{"product_id":"a-queer-history-of-the-ballet-historical-case-studies-and-context","title":"A Queer History of the Ballet - Historical Case Studies and Context","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of A Queer History of the Ballet the reviewer finds a focused, scholarly exploration aimed at readers who want historical depth rather than a survey. Designed for students, scholars and curious general readers, the book's single biggest reason to buy is its case-study approach that traces how queer makers and audiences shaped ballet texts, images and legends from the nineteenth into the twentieth century. The review highlights how the author examines moments such as Romantic ballets, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Diaghilev's Ballets Russes to show ballet as a site of expression and visibility for people then criminalized or censored.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical case studies:\u003c\/strong\u003e Each chapter presents a focused historical episode that illuminates how queer people influenced specific ballets and performance practices, making abstract themes concrete.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCross-century scope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coverage from the nineteenth into the twentieth century helps readers trace continuities and changes in how ballet conjured homosexuality and queer presence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttention to makers and audiences:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book treats both choreographers and audiences as agents, which clarifies how public reception and private networks shaped ballet narratives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiterary and folkloric connections:\u003c\/strong\u003e Discussion of the fairy in folklore, literature and ballet situates dance within wider cultural texts for richer context.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKey figures examined:\u003c\/strong\u003e Studies of Tchaikovsky and Diaghilev provide in-depth looks at major contributors to ballet and the emergence of queer modernity within performance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAccessible to non-specialists:\u003c\/strong\u003e Written so that general readers with an interest in dance and queer history can follow the argument without requiring prior technical knowledge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for students of dance, scholars of performance and queer history, archivists and engaged readers who appreciate well-documented historical case studies over sweeping generalizations. Instructors looking for a focused text to pair with primary sources will find it useful as a seminar companion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking an illustrated coffee-table history, a beginner's primer with broad timelines, or a how-to on dance technique should look elsewhere, because the book emphasizes cultural analysis and archival case studies rather than visual spectacle or practical instruction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eWell-researched case studies provide concrete evidence linking queer lives to the development of ballet narratives.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eClear chapters on figures like Tchaikovsky and Diaghilev offer useful focal points for classroom discussion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eContextualizing folklore and literature enriches understanding of recurring ballet images such as the fairy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eAccessible prose makes specialized topics understandable to motivated general readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNot heavily illustrated, so visual learners may miss the benefit of images to accompany textual analysis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eReaders seeking a broad chronological overview may find the case-study format narrower in scope than expected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA Queer History of the Ballet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeter Stoneley\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended audience\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStudents, scholars, general readers interested in dance and queer history\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistorical case studies from the nineteenth into the twentieth century\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubjects covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRomantic ballet, folklore and fairies, Tchaikovsky, Diaghilev and Ballets Russes, queer modernity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCultural and archival analysis of makers and audiences\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Queer History of the Ballet is a valuable, well-argued book for anyone wanting a focused, scholarly look at how queer people shaped ballet's texts and images. Its case-study structure makes it especially useful for classroom discussion and research, offering strong historical evidence and readable analysis that represent good value for students and scholars interested in the intersection of performance and queer history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book cover specific ballets?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book examines several specific ballets and moments, including discussion of the Romantic ballets and Swan Lake, to show how queer presence appears in particular texts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it suitable for undergraduates?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes; the prose is accessible and the case-study format works well for seminar readings and discussion in undergraduate courses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it include illustrations or images?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe description emphasizes textual and archival analysis rather than a heavily illustrated format, so images are not the primary focus.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peter Stoneley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48756378271963,"sku":"0415972795","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/812noqsoLhL._SL1500.jpg?v=1778243435","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/a-queer-history-of-the-ballet-historical-case-studies-and-context","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}