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I Just Came Here To Dance. When myth and desire collide, can the simple truth prevail?
Paula Anne Fairbanks understands all about the unexamined life. And she likes hers that way. Until her world gets ripped smooth apart.
Running from reality, Paula falls under the mythological spells being spun on Diana Maclean’s porch. Surely Paula’s own choices aren’t to blame for the summer of insanity she spends at Diana’s (known as the White Witch of Sociable, Texas). But do the stories that Diana tells relate at all to real life? If so, is existence then, truly a fairy tale?
I JUST CAME HERE TO DANCE, a modern allegory, waltzes atop the line between the creative and the crazy, between the sacred and the maligned. Through myths it weaves together the multi-layers of personal Self with that of the collective whole. And finally, Paula Anne and the townsfolk learn the simplest of truths—that the fire’s ashes produce wisdom and courage, just as the stories say.
Running from reality, Paula falls under the mythological spells being spun on Diana Maclean’s porch. Surely Paula’s own choices aren’t to blame for the summer of insanity she spends at Diana’s (known as the White Witch of Sociable, Texas). But do the stories that Diana tells relate at all to real life? If so, is existence then, truly a fairy tale?
I JUST CAME HERE TO DANCE, a modern allegory, waltzes atop the line between the creative and the crazy, between the sacred and the maligned. Through myths it weaves together the multi-layers of personal Self with that of the collective whole. And finally, Paula Anne and the townsfolk learn the simplest of truths—that the fire’s ashes produce wisdom and courage, just as the stories say.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 9, 2013
843 people want to read
About the author
Susan Mary Malone
21 books84 followersTexas native Susan Mary Malone has published two novels, co-authored four nonfiction books, and written many short stories. Her happiness is fiction, wine, and Labrador Retrievers, the latter of which she raises, trains, and shows. Literature is her love. In addition to writing, she edits; fifty-plus Malone-edited books have sold to traditional publishers, and one of them was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame film (while another is in production, set to be released in 2015). Her stories revolve around the passions and purpose, the myths and meaning of women’s lives. Which often involves wine. She does, however, try to keep the Labradors out of that.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 15, 2015
Those of you who are particularly observant will notice that the post date for this review matches the release date of this novel. Although I am tempted to accept your admiration for my incredible efficiency in reading and reviewing the book, I will acknowledge that any such admiration is unwarranted. I was in fact contacted several weeks ago about receiving an advance copy of the novel and posting a review on this date. To be specific, I was asked to write an honest review. You will soon have no doubt that I have done just that, surely to the supreme disappointment of those who contacted me…
____________________________________________________________
In writing, I Just Came Here to Dance, Susan Mary Malone has drawn upon a long tradition of novels and stories depicting women in the process of discovering how much more there is to life than the path that was laid out for them by their parents, by their communities, and especially by men. Unfortunately, she has not made a meaningful contribution to that tradition. One could even argue that she has detracted from it.
The plot of the novel is, for the most part, a wearying succession of clichés. Such surprises as do occur are utterly unmotivated and painfully contrived. Many of the characters are little more than stereotypes, and the few who are in some way interesting are left frustratingly underdeveloped. It is telling that Paula, the narrator-protagonist, at one moment refers to a woman who was very much a part of one of the pivotal events in the story simply as, "the lesbian," even though the reader knows the woman's name. That incredibly poor use of language may even slip by most readers, since the character thus described has been endued with so little humanity, anyway.
Indeed, not a single character, not even Paula, goes through a meaningful transformation. This is not to say that nobody changes or grows in any way through the course of I Just Came Here to Dance. We are in fact told of changes in many people, and Paula herself tells us of dramatic changes in her worldview. But that is precisely the problem: we are always told, never shown. We are privy to Paula's thoughts at every moment, but never once do we see evolution in progress. We are just supposed to take on faith that a change has occurred.
I should note also that all readers should be troubled that a book that ostensibly tells the story of a woman's discovery of her independence so blatantly fails the Bechdel test. Mind you, there actually are a precious few genuinely tender moments between women in this book—far too few, to be sure. But always, the conversation centers on men in some way.
To be fair, Malone does offer some very vivid descriptions of Texas landscapes and the relentless heat of Texas summer, and most certainly writes with great love when describing the antics of children. But in the end, even the landscapes and the children utterly lack in dynamic attributes. They are simply there, little more than false branches of hope stemming from a tree that has no space to grow, buried as it is in a quagmire of unimaginative dialogue and clumsy attempts at dream mythology.
Worse still is Malone's sporadic and embarrassingly inconsistent use of regional dialect. Paula at one moment offers, "I'd never seen such. Wait'll Mama heard." Then, on the very same page, that "a late front had swept the humidity to the ocean leaving breathable air. Wildflowers bloomed in every imaginable color." Granted, the book's epilogue attempts to explain away the discrepancy, but even that is a very poorly executed conceit, something I might expect to encounter in a piece authored by a student in an undergraduate fiction writing class.
In light of all that, I was disappointed to learn from Malone's bio that this is not her first novel. But I was absolutely shocked to discover that she has edited numerous books for major publishers. For as weak as much of the writing of I Just Came Her to Dance is, the editing is far worse, to the point of being inexcusable. I suppose if Malone is a typical 21st century novel editor, I now understand why so many recently published books are riddled with distracting typos. This book has plenty of those, but it also has tedious repetitions that any editor worthy of the title would have struck out immediately, and a number of simply incorrect word choices (for example, "affect" when "effect" is the needed word) that wouldn't be acceptable in an eighth grader's English paper.
Now, it may be that some will view this review with suspicion because of my gender. Readers may wonder if I am simply covering for an emotional reaction to a book that focuses on the lives of women finding their strength, to an extent portraying men as an impediment to progress. I would ask such readers to seek out my reviews, on this website and elsewhere, of the likes of Alice Walker, Louise Erdrich, Zora Neale Hurston, Lightsey Darst, Willa Cather, Toni Morrison, Fannie Flagg, et. al., as well as my writings on the role of women in early aviation and in many other areas of history, before passing such a judgment.
The truth, plain and simple, is that I Just Came Here to Dance is a pretty bad book, badly written and badly edited, destined to be mercifully forgotten by history.
____________________________________________________________
In writing, I Just Came Here to Dance, Susan Mary Malone has drawn upon a long tradition of novels and stories depicting women in the process of discovering how much more there is to life than the path that was laid out for them by their parents, by their communities, and especially by men. Unfortunately, she has not made a meaningful contribution to that tradition. One could even argue that she has detracted from it.
