Abrupt ending enhances 'Thorns' intrigue

Rebecca Horsfall's dazzling dive into the mysterious lives of the world's most elite ballet dancers is impossible to put down. In fact, I couldn't for the few days that it took me to read the nearly 800-page novel, "Dancing on Thorns." Each day, I read several new chapters in the lives of the Islington Ballet dancers, following their triumphs, trials and scandalous love affairs with each other. I was drawn into their world and I was very disappointed to be thrust out at the abrupt ending.\nThis book really touched a nerve for me. I have seen only four ballets in my life, and I couldn't do a plie to save my life, but I was astounded by the intimacy that Horsfall has with her characters and allows the reader to share. It was the first book to bring me to tears in a long time.\nThe plotline follows the development of the principal character, Jean-Baptiste St. Michel, or just Michel. He begins as a lonely child who, by dancing, attempts to attract the attention of his father, a famous dancer. He fails, morphing into an adult with no concept of love. He has friends, mentors, and even a wife, but he never lets anyone into his heart. He is emotionally dead and committed only to his life in the company and his art.\nLife at the company is tumultuous, in the very least. Michel's best friends Annette, Roly, Lynne and Primo each develop as artists in their own ways, but not without thousands of laughs and just as many heartaches throughout the novel. They live a truly bohemian lifestyle in the London Soho. They dance together, they play together and they all sleep together: One large, generally happy family coming and going out of its home, Michel's flat.\nThe only pitfall of this masterful piece is the ending. It ties up all the loose ends in the plot, but it still left me wanting more. Horsfall seemed to want to come to some sort of stopping point, and it was difficult to find one in the chronicles of her characters' lives. It ends so suddenly that I am curious about the possibility of a sequel. \nHorsfall is supposedly working on a second novel at her Lincolnshire,, England, home, and I can only hope it will be a continuation of Michel's career and newfound family life. I feel as if I know him, which is the best gauge for the success of a character. \nHorsfall's style is fresh and informal. Her plot twists are frequent, but not melodramatic. I didn't tire of reading about the same characters for more than 20 years of their lives. This book is definitely going on my Facebook.com favorites, and is worth a read from anyone who can understand a passion for art or who would like to better understand the depths of the human heart.