Petrouchka: the Story of the Ballet - Hardcover

Werner, Vivian; Collier, John

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0575054778 ISBN 13: 9780575054776

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co, 1992

Synopsis

Drawn from Russian folklore, this is the story of Petrouchka, a tragi-comic figure in the mould of Punch and Pierrot, retold in a lyrical narrative, with gouache and pastel paintings by an award-winning American illustrator. Stravinsky's ballet based on the story was first performed in 1911.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3 Up-- Reading this picture-book version of the classic Russian ballet is a little like having someone tell you what Niagara Falls looks like--the immediacy and the power just aren't there. The puppet Petrouchka loves a ballerina puppet and wishes he could express his feelings. But his love is in vain for the ballerina flirts with an exotic Moor puppet who kills Petrouchka in a fit of rage. Even with the music and dance, this story line is hopelessly melodramatic. But taken away from its proper stage setting, the story reads like a bizarre hybrid of Pinocchio, Othello, and The Steadfast Tin Soldier . As misguided as Werner's retelling may be, Collier's interpretations make a bad concept worse. Executed in what appears to be chalk pastel on paper with touches of gouache, his illustrations are dark, somber, and derivative of famous painters. They do little to further the story as they vacillate between a straightforward realism and an abstraction reminiscent of Picasso's early blue period. While he has some skill at arresting single-shot illustrations, he has a poor eye for the proportions of human anatomy and is especially inept at hands. Effective picture-book art requires a consistency of character and visual storytelling ability that is missing from this effort. --Denise Anton Wright, Illinois State University, Normal
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Since its first performance by the Ballets Russes in Paris in 1911, Stravinsky's tale of the hapless puppet, unlucky in love, has been a classic. As is generally the case, however, recasting performance into print is a challenging task, especially when it involves the nuances of dance and music. Though successful on several levels, this noble effort is ultimately flawed. On the surface, it's a classy package: Werner's retelling is smooth and sophisticated, and Collier is a masterful artist who here utilizes an impressionistic style reminiscent of Degas. Unfortunately, the narrative lacks fire--though elegant, it's aloof, a quality underscored by Collier's choice of a palette whose bleak, muted shades diminish the story's allure. Onstage, the ballet's success relies heavily on the audience's empathy with the little clown; here, the sense of detachment undermines that emotion. Young readers--especially those unfamiliar with the stage production--may find it hard to warm up to this collaboration. Ages 7-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0575054778
• ISBN 13: 9780575054776
• Binding: Hardcover