The plot of the novel is, for the most part, a wearying succession of clichés. Such surprises as do occur are utterly unmotivated and painfully contrived. Many of the characters are little more than stereotypes, and the few who are in some way interesting are left frustratingly underdeveloped. It is telling that Paula, the narrator-protagonist, at one moment refers to a woman who was very much a part of one of the pivotal events in the story simply as, "the lesbian," even though the reader knows the woman's name. That incredibly poor use of language may even slip by most readers, since the character thus described has been endued with so little humanity, anyway.
Indeed, not a single character, not even Paula, goes through a meaningful transformation. This is not to say that nobody changes or grows in any way through the course of I Just Came Here to Dance. We are in fact told of changes in many people, and Paula herself tells us of dramatic changes in her worldview. But that is precisely the problem: we are always told, never shown. We are privy to Paula's thoughts at every moment, but never once do we see evolution in progress. We are just supposed to take on faith that a change has occurred.
I should note also that all readers should be troubled that a book that ostensibly tells the story of a woman's discovery of her independence so blatantly fails the Bechdel test. Mind you, there actually are a precious few genuinely tender moments between women in this book—far too few, to be sure. But always, the conversation centers on men in some way.
To be fair, Malone does offer some very vivid descriptions of Texas landscapes and the relentless heat of Texas summer, and most certainly writes with great love when describing the antics of children. But in the end, even the landscapes and the children utterly lack in dynamic attributes. They are simply there, little more than false branches of hope stemming from a tree that has no space to grow, buried as it is in a quagmire of unimaginative dialogue and clumsy attempts at dream mythology.
Worse still is Malone's sporadic and embarrassingly inconsistent use of regional dialect. Paula at one moment offers, "I'd never seen such. Wait'll Mama heard." Then, on the very same page, that "a late front had swept the humidity to the ocean leaving breathable air. Wildflowers bloomed in every imaginable color." Granted, the book's epilogue attempts to explain away the discrepancy, but even that is a very poorly executed conceit, something I might expect to encounter in a piece authored by a student in an undergraduate fiction writing class.
In light of all that, I was disappointed to learn from Malone's bio that this is not her first novel. But I was absolutely shocked to discover that she has edited numerous books for major publishers. For as weak as much of the writing of I Just Came Her to Dance is, the editing is far worse, to the point of being inexcusable. I suppose if Malone is a typical 21st century novel editor, I now understand why so many recently published books are riddled with distracting typos. This book has plenty of those, but it also has tedious repetitions that any editor worthy of the title would have struck out immediately, and a number of simply incorrect word choices (for example, "affect" when "effect" is the needed word) that wouldn't be acceptable in an eighth grader's English paper.
Now, it may be that some will view this review with suspicion because of my gender. Readers may wonder if I am simply covering for an emotional reaction to a book that focuses on the lives of women finding their strength, to an extent portraying men as an impediment to progress. I would ask such readers to seek out my reviews, on this website and elsewhere, of the likes of Alice Walker, Louise Erdrich, Zora Neale Hurston, Lightsey Darst, Willa Cather, Toni Morrison, Fannie Flagg, et. al., as well as my writings on the role of women in early aviation and in many other areas of history, before passing such a judgment.
The truth, plain and simple, is that I Just Came Here to Dance is a pretty bad book, badly written and badly edited, destined to be mercifully forgotten by history.
October 10, 2015
I was offered this book as a condition of providing an honest review by the date the book officially launches, two days from now. One, if you go by Asian times.
Starting this, the little blurp on its page provided me with a very 'romance' novel synopsis. Which, I must say, wasn't quite fair to the book, nor its author. I was on my way to my annual vacation, a little bit of downtime, and thought it'd be perfect for the flight. My kindle died shortly before the start of the holiday, and I wasn't even aware that the book was sent.
It took half a day after my landing in Sydney, Australia to figure out it was sitting on the clouds waiting for me to read it through. And then came the hectic travel schedule of going places and seeing things, and it was only the last couple days, settling at my temporary home in Sydney, that I finally found time to focus on it, nested on the couch of my host's.
This is not a romance.
I was pleasantly surprised when I realised, about a quarter in, that there was more than the story of a woman's affair. The book had me pretty gripped by then, and my next guess was, well, maybe this is about witchcraft.
It was none of that, either.
The flow of the story sounded so natural, I was gripped further than I realised until my host asked about how things went, by then I was more than half way through and the story seemed like it would never stop taking another turn.
I love the tone of the people in the story, they evoked emotions like watching movies set in the deep South, where the women were strong and resilient, yet tender and soft. That sweet, familiar southern drawl lingered in the dialogue, and I could almost swear I felt the heat radiating from the screen.
All this, and I've never been to Texas, go figure.
This is a story, like a lot of stories, I guess, but set against a surprising backdrop. Most of those stories where a girl grows and finds her true self, she's innocent and young and inexperienced and off in some big city. I guess you could say Paula Anne, or Anna, as was her name, was a bit naive and inexperienced, but she was in a small town in rural Texas, and she was a woman with a husband and child.
We learn of our true self from the most surprising figures, in the most surprising places.
This is a beautifully written book. I wouldn't mind seeing it in a movie.
Starting this, the little blurp on its page provided me with a very 'romance' novel synopsis. Which, I must say, wasn't quite fair to the book, nor its author. I was on my way to my annual vacation, a little bit of downtime, and thought it'd be perfect for the flight. My kindle died shortly before the start of the holiday, and I wasn't even aware that the book was sent.
It took half a day after my landing in Sydney, Australia to figure out it was sitting on the clouds waiting for me to read it through. And then came the hectic travel schedule of going places and seeing things, and it was only the last couple days, settling at my temporary home in Sydney, that I finally found time to focus on it, nested on the couch of my host's.
This is not a romance.
I was pleasantly surprised when I realised, about a quarter in, that there was more than the story of a woman's affair. The book had me pretty gripped by then, and my next guess was, well, maybe this is about witchcraft.
It was none of that, either.
The flow of the story sounded so natural, I was gripped further than I realised until my host asked about how things went, by then I was more than half way through and the story seemed like it would never stop taking another turn.
I love the tone of the people in the story, they evoked emotions like watching movies set in the deep South, where the women were strong and resilient, yet tender and soft. That sweet, familiar southern drawl lingered in the dialogue, and I could almost swear I felt the heat radiating from the screen.
