the best and twins Olivia and Clara clearly have the drive and ambition. Unusually for a thriller there is not the sibling rivalry I had expected from the twins themselves. The obsession belongs to others and each have their own personal obsessive watching them.
Narrated by the twin ballerinas, Nathan a once famous child prodigy and Samuel a pointe shoemaker apprentice. Each voice is distinct and thoroughly researched making them feel very real. This book made me covet a pair of bespoke Freed shoes to see what Samuel would put on mine. Would I get a rose?
There is a quiet chill running throughout that takes the beauty of ballet and makes it feel very dark. Pain, mental health, frustration and obsession paired with exquisite writing from an author who clearly knows her subject matter makes this a captivating debut with a ghoulish prologue and a very unexpected ending.
Set in the Sadler’s Wells theatre during the 1930’s it blends fact with fiction so you may spot a name or production you recognise. I would also encourage you to read the author’s note at the end.
It takes complete dedication to be the best and twins Olivia and Clara clearly have the drive and ambition. Unusually for a thriller there is not the sibling rivalry I had expected from the twins themselves. The obsession belongs to others and each have their own personal obsessive watching them.
Narrated by the twin ballerinas, Nathan a once famous child prodigy and Samuel a pointe shoemaker apprentice. Each voice is distinct and thoroughly researched making them feel very real. This book made me covet a pair of bespoke Freed shoes to see what Samuel would put on mine. Would I get a rose?
There is a quiet chill running throughout that takes the beauty of ballet and makes it feel very dark. Pain, mental health, frustration and obsession paired with exquisite writing from an author who clearly knows her subject matter makes this a captivating debut with a ghoulish prologue and a very unexpected ending.
February 10, 2023
I honestly didn't expect any of what happened to happen. I'm literally in shock. From the blurb I created a whole different idea of what was going to happen! THE PLOT TWIST!
The writing was so amazing the whole time I thought it was someone else and then BAM! Complete switch! Did not expect it! An amazing thriller i was on edge so much!
I love that the chapters were short and switched from character to character but was done with such ease that you could still easily follow the plot line
Would definitely recommend this book if you love a good thriller!
The writing was so amazing the whole time I thought it was someone else and then BAM! Complete switch! Did not expect it! An amazing thriller i was on edge so much!
I love that the chapters were short and switched from character to character but was done with such ease that you could still easily follow the plot line
Would definitely recommend this book if you love a good thriller!
January 28, 2023
What an incredible stunning debut! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you're looking for a fascinating story centered around powerful characters with the magic, poise, and beauty of the ballet, then this is for you!
Lucy Ashe has crafted a brilliant novel that weaves wonderful characters into a gripping story that subtly builds tension and culminates in a thrilling ending.
The pacing is on point right from the start creating enthralling entrances for the beguiling twins. Tension builds rapidly punctuated with character descriptions are simply perfect. In particular Lucy Ashe has a unique talent in producing such elegant phrases that perfectly depict the characters' personalities. It makes them instantly recognisable, understandable, and relatable.
This skill, coupled with the personal issues and worries the characters grapple with instilled strong empathy and left me caring deeply about both major and minor characters alike. I was fully invested in the internal challenges, thoughts, doubts, falters, and second guesses they faced, hoping they would prevail and took great pleasure in each internal victory!
I also loved how the duality of the twins was explored. Their relationship felt so original and yet so authentic compared to other fictional twins from other stories - it was exciting and refreshing.
Finally, the characters are epic and there are so many stunning scenes of action, dance, and drama, I can't wait to see Clara & Olivia shown as a series!
*#TeamClara.*
If you're looking for a fascinating story centered around powerful characters with the magic, poise, and beauty of the ballet, then this is for you!
Lucy Ashe has crafted a brilliant novel that weaves wonderful characters into a gripping story that subtly builds tension and culminates in a thrilling ending.
The pacing is on point right from the start creating enthralling entrances for the beguiling twins. Tension builds rapidly punctuated with character descriptions are simply perfect. In particular Lucy Ashe has a unique talent in producing such elegant phrases that perfectly depict the characters' personalities. It makes them instantly recognisable, understandable, and relatable.
This skill, coupled with the personal issues and worries the characters grapple with instilled strong empathy and left me caring deeply about both major and minor characters alike. I was fully invested in the internal challenges, thoughts, doubts, falters, and second guesses they faced, hoping they would prevail and took great pleasure in each internal victory!
I also loved how the duality of the twins was explored. Their relationship felt so original and yet so authentic compared to other fictional twins from other stories - it was exciting and refreshing.
Finally, the characters are epic and there are so many stunning scenes of action, dance, and drama, I can't wait to see Clara & Olivia shown as a series!
*#TeamClara.*
February 13, 2023
The story was absolutely stunning, and the perfect pairing of historical fiction and psychological thriller. It's dark, delightful and deliciously good, and certainly didn't feel like a debut.
Ashe herself trained at the Royal Ballet School and her passion for ballet is clearly evident through her writing.
The story is narrated by Clara and Olivia along with several other POV, it's hauntingly beautiful and has THAT plot twist at the end, mouth agape moment ahead!
Characters are multifaceted, realistic and well presented.
It's highly immersive, hugely entertaining, I absolutely adored it and I can't wait to read more from the author.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ashe herself trained at the Royal Ballet School and her passion for ballet is clearly evident through her writing.
The story is narrated by Clara and Olivia along with several other POV, it's hauntingly beautiful and has THAT plot twist at the end, mouth agape moment ahead!
