Raising the Barre

Big Dreams, False Starts, and My Midlife Quest to Dance the Nutcracker

By: Lauren Kessler

Narrated by: Hollis McCarthy

When Lauren Kessler was 12, her ballet instructor crushed not just her dreams of being a ballerina but also her youthful self-assurance. Now, many decades and three children later, Kessler embarks on a journey to join a professional company to perform in The Nutcracker.

Raising the Barre is more than just one woman's story; it is a story about shaking things up, taking risks, and ignoring good sense and forgetting how old you are and how you're "supposed" to act. It's about testing limits and raising the bar(re) on your own life.

©2015 Lauren Kessler (P)2015 Tantor

Become a ballerina through the author

I enjoyed this immersive journey of dance, having restarted dance in adulthood myself. The story was comprehensive, informative, and full of new insights to the world of ballet. My only qualm is that the author interrupts herself a lot, which can be distracting. Overall, a good read though.

I love it!!

This is really amazing. I love anything ballet! Its so much fun! I love this book!:)

Great read for adults that dance!

Very heartwarming! Inspired my own adult ballet journey and Nutcracker dreams that became reality! If you are and adult that loves ballet and wants to find the courage to dance, this will give you wings!

Less navel gazing, more plot

Almost a textbook example of why “show don’t tell” is a mantra. On chapter five and she still hasn’t entered a studio—just endless self-indulgent drivel about being middle aged. I hope it gets better.

very inspirational

It was so inspirational and full of tidbits of ballet history. just a joy to hear.

A Delightful Read!

This book is delightful, from the writing to the narration, the subject to the story. It is insightful without being preachy. The author writes with a human voice, a humble voice, and succeeds in achieving something really extraordinary and bringing the reader along.
The one criticism I have is that there are several bits of indiscriminate language that could easily have been left out.
All things considered, I highly recommend this book.

Charming and educational

I know little about ballet and have never taken classes. Perhaps because of this I found the peek into the inner world of ballet fascinating. I admired Ms. Kessler for sharing her self-doubts (and how she overcame many of them). The narrator sounded perfect for the part of an educated, worldly midlife woman stretching out of her comfort zone. I double-checked before buying another of Ms. Kessler's books to be sure it was Hollis McCarthy narrating.

Smug

I stopped listening to this book because the tone of the reader was so smug. I was hoping for a book that expressed the author's profound love of the art of dance and that her motive to pursue dance in midlife was artistry, not simply the drive to attain a goal. I didn't want to hear about the science of fear, etc.. I wanted to hear about the love of an art form.

good. interesting. enteraining

I liked the story overall! As a 37 year old ballerina (who's danced all my life and through adulthood - even postpartum), I had to chuckle at soooo much because it's all true! I can definitely relate! However, the author's narration is quite annoying - too many pauses and intonations randomly. BUT if you listen at 1.25 speed it isn't noticeable and the story flows so much better! I do admire the author for her tenacity and drive! Overall it was an enjoyable listen!

Meh... and I'm a 40 year old learning ballet!

Well, you don't really "dance the nutcracker" you "dance IN the nutcracker." My mom and step dad have done it with Pacific Northwest Ballet with NO dance training (in their 50s) so the tittle is a little annoying.

Secondly, there wasn't much she had to overcome (which would have made the plot more interesting) except learning the steps and how to put on makeup (false eyelashes with a handheld mirror).

I DID enjoy hearing about the company and how they went about their classes as well as there inside story of the nutcracker (that was fascinating). I listened to it while washing my dishes and got through the rest.

In other words, it's bearable but just OK.