But as the years pass, Joan comes to understand that ballet isn’t finished with her yet…įrom the prize-winning author of Seating Arrangements comes an exquisitely written, fiercely compelling glimpse into the demanding world of professional ballet and its magnetic hold over two generations. Synonyms amaze astound stagger (SHOCK) stun (SHOCK) Fewer examples Her writing shows astonishing depth. What astonished me was that he didn't seem to mind. to surprise someone very much: I was astonished by how much she'd grown. A flash of fame and a passionate love affair follow, but Joan knows that, onstage and off, she is destined to remain in the shadows.Īfter her relationship with Arslan sours, Joan decides to quit ballet and make a new life for herself. Meaning of astonish in English astonish verb T us / st.n / uk / stn. ‘Brims with emotion … an accomplished novel embracing both domestic drama and the competitive quest for perfection’ SUNDAY TIMESĪstonish Me is the irresistible story of Joan, a young American dancer who helps a Soviet ballet star, the great Arslan Rusakov, defect in 1975. ‘A bravura display of high-performance art’ GUARDIAN ‘Brilliantly written the first ballet novel for grown-ups’ THE TIMES

It tells of times when 'the air between people seems to alter' as art achieves profound change, across the globe and across history. The New York Times bestselling author of Great Circle Astonish Me is an adrenaline-charged rollercoaster through history's seismic first nights, exploring how individual artists can change and shape the story of culture - and allow us to see ourselves in new ways.

Astonish me