All this, and I've never been to Texas, go figure.
This is a story, like a lot of stories, I guess, but set against a surprising backdrop. Most of those stories where a girl grows and finds her true self, she's innocent and young and inexperienced and off in some big city. I guess you could say Paula Anne, or Anna, as was her name, was a bit naive and inexperienced, but she was in a small town in rural Texas, and she was a woman with a husband and child.
We learn of our true self from the most surprising figures, in the most surprising places.
This is a beautifully written book. I wouldn't mind seeing it in a movie.
September 24, 2013
A beautifully written story more like a great work of art. The way the words go together in this book is like how the clouds float across the sky and how the rivers flow on.
This is a story about a very small town and the people who live there. It's about love and being there for each other. It's about how life changes us as things change in our lives.
Each day we find new ways to deal. We see different things. Our steps change but we continue on. Much like the clouds across the sky or the rivers flow on.
This is a wonderful book. Pick up a copy today!
This is a story about a very small town and the people who live there. It's about love and being there for each other. It's about how life changes us as things change in our lives.
Each day we find new ways to deal. We see different things. Our steps change but we continue on. Much like the clouds across the sky or the rivers flow on.
This is a wonderful book. Pick up a copy today!
November 27, 2013
This is a wonderful piece of literature from an author who's in total control of her craft. From the very first page, the characters leap from the pages in vivid description and meticulous imagery. I loved the story which takes place in a small Texas town. You get to know the characters well, and find yourself emerging yourself in their lives. I highly recommend this outstanding book which is destined for the bestsellers list!
Randy Mitchell
Randy Mitchell
October 1, 2015
[I received a free digital copy of this book from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review]
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I recommend it especially to anyone (particularly women) from Texas or a small town anywhere - if that's you, I predict that this book will resonate with you.
One of the book's greatest strengths was the excellent dialect writing. It's hard to write dialect accurately without making the prose sound gimmicky, but Malone succeeds at walking this line. The dialect is consistently present but never distracting. This consistency is important and reflects very well on Malone's skill as a writer; one of the most common and most irritating failings in poorly-written dialect is unevenness, but she maintains the same voice throughout. She also gets the grammar and syntax right - the author is clearly a woman who knows when to use "y'all" and when to use "all y'all." She captures the way small-town Texans speak in a way that comes across as authentic without lapsing too much into the cliches of ordinary speech. There are a couple times that characters do use cliche sayings, but I thought this was true to how these characters would talk in real life, and it seemed to me that Malone was judicious in limiting the use of such sayings to occasions where it really added something to the scene rather than falling back on them as a crutch. As someone who has lived in Texas, I found the use of language convincing and expertly done.
The setting was also beautifully conveyed. I could feel the hot air on my skin as I read her descriptions of the Texas summer. Malone gets the little details right, like when she contrasts the air in Paula Anne's mother's house to Diana's: "Course, it wasn’t hot in here; my mama turned her air to sixty with spring’s first drops of humidity and never shut it off until the first freeze of fall. She wanted to be certain the Texas Autumn wasn’t just teasing. Diana’s porch would fry pig’s feet after this frigid air" (pg. 231). What a perfect way of describing that! There are absolutely people like Paula Anne's mother in Texas.
That's another strength of this book - all of the characters are complex, real people. Most of them are pretty good people most of the time, but all of them have some flaws and there are a few exceptionally nasty people who basically ruin things for everyone.
Despite all these things I liked, there were some things I didn't like about it. For instance, while the underlying psychoanalytic themes were interesting, I thought these themes were conveyed too heavy-handedly. I did not like the device of using Paula Anne's dreams to start each chapter. I found myself skimming these dreams because they came across as trite, and I felt like they detracted from the main text.
The woo surrounding Diana was not really to my taste. It wasn't excessive or anything, but there is a fair amount of stuff about herbalism and tarot cards in the book - I'm just not into that. The books aren't anti-science, but there is definitely a dash of New Age mysticism. Also, the repeated references to tarot cards and the meaning of the archetypes is another way I found the psychological symbolism to be too heavy-handed.
I thought some of the literary references were kinda forced. It would be better to just have characters allude to the things they've read rather than outright stating the titles so much.
I found the ending to be too optimistic. It wasn't Harry Potter level bad, and I don't mind a happy ending, but the epilogue is just a bit too Pollyanna. In real life, not everyone achieves their full potential. I don't want to spoil it so I won't say more than this.
Finally, I will point out one problem that this book did *not* have. Sometimes small independent publishers end up publishing the dregs that major publishers pass on; other times, these small publishers end up with gems, either because the author simply prefers independent publishers or because these small publishers sometimes rescue great books that would otherwise get overlooked. Happily, this book is clearly a case of the latter! This book is the kind of book that makes me glad small publishers are out there. It is a well-edited, polished, strong piece of writing.
A note about stars: I wish I could give this a 3.5, because I enjoyed the book and am glad I read it, but it also didn't blow my mind. Part of the reason I only give this three stars is just that my standards for literary fiction are set so high; the last two books I read were by Siri Hustvedt and Vladmir Nabokov, and I gave Haruki Murakami's most recent book 3 stars. I'm picky. So from me 3-stars is a respectable rating. I think for most people this would be at least a 4 star book. This was a solid work of fiction and you should absolutely read it if it sounds interesting to you. It won't disappoint.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I recommend it especially to anyone (particularly women) from Texas or a small town anywhere - if that's you, I predict that this book will resonate with you.
One of the book's greatest strengths was the excellent dialect writing. It's hard to write dialect accurately without making the prose sound gimmicky, but Malone succeeds at walking this line. The dialect is consistently present but never distracting. This consistency is important and reflects very well on Malone's skill as a writer; one of the most common and most irritating failings in poorly-written dialect is unevenness, but she maintains the same voice throughout. She also gets the grammar and syntax right - the author is clearly a woman who knows when to use "y'all" and when to use "all y'all." She captures the way small-town Texans speak in a way that comes across as authentic without lapsing too much into the cliches of ordinary speech. There are a couple times that characters do use cliche sayings, but I thought this was true to how these characters would talk in real life, and it seemed to me that Malone was judicious in limiting the use of such sayings to occasions where it really added something to the scene rather than falling back on them as a crutch. As someone who has lived in Texas, I found the use of language convincing and expertly done.
