Letters from Yelena (2012) was the second 'breakthrough' [1] novel by English writer Guy Mankowski.
Letters from Yelena (2012) was the second 'breakthrough' [1] novel by English writer Guy Mankowski.
The book was the second novel of Mankowski's to be published by Legend Press. To develop this epistolary novel he was awarded a grant by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, [2] allowing him to interview Russian ballerinas at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg. [2]
The novel opens with a series of letters between a Natalya Brodvich and the executor of a literary estate she is negotiating with. Natalya is desperate to get hold of a set of letters which are the only trace of her departed mother, Yelena. Once Natalya successfully acquires them, we begin to read Yelena's letters. We learn that she was a psychologically damaged ballerina who tried to map out her mind through letters to a novelist called Noah, who became her lover. [2] The letters chronicle Yelena's childhood in Donetsk, and how she escaped abuse at the hands of her stepmother. The story follows her training as a ballerina in St Petersburg, hoping to achieve her ambition of becoming a principal dancer and performing the lead in Giselle . Inspired by a poem by Heinrich Heine, Giselle tells the tale of a young girl who dies after being seduced by a nobleman. From beyond the grave, Giselle saves her lover from a death sentence by vengeful spirits. As her life progresses, Yelena sees more and more parallels between her life and the life of Giselle. [2]
A review from Novel Kicks said 'I did struggle through the first few pages but I am glad I stuck with it as I found it to be a beautifully written story with convincing characters and a good if sometimes heartbreaking plot. Yelena's journey is compelling…I found that I couldn't put it down. Overall, a great novel from Mankowski'. [3]
A review from The Simple Things said 'Mankowski brings every bruised and strained limb to life, and takes the always present fascination with the torments of ballet dancers, from The Red Shoes and The Black Swan (film), and adds a bit of a romantic twist.' [4]
New Books magazine called it 'a truly wonderful epistolary novel…with its dark thematic intensity of child abuse leading the main protagonist Yelena into self-harming, and ultimately suffering mental health problems', adding 'considering that the author is male, he has managed to capture a realistic portrayal of a female ballerina as she strives to reach her desired goal of performing Giselle.' [5]
Dora Frankel created a dance based on a pivotal scene from the book, in which the lead was performed by Argentinian dancer Laila Sanz. [2] An excerpt of the novel was used as GCSE training material by Osiris Educational. [6] The novel was one of the titles chosen to be given away by Virgin Trains for 'World Books Day'. [7]
In 2022 an analysis of the depiction of Russia on the website 'Russia In Fiction' by author of 'Inside Russian Politics' Edwin Bacon wrote that the books ‘well-crafted descriptions of setting briefly bring Russia to the fore’ but concluded that ‘its force and focus lie in a story of hurt and passion, grief and love, determination and fragility. Guy Mankowski crafts moments that make us want to cheer, and moments of heart-stirring sadness. That they have a Russia connection is a cause for Russia in Fiction’s gratitude.’ [8]
Anna Pavlovna Pavlova, born Anna Matveyevna Pavlova, was a Russian prima ballerina of the late 19th and the early 20th centuries. She was a principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Ballets Russes of Sergei Diaghilev. Pavlova is most recognized for her creation of the role of The Dying Swan and, with her own company, became the first ballerina to tour around the world, including performances in South America, India and Australia.
Giselle, originally titled Giselle, ou les Wilis, is a romantic ballet in two acts with music by Adolphe Adam. Considered a masterwork in the classical ballet performance canon, it was first performed by the Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique at the Salle Le Peletier in Paris on 28 June 1841, with Italian ballerina Carlotta Grisi as Giselle. It was an unqualified triumph. It became hugely popular and was staged at once across Europe, Russia, and the United States.
Marius Ivanovich Petipa, born Victor Marius Alphonse Petipa, was a French ballet dancer, pedagogue and choreographer. Petipa is one of the most influential ballet masters and choreographers in ballet history.