Characters are multifaceted, realistic and well presented.
It's highly immersive, hugely entertaining, I absolutely adored it and I can't wait to read more from the author.
Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.
Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 15, 2023
My review for this sublime read is on my blog https://thefallenlibrarian.wordpress....
December 12, 2022
I’ve been obsessed with ballet-based stories ever since watching Black Swan and Flesh & Bone. I was therefore really excited to read Lucy Ashe’s debut Clara & Olivia which follows twin ballerinas Clara and Olivia. I loved Ashe’s writing style which swept me into the story like a dance (I refuse to apologise for the cliché!).
However, what I loved most about this story was how fearless the author was when it came to showing the dark side of ballet. Beneath the glamour of this idealised art form is the pain, frustrated ambitions, the pressures of finding work out of season, and for Olivia the doubts as to whether she can exist as a dancer outside her sister’s shadow.
As a twin, I really loved how Ashe portrayed Clara and Olivia’s sibling dynamic in a way that felt real and given evil twin stories I’ve read over the years, refreshingly un-toxic. While Clara longs to ‘try everything and be everywhere,’ Olivia wants ‘a mysterious, aloof kind of fame. She wants to be a prima ballerina.’ However, being both twins and ballerinas means that they both struggle to be seen as individuals and I loved seeing how they grappled with this, particularly when Clara’s changing ambitions threaten to change their world as they know it.
Clara & Olivia isn’t just a story about ballet, it’s also about obsession. Both Clara & Olivia’s lives have been shaped by it: Firstly their mother’s dream and later their own as they work to make a name for themselves as dancers. However, just as an obsession has made them what they are, it also threatens to destroy them. Ashe shows the dangerous side of obsession through Clara & Olivia’s mother and also through Clara’s boyfriend Nathan and Samuel, the pointe shoe maker’s apprentice. In regards to Nathan and Samuel, I loved how the author heightens the tension through the novel until events spiral into a chilling final act, and one of the most killer endings I’ve ever read. Period! Overall, I loved this story and as much as I’d love to read a sequel, I’d be just as happy to read Lucy Ashe’s second book.
However, what I loved most about this story was how fearless the author was when it came to showing the dark side of ballet. Beneath the glamour of this idealised art form is the pain, frustrated ambitions, the pressures of finding work out of season, and for Olivia the doubts as to whether she can exist as a dancer outside her sister’s shadow.
As a twin, I really loved how Ashe portrayed Clara and Olivia’s sibling dynamic in a way that felt real and given evil twin stories I’ve read over the years, refreshingly un-toxic. While Clara longs to ‘try everything and be everywhere,’ Olivia wants ‘a mysterious, aloof kind of fame. She wants to be a prima ballerina.’ However, being both twins and ballerinas means that they both struggle to be seen as individuals and I loved seeing how they grappled with this, particularly when Clara’s changing ambitions threaten to change their world as they know it.
Clara & Olivia isn’t just a story about ballet, it’s also about obsession. Both Clara & Olivia’s lives have been shaped by it: Firstly their mother’s dream and later their own as they work to make a name for themselves as dancers. However, just as an obsession has made them what they are, it also threatens to destroy them. Ashe shows the dangerous side of obsession through Clara & Olivia’s mother and also through Clara’s boyfriend Nathan and Samuel, the pointe shoe maker’s apprentice. In regards to Nathan and Samuel, I loved how the author heightens the tension through the novel until events spiral into a chilling final act, and one of the most killer endings I’ve ever read. Period! Overall, I loved this story and as much as I’d love to read a sequel, I’d be just as happy to read Lucy Ashe’s second book.
March 6, 2023
A wonderful book for ballet lovers everywhere. Set in London in the 1930's in the midst of the ballet greats, this story is well written, atmospheric and beautifully descriptive, leaving the reader feeling they were right there in the theatre with the twins. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
February 5, 2023
Combining some of my favourite things - historical novels and ballet - this book sees identical twin ballerinas Clara and Olivia Marionetta, dancing at the Vic-Wells Ballet at Sadlers Wells in the 1930s. We start with a man wheeling a woman in a chair - but who are they? Then back to the beginning of the story, and you see Samuel the pointe shoe maker apprentice who adores Olivia, and Nathan the company pianist who is dating Clara… so which man did we see at the beginning? Which sister in the chair? It builds and builds to a crescendo, and kept me turning the pages quickly. Strongly recommend!
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
February 19, 2023
My thanks to OneWorld Publications Magpie Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Clara and Olivia’ by Lucy Ashe.
I am always interested in novels that feature dance and so was immediately drawn to Lucy Ashe’s debut novel with its striking cover design. It was no surprise to read that she had trained at the Royal Ballet School as she clearly knows the subject as well as being a skilled storyteller.
Set in 1933 London, the novel focuses on identical twins, Clara and Olivia. While born Smith they had changed their surnames to Marionetta after leaving Ballet School to join the newly formed Vic-Wells Ballet. Dancing in the corps de ballet, they each seek perfection and hope one day to become prima ballerinas. During the novel they are involved in rehearsals for the ballet Coppélia.
Both Clara and Olivia have admirers: two men who also have their point of view chapters. Samuel Steward works for Frederick Freed, the ballet shoemaker, and loves Olivia from afar inscribing the shoes he creates for her with a tiny white rose. Nathan Howell had been a child prodigy and is now the ballet company’s pianist. He and Clare have been courting for some time.
I won’t say more in order to avoid spoilers though there is a dark side to this work of historical fiction that draws on themes echoed by Coppélia.
