Christie C. “All the beauty and tragedy of life can be found in the space between what could have been and what turns out to be” — City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim
I’m not particularly versed in the world of ballet, but I love a good ballet drama. I present to you, A City of Night Birds by Juhea Kim, one of the most pleasant reads I’ve experienced in a while. Our book club leader chose it for its supposed romantic elements, but what I find gracious about this piece is that the romance isn’t between two people: it’s between the protagonist and her art form: ballet.
Synopsis
A City of Night Birds tells the story of a Russian prima ballerina named Natalia Leonova who suffers a crippling injury that impacts her ability to dance. She is given a chance to dance again by her rival Dimitri, but she has to overcome her physical and mental pain first.
The book is heavy in metaphor and imagery, forcing the reader to truly dissect the words and allusions to various representations of art. Yet, this heavy use in metaphor is excellent in describing the pain involved to be the best at anything. The descriptions of raw and tragic results that come from sacrificing relationships is well written and filled with emotion.
Emotional Impact
There was even a chapter in which Natalia’s life changed with the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. She felt that her art was empty when there was so much suffering and bloodshed beyond the studio. I often feel this way, struggling to enjoy writing, reading, sewing, and art despite the growing Neo-Nazi ideologies and the destruction of our institutions within the United States. What does all of this mean for my future and the futures of those I care about?
Natalia’s relationship with ballet is pure, complicated, twisted, and nourishing. Yet, it also breaks her body and spirit down. The story is all about the trials and tribulations she faces to become the best, and the life she must define afterwards. An incredible read about how insatiable perfection is.
Humanity and Art
This is a story for artists of all calibers: dancers, writers, painters, you name it. As we fight for the right to exist as artists during a time when AI threatens the human element of art, this book inspired me to look beyond the loss of artistic occupations. Instead, we must seek art as human expression, knowledge, and worth—AI only knows how to mimic expressions of humanity that have already existed. Our lives will continue to change, and we can continue to write, compose, draw, and create to reflect how we survive under these changes.
