Review posted to Goodreads 4/29. Will post on Amazon on 4/30

I really enjoyed this book, especially as someone with a dance background. Nonfiction isn’t a genre I usually read, but I appreciated this book. It addressed a lot of topics. I loved getting multiple viewpoints of different individuals about the history of black ballerinas. Even if you don’t understand ballet, I would still recommend this book as you can still learn a lot from this story.

There is a pervasive narrative that Misty Copeland is the first Black ballerina but there were many that came before her. This book shares the history and legacy of the first Black prima ballerinas with the Dance Theater of Harlem and explores the ways that being actively forgotten or left out of the history books impacts your mental health and sense of self. The interviews with these women and their families were so vulnerable and beautiful and I am so grateful for their openness. This is a must read!

Very informative. Never really thought about the trials and tribulations of black dancers and performers during Jim Crow and civil rights.

The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby

The Swans of Harlem is about five Black ballet dancers who come together after decades to share their stories of breaking the racial
barriers in the world of classical dance. They were all young girls in the 1950s with dreams, which actually materialized through hard work, determination and the vision of Arthur Mitchell.

Mitchell was a tough task master who could send the dancers off in tears, but got results. His belief in his dancers took many a novice ballerina and turned her into a swan. While the book is rich in details about the girls’ lives, it also explains how Mitchell, with practically no money, turned his Dance Theatre of Harlem into a group which traveled around the U.S. and to Europe to showcase their talent.

The growth of confidence in the these Black dancers was far- reaching. It extended to their children as well as future ballerinas, showing young Blacks how to be proud and go beyond limitations set to them by society. This four star book book is a very worthwhile read for anyone interested in the history of ballet in NYC and how a handful of people can change society in one generation.

The Swans of Harlem was a story that should have been told long ago. This book tells the story of five Black women who were actually the first ballerinas long before Misty Copeland. The women were part of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, led by Arthur Mitchell. Swans tells of not only the ballerinas, but also historical events. The ballerinas went through so much to do what they loved doing. I loved that they were able to fulfill their dreams and become a part of history, and a history that should never be forgotten.. I would love to see a children’s book written so that young Black children could learn about their history.
While reading, I had a hard time following along with the fast changes of person and topic. Often I wasn’t sure who the author was referring to.
I still found the book to be very interesting.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishing company of Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage and Anchor for the opportunity to read and review this important part of history. This review is my personal opinion.

The Swans of Harlem was a wonderful read and so refreshing to learn about something new, especially celebrating Black Excellence. Although non-fiction typically takes me a little longer to get through, I still ended up quickly making my way to the end. I throughly enjoyed each section told from the perspective of each of the five “Swans of Harlem,” especially the italicized chapters which were in the ballerinas’ own words. The pure emotion in their words almost brought me to tears. I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to expand their own knowledge of black history.

This was a very interesting read! I loved hearing the story from the different points of view of the dancers from Dance Theater of Harlem who are still alive! I appreciate the people who write books like this to keep these stories alive.
Arthur Mitchell was quite the character! His vision for the DTH was inspiring, but some of the stories of how he treated his dancers were hard to hear, but the way the dancers formed bonds was lovely. The stories of young Black dancers who were so excited to see dancers who look like them on covers of magazines and being principal dancers on stage really shows how important representation is. And here were are where people still lose their damn minds over Black mermaids
I am glad that I got a window into this piece of history!

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book for review purposes.

"The Swans of Harlem delves into the captivating history of the Dance Theater of Harlem, highlighting the remarkable journey of Black ballerinas whose talent and resilience shaped the world of dance. Centered around five exceptionally successful ballerinas, this narrative unveils a previously untold chapter of cultural significance. Initially expecting a work of Historical Fiction, I was surprised to discover it as a non-fiction account.