The setting was also beautifully conveyed. I could feel the hot air on my skin as I read her descriptions of the Texas summer. Malone gets the little details right, like when she contrasts the air in Paula Anne's mother's house to Diana's: "Course, it wasn’t hot in here; my mama turned her air to sixty with spring’s first drops of humidity and never shut it off until the first freeze of fall. She wanted to be certain the Texas Autumn wasn’t just teasing. Diana’s porch would fry pig’s feet after this frigid air" (pg. 231). What a perfect way of describing that! There are absolutely people like Paula Anne's mother in Texas.
That's another strength of this book - all of the characters are complex, real people. Most of them are pretty good people most of the time, but all of them have some flaws and there are a few exceptionally nasty people who basically ruin things for everyone.
Despite all these things I liked, there were some things I didn't like about it. For instance, while the underlying psychoanalytic themes were interesting, I thought these themes were conveyed too heavy-handedly. I did not like the device of using Paula Anne's dreams to start each chapter. I found myself skimming these dreams because they came across as trite, and I felt like they detracted from the main text.
The woo surrounding Diana was not really to my taste. It wasn't excessive or anything, but there is a fair amount of stuff about herbalism and tarot cards in the book - I'm just not into that. The books aren't anti-science, but there is definitely a dash of New Age mysticism. Also, the repeated references to tarot cards and the meaning of the archetypes is another way I found the psychological symbolism to be too heavy-handed.
I thought some of the literary references were kinda forced. It would be better to just have characters allude to the things they've read rather than outright stating the titles so much.
I found the ending to be too optimistic. It wasn't Harry Potter level bad, and I don't mind a happy ending, but the epilogue is just a bit too Pollyanna. In real life, not everyone achieves their full potential. I don't want to spoil it so I won't say more than this.
Finally, I will point out one problem that this book did *not* have. Sometimes small independent publishers end up publishing the dregs that major publishers pass on; other times, these small publishers end up with gems, either because the author simply prefers independent publishers or because these small publishers sometimes rescue great books that would otherwise get overlooked. Happily, this book is clearly a case of the latter! This book is the kind of book that makes me glad small publishers are out there. It is a well-edited, polished, strong piece of writing.
A note about stars: I wish I could give this a 3.5, because I enjoyed the book and am glad I read it, but it also didn't blow my mind. Part of the reason I only give this three stars is just that my standards for literary fiction are set so high; the last two books I read were by Siri Hustvedt and Vladmir Nabokov, and I gave Haruki Murakami's most recent book 3 stars. I'm picky. So from me 3-stars is a respectable rating. I think for most people this would be at least a 4 star book. This was a solid work of fiction and you should absolutely read it if it sounds interesting to you. It won't disappoint.
July 29, 2016
I have had to good fortune to read the first two drafts of this book, and then had to wait, forever it seemed, to have a published copy in my hands. It is without doubt my favorite book (as my dog-eared copy will attest to), and should be a 'must read' for anyone.
Susan Mary Malone takes you to a small town in Texas, introduces to you some of the most interesting people you will meet, and tells the story in a way that pulls you into the town of Sociable, and makes you want to stay. From the time Paula Ann winds up on the front porch of an old house with Diana, Lola and an assortment of children, she does, as she, and her family and friends say, go a little crazy that summer. She learns more about herself in a few months than she has in her entire life, and that is just the beginning! You not only learn about the people in the book, and the town of Sociable, you will learn about yourself as well.
Susan Mary Malone has written many books, and I have enjoyed them all, but in this book she has created a story you will want to go on, because the citizens of Sociable will capture your heart and imagination. "I Just Came Here To Dance" will be a keeper for your bookshelf, and a book you can re-read many times and still find something you missed before. It is also the best gift you can give anyone who loves to read - men as well as women.
Susan Mary Malone takes you to a small town in Texas, introduces to you some of the most interesting people you will meet, and tells the story in a way that pulls you into the town of Sociable, and makes you want to stay. From the time Paula Ann winds up on the front porch of an old house with Diana, Lola and an assortment of children, she does, as she, and her family and friends say, go a little crazy that summer. She learns more about herself in a few months than she has in her entire life, and that is just the beginning! You not only learn about the people in the book, and the town of Sociable, you will learn about yourself as well.
Susan Mary Malone has written many books, and I have enjoyed them all, but in this book she has created a story you will want to go on, because the citizens of Sociable will capture your heart and imagination. "I Just Came Here To Dance" will be a keeper for your bookshelf, and a book you can re-read many times and still find something you missed before. It is also the best gift you can give anyone who loves to read - men as well as women.
November 24, 2015
[I was offered a free copy from Badass Marketing in exchange for a fair & honest review, which they're probably going to regret -- sorry].
Unfortunately, I could tell within about the first 5 pages that the writing style of this particular novel was going to drive me absolutely crazy. I slogged through another 50 pages, but gave up. The over-the-top country accent (not to mention all the insane run-on sentences) just did not do it for me.
I mean, seriously -- this was in the first few pages: "Our summers got immortalized in those cartoons depicting Hell—where caricatures wanted water real bad and the Devil dangled moist droplets inches from parted lips". A decent, if overwrought, metaphor that gets completely slaughtered when the author (intentionally, I hope) misuses her adverbs.
I couldn't even tell you what this book was about, because I was so distracted by the syntax. I live in Texas, and while I know that people speak like that, I avoid them like I avoid books who use bad grammar as a storytelling device.
Unfortunately, I could tell within about the first 5 pages that the writing style of this particular novel was going to drive me absolutely crazy. I slogged through another 50 pages, but gave up. The over-the-top country accent (not to mention all the insane run-on sentences) just did not do it for me.
I mean, seriously -- this was in the first few pages: "Our summers got immortalized in those cartoons depicting Hell—where caricatures wanted water real bad and the Devil dangled moist droplets inches from parted lips". A decent, if overwrought, metaphor that gets completely slaughtered when the author (intentionally, I hope) misuses her adverbs.
I couldn't even tell you what this book was about, because I was so distracted by the syntax. I live in Texas, and while I know that people speak like that, I avoid them like I avoid books who use bad grammar as a storytelling device.
September 15, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The writer takes you on a journey while creating and extended family out of the characters. As you follow a summer in the life of a small town married woman trying to find herself and her way through her changing life, you discover all about the epople that surround her and they way they influence her past, present and future.
This story makes you realize that everything isn't exactly as it may seem and sometimes believing in something is all you need to find your way through the dark, and instinct can be your best friend. This book made my chuckle, laugh out loud, sigh and shed a few tears and well as huff at the unbelievable choices some people make.
