The Man Dance

Heartbreaking, fast-paced novel on how one event in your life can lead to a future of uncertain decisions.

I felt compelled to give the main character a hug as he carried a heavy burden from his childhood up to the beginning of his adult life. Throughout the book, I loved how the writing really grasped George's struggle throughout childhood and teenage years and I was truly taken aback about how accurate quick decisions were taken throughout teenage years.

What made this novel heartbreaking was how the reader was coerced to feel that, although what happened to him was something very wrong, the reader was persuaded, from George's point of view that it was normal.

I have to admit that halfway through the book, the character seemed to take on a slower pace, which nearly led me to put the book down altogether at one point. But as I kept reading, it started to build again and ended in another heartbreaking moment.

A lovely read, a novel which resonates with society today and gives us an insight, a much-needed view and perspective into the mind of a teenager.

One thing is certain: anyone who reads this book will empathize with George and even better, some will read on wishing him the very best in his life-and isn't that what we all strive for as humans? The very best of all that we involve ourselves in?
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

I found this quite slow to begin with which made it a difficult read to get into, but once it picked up it was an utterly compelling read. I found the description and topic of abuse to be challenging but fictional or otherwise, it’s an important topic and should be talked about- which I thought the author did in a very compassionate and heartbreaking way. I had not read anything by this author before but, having read this, I am inclined to read more of their work.

I really enjoyed this book. It was told in an interesting and continually engaging way by the author (of whom I have not read a novel before but will certainly do so again in the future on the basis of this novel!). Great imagery, structure and characters. Thank you!