I loved this novel and even before reading the Historical Notes provided by Lucy Ashe felt that she was writing from firsthand knowledge of the ballet and of Coppélia. I appreciated that the novel stressed the physicality of ballet. Again, something that is very clear to anyone with knowledge of the dance. The novel opens with a useful glossary that includes ballet movements.
Overall, I found ‘Clara and Olivia’ a beautifully written, atmospheric historical thriller rich in the history of ballet. I was completely immersed in the story and feel that it was an impressive debut.
Highly recommended.
I am always interested in novels that feature dance and so was immediately drawn to Lucy Ashe’s debut novel with its striking cover design. It was no surprise to read that she had trained at the Royal Ballet School as she clearly knows the subject as well as being a skilled storyteller.
Set in 1933 London, the novel focuses on identical twins, Clara and Olivia. While born Smith they had changed their surnames to Marionetta after leaving Ballet School to join the newly formed Vic-Wells Ballet. Dancing in the corps de ballet, they each seek perfection and hope one day to become prima ballerinas. During the novel they are involved in rehearsals for the ballet Coppélia.
Both Clara and Olivia have admirers: two men who also have their point of view chapters. Samuel Steward works for Frederick Freed, the ballet shoemaker, and loves Olivia from afar inscribing the shoes he creates for her with a tiny white rose. Nathan Howell had been a child prodigy and is now the ballet company’s pianist. He and Clare have been courting for some time.
I won’t say more in order to avoid spoilers though there is a dark side to this work of historical fiction that draws on themes echoed by Coppélia.
I loved this novel and even before reading the Historical Notes provided by Lucy Ashe felt that she was writing from firsthand knowledge of the ballet and of Coppélia. I appreciated that the novel stressed the physicality of ballet. Again, something that is very clear to anyone with knowledge of the dance. The novel opens with a useful glossary that includes ballet movements.
Overall, I found ‘Clara and Olivia’ a beautifully written, atmospheric historical thriller rich in the history of ballet. I was completely immersed in the story and feel that it was an impressive debut.
Highly recommended.
January 12, 2023
A really clever story with plenty of twists and turns. Clara and Olivia are twin sisters, both ballerinas at Sadlers Wells. The story is told from multiple POV and this dynamic works well. Both are being watched, but they dont know by whom.It is dark and sinister, with a whodunit element that will keep you guessing till the end.
If you're a fan of the ballet, then this will appeal, but you don't need to be for the story to be entertaining.
It's historically accurate with references to dancers of old, and there is a section following on from the story that talks about the real life inspiration behind the story which was fascinating!
A wonderful debut.
If you're a fan of the ballet, then this will appeal, but you don't need to be for the story to be entertaining.
It's historically accurate with references to dancers of old, and there is a section following on from the story that talks about the real life inspiration behind the story which was fascinating!
A wonderful debut.
February 17, 2023
In Clara & Olivia, by Lucy Ashe, we’re transported to the glamorous, yet rigorous world of ballet in 1930s London. The eponymous twins are nineteen years old, in the corps de ballet at Sadler’s Wells, and on the cusp of something big.
Quiet, serious Olivia rests at home in the evenings and wants to work her way up to prima ballerina, while outgoing, daring Clara goes out most nights and dreams of stardom that transcends ballet.
Despite these differences, and Olivia’s fears she doesn’t match up to her sister, the pair are very close, sharing their lodgings and clothes and caring for each other in the absence of their hectoring mother, who is in a mental hospital.
Clara is stepping out with pianist and former child prodigy Nathan Howell, but she’s tiring of his earnest intellectualism and doesn’t want to be tied down. Olivia, meanwhile, has a secret admirer in the form of Samuel Steward, an apprentice who makes and delivers pointe shoes to the theatre and dreams of becoming a clothes designer himself.
Nathan or Samuel will end up taking their obsession too far - but you’ll have to read the book to find out which, and what happens.
I absolutely adored Clara & Olivia. I have a massive thing for books where the characters are so passionate about, and talented in, an area of the arts that they’re willing and able to engage with it day in, day out, so that was one box ticked for me straight away!
Right from the start, I felt immersed not only in the twins’ lives, but the wider industry of the theatre. I was mesmerised, inhaling dozens of pages in one sitting before looking up and being surprised by how much time had passed. This was especially the case for the last third of the book, when things get really tense.
I wasn’t surprised to find out the author was a trained ballerina herself, as the novel is so rich in detail about the dancers’ routines (in terms of both the moves they perform and what they do all day!), what is expected of a ballerina, and the big names of the day, at a time when British ballet was coming into its own. I couldn’t help but smile when ballet critic Arnold Haskell popped up, having drawn on his autobiography for my PhD on only children in history.
That’s not the only way Ashe firmly anchors the story in its historical context, though. We hear about the experiences of the twins’ late father, and Samuel’s father, in the First World War. The account of Clara and Olivia’s father being able to spend their first six months with them due to injury at the Front passes into family lore; by contrast, Samuel’s father has been transformed into a cruel bully by his war experiences. Meanwhile, the hospital the twins’ mother resides in is very much “of its time”.
I found the sisters’ relationship complex and compelling. At first, it seems that Olivia is primarily disdainful of Clara’s careless manner, and jealous of her bubbly personality and romance with Nathan, while Clara despairs that Olivia doesn’t have more fun. Later on, they conceal important information from one another.
But when we see the pair interact, it becomes clear just how close and loving they are towards one another. We also learn how Clara, as the stronger personality, protects Olivia from the unhealthy influence of their mother. In the absence of any other meaningful family relationships, they rely on each other completely, and always come through for one another.