Do yourself a favour and start reading this book.... you will find yourself turning page after page to find out what happens next.
The writer takes you on a journey while creating and extended family out of the characters. As you follow a summer in the life of a small town married woman trying to find herself and her way through her changing life, you discover all about the epople that surround her and they way they influence her past, present and future.
This story makes you realize that everything isn't exactly as it may seem and sometimes believing in something is all you need to find your way through the dark, and instinct can be your best friend. This book made my chuckle, laugh out loud, sigh and shed a few tears and well as huff at the unbelievable choices some people make.
Do yourself a favour and start reading this book.... you will find yourself turning page after page to find out what happens next.
September 15, 2015
I didn't particularly enjoy the start of this book. It felt dull and pointless, and yet I couldn't quite bring myself to stop reading it. There's a quality to the writing that reminds me of Rumer Godden - a plotless story that is still compelling, because you're reading about people and not events. Sometimes I think I like that kind of fiction best. I've never been to Texas, but now I feel like I've lived there a while. I feel like I know these people, like I want to know more about them. I want to know what others were thinking - what drove Diana? How did Melinda really feel about it all? What happened to the Rasmussens? It's certainly a compelling narrative and I would recommend it to people who like to read about people, and not events.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.
February 1, 2014
I won this book as a Goodreads First Read. The characters were so easy to relate to. I enjoyed following Paula Anne Fairbanks through her crazy summer of self-discovery and applauded her conviction to move on from the things in her life that weren't working. A wonderful story about love, loss, and acceptance.
December 29, 2015
Thank you, Donna McCoy from Badass Marketing, for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Come and sit down on the porch in the South of the U.S. and let a good friend tell you a story. That is what reading “I Just Came Here to Dance” by Susan Mary Malone feels like – and what makes the book so amazing.
The novel lives from a colorful language, with a big repertoire of words and metaphors, but at the same time it feels like an oral tale with many contractions and slang. This is not unreadable and too much, but balanced just right and therefore curious. Malone’s style is not pretentious and big, but natural and down-to-earth. The narrative voice is charming and funny, which makes the book easy to read.
However, I would say that this is not a general interest novel. It is a mix of a lot of things – not really romance, not really fantasy / magic realism, not really character study. It is intriguing without having action and suspense, it is light while talking about heavy subjects. Probably only a small group of people could enjoy this novel because it is so special – from the foreshadowing of the first line to the conclusion. The novel is off to a very slow start and overall relaxed, as well. But don’t let that put you off: you will learn to like the refreshing change of pace.
The main character Paula was great to follow. She is an unusual hero, because she hardly does anything in the novel, and instead just acts as a guide and narrator. But her opinions and thoughts are sharp and critical. At first, I was a bit wary of the rural conservative Southern setting and the mindset it brings with it. But that worry quickly changed into awe while I read about Paula commenting (rather mean at times) about her culture instead of embracing it. That was a pleasant surprise for sure. These comments include very critical opinions about rape and victim blaming, as well as slut shaming, among others. I could also applaud her development even though I did not relate to her much.
I enjoyed how realistic everything was. From the back and forth of the cheated wife whether or not to stay with her husband to the overwhelming grief and sorrow when a friend dies. The entire town, all the characters and most of the plot felt as if they could happen every day just around the corner. There is a bit of a mystical / fantasy element to “I Just Came Here to Dance”, as well, but that fits in with the rest of the novel. It does not overwhelm or distract from the character development that is going on. Overall, I would say this is a very refreshing book because it is so simple and honest. However, the slow pace and the lack of a clear plot may make this difficult to enjoy for most readers.
Come and sit down on the porch in the South of the U.S. and let a good friend tell you a story. That is what reading “I Just Came Here to Dance” by Susan Mary Malone feels like – and what makes the book so amazing.
The novel lives from a colorful language, with a big repertoire of words and metaphors, but at the same time it feels like an oral tale with many contractions and slang. This is not unreadable and too much, but balanced just right and therefore curious. Malone’s style is not pretentious and big, but natural and down-to-earth. The narrative voice is charming and funny, which makes the book easy to read.
However, I would say that this is not a general interest novel. It is a mix of a lot of things – not really romance, not really fantasy / magic realism, not really character study. It is intriguing without having action and suspense, it is light while talking about heavy subjects. Probably only a small group of people could enjoy this novel because it is so special – from the foreshadowing of the first line to the conclusion. The novel is off to a very slow start and overall relaxed, as well. But don’t let that put you off: you will learn to like the refreshing change of pace.
The main character Paula was great to follow. She is an unusual hero, because she hardly does anything in the novel, and instead just acts as a guide and narrator. But her opinions and thoughts are sharp and critical. At first, I was a bit wary of the rural conservative Southern setting and the mindset it brings with it. But that worry quickly changed into awe while I read about Paula commenting (rather mean at times) about her culture instead of embracing it. That was a pleasant surprise for sure. These comments include very critical opinions about rape and victim blaming, as well as slut shaming, among others. I could also applaud her development even though I did not relate to her much.
I enjoyed how realistic everything was. From the back and forth of the cheated wife whether or not to stay with her husband to the overwhelming grief and sorrow when a friend dies. The entire town, all the characters and most of the plot felt as if they could happen every day just around the corner. There is a bit of a mystical / fantasy element to “I Just Came Here to Dance”, as well, but that fits in with the rest of the novel. It does not overwhelm or distract from the character development that is going on. Overall, I would say this is a very refreshing book because it is so simple and honest. However, the slow pace and the lack of a clear plot may make this difficult to enjoy for most readers.
July 21, 2017
I was offered an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The author is very good with words: creating the feel of the rural Texas in summer setting, inventing believable and well-developed characters, writing natural-sounding dialog, and creating interesting plot. However, the book goes on too long, with too many unnecessary details bogging down the story. It is ironic, or perhaps predictable, that Ms. Malone, after editing over 50 books, would not seek a ruthless editor. Editing one’s own work, especially for a new author is, as my husband says, like a doctor treating his own illness—she’s too close to get good perspective. Yet, the quality of the writing kept me interested, even in the slow parts.
