Nijinsky

Nijinsky by Richard Buckle is a definitive biography chronicling the extraordinary life of Vaslav Nijinsky, the legendary Russian ballet dancer renowned as one of the greatest male dancers of the 20th century. Richard Buckle meticulously traces Nijinsky’s meteoric rise through the Ballets Russes under Sergei Diaghilev’s mentorship, highlighting his revolutionary performances in works like L’Apres-midi d’un faune and Le Sacre du printemps, which redefined ballet with their expressive naturalism and psychological depth. The narrative poignantly captures the dancer’s tempestuous personal relationships, artistic genius, and tragic descent into schizophrenia, culminating in his early retirement at age 29 and lifelong institutionalization, supported by his devoted wife Romola. Buckle’s richly researched account weaves diaries, letters, and eyewitness accounts into a compelling portrait of triumph shadowed by madness.