Both women have the same worry that their sister is the better dancer, and that they’re seen as a novelty in ballet because there are two of them with the same face, so if the other one goes elsewhere, their own cachet will plummet.
Ashe also makes a point I’d never considered before: we say horrible things to ourselves we’d never say to, or even think about, other people - but if you’re an identical twin, how can you criticise your own appearance without hurting your sibling?
A central theme of the story is appearance versus reality. It’s very exciting to read about the exhilerating performances the company gives to appreciative audiences, the cultural events and wild nights Clara experiences, and the opportunities that materialise for the twins.
At the same time, though, the author never lets you lose sight of the gruelling, brutal nature of the discipline: ballet hurts, and there’s a limited timeframe in which you can “make it” before injury or age take you off the stage.
Similarly, both Nathan and Samuel obsess over the image that their twin of choice projects at particular moments - physical perfection and falling into line with the rest of the corps, as is required of them - and are discomfited when the sisters reveal themselves to be standard messy humans with minds of their own. One comes away from the experience disillusioned, but wiser; the other doubles down on trying to force “his” twin to be what he wants her to be.
Clara & Olivia is immersive, exciting, and gripping.
Quiet, serious Olivia rests at home in the evenings and wants to work her way up to prima ballerina, while outgoing, daring Clara goes out most nights and dreams of stardom that transcends ballet.
Despite these differences, and Olivia’s fears she doesn’t match up to her sister, the pair are very close, sharing their lodgings and clothes and caring for each other in the absence of their hectoring mother, who is in a mental hospital.
Clara is stepping out with pianist and former child prodigy Nathan Howell, but she’s tiring of his earnest intellectualism and doesn’t want to be tied down. Olivia, meanwhile, has a secret admirer in the form of Samuel Steward, an apprentice who makes and delivers pointe shoes to the theatre and dreams of becoming a clothes designer himself.
Nathan or Samuel will end up taking their obsession too far - but you’ll have to read the book to find out which, and what happens.
I absolutely adored Clara & Olivia. I have a massive thing for books where the characters are so passionate about, and talented in, an area of the arts that they’re willing and able to engage with it day in, day out, so that was one box ticked for me straight away!
Right from the start, I felt immersed not only in the twins’ lives, but the wider industry of the theatre. I was mesmerised, inhaling dozens of pages in one sitting before looking up and being surprised by how much time had passed. This was especially the case for the last third of the book, when things get really tense.
I wasn’t surprised to find out the author was a trained ballerina herself, as the novel is so rich in detail about the dancers’ routines (in terms of both the moves they perform and what they do all day!), what is expected of a ballerina, and the big names of the day, at a time when British ballet was coming into its own. I couldn’t help but smile when ballet critic Arnold Haskell popped up, having drawn on his autobiography for my PhD on only children in history.
That’s not the only way Ashe firmly anchors the story in its historical context, though. We hear about the experiences of the twins’ late father, and Samuel’s father, in the First World War. The account of Clara and Olivia’s father being able to spend their first six months with them due to injury at the Front passes into family lore; by contrast, Samuel’s father has been transformed into a cruel bully by his war experiences. Meanwhile, the hospital the twins’ mother resides in is very much “of its time”.
I found the sisters’ relationship complex and compelling. At first, it seems that Olivia is primarily disdainful of Clara’s careless manner, and jealous of her bubbly personality and romance with Nathan, while Clara despairs that Olivia doesn’t have more fun. Later on, they conceal important information from one another.
But when we see the pair interact, it becomes clear just how close and loving they are towards one another. We also learn how Clara, as the stronger personality, protects Olivia from the unhealthy influence of their mother. In the absence of any other meaningful family relationships, they rely on each other completely, and always come through for one another.
Both women have the same worry that their sister is the better dancer, and that they’re seen as a novelty in ballet because there are two of them with the same face, so if the other one goes elsewhere, their own cachet will plummet.
Ashe also makes a point I’d never considered before: we say horrible things to ourselves we’d never say to, or even think about, other people - but if you’re an identical twin, how can you criticise your own appearance without hurting your sibling?
A central theme of the story is appearance versus reality. It’s very exciting to read about the exhilerating performances the company gives to appreciative audiences, the cultural events and wild nights Clara experiences, and the opportunities that materialise for the twins.
At the same time, though, the author never lets you lose sight of the gruelling, brutal nature of the discipline: ballet hurts, and there’s a limited timeframe in which you can “make it” before injury or age take you off the stage.
Similarly, both Nathan and Samuel obsess over the image that their twin of choice projects at particular moments - physical perfection and falling into line with the rest of the corps, as is required of them - and are discomfited when the sisters reveal themselves to be standard messy humans with minds of their own. One comes away from the experience disillusioned, but wiser; the other doubles down on trying to force “his” twin to be what he wants her to be.
Clara & Olivia is immersive, exciting, and gripping.
September 3, 2023
Slap a ballerina on the cover and I’m bound to want to read it. Sometimes it’s a blessing. Sometimes it’s a curse. This time, it was a blessing because I loved this book!