The plot involves love, betrayal, infidelity, female wisdom and bonding, and the battle of the sexes in a small town. The female characters are the most completely developed and the men mostly appear as seen through women’s eyes—just the opposite of Steinbeck and Kerouac! I’d say that this is a women’s book, and that most men would find the process of females getting to know themselves and each other too mysterious or boring (just like in real life!). There’s Paula, the protagonist, married to a retired rodeo star, with a young son. There’s Melinda, her best friend, soon to become ex-friend. There’s Bonita, her ever-glamorous mother, and Diana, the mysterious self-aware woman who the men blame for the unrest in town. And there’s Lola, the wise crone, who faces health challenges with dignity—and irreverence. And there are a few guys around, some of who enjoy the women’s company and others who lash out again female power.
My favorite part of the book is how well Ms. Malone creates the setting—a hot summer of drought in a small town in Texas. The metaphor of the town’s oppressive weather reflects the tension between the two town factions and its eventual release. The tarot metaphor works less well. It’s intended to show the developing spirituality of the protagonist as she learns from other women, but the long analysis of readings and how they come to pass in real life is too redundant. More could have been made of the dance metaphor, reflecting the title. At a few times during the book, various characters dance together, but a theme involving learning the “dance of life,” perhaps in some of the dream sequences, would have been a better way for the protagonist to discover herself.
Women on the path of self-discovery will enjoy this book, as will anyone (female) who has lived in a small town, particularly in the south. Women who have experienced men’s disrespect because they are smart and/or self-sufficient will be able to relate to and enjoy the story.
The plot involves love, betrayal, infidelity, female wisdom and bonding, and the battle of the sexes in a small town. The female characters are the most completely developed and the men mostly appear as seen through women’s eyes—just the opposite of Steinbeck and Kerouac! I’d say that this is a women’s book, and that most men would find the process of females getting to know themselves and each other too mysterious or boring (just like in real life!). There’s Paula, the protagonist, married to a retired rodeo star, with a young son. There’s Melinda, her best friend, soon to become ex-friend. There’s Bonita, her ever-glamorous mother, and Diana, the mysterious self-aware woman who the men blame for the unrest in town. And there’s Lola, the wise crone, who faces health challenges with dignity—and irreverence. And there are a few guys around, some of who enjoy the women’s company and others who lash out again female power.
My favorite part of the book is how well Ms. Malone creates the setting—a hot summer of drought in a small town in Texas. The metaphor of the town’s oppressive weather reflects the tension between the two town factions and its eventual release. The tarot metaphor works less well. It’s intended to show the developing spirituality of the protagonist as she learns from other women, but the long analysis of readings and how they come to pass in real life is too redundant. More could have been made of the dance metaphor, reflecting the title. At a few times during the book, various characters dance together, but a theme involving learning the “dance of life,” perhaps in some of the dream sequences, would have been a better way for the protagonist to discover herself.
Women on the path of self-discovery will enjoy this book, as will anyone (female) who has lived in a small town, particularly in the south. Women who have experienced men’s disrespect because they are smart and/or self-sufficient will be able to relate to and enjoy the story.
October 14, 2013
I Just Came Here To Dance, by Susan Malone
“Some folks said I went crazy that summer.” Susan Malone’s first sentence, as she takes you by the hand, breathes this tale in your ear while Sociable, Texas’ band strikes up a waltz, and “the dry dust blown by Favonius’ hot breath brushes our cheeks.” Paula Anne Fairbanks, a feminine horsewoman, soon emerges along with her mood swings, the revelations about her life, her family, her wayward husband caught with her girlhood friend, visions of Blue Duck, all meld this woman to life. It hastens a vision of taking a bite out of a luscious, crisp, tree-ripened pear that snaps at the bite, savoring the drool of juice down your cheeks and neck.
The popping of her mama’s muffler pops us from the misery of the scorching heat of Sociable, even jerks Paula up short of her own flirtations that leaves her wondering, “Did I?”
She leaves her husband and moves in with Diana, believed to be a witch in most quarters. Diana, the mayor of Sociable, had it been big enough to sport one, sits alone on a hill overlooking her town, a town that burned, brought on by the castration of a man of an evil, ignoble force. “Eyes for eyes.” Paula rides for hours atop a mare named Emelda, searching for Diana, directed by the ghost of Lola, her old crone of an aunt, “Go north.” How I found myself riding behind Paula is anyone’s guess, both “buck-ass necked,” as they say down Texas way, holding onto this willow of a lass, licking salted confectionary-sugar-beads off her back, my hands caressing that which was never offered. We find Diana sitting on a mountaintop, “lit by the moon, hair wild and face sooty, she appeared perfectly as a witch.” Paula and I about “bolted off Emelda screaming into the night,” recalling that Cynthia Ann Parker was kidnapped near this haunted place just west of Ft. Worth, an abduction that is now closing in on 200-years-ago, witches, myths and legends that lurk around Sociable in the night’s hot air, still as a crypt.
Diana says they’d rebuild Sociable, “right over there where the valley begins.” A soft breeze blows across our cheeks. “Ah, Lola’s breath—she approves.”
I found this book masterful, lyrical, mesmerizing as a clockwise whirlwind-of-a-dust-devil in Sociable on a hot August afternoon.
Nelson Martin
La Mesa, NM
September 15, 2015
I was given an advanced copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it. My opinions are my own.
I was surprised by "I Just Came Here to Dance". The book took me a little while to get into; I'm a little too much of a Yankee, I suppose, so long removed from Texas. I had to read bits out loud to understand the southern dialect. This will one day be an AMAZING audiobook or even movie, that's for sure. The narration is mixed in with the main character, Paula's, inner monologue, and the punctuation is a bit off from what I usually find (needs a few more comma's), but once you're past that, the story progresses beautifully.
Paula's life is going fine until she comes home and finds her best friend, Melinda, in bed with Marty, the husband who she married just before her child was born. It's an image that will be hard to banish from her mind. Fortunately, her son is off to camp for the summer, and with him out of the way, Paula goes to stay with a woman she met in the next town over, where she goes to dance.
Diana is the matriarch of Sociable, Texas, the one to whom the townsfolk look for advice...but she and Lola, her 90-something mother figure, along with three adopted children, are an odd bunch. Everyone tells Paula to stay away, but soon, she is just as entranced by Diana and Lola's stories as are the children, and she knows that she's in the right place. As the summer progresses, Diana starts to find answers and healing to know what to do next, finding herself in the simple lifestyle and intricate myths.
