Maya & Natasha: A Novel

Durham’s book is more than just the story of twin Soviet ballerinas. Maya, Natasha, and their dream of joining the Kirov ballet where their mother danced form the heart of the story, but even in the first chapters, it is clear the book encompasses far more. It’s a story about the USSR, about the cultural side of the Cold War as the Soviets and the Americans fought for supremacy not only militarily but also by showing what their respective systems and values could produce.

Throughout, the book never forgets that its heart is the two sisters, both in their closeness and in how they find themselves drawing apart. Maya and Natasha are both compelling heroines, and Durham effortlessly slips not only between them but also into the minds of other characters as the story goes on. The omniscient perspective is a tricky one to pull off, but Durham does an excellent job with it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I know that not only will I read it again, I’ll also be eager to see what else Durham writes. Maya & Natasha is her debut, and hopefully the first of many books.