The Dance of the Dolls is a slow-burn psychological thriller that’s lovingly crafted by Lucy Ashe, who used to be a ballerina with the Royal Ballet. As such, she was not only more than capable of getting into the heads of Clara and Olivia, our two female protagonists (both ballerinas) but was also in possession of a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the inner workings of everything from how pointe shoes are made to what muscles are being used during each position a ballerina makes or what pose she holds. Her deep love and respect for ballet as an art form shows in the extensive research she did to set The Dance of the Dolls in a pivotal time for ballet in Western Europe, going so far as to insert as many real life heroes and heroines from the ballet world into the book almost seamlessly around the events of the book. If one didn’t know these people were real (as a ballet fan, I definitely recognized a great deal of the names), they’d just assume they were characters Ashe made up with a click-clack of her keyboard.
The worldbuilding of early 1930’s London is done impeccably, from the fashions of the time to the political upheaval happening all over. It was a dark time and it was about to get darker, and the British people invested their time and money in the arts just as Americans did, needing pretty diversions from their daily toils and troubles.
This is a psychological thriller, but it builds slowly. The ballet Coppelia, about a man falling in love with a perfect doll, is not only the name of the ballet Olivia and Clara are dancing in, but it’s also a metaphor for the two of them in different ways. Olivia is a perfect ballerina, the type to go all the way in the world of ballet and become a prima ballerina. As such, she captures the eye of the ballet’s pointe shoe maker and becomes his muse for designing costumes and tutus as he watches her from afar, fearing her perfection is not for him. Clara is wilder and more free, a stunning dancer but not as perfect as her twin. Olivia belongs to the ballet, and Clara doesn’t want to belong to anyone. But in the 1930s is it too much to ask for a woman to retain her freedom? Can she just be who she is and not belong to anyone but herself?
I’m not usually one for slow-building anything in books, but there was so much else going on in this book that I wasn’t bored for one second. It was entertaining, page-turning, interesting, informing, and engrossing. I highly recommend it.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, ideas, and views expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance/Psychological Thriller/Women’s Fiction
The Dance of the Dolls is a slow-burn psychological thriller that’s lovingly crafted by Lucy Ashe, who used to be a ballerina with the Royal Ballet. As such, she was not only more than capable of getting into the heads of Clara and Olivia, our two female protagonists (both ballerinas) but was also in possession of a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the inner workings of everything from how pointe shoes are made to what muscles are being used during each position a ballerina makes or what pose she holds. Her deep love and respect for ballet as an art form shows in the extensive research she did to set The Dance of the Dolls in a pivotal time for ballet in Western Europe, going so far as to insert as many real life heroes and heroines from the ballet world into the book almost seamlessly around the events of the book. If one didn’t know these people were real (as a ballet fan, I definitely recognized a great deal of the names), they’d just assume they were characters Ashe made up with a click-clack of her keyboard.
The worldbuilding of early 1930’s London is done impeccably, from the fashions of the time to the political upheaval happening all over. It was a dark time and it was about to get darker, and the British people invested their time and money in the arts just as Americans did, needing pretty diversions from their daily toils and troubles.
This is a psychological thriller, but it builds slowly. The ballet Coppelia, about a man falling in love with a perfect doll, is not only the name of the ballet Olivia and Clara are dancing in, but it’s also a metaphor for the two of them in different ways. Olivia is a perfect ballerina, the type to go all the way in the world of ballet and become a prima ballerina. As such, she captures the eye of the ballet’s pointe shoe maker and becomes his muse for designing costumes and tutus as he watches her from afar, fearing her perfection is not for him. Clara is wilder and more free, a stunning dancer but not as perfect as her twin. Olivia belongs to the ballet, and Clara doesn’t want to belong to anyone. But in the 1930s is it too much to ask for a woman to retain her freedom? Can she just be who she is and not belong to anyone but herself?
I’m not usually one for slow-building anything in books, but there was so much else going on in this book that I wasn’t bored for one second. It was entertaining, page-turning, interesting, informing, and engrossing. I highly recommend it.
I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, ideas, and views expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance/Psychological Thriller/Women’s Fiction
June 3, 2023
Clara & Olivia by Lucy Ashe is a stunning debut that immerses you fully in the ballet world and transports you to the newly opened Sadlers Wells, London in 1933.
It is was one of those books that we just couldn’t wait to read. Having a huge passion and love for ballet we knew we had to read it as fictional books about ballet are pretty thin on the ground.
As you begin to read you realize it’s more than just a book about two twins who are ballet dancers. It’s a part love letter to ballet, it’s part thriller and mystery and it’s absolutely wonderful piece of fiction. Lucy uses her knowledge and love of ballet to weave and tell a meticulously researched story. It captivates the reader from the first page. Both the twins, Clara and Olivia have distinct personalities which pirouette off the page.
It’s a stunning debut and is likely to remain one of our favorite reads of this year. Lucy Ashe is an author who has us very excited to read more of what she writes.
It is was one of those books that we just couldn’t wait to read. Having a huge passion and love for ballet we knew we had to read it as fictional books about ballet are pretty thin on the ground.
As you begin to read you realize it’s more than just a book about two twins who are ballet dancers. It’s a part love letter to ballet, it’s part thriller and mystery and it’s absolutely wonderful piece of fiction. Lucy uses her knowledge and love of ballet to weave and tell a meticulously researched story. It captivates the reader from the first page. Both the twins, Clara and Olivia have distinct personalities which pirouette off the page.
It’s a stunning debut and is likely to remain one of our favorite reads of this year. Lucy Ashe is an author who has us very excited to read more of what she writes.
January 25, 2023
Actual rating 4.5.
I knew I’d love this one, but it’s even more exquisite than expected! I’m always obsessed with all things ballet (probably because I have no grace and two left feet) and this is probably my favourite take on that world - which makes sense with Lucy’s personal experience!