But the book isn't just about Paula. It's about Sociable, too. The town has two festivals a year, and on the other nights, it celebrates being the only town with alcohol in an area of dry counties. Sociable peach vodka is the drink of choice, and there is plenty of dancing and carousing. There is also cock fighting over at the Rasmussen place...and rape. And scheming against the very town itself. Just as Paula is settling in and evening out, something tragic seems to be in the air.
What bumped this book up to 4 stars is the satisfying epilogue. While I often scoff at books that clean everything up in the last chapter, this one strikes me as fitting the narrative style perfectly. It wraps up the loose ends and puts a bow on top. Not necessarily a book I would have picked up on my own, but all in all, a great read.
I was surprised by "I Just Came Here to Dance". The book took me a little while to get into; I'm a little too much of a Yankee, I suppose, so long removed from Texas. I had to read bits out loud to understand the southern dialect. This will one day be an AMAZING audiobook or even movie, that's for sure. The narration is mixed in with the main character, Paula's, inner monologue, and the punctuation is a bit off from what I usually find (needs a few more comma's), but once you're past that, the story progresses beautifully.
Paula's life is going fine until she comes home and finds her best friend, Melinda, in bed with Marty, the husband who she married just before her child was born. It's an image that will be hard to banish from her mind. Fortunately, her son is off to camp for the summer, and with him out of the way, Paula goes to stay with a woman she met in the next town over, where she goes to dance.
Diana is the matriarch of Sociable, Texas, the one to whom the townsfolk look for advice...but she and Lola, her 90-something mother figure, along with three adopted children, are an odd bunch. Everyone tells Paula to stay away, but soon, she is just as entranced by Diana and Lola's stories as are the children, and she knows that she's in the right place. As the summer progresses, Diana starts to find answers and healing to know what to do next, finding herself in the simple lifestyle and intricate myths.
But the book isn't just about Paula. It's about Sociable, too. The town has two festivals a year, and on the other nights, it celebrates being the only town with alcohol in an area of dry counties. Sociable peach vodka is the drink of choice, and there is plenty of dancing and carousing. There is also cock fighting over at the Rasmussen place...and rape. And scheming against the very town itself. Just as Paula is settling in and evening out, something tragic seems to be in the air.
What bumped this book up to 4 stars is the satisfying epilogue. While I often scoff at books that clean everything up in the last chapter, this one strikes me as fitting the narrative style perfectly. It wraps up the loose ends and puts a bow on top. Not necessarily a book I would have picked up on my own, but all in all, a great read.
October 15, 2015
So a bit of Housekeeping first...
I received a copy of this book free of charge from Badass Marketing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I always like to let friends and those others that might care know about language and other things that might be in a book. This book is about women and all their relationships, All their relationships. Husbands and wives, Lovers of the not married sort, Mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, best friends and there is even a lesbian relationship (not much detail in that one) in this book.Therefore, there is a lot of sensuality and implied sex going on here but I don't remember anything too graphic. There is also a bit of bad language.
All that being said I LOVED this book.
I love books that incorporate myth and fairytale, magical realism into the story being told. These things seem to be the domain of women and the women in these kind of stories that use myth, fairytales are usually strong and use it to help others. So much truth can be found in the motifs of myth and story. Stories have been used to instruct how to conduct a life since the beginning of time.
Diana and Lola are the wise old women that are there to heal others through their use of story and their experience of the world. (I always love the witch character.) They take in the main character, Paula Anne, help her heal and find her power when the bottom falls out of her life. Paula will be okay and become a wise woman in her own right someday.
I can see some of the truth in womens' relationships in this book. It is written in beautiful words and beautiful pictures. In a way it reminds of Alice Hoffman works that I have enjoyed.
I will be returning to this work again someday just to find the things I missed the first time. Happy Reading----
I received a copy of this book free of charge from Badass Marketing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I always like to let friends and those others that might care know about language and other things that might be in a book. This book is about women and all their relationships, All their relationships. Husbands and wives, Lovers of the not married sort, Mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, best friends and there is even a lesbian relationship (not much detail in that one) in this book.Therefore, there is a lot of sensuality and implied sex going on here but I don't remember anything too graphic. There is also a bit of bad language.
All that being said I LOVED this book.
I love books that incorporate myth and fairytale, magical realism into the story being told. These things seem to be the domain of women and the women in these kind of stories that use myth, fairytales are usually strong and use it to help others. So much truth can be found in the motifs of myth and story. Stories have been used to instruct how to conduct a life since the beginning of time.
Diana and Lola are the wise old women that are there to heal others through their use of story and their experience of the world. (I always love the witch character.) They take in the main character, Paula Anne, help her heal and find her power when the bottom falls out of her life. Paula will be okay and become a wise woman in her own right someday.
I can see some of the truth in womens' relationships in this book. It is written in beautiful words and beautiful pictures. In a way it reminds of Alice Hoffman works that I have enjoyed.
I will be returning to this work again someday just to find the things I missed the first time. Happy Reading----
September 21, 2015
[I received a free digital copy of this book from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review]
This is a tough book for me to nail down. Set in a small Texas town, this book is less of a traditional romance than a coming-of-age. It started pretty slow and had I not been asked for a review, I probably would have given up. The main character Paula faces a difficult summer, with her husband being unfaithful, her own indecision about what to do about that, and her growing friendship with the mysterious Diana, referred to as a witch by others in town. There were points in this book when I hated nearly every character and the sort of traditional attitudes about gender relations and roles made me want to stop reading. There was also a lot more sex and violence going on than I expected. But…but there is still a solid spark of magic here in Paula’s journey and the odd, but healing routines of Diana’s home. There are elements that are almost magical realism, but the most powerful element for me was Paula’s own development. I found her slow journey to deciding who she is and what she wants and even how she feels about her cheating husband to be well-written and realistic. Overall, the writing style here is a little too flowery or perhaps trying a little too hard, but the core story is an enjoyable one. Even when I hated some of these characters, the book clearly made me really connect with the story.
This is a tough book for me to nail down. Set in a small Texas town, this book is less of a traditional romance than a coming-of-age. It started pretty slow and had I not been asked for a review, I probably would have given up. The main character Paula faces a difficult summer, with her husband being unfaithful, her own indecision about what to do about that, and her growing friendship with the mysterious Diana, referred to as a witch by others in town. There were points in this book when I hated nearly every character and the sort of traditional attitudes about gender relations and roles made me want to stop reading. There was also a lot more sex and violence going on than I expected. But…but there is still a solid spark of magic here in Paula’s journey and the odd, but healing routines of Diana’s home. There are elements that are almost magical realism, but the most powerful element for me was Paula’s own development. I found her slow journey to deciding who she is and what she wants and even how she feels about her cheating husband to be well-written and realistic. Overall, the writing style here is a little too flowery or perhaps trying a little too hard, but the core story is an enjoyable one. Even when I hated some of these characters, the book clearly made me really connect with the story.
