What this book does really well is illustrate the dependence women had on men during the height of the Paris Opera. Our heroine's only options are as follows: 1) Find someone to marry, 2) Find someone who will set her up as a lorette (high-class prostitute), or 3) Sell her body every night after ...
This novel is really about the Parisian Opera Ballet, rather than the life of Degas. Alexandrie is born into a poor farming family, and sees the ballet as her only escape. If only she can become a professional prima ballerina, then she'll be able to support herself and her debt-ridden family. ...