Nina Anisimova was a beloved character dancer in St. Petersburg before becoming one of the first Soviet female choreographers. She was also a victim of Stalin’s purges, though she survived. Dancing for Stalin, written by historian Christina Ezrahi, explores the horrors of Stalin’s forced labor camps and secret police tactics that killed many and traumatized even more. Following Nina’s story, Dancing With Stalin starts with Nina being accused of being Nazi spy for just a casual acquaintance with someone who attended the ballet.
For readers fascinated by Russian history, or want to know the sheer horrors of Stalin’s paranoia, Dancing With Stalin is an excellent placed to start.
Dancing for Stalin is now available.
