The Making of Markova Paperback – July 15, 2014

This is a very thick tome and I am only up to the Thirties in it. Having read numerous books on the Ballets Russes and the birth of British ballet, I think Markova's documents provide a priceless view of the day-to-day life of dancers and their companies. Sutton manages to capture the heady atmosphere very well. Markova had first to survive her childhood and then the death of Diaghilev. The odds were so heavily against her, even with all her good fortune and ability, that both are nothing short of miraculous. One feels again the overwhelming need for luck and timing in the lives of artists.

This book gives a comprehensive view of Markova's life, from her childhood days in London, through the turbulent years of World War II, and into her golden years. She sacrificed her health and her personal life for her art, and was a guiding force for the growth of ballet in England. I would highly recommend this book to those who love reading about the lives of the great dancers of the twentieth century and the days of Diagalev and the Ballet Russe.- Mary-Ann Trippet'

This is a book about Alicia Marks-aka Alicia Markova, the English dancer. She overcomes a language impediment, knocked knees, flat feet, and having grown up Jewish. It is a long book. The pictures are black and white. I got this book wanting to know more about Natalia Markova, the Russian dancer.

A beautifully written, fascinating historical biography of British ballerina Markova. Couldn't put it down...learned so much about pre and post war ballet history...lots of information/description of the various ballet companys and those who danced, directed and managed them. A truly great read for ballet afficiondos!

Beautiful book, everything you ever wanted to know about the subject, who was one of my childhood idols. Lots of great photographs.

An interesting biography of a ballerina often portrayed as gifted but aloof. The author shows a much more rounded and interesting figure in a book that is thick, but pleasant to read. Lots of wonderful detail about the ballet world from Diaghilev through the sixties.

This is a tedious read if still the definitive work on Markova. Frankly I could do with out all the embedded quotes from contemporary articles. The author has synthesized this information anyway. It is just too long and dull, and sadly, Markova herself seems that way. She is too perfect to be real or interesting. I am only 250 pages into the book and will add to my review if my opinion changes, assuming I can finish the book. I have read dozens of ballet biographies and this one does not maintain my attention.

I am a passionate dance fan and read most dance biographies; however, I am finding this to be dull (how can anything about the art of dance be dull?). I'm having trouble slogging through it when I would rather be bouree-ing through it.