Carlotta Grisi was an Italian ballet dancer. Born in Visinada, Istria. Although her parents were not involved in the theatre, she was brought up in an opera family. She was trained at the ballet school of Teatro alla Scala in Milan and later with dancer/balletmaster Jules Perrot. She was especially noted for her performance in the classic role of "Giselle".
Mathilde-Marie Feliksovna Kschessinska was a Polish ballerina from the noble family Krzesiński. Her father Feliks Krzesiński and her brother both danced in Saint Petersburg. She was a mistress of the future Tsar Nicholas II of Russia prior to his marriage, and later the wife of his cousin Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich of Russia.
Aleksandra Dionisyevna Danilova was a Russian-born prima ballerina, who became an American citizen. In 1989, she was recognized for lifetime achievements in ballet as a Kennedy Center Honoree.
Alicia Alonso was a Cuban prima ballerina assoluta and choreographer whose company became the Ballet Nacional de Cuba in 1955. She is best known for her portrayals of Giselle and the ballet version of Carmen.
Natalia Romanovna Makarova is a Russian prima ballerina and choreographer. The History of Dance, published in 1981, notes that "her performances set standards of artistry and aristocracy of dance which mark her as the finest ballerina of her generation in the West."
Anastasia Yuryevna Volochkova is a former Russian dancer.
Altynai Abduakhimkyzy Asylmuratova is a Kazakh-born former ballerina who is artistic director of the ballet company at Astana Opera. She is a former prima ballerina with the Kirov Ballet and a guest artist all over the world.
Jules-Joseph Perrot was a dancer and choreographer who later became Ballet Master of the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. He created some of the most famous ballets of the 19th century including Pas de Quatre, La Esmeralda, Ondine, and Giselle with Jean Coralli.
Olga Alexandrovna Spessivtseva was a Russian ballerina whose stage career spanned from 1913 to 1939.
Natalia Mikhailovna Dudinskaya was a Soviet prima ballerina who dominated the Kirov Ballet from the 1930s to the 1950s.
Irina Kolesnikova is a Russian ballet dancer. She is the prima ballerina of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.
Evgenia Viktorovna Obraztsova is a Russian ballerina. She is a prima ballerina with the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, and with the Mariinsky Ballet.
Eglė Špokaitė is a Lithuanian ballet dancer, most notably a Principal Ballerina for the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre (1989–2011) and the only ballet dancer on the List of Famous Lithuanians. She co-founded the Egle Špokaitė Ballet School in Vilnius, Lithuania (2008), where she also served as artistic director. In the United States, she founded the Ballet Institute of San Diego dance school (2016). Špokaitė is also a choreographer, actress, and public speaker. She's the winner of the Lithuanian National Prize, as well as numerous other awards and honors. She lives and works between San Diego, CA and Vilnius.
Lubov Nikolayevna Yegorova was a Russian Empire ballerina who danced with the Imperial Ballet and the Ballets Russes.
Guy Mankowski is an English writer. He is the great grandson of the author and broadcaster Harry Mortimer Batten. He was educated at St John's College, Portsmouth and Ampleforth College. He read Applied Psychology at Durham University and gained a Masters in Psychology at Newcastle University. He then trained as a psychologist at The Royal Hospital in London. Mankowski was the lead singer of the band Alba Nova; in a review of their debut EP Gigwise wrote 'Alba Nova could be an important band of the times'.
Nathalie "Natasha" Krassovska (1918–2005) was a Russian born prima ballerina and teacher of classical ballet most noted for her work with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Following her decades-long career, she moved to the U.S., where she founded the Krassovska Ballet Jeunesse. Krassovska taught, choreographed and performed until her death.
Elena Ivanovna Andreïanova, sometimes spelt Yelena Andreyanova, 13 July 1819 St. Petersburg - 28 October 1857 Paris, was a Russian ballerina. She is considered to be the outstanding Russian ballerina of the romantic genre, but her life was one full of tragedy.