While the narrative brims with intrigue, I encountered difficulty in navigating its structure. The frequent shifts between timelines, seamlessly intertwining a ballerina's childhood, her journey into the theater, and reflections on her career, proved challenging to follow. Furthermore, the multitude of characters introduced throughout the book added complexity, requiring diligent effort to keep track of each individual.

Despite these challenges, immersing myself in the world of The Swans of Harlem was undeniably rewarding. Though a tough read at times, the profound insights and historical significance embedded within its pages made it an enjoyable and enlightening experience."

It seems so strange to even give this book a rating because of how much this book meant to me. I am am a big fan of history, it was my favorite subject in school and I am a ballerina too so I thought that I would enjoy this book and I was right. I think that preserving stories throughout history is very important especially POC voices. This book was very informative and as someone who has had an eating disorder in the past, whenever someone mentioned to be skinny or to stay in shape that really hit me. So overall, a fantastic and very informative book that I very much enjoyed.

Arthur Mitchell became the first African American dancer with the New York City Ballet in 1955. In 1969, at the height of the civil rights movement, and largely a response to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., he opened the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). This book is based on the author’s interviews with five of the founding ballerinas of DTH. This is an important read. I’ll say it again for the kids in the back, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT READ. During Black History Month, yes, but always. There are too making striking accounts to retell here but the one that sticks with me is a white child going to a winter production ballet and upon seeing a black ballerina remarks about the “dirty snowflake.” This is an important read. But to be completely transparent, this book took me a while to get through. I can’t tell for sure whether it’s the writing, or me. Because it feels conversational, maybe it would be better digested as an audiobook? The content is engaging and interesting but maybe it should have been shorter? It seemed so disorganized in parts. I also did not enjoy how hard the author is on Misty Copeland at the beginning. Sure, she’s not technically the “first black ballerina” but she is the first African American woman to make principal dancer in the 75 year history of the American Ballet Theatre. That shouldn’t be taken away from her. Solid 5 starts for the story, but the actual production of the novel, 3.5 stars.

I received an advance reading copy (arc) of this book from NetGalley.com and the publisher in return for a fair review. Author Kaen Valby covers the creation of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and five of its black ballerinas: Lydia Abarca, Sheila Rohan, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Karlya Shelton-Benjamin, and Marcia Sells. Set in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement and long before Misty Copeland appeared in toe shoes, these five women struggled to be recognized as professional ballerinas in a dance world that was primarily white. While their stories were fascinating, it was hard to keep track of all of the players. The story jumped around from one to the next and was sometimes hard to follow. Arbaca seemed to be the star of the troop, while Arthur Mitchell (the founder of Dance Theatre of Harlem) appeared to be the bully who taught and berated them. I grew very curious about Mitchell--wondering why he acted the way he did. A little more background on him would have been interesting. The book was informative, I just wish it hadn't been so scattered. Picking one dancer and following through with her career while the rest intertwined, may have been a little better approach. Either way, these women deserve to be recognized for their outstanding talent and contribution to the art of ballet. They serve as inspiration for the rest of us--no matter who we are.

Brilliant non-fiction story of five Black ballerinas from Harlem in the 1950s and 1960s. I've heard of Misty Copeland as the pioneering Black ballerina, but the women in this book were the true pioneers of the ballet dance world. Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells were the ballerinas that broke barriers with the Harlem Dance Theater. I was immersed in their stories of how they got started and embraced their careers and life events in an environment that wasn't always welcoming. They emerged from their dance company to share ballet all over the world and allowed other little girls of color to see the all important representation in a traditionally white art form. The sacrifices these women made so that they could pursue their passion of ballet was inspiring, and heartbreaking.
You have to read this book to find out how they overcame racism, sexism, and colorism just to dance and to learn about the dance companies, celebrities, and heads of state that they danced for. I highly recommend this book for all fans of dance, justice, and people who follow their dreams.

#TheSwansofHarlem #NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

An important story to share about very remarkable women. I very much enjoyed learning of the "Swans of Harlem".