What makes this even more captivating is having twin narrators - another phenomenon which so many people are intrigued by. I loved how different Clara and Olivia were and that they each had their own male character obsessing over them so we had no idea which way things might go. I really enjoyed the character arc for one of the men but can’t give too much away by saying who or why 🤣
This is just a beautiful debut - it’s elegant, atmospheric, and artistic, and I love the juxtaposition of the beauty of the ballet and the girls against the darkness and danger of obsession. Definitely one to get your hands on - and with a cover like that I’m not sure I can resist treating myself to a finished copy either 😉
I knew I’d love this one, but it’s even more exquisite than expected! I’m always obsessed with all things ballet (probably because I have no grace and two left feet) and this is probably my favourite take on that world - which makes sense with Lucy’s personal experience!
What makes this even more captivating is having twin narrators - another phenomenon which so many people are intrigued by. I loved how different Clara and Olivia were and that they each had their own male character obsessing over them so we had no idea which way things might go. I really enjoyed the character arc for one of the men but can’t give too much away by saying who or why 🤣
This is just a beautiful debut - it’s elegant, atmospheric, and artistic, and I love the juxtaposition of the beauty of the ballet and the girls against the darkness and danger of obsession. Definitely one to get your hands on - and with a cover like that I’m not sure I can resist treating myself to a finished copy either 😉
February 19, 2023
This was a great read until 75% in then it got a bit daft. The world of ballet is vividly brought to life however. Clara and Olivia are twins dancing with the Sadler's Wells company in London. Both dream of becoming top dancers but Clara wants so much more. After some years it looks like the girls are about to see their dreams come to fruition. However an obsessive love puts them in danger. An o.k read.
February 7, 2023
This book is creepy as ****! But in the best way. In Clara & Olivia, Lucy Ashe has created a world where the height of creativity and art meet mental illness and obsession, set in the early days of what would become the Royal Ballet at Sadler’s Wells.
Grim, grimy inter-war London is beautifully contrasted with the perceived glamour of being involved in a world of dance, and yet even this sheen of show business lays across the top of backbreaking mental and physical work.
The novel comes from a unique perspective, as Clara and Olivia are identical twins and we hear from both of them the difficulties of being regarded as a unit, and being mistaken for each other, but when someone begins to take an unhealthy interest in one of them, both sisters are at risk.
The build up in this book is superb. In the early stages we can see much more how the public might see the ballet – glamour, nights out exploring the clubs of London, hobnobbing with rich patrons – but as the book goes on we delve deeper into a world of competition for roles, rich patrons expecting things for their patronage and the idea that this career in dance may only last so long.
Alongside this build up towards performances of world-famous Coppélia, a seemingly innocent infatuation builds towards a horrific climax which is never hidden from the reader, but ends up even more creepy than you have imagined! Without giving spoilers, I just have to say that the final chapter is a really nice touch – no matter where Clara and Olivia go from there, events in this last chapter cement them as a united pair. It was a clever and creative way of resolving the novel.
This was a firm five star read for me.
Grim, grimy inter-war London is beautifully contrasted with the perceived glamour of being involved in a world of dance, and yet even this sheen of show business lays across the top of backbreaking mental and physical work.
The novel comes from a unique perspective, as Clara and Olivia are identical twins and we hear from both of them the difficulties of being regarded as a unit, and being mistaken for each other, but when someone begins to take an unhealthy interest in one of them, both sisters are at risk.
The build up in this book is superb. In the early stages we can see much more how the public might see the ballet – glamour, nights out exploring the clubs of London, hobnobbing with rich patrons – but as the book goes on we delve deeper into a world of competition for roles, rich patrons expecting things for their patronage and the idea that this career in dance may only last so long.
Alongside this build up towards performances of world-famous Coppélia, a seemingly innocent infatuation builds towards a horrific climax which is never hidden from the reader, but ends up even more creepy than you have imagined! Without giving spoilers, I just have to say that the final chapter is a really nice touch – no matter where Clara and Olivia go from there, events in this last chapter cement them as a united pair. It was a clever and creative way of resolving the novel.
This was a firm five star read for me.
January 6, 2023
I knew I wanted to read Clara and Olivia as soon as I heard about it. I was instantly drawn to a tale about the ballet.
As a dancer in my younger days I am still fascinated by the ballet ad theatre.
Add to that the elements of suspense and psychological thriller and this really is a must read book.
I loved the way that the story was interwoven with real life events and people. Samuel and the Freeds were a particular interest to me. The craftsmanship and strength that goes in to creating pointe shoes and the fact that it is one of the best known brands (one I myself used) pulled me in.
The look behind the scenes of the Vic Wells Ballet was in itself a story worth reading. The addition of romance, lust and control made it an impossible book to put down.
There were elements of a psychological thriller that made me shiver, combined with the romance and grace of the ballet.
The author herself used to be a ballet dancer and I feel that this shone through in the book - there was a real feel of authenticity to the way the ballet was written about. Her talents however do not stop there - without a doubt this is a must read book for 2023!
I was lucky enough to read an advanced digital copy as part of a blog tour for review.
As a dancer in my younger days I am still fascinated by the ballet ad theatre.
Add to that the elements of suspense and psychological thriller and this really is a must read book.
I loved the way that the story was interwoven with real life events and people. Samuel and the Freeds were a particular interest to me. The craftsmanship and strength that goes in to creating pointe shoes and the fact that it is one of the best known brands (one I myself used) pulled me in.
