Finally, the characters are epic and there are so many stunning scenes of action, dance, and drama, I can't wait to see Clara & Olivia shown as a series! I also loved how the duality of the twins was explored. Their relationship felt so original and yet so authentic compared to other fictional twins from other stories - it was exciting and refreshing. So many aspects I enjoyed, not just the dance world, but the behind the scenes show making, the details Lucy provided had me drawn into the process and I also very much enjoyed the shoemaker’s character arc. What makes this even more captivating is having twin narrators - another phenomenon which so many people are intrigued by. I loved how different Clara and Olivia were and that they each had their own male character obsessing over them so we had no idea which way things might go. I really enjoyed the character arc for one of the men but can’t give too much away by saying who or why 🤣

For example, there was a statue which they would rub every time they walked past. Dancers and actors are a supersititious lot -there’s lots of legends, traditions and things you have to do. Just imagine sitting in a theatre basement with such a legend as a well? I was transfixed by this. The story revolves almost entirely around Clara and Olivia, something that’s further reinforced by the chapters told from Samuel and Nathan’s perspectives. Just as the sisters are obsessed with dance, Samuel and Nathan have their own fixations, which range from harmless infatuations to more destructive fascinations. As these obsessions intensify, there’s a real feeling of the tension escalating and the characters tumbling towards a single moment that will bond them forever.Giuseppina Bozzacchi as Swanhilda in the Saint-Léon/Delibes Coppélia. Paris, 1870 (c) Wikipedia BookTrail Locations in Clara and Olivia This book was a joy to read from start to finish. Ashe's writing is razor-sharp with a lyrical edge to it, and there were times when I wished I could write just as well. Rich, mesmerising and compelling, Clara & Olivia heralds the arrival of a bright new voice in literary fiction. This one will have the cash registers ringing.' -- Awais Khan, author of No Honour Thank you to Oneworld Publications and Point Blank for my e-ARC and to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for my spot on the tour.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, ideas, and views expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you. There were elements of a psychological thriller that made me shiver, combined with the romance and grace of the ballet.What really intrigued me was the story behind the setting – and why the theatre, The Sadler’s Wells got its name. The novel comes from a unique perspective, as Clara and Olivia are identical twins and we hear from both of them the difficulties of being regarded as a unit, and being mistaken for each other, but when someone begins to take an unhealthy interest in one of them, both sisters are at risk. Narrated by the twin ballerinas, Nathan a once famous child prodigy and Samuel a pointe shoemaker apprentice. Each voice is distinct and thoroughly researched making them feel very real. This book made me covet a pair of bespoke Freed shoes to see what Samuel would put on mine. Would I get a rose? The young women are identical twins, but their personalities are nothing alike. Olivia is meticulous, quiet and always prepared for classes; whereas Clara is a disorganised extrovert, always searching for the next best thing. Set in the Sadler’s Wells theatre during the 1930’s it blends fact with fiction so you may spot a name or production you recognise. I would also encourage you to read the author’s note at the end.

Clara also has a boyfriend, Nathan Howland , a former piano prodigy who peaked early & now plays for the dancers as they rehearse & perform. . Nathan sees Clara as his personal “Project” & takes her to as many art’s-related events in London as his small salary will allow; hoping to be recognized as well. Meanwhile , Olivia has an admirer ; Samuel ,a talented young apprentice who makes pointe shoes for the now-famous Freed ballet shoe makers . Feeling too shy & out of her league, he decides to show his admiration for Olivia by keeping one of her repaired pointe shoes & putting into the indoor well that Sadler’s was named for along with a white rose. He also writes her a note telling her his feelings for her.However Olivia has feelings for Nathan so she’s both annoyed (awa a bit creeped out ) than charmed by his attentions.. Equally compelling are the studies in obsessional behaviour, different in each case, that are the two leading male characters. And behind the portrait of the shoemaker is a fascinating evocation of the work and processes involved in creating ballet shoes. This might on the face of it seem fairly arcane stuff, but the descriptions of the real-life firm, Freed of London, based off St Martin’s Lane, lend to the story the same kind of vivid embodiment and statement of the importance of craftsmanship as does the cobbling of Hans Sachs in ‘Meistersinger.’ I knew I wanted to read Clara and Olivia as soon as I heard about it. I was instantly drawn to a tale about the ballet. The front of the theatre is inposing too. Imagine being Clara or Olivia and coming to dance here. Or to be in the audience watching one of the top ballets they are practicing for. The level of detail in this novel really made me see what these ballerinas go through. This is gruelling stuff! Such hard work and it’s very strict and controlled. You can tell the author used to be a ballet dancer herself. She trained with the Royal Ballet for more than 8 years. All four of the characters are carefully, plausibly and memorably delineated. Clara is the sister with charm and engaging personality who excels in character dances; whereas Olivia is a shy perfectionist, with greater classical poise than her sister, but less stage presence and self-assertion. Samuel Steward is an apprentice shoe maker for the firm that makes all the pointe shoes for the ballet dancers, who becomes obsessed with Olivia and her dancing; and Nathan, the rehearsal pianist for the ballet, is equally fascinated by Clara. Each chapter is written from the perspective of one of the four main protagonists, mostly in forward narrative, and sometimes as different takes on the same events.My thanks to OneWorld Publications Magpie Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Clara and Olivia’ by Lucy Ashe. CLARA & OLIVIA - a dark, suspenseful and unsettling story of obsession, perfection and sisterly love." - Natalie Xenos, CultureFly I loved this wonderful debut by Lucy Ashe. It is full of historical figures of British ballet, and as a former ballerina, she certainly writes what she knows best. It takes complete dedication to be the best and twins Olivia and Clara clearly have the drive and ambition. Unusually for a thriller there is not the sibling rivalry I had expected from the twins themselves. The obsession belongs to others and each have their own personal obsessive watching them.