Adrienne Sharp Libri

Exiled in Paris, Mathilde Kschessinska, a delicate and aging former prima ballerina, reflects on her extraordinary life through her memoirs. Her narrative unveils a rich tapestry of personal and historical events, revealing her connections to the Russian royal family and the tumultuous changes of the early 20th century. As she recounts her experiences in the world of ballet and her relationships, the memoir captures the essence of a bygone era and the resilience of a woman navigating the complexities of fame, love, and loss.

“Adrienne Sharp writes with breathtaking perception about the needs and desires of the body, its resilience and its vulnerabilities. Art, passion, history intersect with burning immediacy in this beautifully crafted book.”–CHITRA BANERJEE DIVAKARUNIAuthor of The Mistress of SpicesThe world’s most famous choreographer becomes infatuated with a talented young dancer who proves both siren and muse . . . A rising star plunges into an affair with a principal but finds that the ecstasy on the stage cannot be matched in the bedroom . . . A dying legend reflects on the fading beauty of a life in motion, lost to everything but memory. In this beguiling collection, Adrienne Sharp captures the essence and passion of ballet and its fleeting world and translates them into unforgettable stories. White Swan, Black Swan heralds the arrival of a unerringly graceful new voice in American fiction.

Set against the backdrop of golden age Hollywood and early Las Vegas, the narrative follows Esme, the spirited daughter of a Mafia associate and a showgirl. Her journey unfolds through the vibrant worlds of racetracks, casinos, and the glitzy lives of mobsters and starlets. As she navigates family dynamics and personal ambitions, Esme strives to become the first burlesque artist on the Las Vegas Strip, weaving a tale of love, deception, and self-discovery.

Desde el París de los años setenta, a donde se vio forzada a emigrar tras la Revolución Rusa, Mathilde Kschessinska, prima ballerina de los Teatros Imperiales rusos, evoca su vida.