Why read A Bullet in the Ballet?

Book cover of A Bullet in the Ballet

Book description

Author Caryl Brahms was a major ballet critic before writing this satirical novel. Contains blurbs from half the British theatrical establishment, from Gielgud to Lloyd Webber.

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Why read it?

1 author picked A Bullet in the Ballet as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Helen J. Nicholson

Author

This is a brilliantly plotted detective story, an hilarious satire, and a well-informed introduction to ballet. I first read it over fifty years ago as a teenager (a copy borrowed from a friend) and have re-read it again and again. Every re-read is as funny, intriguing, and poignant as ever -- this is a book that never grows stale. Yes, the characters are humorous stereotypes, but the point of a stereotype is that it's a true image, yes? This book was originally published in 1937, so it's another world -- no mobile phones, no internet; we're in a place before…

From Helen's 3 favorite reads in 2026.