Beautifully written book by Karen valby, the swans of Harlem had me at the title.

I used to teach dance and ballet so I knew I needed to read this book and also love history. I was not mistaken with choosing this book, i loved it.

It's about 5 black ballerinas Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton-Benjamin and the struggles they went through to do what they loved dancing. These women were forgotten and so glad their stories are being told.

These remarkable women helped in starting the Dance Theatre of Harlem in the 1960s and 70s.

It's a story of love, resilience, ballet, civil rights, strength, friendship and determination. These women helped in opening the path for other women of color to dance and be successful.

This is a must read for any dance, ballet lover, civil rights and strong women

Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this book.

The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History by Karen Valby is a 2024 Pantheon publication.

Full disclosure: I know next to nothing about ballet. The reason I picked this book is because of the history, which seemed to be forgotten, or ignored, and was finally coming to light, giving the ladies some long overdue recognition.

On that level the book delivers, even if one doesn’t really understand the world of ballet. The women featured in this book were all members of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney- Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karla Shelton. It was Arthur Mitchell who brought the Dance Theatre of Harlem to fruition, which then led to the sisterhood of the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy.

The history is fascinating- but it was also heartbreaking too. The world of ballet is a complicated and secretive one in many ways. Getting a peek into that culture is a rare treat and I found it to be an eye-opening experience. I was not always able to understand the mindset and Mitchell just seemed like a monster to me. It was not always easy reading, for me at least, and I struggled to keep reading it at times. But, overall the book is organized, very personal, giving these women room to tell their stories and bringing their pioneering genius into the spotlight. I’m glad they finally got the credit they deserved.

4 stars

The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby is a novel of resilience and the pursuit of dreams set against the backdrop and rich cultural history of Harlem. The story follows Nina, a young gifted dancer, who defies racial and societal expectations with her goal of joining a prestigious ballet company. The characters and the plot are both captivating and multi-dimensional. Crowley clearly portrays the challenges faced by black artists trying in succeed in a predominantly white art form. The book is moving and inspiring. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Swans of Harlem is a marvelous story about five Black ballerinas. It tells the story of the first Black ensemble and how the women formed a sisterhood there. Their story is important because these groundbreakers and trailblazers are not as well known, and their history has been erased to an extent.

The best part about reading is learning stories and history you didn’t know before. That’s exactly what this novel did and I’m so happy to see it getting national acclaim. Was initially drawn to the cover, but the story itself is incredible and so well written.

The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby is such an important work of nonfiction, as it introduces readers to the women who set the stage as the leaders of the Black ballerina movement in Harlem. I've learned a good bit about this time period, and this was new information to me.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

It was so interesting to learn about these pioneers of Black ballet! I had never heard of these women prior to reading this book, but I am now going to do more research about their lives, and maybe make a trip to Dance Theater of Harlem in the future!

Karen Valby's The Swans of Harlem is a mesmerizing and poignant exploration of art, identity, and the indelible bonds of friendship. With lyrical prose and a keen eye for detail, Valby crafts a narrative that is as graceful and layered as its title suggests.

Final Review

"I bind love to me. I bind joy to me. I bind up negative thoughts and loose the piece of God in my life." (0:28:34)

The Swans of Harlem is the sort of story that seems dreamlike and surreal even though it is a realistic depiction of the lives of real people. The professional dancing world explored in this book is breathtakingly fraught with the threat of injury. Reading about this subject makes me wonder and ask question– how does someone survive such a world? Could such abuse be gotten away with today? What makes someone stay in such an environment?

It's an interesting and moving read. I recommend it to people who are interested in behind the scenes of the performing arts, fans of tell-alls, and history readers.

"No matter what, we have the right to eat!" (6:15:29)

Reading Notes

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. She was still young enough that even if she hadn't seen it, she could still be it. What a wild thing to think about, aging out of opportunities that were unavailable to you in the years of your youth.

2. There is a lot of detail in this book about the abuse that is rampant in the ballet industry. Trigger warning for sexual harassment, ED, verbal and physical abuse.

3. I love that this book's sections are written in first person from the perspective of the different ballerinas. This form offers so much perspective!

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. The author at one point compares a dancer to a prize stallion. I think this and similar issues are actually a matter of style, though. Numerous overly direct metaphors. And it's just not for me.

2. They wanted the dancers bigger, stronger, thinner, perfect. I feel like this quotation perfectly encapsulates the unobtainable standards directors demand from ballet dancers. Being bigger and stronger requires muscle building, which is the opposite of 'thinner.' Therefore 'perfect' actually meant to this industry that dancers must obtain the unobtainable.

3. She would have loved to teach at the school. ...He didn't want her near the school. It would have been an embarrassment for him. He didn't want the wheelchair. (3:22:14)

Rating: 🩰🩰🩰🩰 /5 toe shoes
Recommend? yes
Finished: Dec 7 '24
Format: Audiobook, Libby
Read this book if you like:
💃 dancing
🕰 history (nonfiction)
💇🏾‍♀️ women's coming of age
🎧 good audiobooks

Thank you to the author Karen Valby, publishers Pantheon, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of THE SWANS OF HARLEM. I found an accessible copy (audiobook) on Libby. Read by multiple narrators. All views are mine.
---------------
Pre-Read Note:

This is another arc that got away. I requested this book from NetGalley because I used to be a ballerina. It's one of the hardest things I've ever done. I love stories about ballerinas and stories about perseverance, so I knew this book was for me.