The look behind the scenes of the Vic Wells Ballet was in itself a story worth reading. The addition of romance, lust and control made it an impossible book to put down.
There were elements of a psychological thriller that made me shiver, combined with the romance and grace of the ballet.
The author herself used to be a ballet dancer and I feel that this shone through in the book - there was a real feel of authenticity to the way the ballet was written about. Her talents however do not stop there - without a doubt this is a must read book for 2023!
I was lucky enough to read an advanced digital copy as part of a blog tour for review.
January 27, 2023
I won a complimentary copy of this book.
Whilst I did enjoy learning about the world of ballet, I was a bit disappointed - the competition had the book marked as a thriller. This is not a thriller - it is simply a historical fiction. It was a little too slow to start with, but overall it was a good read.
Whilst I did enjoy learning about the world of ballet, I was a bit disappointed - the competition had the book marked as a thriller. This is not a thriller - it is simply a historical fiction. It was a little too slow to start with, but overall it was a good read.
September 27, 2023
I really enjoyed the book! I loved the setting of it especially, I wish more books had a ballet theme to it.
I loved the change of character with Nathan, especially the comparison between him and Nathanael in the ballet they were going to preform.
It was nice to see Sam have someone that actually cared for him too and Clara wanting her own future that she gets to decide and not be with the times.
Only reason it lost one star was how much Olivia pissed me off. Multiple times.
I loved the change of character with Nathan, especially the comparison between him and Nathanael in the ballet they were going to preform.
It was nice to see Sam have someone that actually cared for him too and Clara wanting her own future that she gets to decide and not be with the times.
Only reason it lost one star was how much Olivia pissed me off. Multiple times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
Clara and Olivia is wonderfully written, from the start I was fully immersed in the landscape of London, Sadler’s wells 1933. Ashe writes from the perspective of the four main characters but only the twin sisters are written in the first person, fully connecting us to the girls but only observers in the boys chapters, without giving too much away this technique really excellently develops the plot. The context is effortlessly weaved into to the story both historical and dance. As a dancer myself, the portrayal and reactions to the ballerina characters was entirely real and relatable, Ashe’s past as a dancer made her perfect to create this story. I was racing to get to the end in the final act yet also trying to stay as long as possible, not wanting the story to end.
January 15, 2023
Clara and Olivia is a fascinating debut novel by Lucy Ashe. Behind the scenes in a theatre has always provided great fiction, and add in identical twin ballet dancers during wartime and you have a compelling narrative right from the beginning.
February 5, 2023
As someone who has always loved anything about the ballet this was an ideal book for me.
Clara & Olivia is the debut novel by Lucy Ashe who trained at the Royal Ballet School. This is the story of twins, Clara and Olivia who are in the corps de ballet of the Sadlers Wells Ballet Company in 1933. There is a mixture of reality and fiction involved with a lot of the real company dancers of that time including Ninette de Valois who set up the Sadlers Wells Ballet School and a very small cameo by a very young Margot Fonteyn, mixed with the fictional twins and the two men intertwined with their lives.
It is a story full of intrigue and suspense and will be enjoyed by anyone who is interested in the goings on behind the scenes of a ballet company outlining the dedication and hard work ethic of the dancers and others involved in the production of a ballet.
Clara & Olivia is the debut novel by Lucy Ashe who trained at the Royal Ballet School. This is the story of twins, Clara and Olivia who are in the corps de ballet of the Sadlers Wells Ballet Company in 1933. There is a mixture of reality and fiction involved with a lot of the real company dancers of that time including Ninette de Valois who set up the Sadlers Wells Ballet School and a very small cameo by a very young Margot Fonteyn, mixed with the fictional twins and the two men intertwined with their lives.
It is a story full of intrigue and suspense and will be enjoyed by anyone who is interested in the goings on behind the scenes of a ballet company outlining the dedication and hard work ethic of the dancers and others involved in the production of a ballet.
December 18, 2023
Incredible thriller set in pre-war 1930’s London that goes beyond ballet to examine what true obsession is. Hard to believe this is the author’s debut novel - fantastic and one of my favorite reads of the year!
March 6, 2023
I adore historical fiction and the ballet, so a novel set during the early years of the Vic-Wells company was always going to capture my attention. I particularly enjoy historical fiction where real people intermingle with the books characters, and in Clara and Olivia, Lucy Ashe seamlessly blends her fictional characters with the stars of the English ballet of the 1930s.
The beauty of the ballet is echoed in the wonderfully atmospheric writing, but the sense of foreboding that begins in the prologue lingers in the corner of the stage like a shadow. In fact, there is an unsettling feeling about the whole book, with the dark spaces of the theatre (not least the well) lending a gothic feel to the story. Something about the girls’ relationship feels dangerous, too close for comfort, as if they could destroy each other, in spite of loving each other dearly, and being prepared to fight to protect each other.
I love the ballet and whilst I usually read in silence, I found myself heading to Spotify to set Coppélia and Swan Lake to play in the background. I thoroughly recommend this, as the beautiful music really adds to the emotion and drama of the book.
It was easy to see that Lucy Ashe has a great deal of experience with the ballet, and has poured her love for it into every word of Clara and Olivia. This book is an exquisite balance of beauty and tension, of emotion and drama, and it evoked the same feelings in me as if I had just sat through the most wonderful performance of my favourite ballet.
