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A Novel
by Juhea KimCity of Night Birds opens in the present day with a flight to St. Petersburg—a homecoming for world-famous ballerina Natalia (also called Natasha) Leonova. Ever since an accident stalled her career two years previously, the once preternaturally talented and ambitious Natalia now spends her time numbing her pain with pills and alcohol, imagining that her days of dancing are behind her. When she lands in her old hometown, however, she receives an invitation to return to the stage as Giselle, her signature role—an offer so tempting that she accepts despite the fact that it comes from Dmitri, a peer she has cause to be wary of.
As Natalia slowly reenters the cutthroat world of Russian ballet, the narrative stretches back to her childhood and complicated upbringing. Abandoned by her father as a baby and raised by an emotionally distant mother, young Natalia develops her thirst for ballet organically from dancing in her living room in their small one-bedroom apartment. After begging her mom to allow her to audition for a spot at Vaganova, a prestigious classical ballet school, Natalia is not only accepted, but soon finds herself at the top of her class, competing against peers who have been immersed in the world of ballet since birth.
As we follow Natalia through her schooling and her professional career, we meet the people who have, along with her art, shaped Natalia's character. There's Seryozha, Natalia's neighbor and first friend, a handsome and talented boy who Natalia fears is ashamed of their impoverished upbringing. There's the kind-hearted Nina, Natalia's closest friend, whom she has spent years avoiding after a falling-out. And there are the two men that most capture Natalia's heart and ultimately break her spirit: golden boy Sasha and cold, cruel Dmitri.
With a novel that feels raw and intimate and lived in, Juhea Kim captures the ruthless world of Russian ballet, where dancers are governed by artistry and precision. As Natalia continues to excel professionally, first at the renowned Mariinsky Ballet company and then the equally celebrated Bolshoi, the sacrifices she makes to maintain her position at the top begin to accumulate, but she never allows herself to be anything but the very best. Inhabiting the psyche of someone so disciplined and driven to perfection is a fascinating exercise, one that Juhea Kim explores expertly throughout the novel, taking the reader on a whirlwind journey through the competitive dance scene.
City of Night Birds is at its best when its focus is on Natalia's craft and how her dedication affects both herself and those around her. Natalia reflects often on what's required of her to remain the best in her field: "In ballet, the boundary between you and the character blurs until you're not even sure what's real and what's pretend. Indeed, art of any kind isn't possible without its creator believing that it's truer than reality. That's the difference between art and something merely beautiful." Examining the fragile balance between art and life is perhaps this novel's greatest strength. It's weaker when it chronicles Natalia's relationship with the men in her life—her relationship with Sasha, in particular, is rather one-note, and it's unfortunate that it comprises such a large portion of the book. Still, City of Night Birds is a worthwhile exploration of artistry, discipline, selfhood, and a determination to defy one's physical limitations.
This review
first ran in the January 15, 2025
issue of BookBrowse Recommends.
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