I'LL NEVER CHANGE MY NAME is such a fabulous autobiography that, even if you have never watched Dancing with the Stars, if you know nothing about competitive ballroom dancing, or even if you have never heard of Valentin Chmerkovskiy, I strongly encourage you to read this book. Fast-paced is not a word I would have associated with an autobiography, yet it describes perfectly I'LL NEVER CHANGE MY NAME. There is not one yawn-inducing paragraph to be found; the writing is dynamic, energetic and urban, very much like the author. Some passages, when Mr. Chmerkovskiy recalls his early childhood in Odessa, have a dreamy quality not unlike when someone reminiscing gets a bit lost in his thoughts, which I felt added even more texture to the narrative.
I'LL NEVER CHANGE MY NAME is remarkably well-structured; the story is told mainly chronologically, but when timelines are switched, it is done smoothly and with a definite purpose. I will not dwell on any specifics, except for how the author came to play the violin, which is a rather surreal moment. As most immigrants' tales, it is unique and captivating, but the choreographing process had me entirely enthralled. I could not pinpoint highlights even if I wanted to, because everything is worth remembering. One thing though stands out is the indestructible bond between Maksim and Valentin; I don't believe I have ever read anything like it. I was also surprised at how different they are from each other, and how different they are from what I expected.
I loved Mr. Chmerkovskiy's dry wit, his tongue in cheek remarks, his candor and humility, and his utmost respect for women, his fellow dancers; the human race, basically. Do not expect gossip, or any airing of dirty laundry; there is none to be had. Not to rub salt in the wound, but this book will also delight fans of "the other brother," Maksim. It saddened me a bit that in the digital review copy I had the privilege to read, there were no pictures. I also hope that the final version will have been thoroughly revised -- and here the author is entirely blameless -- because the editing left much to be desired.
I have not had the pleasure to meet Valentin Chmerkovskiy personally, but I feel I have made a new friend while reading I'LL NEVER CHANGE MY NAME. I hope Mr. Chmerkovskiy will write more books, because I love his style, and I love his voice, and I know he has much more to tell. I just loved this book so much, it's hard to put into words!
Valentin Chmerkovskiy, the world championship-winning and beloved Dancing with the Stars ballroom dancer invites fans into his life as never before, sharing the experiences, including the failures and successes, that have shaped him, from his early childhood in Ukraine to growing up as an immigrant in the U.S. to his rise to international fame. Val has captivated viewers of Dancing with the Stars since his first performance in 2011. While DWTS demonstrates Val’s beautiful physicality, this moving memoir illuminates his soul, revealing a deep, thoughtful person who channels his emotions and socially conscious views through his art. The beloved dance champion and choreographer assesses his life and career so far—where he’s come from and where he hopes to go. For the first time, Val looks back at his childhood in Odessa, Ukraine, and his Jewish family’s immigration to the United States—including what it was like to grow up as a stranger desperate to fit into a different culture, how he worked to become a premiere dancer, and, of course, the collaborations and competitions with his brother and fellow DWTS sensation, Maksim "Maks" Chmerkovskiy. Val speaks warmly of his close-knit family and shares intimate and inspiring stories meant to offer hope and motivation not only to fans but to everyone with a dream. Enduring anti-Semitism in their native land, Val’s parents wanted a better life for their children—a desire that led them to leave everything they knew and start again thousands of miles away in a foreign country. It was a gamble that paid off—after years of practice and discipline, Val, along with his older brother Maks, have reached the pinnacle of success. Though he admits he sometimes still feels like an outsider, Val expresses his enduring gratitude for everything that America represents and pays homage to his adopted nation and the opportunities it has afforded him and his family. Inspiring, heartfelt, and compulsively readable—and showcasing sixteen-pages of never-before-seen photographs, as well as a foreword by brother Maks—Val’s memoir is filled with the moments that have moved and shaped him, and is sure to touch readers’ hearts as well.
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