DNF - Althought I was eager to read this book, it didn't end up working for me in the end. I'm sure there is an audience out there who will appreciate the story for all that it holds.

I’m grateful to the author and to Net Galley for offering me this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Sidewalk Dance is a portrait of the artist as a deluded self-saboteur. Haunted by his brother’s tragic death in the War in Afghanistan and unable to process this trauma, Fisher shuns his elitist pedigree by abruptly quitting Yale Law School, changing his name to Fish, and moving to New York City. Once there, he sets about reinventing himself as a doomed playwright. Unfortunately for Fish, he is more of an idealist than a talent; a dreamer more than a doer. His delusions of grandeur quickly lead him into an abyss of self-doubt, addiction, identity crisis, and isolation.”

While the book is touted as literary fiction, and as the description shows, all the elements are there to make that possible…It sort of fell flat. Not to suggest that it’s not well written, I just wouldn’t lump it in the “literary fiction” market. The characters are fleshed out well, but there’s little to no descriptive elements found within the setting or throughout the plot that would lead any reasonable reader to assume that this is poetic, it literary at all. It’s commercial fiction, at best.

The story itself is compelling enough to keep you turning the pages, particularly the first 50. I do feel that the writing could’ve been a bit tighter, but that’s a minor gripe. All in all, it’s a decent read.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Fletcher Michael’s “Sidewalk Dance” is a raw and compelling coming-of-age novel that delves into the tumultuous journey of self-discovery and artistic ambition. Set against the gritty backdrop of New York City, the story follows Fisher, a young man haunted by his brother’s tragic death in the War in Afghanistan. 

Michael’s portrayal of Fish is poignant and unflinchingly honest. Fish is a character driven by a desperate need to find meaning and purpose, yet he is constantly sabotaged by his own insecurities and unresolved trauma. The author masterfully captures Fish’s internal struggles, making his journey both relatable and heart-wrenching. Fish’s interactions with a cast of eclectic characters, from fellow artists to street performers, add depth and color to the narrative, highlighting the diverse and often harsh realities of life in the city.

The novel’s setting is vividly brought to life through Michael’s evocative prose. The streets of New York City, with their vibrant energy and hidden dangers, serve as both a sanctuary and a battleground for Fish. Michael’s descriptions of the city’s art scene are particularly striking, capturing the raw creativity and unrelenting drive of those who inhabit it. The juxtaposition of the city’s beauty and its brutality mirrors Fish’s own internal conflict, creating a powerful and immersive reading experience.

The “Sidewalk Dance” explores themes such as grief, identity, and the pursuit of artistic authenticity. Michael delves into the complexities of Fish’s psyche, examining how his brother’s death and his own sense of inadequacy shape his actions and decisions. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of art and the sacrifices one must make to achieve true creative expression.

The plot is well-paced, with a series of twists and turns that keep readers engaged from start to finish. Michael’s ability to blend moments of intense emotion with scenes of quiet introspection creates a balanced and dynamic narrative. The ending, while not neatly tied up, offers a sense of hope and possibility, reflecting the ongoing nature of Fish’s journey.

“Sidewalk Dance” is a powerful and evocative novel that will resonate with readers who appreciate stories of personal struggle and artistic ambition. Fletcher Michael has crafted a deeply moving and thought-provoking tale that captures the essence of the human experience. .

This book was decent but I think it should have been more of a healing or growth book for our main character. It was about struggling artists in New York City and how he had all of these goals and dreams but couldn't quite get there. I could see how it is relatable as our main character got distracted along the way by different people.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

3,5*
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this.

Sidewalk Dance introduces us to Fish, who is quite a mess. Having some ambitions, but not the skills and focus to execute them mostly (both literally and mentally) wanders around NYC hoping to find what he doen’t know he is looking for. Thwarted by Partiboi and dumb decisions, he needs to get a focus and figure out what he really wants.

This was an entertaining story and probably relatable to New York City inhabitants and struggling artists. Sadly, I did not find much to latch onto, but also not specific pointers that made me feel more removed from the characters. However, the ending felt strong and realistic.

Happy to have read it, but will probably not read again.

The characters are relatable and their stories offer a glimpse into their lives, which I appreciated. However, the overall plot felt a bit disjointed at times, and I found some storylines didn’t quite reach their full potential.

This piece of literary fiction straddles the line of satire to the point where I found myself asking, is this really satire or a self-help book? It has all the elements of the standard self-discovery trope—dropping out of law school, possible accidental pregnancy, struggling writer (dramaturg in this case) drugs, drinking, etc. Where it lacks in plot, it makes up for in the chaotic, rambling, stream of consciousness descriptions. Fish is an interesting character, and I enjoyed seeing New York and its inhabitants through his eyes. He was so relatable, I don’t want to admit that I was Fish in my early years as a creative, even more so when he name-dropped my old stomping grounds, Phillips Exeter and Quinnipiac. I despised Partiboy, and couldn’t stop hearing his lines being sung in the tune of the Vengaboys’ “We Like to Party,” but I suppose we all have a little Partiboy and he served a purpose. The play Fish ended up writing is honestly something I’d love to see on an actual stage!

I’d definitely recommend this to readers who secretly want to like literary fiction but find it too pretentious so they give up on the genre. For literary fiction aficionados, they might snub their nose at it or give it high-praise because they don’t want anyone to know that it went over their heads.

Fish leaves behind his prestigious education at Yale and moves to New York with visions of becoming an enigmatic playwright. Running from the trauma of his past, he bunks with a buddy in Manhattan and starts work in a gallery but remains unable to find any recognition in the art world himself. His daily life becomes entangled with sculptor and love interest, Madame Meticulous, and with his troublesome alter-ego, Partiboy, who encourages him to keep partying.

In all of Fish’s grandeur delusions about becoming a playwright, he never thought he would have such difficulty with the actual writing. What starts as a romanticized idea of becoming a tortured New York artist becomes his reality and being a man not well acquainted with follow-through, Fish ends up wandering around absently in his new life eventually succumbing to depression, addiction, and a loss of identity.

Fish certainly isn’t always the most likable character—flawed, he is—but he is real and evokes real emotion from the reader and I hate to say that I sometimes found myself relating to him. Oh no, does that make me a flawed character too? Ugh, well anyways. In addition to our MC Fish, this story includes a handful of incredibly compelling secondary characters that add support to the narrative. The characters and the vivid scenes of New York life—the streets, the public transportation, the people, the fact-paced lifestyle—make this story come to life.

Sidewalk Dance is an unconventional coming-of-age about one young man grappling with his own authenticity and ideas about what it means to be a New Yorker. A very entertaining read.

Thank you Turner Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 10/15/2024!