I received an ARC of The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby through NetGalley. This was my first time reading this author, and I found the book to be a captivating and enlightening read that brought to light an important piece of history. SThe Swans of Harlem tells the forgotten story of five pioneering Black ballerinas—Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton-Benjamin—who were instrumental in the founding and success of the Dance Theatre of Harlem in the 1960s and 70s. These women broke racial barriers in the world of ballet, performing for royalty and celebrities, and gracing the covers of major magazines. Despite their groundbreaking achievements, their contributions were largely erased from history until now. The book is structured around the personal and professional journeys of these five ballerinas. It begins with their early years, detailing their struggles and triumphs as they trained under the demanding yet visionary Arthur Mitchell, the first Black principal dancer of George Balanchine’s City Ballet. The narrative follows their rise to prominence, highlighting their performances in iconic ballets and their impact on the dance world. The story also delves into the challenges they faced, including colorism, sexism, and the pressures of maintaining their positions in a predominantly white industry. As the ballerinas' careers progress, the book explores their enduring sisterhood and the formation of the 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy Council, which aims to preserve and celebrate their legacy. The narrative is rich with vivid details and personal anecdotes, bringing to life the glamour and grit of their professional ballet careers. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in The Swans of Harlem. Valby’s writing is both engaging and informative, providing a well-rounded portrayal of each ballerina’s unique personality and journey. The book’s exploration of their sisterhood and the impact of their work on future generations of dancers is particularly moving. While some parts of the narrative felt a bit repetitive, the overall execution and depth of research made this book a compelling read.
Valby’s ability to weave together historical context with personal stories creates a powerful narrative that sheds light on the often-overlooked contributions of Black ballerinas to the world of dance. I highly recommend The Swans of Harlem to anyone interested in ballet, Black history, or stories of resilience and triumph. I look forward to reading more from Karen Valby in the future. #netgalley #theswansofharlem

A special thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for this advance copy of The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby. I really enjoy a strong non-fiction work, and I was pleased to read about this group of African-American ballerinas - it was great for those lovers of historical fiction as well. Thank you again to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review. I would definitely read another work from this author.

Loved learning more about black womens roll in ballet. This was such a treat and also eye opening too. Should be required reading for all dancers to fully understand the contribution black women have give to the art.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor/Knopf for the digital arc.
Love this book for it's depiction of the men and women who decided their exclusion from the world of classical ballet needed to end. Chronicles the personal struggles of the Dance Theater of Harlem's founding ballerinas Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells. The founder, Arthur Michell, demanded a rigorous training schedule along with exacting rules of behavior. All this was accomplished against a backdrop of discrimination and constant financial uncertainty. This is a multifaceted book--cultural history, memoir, civil rights, social history. I highly recommend!! It is a book to savor.
#TheSwansofHarlem #NetGalley

This was so beautiful! The sisterhood between the Swans radiated within the pages, and as a former dancer myself it resonated with me, as well as the display of harsh power dynamics from their instructor. It was such an engaging read about an aspect of dance history that is seldom discussed. I’m glad their stories were finally told 🥺

5/5 stars…Superb work! I remember the talk about The Swans of Harlem when Misty Copeland became famous and she did a performance I believe with them or in tribute for them! And I watched the performance! It was the most beautiful performance on screen because all I saw was black people being honored for their work, love, literal blood, sweat and tears poured into this intoxicating ballerina world! This is a part of our history! It changed the trajectory of a lot of young black girls and boys of seeing themselves knowing there’s a place for them! The Swans of Harlem was made by us for us and that’s also the message we need to project to our community! If you want a place create the space for you and our people will follow!

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Karen Valby's "The Swans of Harlem: Five Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History," with a publication date of April 30, 2024. Please forgive my delay in reading and reviewing this novel. "The Swans of Harlem" is the first novel I have read by Ms. Valby.


"The Swans of Harlem" is not just a story but a significant historical correction. It is the story of the five (5) founding African-American members - Lydia Abarca, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sills, Gayle McKinney-Griffin, and Karlya Shelton-Benjamin - who were ballerinas in the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). These five (5) ballerinas, the original pioneering black ballerinas, were erased from history. I had never heard of these phenomenal ladies and thought Misty Copeland was the first black ballerina to dance with a prestigious troupe. I'm glad Ms. Valby, through her book, has corrected this historical error.

The five ballerinas performed worldwide under the tutelage of danseur Arthur Michell, the brilliant yet demanding founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem. They worked tirelessly, experienced discrimination, supported one another, and shed blood, sweat, and tears during their intensive training; they had to be the best!

I am so thankful to Ms. Valby that I had a chance to read and learn about these illustrious pioneers. "The Swans of Harlem" reminds us that we should never forget those who paved the way. History may erase your existence, but erasures become startling revelations in the future.

4.5/5 stars

I love how you are immersed in this world. The author gives you the characters and the life experiences in such a way that you feel them. I love the knowledge that is provide with this book. A beautiful well written for the ages story. We need more like it

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Team for this Advanced Digital Readers Copy, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I loved this. Huge fan of ballet and history, and this combined the two. We need more books that delve into lesser-known aspects of the arts!

A history of 5 Black ballerinas and the history of the Dance Theater of Harlem. This was so informative and well written. Sometimes histories are just one event after another. This included personal stories of these women throughout their lives.