After reading (or, in my case, rereading) Suzanne Farrell's wonderful book, one feels a tremendous debt of gratitude. It isn't just that her life and views on dance and art are fascinating, though that is certainly true. It's the tremendous sense of generosity and compassion that flow from these pages. I remember when I first read her mother's words to her young daughters, that if they had "the arts in their life they would never be lonely", that I quietly marked the page, closed the book, and wept appreciatively. This was the first time I had heard these words expressed by anyone and it confirmed the feelings I've had since being very young.
Many may find the Balanchine references the definitive biography of this section of his life, but there is so much more to this glorious volume, gratefully back in print from the University of Florida. This paperback edition is very well-bound, pages are highest quality; the price may seem a tad high, but is in truth worth more than pricier hardcovers. This, along with the DVD of Farrell's exquisite "Elusive Muse" documentary make an outstanding gift idea for young people uncertain of how to attain their dreams. Ms. Farrell's life is certainly a great inspiration.

An honest, touching, and very well written book about a great dancer with an extraordinary story to tell.

I am taken by the dignity, passion, pragmaticism and faith that imbue(d) Suzanne Farrell and Geroge Balanchine's lives. This was a truly amazing book! I give it my strongest recommendation.

This book is a very simple telling of Suzanne's start to finish career as a ballet dancer and muse of Balanchine. The relationship between Balanchine and Farrell is certainly not to be described as firey and passionate, only perhaps, as innevitable because of how well they got on together and how they both seemed to understand ballet the same way. They both were always willing to experiment with there medium, and with Balanchine to conduct and Farrell to execute, they rarely failed. An enjoyable narrative, wonderful and touching.