Enda Walshs very first; previously unpublished play; is a Cork cabaret about a ventriloquist who loses control. First staged by Corcadorca Theatre Company at Granary Theatre; Cork; 1995.
#842100 in eBooks 2014-09-18 2014-09-18File Name: B00PMIGX9M
Review
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Comprehensive but difficult to followBy sharon_beth_longAlthough this biography does not add too much new to Solways (I do not know why Solways book is not listed in this books bibliography) it is well researched and comprehensive and had a nice writing style. However for me the purpose in reading biography is to understand how a person developed. The middle of it; that is; the part about Nuureyevs working adulthood; is not linear but thematic. The author discusses events concerning topics like filming Nureyevs dancing or his dealings with a particular person that happened ten years apart in the same paragraph and sometimes even in the same sentence. Dates when Nureyev was doing certain things or when certain things happened to him need to be made much clearer. We do not need a datebook of every tour but it is hard to follow how things developed in his life and work when the narrative is not linear and dates are not always stated. I agree with the others that there was not enough analysis of various aspects of Nureyevs life and his motivations in spite of the length of the book. A biography does not have to be a complete psychological analysis but Nureyev himself was pretty self analytic in spite of the fact that (as I read elsewhere) that he never did psychoanalysis because he believed that part of his strength lied in being impulsive and not second guessing himself. As a psychiatric nurse it seems to me that he had a very narcissistic personality and had some manic depressive tendencies. I would not have been surprised if he were also on amphetamines which in these days were not considered illegal substances and this would account for his mood swings as well as excess energy. In spite of the length of the book I believe that I actually got more insight of Nureyevs personality and motivations from Rudi Van Dantzigs memoir of him.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Incredible NureyevBy Wanda GarofaloAs I already had a tattered paperback copy of this book; I purchased this one as a replacement. When I finished reading this book in 2008; I was astonished by this incredibly complicated man and the story of his (short) lifes journey; but I was not sure that I liked him. I was fascinated by him; so I proceeded to read all (except those publications not translated into English) I could about him. I have also had the pleasure of meeting severalpeople who knew him personally. While they do not dispute Ms. Kavanaghs narrative; they feel that her concentration on his questionable escapades obscures his great art; his talent; his enormous contribution to his discipline and many other positive sides to his personality. They loved him; as did many wonderful people. Apparently; he wasnt always a "bad" boy. The book is long and more of that length could have been devoted to his many triumphs.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A great read due its truly describing the risk takingBy Carol DavidsA great read due its truly describing the risk taking; persistence; and absolute devotion of a genius and his love for ballet. His mission to restore the ballet in its many forms to all ages all over the world was herculean. Kavanagh allows the reader to feel well deserved empathy toward Nureyev and also respect for his dedication and passion without "glossing over" his humanity.
