Review of The Sugarless Plum by Zappora Karz

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

It started as the perfect story. Zippora Karz was a member of the famed New York City Ballet by the age of eighteen. By twenty she was starring as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, dancing roles created by Jerome Robbins, and traveling the world. It was the stuff dreams are made of until, at age twenty-one, Karz was diagnosed with diabetes.Balancing ballet and her blood sugar would be a long and difficult struggle for Karz. In The Sugarless Plum, Karz shares her journey from denial, shame and miseducation about her illness to how she led an active, balanced and satisfying life as an insulin-dependent diabetic and soloist with one of the world's most famous ballet companies. The Sugarless Plum takes readers deep into the heart and soul of a young dancer, and is a remarkable testament to determination and perseverance.

The Sugarless Plum by Zippora Karz is about the author’s experience living with diabetes. Karz’s case is a bit unique, as she’s a ballerina, so she must walk a fine line in her insulin and sugar intake.

I felt the Sugarless Plum was fairly depressing. I know she eventually gets past her disease, that’s what happens in pretty much every IMPORTANT ISSUE/DISEASE memoir, but it still sort of made me sad. I guess I never really thought of diabetes as being a big deal, after all I’ve read The Babysitter’s Club, and Stacey never seemed to have huge problems with her diabetes.

I thought the dance aspects of the book were fairly interesting, as I don’t know anything about dance. I can’t sit still long enough to watch a dance show — they sort of bore me. However, reading about dance is a whole other ball game.

I definitely would have liked to read more about Zippora’s family, they seemed quite fascinating, I wanted more about why her mom was so cool with her leaving home for NYC at 16 to dance. I know my parents would have put up a shit storm if I did that.

The writing was, much like every other issue based memoir only minus the crazy world of drugs, mediocre. I would recommend this if you are interested in learning about diabetes or are interested in the NYC Ballet Company.

While reading this book, you should probably drink some Crystal Light. I doubt it would send you into an insulin coma.

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)

• 5 Contemporary Romances To Read Poolside - May 16, 2025
• The Counselors by Jessica Goodman | Audiobook Review - May 13, 2025
• The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth | Audiobook Review - May 12, 2025