THE TURNOUT

 

SYNOPSIS

With their long necks and matching buns and pink tights, Dara and Marie Durant have been dancers since they can remember. Growing up, they were trained by their glamorous mother, founder of the Durant School of Dance. After their parents' death in a tragic accident nearly a dozen years ago, the sisters began running the school together, along with Charlie, Dara's husband and once their mother's prized student. The three have perfected a dance that keeps the studio thriving.

But when a suspicious accident occurs, just at the onset of the school's annual performance of The Nutcracker-a season of competition, anxiety, and exhilaration-an interloper arrives and threatens their delicate balance.

Title: The Turnout

Author: Megan Abbott

Publisher: Virago

Publication date: August 3, 2021

REVIEW

RATING: ⭐⭐

Talk about huge disappointment! I had such high hopes in The Turnout. Look at that cover! It’s gorgeous! I had already read this year a book set in the ballet world but I was left wanting more and this looked just what I needed. It turned out it wasn’t.

Have you ever felt uncomfortable and dirty while reading? I can’t exactly put my finger on what it was that made me distressed while reading this, but that’s exactly how I felt from page one.

I did not connect at all with the writing style. Lots of really short scenes ending abruptly, jumping from one to another that, although made of this a quick read (even then it took me 10 days to finish it), it left me with a feeling of lots of unfinished conversations.

Every single character was weird and not in a good sense. It felt like there was no plot for most of the book, just the strange dynamics of sisters Dara and Marie between them and with Charlie, Dara’s husband and Derek, their contractor. Halfway through the story there was a turning point that promised a bit more excitement in the last third, but by then I was so fed up I found the resolution rushed and a bit out of left field.

Towards the end certain aspect of the backstory was revealed and I gotta say I found it pretty disgusting and unnecessary.

Uncomfortable, unsettling and disturbing dark read that sadly wasn’t what I was expecting. I guess I’ll have to keep looking for the ultimate ballet thriller.

Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book UK, Virago for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.