You Win Some, You Lose Some

Jamie, aspiring ballet star first seen in A Proper Little Nooryeff, continues his adventures. Ure's touch falters somewhat in this sequel, however, and what was humorous in Nooryeff occasionally becomes heavy-handed here. The storyline charts Jamie's attempts to lure female members of his dance class into his bed. Plenty of opportunities for humour-unfortunately, too much of it predictable and relying heavily on an almost ludicrous level of gullibility on Jamei's part. The least believable - and, indeed, most badly-written section of the book is that dealing with Steven's homosexual advances towards Jamie. Intended, I imagine, as an amusing subplot, it is embarrassing and clumsy. There are redeeming features, however - notably the realistic sketches of ballet school life and its accompanying larger-than-life characters. I'd offer this to third-years upwards but not wholeheartedly.