Book Club: Dances by Nicole Cuffy

On the Same Page Jan./Feb. 2025
Saturday, 2/22/2025
10:00 - 11:00
Virtual Library

United States

Register

Join us for our On the Same Page discussion of Dances, the debut novel by Nicole Cuffy. This captivating story follows Cece Cordell, a 22-year-old Black ballerina who becomes the first Black principal dancer at the New York City Ballet. While Cece’s career reaches new heights, she soon discovers that the spotlight doesn't bring the fulfillment she anticipated. Struggling with personal challenges, including a strained family dynamic, a broken romance, and the mysterious disappearance of her older brother, Paul, Cece faces a pivotal decision that could alter her life and career.

Dances explores themes of race, identity, and artistry, delving into the emotional and physical toll of a dancer's life. The novel examines Cece’s journey to reclaim the parts of herself lost in the rigid demands of ballet, all while navigating the complex intersections of fame, family, and self-discovery.

Nicole Cuffy’s writing is poetic and insightful, offering a compelling portrayal of the vulnerabilities and triumphs of an artist. With Dances, Cuffy gives readers a profound look at the balance between personal and professional fulfillment, the cost of artistic pursuit, and the pursuit of freedom and identity.

We’ll dive into the book’s themes, characters, and the ballet world’s influence on Cece’s life and decisions. We look forward to an engaging discussion about the intersection of race, family, and art in this powerful debut novel.

Book Clubs

Read, discuss ideas and connect through the many book clubs hosted by SFPL.

On The Same Page

On The Same Page is a bimonthly city-wide read.

Dance & Music

Enjoy performances, talks and workshops that celebrate movement and the musical arts.

Spotlight

This program is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.

Attending Programs

All programs are drop-in (no registration necessary) unless otherwise noted. All SFPL locations are wheelchair accessible. For accommodations (such as ASL), call (415) 557-4557 or contact accessibility@sfpl.org. Requesting at least 3 business days in advance will help ensure availability.

This program will be conducted in English unless otherwise noted.

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