Felix Cherniavsky - Correspondence with Dance Collection Danse 1

Added 19th Mar 2022 by Beth Dobson (Archives and Programming Assistant, DCD) / Last update 19th Mar 2022

Maud Allan 1130 51 2008-2-70.jpg
Maud Allan 1130 51 2008-2-70.jpg
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Felix Cherniavsky - Correspondence with Dance Collection Danse 1

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Maud Allan Research Collection
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51.2008-2-70
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23 12cte , E - c - e :: - - 35 5 :- - August 20 , Mr. Felix Cherniavsky 8919 146th St. Edmonton , AB T5R OV7 Dear Mr. Cherniavsky : Thank you for your letter of August 15 and enclosures . I wrote my review of your book under some duress , as I rarely take on a writing assignment these days which does not offer payment . An earlier book review editor whom I respect highly at Dance Research Journal suggested me on the basis of my residence in Canada . ' I agreed to do a short review to inform readers of the scope and perspective of your study . For preparation I reread My Life and Dance after many years and spent a few hours in the library researching the Durrant murder case and trials . A year later a new review editor returned my copy with a request for an elaborate expansion of some of the ideas . Her viewpoint reflected a feminist perspective and an interest in the kind of interpretive history occupying some academic women writers . I was reluctant to deal with unfamiliar philosophy and even more so to spend more time on a revision . In her eyes Maud Allan's bisexuality was a significant matter that demanded more attention . I found in your text nothing to substantiate a sexual component in Allan's relationship with Verna Aldrich and had neither time nor interest to investigate further . Your confidential revelations in your letter suggest otherwise ; thank you for sharing this information with me . I can understand why you did not see fit to include it in your book . In my opinion it is of small consequence ; I feel that the feminist zeal in exposing lesbianism does not take into account the rigid morality of earlier times and the asexuality and / or sexual ignorance that prevailed , even in cases of strong female bonding . My review came back again several months later for additional documentation and with the suggestion that I investigate Allan's possible association with a performance - art medium called " statue posing " ; considering the issue wholly irrelevant , I made it clear that I wished to have no further association with the work I had done and advised her to accept the review as it was written or strike it from publication . I note that she covered the matter in a footnote . So much for the work of an unpaid reviewer ! Lawrence Adams sent me a copy of DID SHE DANCE ? some time ago , and I have not had a chance to peruse it . At the moment I have so many other projects ahead which will bring in a bit of money that I can't foresee a time when I might take on another " prestige " assignment . Thank you for your kind offer . I can't imagine that anyone could ever write a " definitive " book about Maud Allan's dancing . Yours and all else that I have read would indicate that hers was a minor talent , endowed with prominence on the basis of one lucky effort . On the other hand , her life and times continue to fascinate us . Sincerely yours , lod Linhar

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