Before Misty Copeland, there were other Black ballerinas. This book tells their story. It was a bit hard to keep the different people straight while reading. I also don't have a background or interest in ballet so I am probably not the intended audience for the book. I read an ARC and there were no photos - not sure if they will be in the final book but I would have enjoyed photos while reading. Anyone with an interest in ballet and the history of dance should enjoy this book.

Title: The Swans of Harlem
Author: Karen Valby
Publisher: Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Pantheon
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"The Swans of Harlem" by Karen Valby

My Thoughts:

This was my first read about these five black ballerinas, 'The Swans of Harlem.' I found the story very interesting, especially about their lives, the founding dancers of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, and their work with Arthur Mitchell. These women and even men danced on the stages of the United States and Europe, and we learned some of their culture and history through their contributions to the art. These ballerinas were fascinating dancers, although they were not accepted during the Civil Rights Movement. This story was a beautiful and essential part of our Black History Arts.

'The Swans of Harlem' was a fascinating story, and I am so glad I could read it. And oh my, that ending was superb. A must-read, that is all that is left to say about this novel.


Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes you have to write your own history.

Let me ask you a question….what is the name of the groundbreaking female ballet dancer who made history by becoming the first African-American prima ballerina, and when did she achieve this accomplishment? If you are like most people, and I would have included myself in that group until this book entered my consciousness, you would say Misty Copeland, who was indeed the first African-American woman to be named principal dancer in the American Ballet Theatre. It happened fairly recently, in 2015, and it was Very Big News (as indeed it should have been). What was never mentioned in the breathless coverage of Ms Copeland’s achievement was the fact that the ABT is not the only world-reknowned ballet company in the US, and that there were in fact many other African American ballet dancers whose successes preceded her. The Swans of Harlem tells the story of one of these other ballet companies and the people who created it. Founded in 1968 by Arthur Mitchell, an accomplished dancer himself who trained with George Balanchine and danced with the New York City Ballet Company, the Dance Company of Harlem was a place designed to show the world that classical dance was for all. Lydia Abarca emerged as the unofficial principal ballerina in the DCH’s early years, turning away form her acceptance at Fordham University to pursue her dream of stardom. Others, including Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells and Karla Shelton-Benjamin, were every bit as integral to the fame the company would achieve, as were the male danseurs who supported them (literally and figuratively). How is it that this troupe of accomplished artists who travelled the world performing for people including presidents and members of royalty, who rubbed shoulders with celebrities from all walks of life, could have been so completely forgotten fifty years later?
The Swans of Harlem is a fascinating look at the lives of these five ballerinas, who came from very different backgrounds but who shared the dream of performing ballet at the highest level of accomplishment in a world that told them that they couldn’t. The color of their skin and (in many cases) the shape of their bodies just did not conform with the accepted image of a ballerina, everyone said….but they studied and practiced and dreamed anyway. In addition to the challenges that face any dancer, these women and others like them also had to confront other barriers, many of them racial in nature. Their company’s financial survival depended a great deal on the largesse of wealthy donors, whose commitment was never guaranteed. Mitchell was a highly driven and harsh taskmaster, whose own prejudices for slimmer and lighter skinned women of color was also very much in play. He could, and often was, verbally nasty and his moods were mercurial. As the company’s resources rose and fall, some of the dancers eventually looked to pursue their futures (some in dance, some not) elsewhere. Families, relationships, and the dancers’ own personal demons had an affect on each of them, and many experienced difficult times. But they were, and are, strong women who “knew their own value, no longer fighting for the attention and respect of their teachers or critics”. Their stories are becoming known, and it is due in no small part to their own determination to set the record straight. I loved learning about each woman, what inspired them, what they overcame, and what they accomplished. Readers of books like Sally H. Jacobs’ “Althea” and Margot Lee Shetterley’s “Hidden Figures” as well as biographies of dancers like Misty Copeland’s “Life In Motion” will find this an appealing tale. Many thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon Books for allowing me early access to this thoroughly readable and enlightening tale of the dedication and bonds of this amazing group of women.

