I received an advanced copy of this book from Elliott & Thompson via NetGalley.

The true story of one couple’s fight for survival in Stalin’s Russia: a famous ballerina, sent to the Gulag, Nina Anisimova, and her husband, Kostia, who found a way to save her against all odds.

I was originally intrigued by the true story aspect of the description. I did like how the author used Nina and Kostia's words from the letters that they wrote and weaved the story along from there. I know Nina was a ballerina, however, there was a great deal revolving around the theater. The story as it was written was way longer than it needed to be; parts of it were boring to read.

Interesting look into communist Russia through the eyes of a dancer. Recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this book!

A hard hitting and cold look at the terror Stalin inflicted on his people and the criminal system that trapped and ground innocent people into dust. Nina’s story is the story of an era and of a people imprisoned and terrorized in their own country by a paranoid dictator in the name of Communism.

This biography on Nina Anisimova was very interesting and well researched. Her life during this difficult time was very interesting and intriguing. I really liked this book.
I just reviewed Dancing for Stalin by Christina Ezrahi. #DancingforStalin #NetGalley
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Thank you to Christina Ezrahi and netgalley for the opportunity to review this great piece of history.
I went into this with an open mind and enjoyed it throughly.
Pros:
🔸️ through investigation and knowledge
🔸️unprecedented view of Stalin lead Russia
🔸️ unprecedented view of russia "work camp"
🔸️a 'real' love story
🔸️great use of description of what was actually leading to Russian internment
🔸️amazing use of historical documents

Cons:
🔻 very fact driven, minimal story
🔻 slow read: at times read more like a high school history book than a novel
🔻I would sometimes find myself overwhelmed with dates and additional facts that would not actually pertain to the story at all.
🔻 Limited "views" everything is third person. Sometimes this would prevent me from an attachment or feeling the true impact.

The history buff in me loved it, the bibliophile not so much. Anybody with a strong interest in soviet russia during this period, a love of Anna "Nina" Anisimova, or even the history of soviet dancing.
Happy to have enjoyed this beautiful piece of history.