Colleen Oakes's Reviews > Don't Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet

I enjoyed this memoir about one dancer's decision to leave ballet and the wider ballet culture that contributed to that decision. Part her own story, part a take-down of the wild abuse within ballet, (but written with a true love for the art form and those in it), Robb's memoir is a carefully thought-out manifesto. It's a great read for those who live in the ballet world already and also those (like me) who are just fascinated by this beautiful and sadistic art form from a safe distance.

One of the things I most enjoyed about it was Robb's way of tracing the history of ballet through some of its most famous dancers, especially those who were abused by their very famous choreographers. Written with a tone of adoration, this was a great read for anyone interested in understanding ballet while watching from the wings.