Margot Costanzo

Advantages: Everything you could want to know about Fonteyn and then some
Disadvantages: Can be a bit harsh regarding other dancers

...The most important thing about this book is that you do not have to be the biggest Ballet fan to enjoy it. As a child I always enjoyed watching and reading about Ballet. And all because of Margot. Actually, all because of a statue of Margot! The Ballerina was born in the same town as me and we have a bronze tribute of the great Dame as the Water nymph Ondine. When I was small I didn't know who she was but every time we walked past it I made my mum stop because she was so beautiful. So despite not knowing much about ballet in real life terms, I just had to buy this. Immensely well documented and endlessly fascinating, Meredith Daneman's mammoth 672 page tome on the life of Britain's first Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Dame Margot Fonteyn, took 13 years to put together. During that time Daneman earnt the trust and co-operation on Fonteyn... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: engaging characters, great writing
Disadvantages: none

...Yvette and Teddy are married during the war. Their children, Margot and Clarissa are born soon after, two years apart. Teddy remains absent for a good part of their early lives, fighting in Korea. Yvette, alone on a beach with two young children, is approached by a photographer who offers to take their photo. "A man with such a beautiful wife will want a remembrance of her". Yvette, slightly tipsy from a cocktail, accepts the compliment, but when the photographer returns to the house with the photographs a few days later, he kisses her so hard that his teeth cut her lip. Racked with guilt for weeks after, Yvette attends confession. But the kiss will haunt her family for years. * Characters * Margot is the eldest and most sensible of the children, married to Owen. She desperately wants a child but cannot get pregnant, which is ironic... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: fascinating, entertaining, easy to follow
Disadvantages: could be hard to get into

...her years at college. We meet a lot of her friends along the way, joining them on some magical adventures. Book number 25, 'While The Cat's Away' was written by Margot Baltrae. She also wrote 'Switcheroo' from the same collection, and also Psychic Kitty from the Salem's Tails books. Verdict…? -------------- After years of not being able to read books based upon television shows, I am surprised at how attached to this story I became! The story was incredibly strong, with a sturdy structure. I found this in the teenage section in my local library; however I feel it could be appropriate for younger readers, the language not too difficult. If you are a fan of the Sabrina shows, or of anything mythical and magical, then I would definitely recommend you give this a read! Its both humorous and entertaining, a light read too. Not too much... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful