The True Memoirs of Little K

Adrienne Sharp writes a captivating portrait of pre- and post-revolutionary Russia while delving deeply into the world of the czar's Russian Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg. Narrator Rachel Botchan smoothly articulates names and ballet terms in both French and Russian as she narrates the story of real-life ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska, who looks back as a 99-year-old to her childhood and ensuing years. The character of the petite, feminine "Little K" is prettily depicted by Botchan in a light, youthful voice and is even believable in her reminiscences as a nonagenarian. Historical facts on the lush opulence of pre-revolutionary Russia and its tumultuous downfall are enhanced by Sharp's imaginings. The dancers' physical rigor and discipline are detailed as are the era's ambiance and sensibilities, forbidden and proper love, and royal conquests and heartbreak. A.W. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

July 19, 2010
Sharp impressively conjures the grand life of Mathilde Kschessinka, Russian prima ballerina and mistress of Czar Nicholas II, in her sweeping third novel (after The Sleeping Beauty). Narrated by Mathilde—"Little K" as she was affectionately known—the story follows her early life under her well-placed father's tutelage, and on through her determination, at 17, to catch Niki's eye, their affair, his breaking it off so he can marry his Alexandra, Little K's affairs with two grand dukes, Niki's return to father her son, the removal of his family from power, and her escape before the imperial family's slaughter. Sharp, a trained ballet dancer, gives the backstage escapades a lively spark and writes movingly of Russian dance. Though Mathilde is a bit narrow in terms of her icy ambition, her story is an unrelenting thrill ride and chockfull of the stuff that historical fiction buffs adore: larger than life characters, epic change, grand settings, and lusty plotting.

March 1, 2011

Sharp's White Swan, Black Swan (2001) is the basis for the 2010 Oscar-nominated film Black Swan. Here, she tells in the form of a rather gossipy fictionalized first-person memoir the story of former prima ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska (1872-1971), who at age 99 looks back on her tumultuous life in the intersecting worlds of the Russian theater and court. As mistress to Tsar Nicholas II, the determined opportunist has a front-row seat to this opulent yet fragile world. Actress/narrator Rachel Botchan initially seems almost too young for the part of Kschessinska, but she ably brings this period and the characters within it to life. One wonders, however, whether her generic American accent would have better been supplanted by a slight Russian or French one. Recommended for Philippa Gregory fans and for those liking historic fiction and all things Romanov. [The Farrar hc was recommended for "devotees of stories about the Romanovs, and those who enjoyed Sharp's previous books," LJ 9/15/10.--Ed.]--David Faucheux, Louisiana Audio Information & Reading Svc., Lafayette

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