A delightful peek into a history that has been forgotten and overlooked for too long.

In the late 1960s during the height of the Civil Rights movement, the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) had a troupe of Black ballet dancers, including prima ballerina Lydia Abarca. She was on the cover of Dance magazine and Essence, in The Wiz and a Bob Fosse production on Broadway. She and her close friends and fellow founding DTH members performed iconic ballet works in front of famous audiences, including the Queen of England, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder. But now their history is almost entirely ignored or forgotten, so founders Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith and Sheila Rohan and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells have teamed together to share their story with the world. The Swans of Harlem are sharing a bit of the world of Black ballet with us all.

This book hit a major emotional punch. Each of these ballerinas has seen amazing highs and also incredible lows during their lifetimes. We watch them go from young teenagers (for the most part) joining a fledgling ballet company through their lives after ballet and into the modern times where they've formed the Legacy Society to preserve the history of DTH. As they worked to become the best at their craft, there were also intersectional challenges with the racism and the AIDS crisis and family difficulties. Their stories are simultaneously relatable and awe-inspiring.

Honestly, my biggest complaint with this book is that I just wanted more. It's impossible to give an entire history of ballet in the United States, even just focused on Black ballet, in a single book, but I can't help but want that after reading the stories of the Swans of Harlem. In this respect, I suppose they have fully achieved their goals, since I now have a desire to go out and explore more on my own.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Everyone should read it and understand another piece of history. Be prepared for an emotional read, but it will still fly by as you feel like you're sitting in a room with these women hearing their story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pantheon for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Five strong women- strong physically and psychologically- breaking barriers in dance. This is a must read for fans of the ballet. These women and Arthur Ailey forged a path for those like Misty Copeland and others but they never received the individual attention they deserved. This is well researched and written in an accessible, entertaining way. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Wonderful,

I loved this book! THE SWANS OF HARLEM recounts the experiences of five Black women who navigated the world of Ballet during an era when Black women were not welcomed in the dance realm. It's a wonderful read for all dance enthusiasts and for those who enjoy a historical read that fully embraces history that is rarely, if ever told. Kudos to the author and much appreciation to the publisher and to NetGalley for the advanced read.

The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas Fifty Years of Sisterhood and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History opened my eyes to a story I never knew in this world of dance.

This novel focuses on five women who came up through Arthur Mitchell’s Dance Theater of Harlem during the height of the Civil Rights movement: Lydia Abarca-Mitchell, who was the first Black prima ballerina at this studio, fellow Founding members Gayle McKinney-Griffin and Shelia Rohan, and First Generation members Karyla Shelton and Marcia Sells. It details the formation of Dance Theater of Harlem and their legacies, which has been mostly underwritten and lost to history. It details their struggles in this industry and their triumphs.

I really adored hearing these women’s stories. They had ups and downs, but their legacy was important! Arthur Mitchell was blunt and tough in the way he handled the men and women in his company, but it was because he wanted greatness from them. The woman detail this in their stories and there are conversations about colorism in their company and the fight to get the roles they knew they could perform. I also enjoyed the stories of taking younger incoming dancers under their wing and showing them the ropes.

This book also shares a lot about the formation of Dance Theater of Harlem and the inner workings of shaping perceptions of the company both within the dance industry and with the general audiences. Beyond creating a dance company, Mitchell helped people in all aspects of the production at the studio from music to costume creation. The book talks about their financial struggles, as time went on how those who wanted to help Black organizations during the Civil Rights era withdrew their support when they no longer thought the causes needed their help.

I do wish the story had had a bit more of the women’s stories as opposed to the history. I got a bit bogged down in some of the history at times.

Overall, I really liked this story and am happy this book is getting out there to further cement these women’s legacies.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pantheon books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.