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Reviewed by Heather Osborne for Readers' Favorite
The Last Pirouette: A Novel in Three Acts by Janette DeFelice is an artistically crafted work of literary fiction, chronicling Delia and her mother, Victoria. Victoria’s dreams have always dominated Delia’s life. Having failed as a dancer, Victoria returns to her small hometown and takes over her mother’s dance studio. This is where she finds that her daughter, Delia, has a gift for dance. When she’s accepted into a prestigious summer program at a New York ballet company, Victoria must come to terms with some harsh realities of her own life, while Delia struggles with the transition to adulthood and coming to terms with long-kept secrets.
The Last Pirouette by Janette DeFelice takes the reader through a performance, guiding them from one act to the next. The novel explores some difficult themes, but each is done tactfully. I really found Delia to be a relatable character, struggling to find herself. It’s an example we see far too often where a parent puts their dreams and expectations onto their child. Victoria’s realization that she has failed to find what brings her happiness is evident once Delia goes away for the summer, and it’s a cruel awakening and reminder of how much she sacrificed for her daughter. The novel flowed well, and although the reader is left wondering, there is a sense of completion at the end. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction, literary fiction, and coming-of-age tales, and I will look for future works by this author.
