The Cranes Dance (2012)

At first glance, there are plenty of parallels between the film Black Swan and Howrey's novel, in which New York City ballerina Kate Crane is the well-adjusted white swan to her more talented yet disturbed sister, Gwen. When Gwen suffers a breakdown, Kate finally gets to play the lead — only to fall victim to guilt, insecurity, and Vicodin. Unlike Black Swan, however, this story has its pointe shoes firmly planted in reality. Authentic behind-the-curtain details (Howrey is a former dancer) do occasionally overpower the plot. But The Cranes Dance is an addictive, absorbing take on competition and sisterhood. B+