THE FLAMENCO ACADEMY

Author: Sarah Bird ISBN: 9780345462381 10/2007 FICTION Publisher: BALLANTINE

The place is Albuquerque. Cyndi Rae Hrncir, called Rae, seventeen and shy, is twice spellbound, first by high school bad girl Didi ("Dirty Deeds") Steinberg, already embarked on a search for stardom, then by a devastatingly handsome young flamenco guitarist, Tomás Montenegro. Soon the girls are in college, where they abandon themselves to the disciplines and demands of the university's flamenco academy and to the hypnotic storytelling of their teacher, Doña Carlota, Tomás's great-aunt. While never losing the insistent beat of the dance, Doña Carlota mesmerizes her students with the complexly embroidered story of her childhood growing up among the cave-dwelling Gypsies of Andalusia. She initiates them into the traditions, the rhythms, and the steps of flamenco puro, with its central imperative: "Dame la verdad"-Give me the truth. Locked in a volatile triangle and driven by obsession-Didi's with stardom, Rae's with Tomás, Tomás's with his mysterious heritage-these three emerge as the brightest stars on the New World flamenco scene, while secrets and desires, longings and betrayals pulse just beneath the glittering surface of their compelling performances.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

THE FLAMENCO ACADEMY begins with a heart-stopping adrenaline rush and continues at breakneck speed throughout the entire tale. Although I felt Sarah Bird's novel is more literary fiction or women's fiction than romance, it does have a strong romantic element. Perhaps it is merely that the other facets of this intense, highly dramatic story stand front and center beside the romance. Whatever you call it, THE FLAMENCO ACADEMY is gripping, well-written fiction.

When Didi and Cyndi Rae meet, it is against trying circumstances. Both are in the oncologist's waiting room, both about to lose their fathers to the hellacious disease. When Rae's mother faints and Didi comes to their aid, a fast and furious relationship begins between the young women. They accompany each other on the flamboyant journey into the world of flamenco, where they meet Tomas. He makes an immediate impression on the young women, one that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Under the direction of Dona Carolta, Tomas' aunt and their teacher, they are immersed in the world of flamenco. Tomas uses his guitar and Didi and Rae their dance, to honor the first commandment of flamenco, "Dame las verdad," or "Give me the truth." Through flamenco, where every second, guitar stroke and dance move says something, they give the truth while each hides secrets that are almost too much to bear.

Readers will be swept into the exotic world of flamenco dancing with THE FLAMENCO ACADEMY. It is about so much more than dancing, though. This is a story about life, commitment and the relationships we share-and those we hide. Haunting and passionate, THE FLAMENCO ACADEMY by Sarah Bird is too good to miss!

Kay James