Books - Jean Estoril's Drina books

**madelen** · 12-10-2004, 06:25 PM

Has anyone read any books from the Drina series by Jean Estoril? I read, I think, the first four or five in the series when I was younger and I just loved them.

I think they're more books in the series? Anyone read them?

Profaine Angel · 12-10-2004, 10:04 PM

omg!!! can you just be my new best friend??

I swear, NO ONE has EVER heard of the Drina books before! They are absolutely without a doubt my favourite series

There are 11 in the series all up:

1. Ballet For Drina
2. Drina's Dancing Year
3. Drina Dances in Exile
4. Drina Dances in Italy
5. Drina Dances Again
6. Drina Dances in New York
7. Drina Dances in Paris
8. Drina Dances in Madeira
9. Drina Dances in Switzerland
10. Drina Goes on Tour
11. Drina Ballerina

I've read them all like a dozen times each so I can rattle off the order

I own all of them except the last one, Drina Ballerina, but I'm not so fussed on it because it was my least favourite. She's all grown up in it, and a Prima Ballerina for the Dominick, and I think she's either married, or marries Grant (the New Yorker) midway through.

My favourite is easily Drina Goes on Tour

She makes nice with Queenie and it's really sweet. That was the last one I read too, cos my library didn't have it and it's hopelessly out of print - I only managed to get ahold of a copy this year!! I've seen it go for almost $100 on ebay. Luckily mine wasn't even half that. Phew.

I didn't like Italy as much for some reason but it's been a while since I read it. Same with New York/Paris/Madeira/Switzerland - I remember liking them all but need to refresh my memory. Actually, I can't remember Paris at all

at least with the others I remember why she was in the place and what she did there!

Exile would be my second favourite

OK and now, once I've finished my current book (or probably even before) I'm gonna have to re-read the whole lot

What was your favourite of the ones you read? Did you like Jenny or Rose better?

**madelen** · 12-11-2004, 09:06 AM

Yes, I CAN be your new best friend!

I don't know anyone who has read these books either. And it's so strange that I like them so much...I've never danced ballet or anything...Have you?

Well, it's been a while since I've read the books, but I liked the one where she was in Italy. And then the one in Scotland(?), if I remember correctly.

She marries Grant the New Yorker?

Who's he? Is he someone who was in the books from the beginning? I don't remember...I thought she'd end up with the ballet guy who took her photo in Italy (what was his name?).

I liked both Jenny and Rose, but Rose was my favourite.

How about you?

Profaine Angel · 12-12-2004, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by madelen
And it's so strange that I like them so much...I've never danced ballet or anything...Have you?

I always wanted to do ballet, so I read tons of ballet books. I did a little when I was 6 but then we moved and my mother thought I'd grow out of the wanting to do ballet phase. I still haven't and am starting again next year

(I do do tap though!) I like Noel Streatfeild's dancing books too, but none compare to Drina

Was Scotland 'Drina Dances Again'? Cos now I am having a blank!! Definitely need to read them all again.

OK Grant I think she met in Drina Dances in New York. Well I am going to assume so because he's a New Yorker and it makes sense. He was a few years older than her and I don't think her grandmother approved at first, but then does her grandmother ever approve?

Quote:

I thought she'd end up with the ballet guy who took her photo in Italy (what was his name?).

Was that young Igor?

I think he ends up with someone but I can't think who! there seemed to be a fair bit of pairing off in Drina Goes on Tour!

Rose was my favourite as well, but Jenny was funny. I adored Ilonka too - she came in midway through the series, do you know her? Rose was gorgeous though! And I didn't like the 'hardened' Jenny...but I guess it was very realistic...hmm.

I think I liked Exile best because when I was in year 9, my school sends us all off to its residential campus. It wasn't as bad as Drina's exile

but I took that book with me and it just felt in tune somehow.

**madelen** · 12-13-2004, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Profaine Angel
Was Scotland 'Drina Dances Again'? Cos now I am having a blank!! Definitely need to read them all again.[/b]

Yeah, I think it was. It's the one where in the end she talks, to the headmaster (or something) of the ballet school, about her mother. You remember that?

And, yeah I have to read those books again. MIght have to go to the library today!

Quote:

Was that young Igor?

I think he ends up with someone but I can't think who! there seemed to be a fair bit of pairing off in Drina Goes on Tour!

Yeah, that's who I meant.

Did Rose end up with someone too?

I don't remember Ilonka, she probably came along after Drina Dances Again. I have to get my hands on rest of the books in the series, somehow.