The beauty of the ballet is echoed in the wonderfully atmospheric writing, but the sense of foreboding that begins in the prologue lingers in the corner of the stage like a shadow. In fact, there is an unsettling feeling about the whole book, with the dark spaces of the theatre (not least the well) lending a gothic feel to the story. Something about the girls’ relationship feels dangerous, too close for comfort, as if they could destroy each other, in spite of loving each other dearly, and being prepared to fight to protect each other.
I love the ballet and whilst I usually read in silence, I found myself heading to Spotify to set Coppélia and Swan Lake to play in the background. I thoroughly recommend this, as the beautiful music really adds to the emotion and drama of the book.
It was easy to see that Lucy Ashe has a great deal of experience with the ballet, and has poured her love for it into every word of Clara and Olivia. This book is an exquisite balance of beauty and tension, of emotion and drama, and it evoked the same feelings in me as if I had just sat through the most wonderful performance of my favourite ballet.
October 12, 2023
Clara & Olivia Marionetta ( ne’ Smith)are identical twin ballet dancers with the then-fledging Sadler Wells Ballet Company ( now The Royal Ballet) the sisters may be practically mirror images of each other but are quite different personality -wise: Clara is a free spirit who longs to break away from the confines of classical ballet , while Olivia loves the traditions of the dance form & even wears her hair in a low classical-era bun ( it also helps their instructors differentiate between her & Clara, who wears her hair in the more contemporary high bun style) Other than that, they are very close, especially since losing both parents-their beloved father from cancer when they were small & their mother to mental illness after she obsessively pushed her twin daughters into dance ( even giving them the ridiculous stage name “Marionetta” which literally means Doll or Puppet in Italian) After her husband’s death , she becomes convinced she’s a ballerina herself & develops severe anorexia. While the sisters resent her having been a “Stage Parent”, they dutifully visit her once a month at the psychiatric home she was committed to several years before.
Clara also has a boyfriend, Nathan Howland , a former piano prodigy who peaked early & now plays for the dancers as they rehearse & perform. . Nathan sees Clara as his personal “Project” & takes her to as many art’s-related events in London as his small salary will allow; hoping to be recognized as well. Meanwhile , Olivia has an admirer ; Samuel ,a talented young apprentice who makes pointe shoes for the now-famous Freed ballet shoe makers . Feeling too shy & out of her league, he decides to show his admiration for Olivia by keeping one of her repaired pointe shoes & putting into the indoor well that Sadler’s was named for along with a white rose. He also writes her a note telling her his feelings for her.However Olivia has feelings for Nathan so she’s both annoyed (awa a bit creeped out ) than charmed by his attentions..
Meanwhile Clara is getting tired of Nathan’s controlling ways & inflated ego so after she receives an offer to dance in America , she decides to call it quits with him & turns down his offer of marriage. Nathan doesn’t take it well, to say the least . That & his mother , whom he believes died when he was child & whom he worships , shows up at a performance of Coppelia ( which is about a man who thinks a beautiful doll in a toy -makers window would be the ideal wife for him instead of the one he’s married to which parallels the plot of the novel ) w/her 2nd husband & two young children . This drives the already emotionally disturbed young man him to the edge so he plans to make sure Clara never leaves him. Samuel also is involved , but not in the way first expected .
I love stories about identical twins & Ballet so this book definitely intrigued me. My only criticism is that it doesn’t seem to take place in the early 1930’s-There’s no mention of the Great Depression ( though the sisters live in a small flat & don’t have a lot of $$, most of their earnings go towards their mother’s care)
the dialogue also seems rather contemporary. That aside, besides being a solid psychological thriller ,the book gives a real education in ballet terms ( many of them brought back memories for me personally since like many girls, I took ballet for a time ) Finally,I learned about the talented individuals who started the first ballet company in Great Britain.
Clara also has a boyfriend, Nathan Howland , a former piano prodigy who peaked early & now plays for the dancers as they rehearse & perform. . Nathan sees Clara as his personal “Project” & takes her to as many art’s-related events in London as his small salary will allow; hoping to be recognized as well. Meanwhile , Olivia has an admirer ; Samuel ,a talented young apprentice who makes pointe shoes for the now-famous Freed ballet shoe makers . Feeling too shy & out of her league, he decides to show his admiration for Olivia by keeping one of her repaired pointe shoes & putting into the indoor well that Sadler’s was named for along with a white rose. He also writes her a note telling her his feelings for her.However Olivia has feelings for Nathan so she’s both annoyed (awa a bit creeped out ) than charmed by his attentions..
Meanwhile Clara is getting tired of Nathan’s controlling ways & inflated ego so after she receives an offer to dance in America , she decides to call it quits with him & turns down his offer of marriage. Nathan doesn’t take it well, to say the least . That & his mother , whom he believes died when he was child & whom he worships , shows up at a performance of Coppelia ( which is about a man who thinks a beautiful doll in a toy -makers window would be the ideal wife for him instead of the one he’s married to which parallels the plot of the novel ) w/her 2nd husband & two young children . This drives the already emotionally disturbed young man him to the edge so he plans to make sure Clara never leaves him. Samuel also is involved , but not in the way first expected .
I love stories about identical twins & Ballet so this book definitely intrigued me. My only criticism is that it doesn’t seem to take place in the early 1930’s-There’s no mention of the Great Depression ( though the sisters live in a small flat & don’t have a lot of $$, most of their earnings go towards their mother’s care)
the dialogue also seems rather contemporary. That aside, besides being a solid psychological thriller ,the book gives a real education in ballet terms ( many of them brought back memories for me personally since like many girls, I took ballet for a time ) Finally,I learned about the talented individuals who started the first ballet company in Great Britain.
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