Born in the midst of the siege of Leningrad in 1941 to a prima ballerina mother, twins Maya and Natasha were destined for dancing greatness. As children, the pair enrolled in the Vaganova Ballet Academy, and fought tooth and nail against their classmates and each other to secure a position with the most prestigious ballet company in the Soviet Union, specifically on its upcoming tour of America. But with the Soviet regime fearing defections of its talented dancers, only one person per family is allowed to tour, pitting the sisters against each other in previously unthinkable ways.
Taking place over the course of several decades, this book explores the complicated relationship between Maya and Natasha, and between artists, their art, and their obligations to the government that sponsors them. It's a cutthroat story, and a compelling one, particularly through a modern lens.
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