September 15, 2015
I was contacted by them to read this book and write a review for them. To be quite honest it had it's up and downs in the book. It was slightly slow in the very beginning and I did have to make myself read it. Eventually however though I started picking up on a few things and it made me want to read it just to see if they played out like I thought they were going to. Although there were some things kind of thrown in the readers face and you knew they were coming there was also a lot of unexpected twists as well.
I found myself getting frustrated at the characters, not because I didn't like the book, but because the answer seemed so plain. Yet I have seen people in instances such as these characters faced and know by human nature so many others do the same thing. It is about self growth, understanding, and getting back to learning to love yourself. Being your own person and knowing you have the strength to do so. I have never been to Texas so personally I can't tell you if the dialect matched or that the Texas slang matched as it should have, but honestly it didn't matter to me. The book was written well once in get into the story line. There are the down parts I did want to skip and get on with the main point of the story, but honestly a lot of the little things made the story as well. I found myself wanting to pick it up and just learn what was going to happen next in the story.
I found myself getting frustrated at the characters, not because I didn't like the book, but because the answer seemed so plain. Yet I have seen people in instances such as these characters faced and know by human nature so many others do the same thing. It is about self growth, understanding, and getting back to learning to love yourself. Being your own person and knowing you have the strength to do so. I have never been to Texas so personally I can't tell you if the dialect matched or that the Texas slang matched as it should have, but honestly it didn't matter to me. The book was written well once in get into the story line. There are the down parts I did want to skip and get on with the main point of the story, but honestly a lot of the little things made the story as well. I found myself wanting to pick it up and just learn what was going to happen next in the story.
February 7, 2014
I Just Came Here to Dance is literary fiction. The synopsis is what caught my interest. For me, the prologue read more like a first chapter. But as I read the first few chapters, there was very little that kept my attention. Paula Anne Fairbanks is married to Martin aka Marty, who no longer has no interest in and keeps fantasizing about that kiss with Taylor Jo who seems to be no-good-man. She has a young ten year old son named after her husband: Martin Douglass. Finally things come to a fold when she catches her husband in the adultery act, and moves in with Diana, known as the Sociable witch. But it seems to be rumors of the town since I didn't read anything that indicated she was such (a witch). And also, Mrs. Paula Anne is not so innocent herself.
Oddly I didn't really like this read in the beginning but some parts made me wonder how it will end. It picked up about midway. However, I did like Mama character (Paula Anne's mother). She was relatable to me. Overall, I am glad that things worked out for Paula Anne in the end.
Dream 4 More Reviews has received "I Just Came Here to Dance" by the author for a book review. (Editorial Review).
Dream 4 More Reviews,
Okay Dream
Adrienna Turner
www.dream4more.org
Oddly I didn't really like this read in the beginning but some parts made me wonder how it will end. It picked up about midway. However, I did like Mama character (Paula Anne's mother). She was relatable to me. Overall, I am glad that things worked out for Paula Anne in the end.
Dream 4 More Reviews has received "I Just Came Here to Dance" by the author for a book review. (Editorial Review).
Dream 4 More Reviews,
Okay Dream
Adrienna Turner
www.dream4more.org
September 17, 2013
I Just Came Here to Dance, by award-winning author Susan Mary Malone, is a very special new book. I've read everything by this author, and this novel put her in a different league. For me, it wove together reality, the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, and that part of our fantasy and mythological worlds that steep our hopes and desires. All these things come into play for a bible-belt Texas girl who just wanted to dance (though it was strictly taboo). She doesn't really want to think about WHY she thinks and behaves as she does but, at the same time, she wishes she knew the answers.
As with most of us, the girl - Paula Anne Fairbanks - does a few things she regrets, and also regrets NOT doing a few things - hindsight being what it is. I guess we learn more and more about life and about ourselves even if we don't want to.
This is a VERY interesting book, and I just LOVE the way the characters sound and act like real people. And I LOVE the beautiful language it's written in!
As with most of us, the girl - Paula Anne Fairbanks - does a few things she regrets, and also regrets NOT doing a few things - hindsight being what it is. I guess we learn more and more about life and about ourselves even if we don't want to.
This is a VERY interesting book, and I just LOVE the way the characters sound and act like real people. And I LOVE the beautiful language it's written in!
October 28, 2014
I Just Came Here to DanceThrilling and rewarding to say the very least!!! If you are looking for a book that will take you on an unforgettable journey, you’ve got to give this book a try! You will be happy you did! This is a must-have book for lovers of all genres. I can’t see anyone not enjoying this book. It’s such a great story! The beginning had me hooked, the contents inside continuously, pleasantly shocked me. Plus, the feeling I got upon completion was comparable to a deep breath of refreshing air! Ah……
These characters are completing captivating! Susan Malone creative writing skills are truly unique and a pleasure to read. She has definitely created a one-in-a-million masterpiece with “I Just Came Here to Dance.” Through a highly vivid, crazy summer, complete with spells and ghosts, this book teaches a very important lesson that I think all would be able to relate to. You’ve got to give it a try!
These characters are completing captivating! Susan Malone creative writing skills are truly unique and a pleasure to read. She has definitely created a one-in-a-million masterpiece with “I Just Came Here to Dance.” Through a highly vivid, crazy summer, complete with spells and ghosts, this book teaches a very important lesson that I think all would be able to relate to. You’ve got to give it a try!
October 19, 2015
This is my review that I Accidentally left in the Comment Section a few weeks ago, instead of the Reviews Section! Please forgive my Error! I have never reviewed a book before so please bare with me! I just finished reading "I Just Came Here to Dance" by Susan Mary Malone, which I won through a Goodreads Giveaway! I want to Thank Susan & Goodreads for this Opportunity because I just finished reading this Fabulous book & now I'm ready for more! I don't like when people giveaway too much of the plot or spoil the ending for me, so I will tread carefully! This book has a little bit of everything going for it: Love, Sadness, Anger, Loss, Friendship, & Self-Discovery! All of these were necessary to weave this story together just so & Susan M. Malone did so Beautifully! The one thing that really stood out for me was how Susan did Such an Amazing job of Describing Things So Vividly & Detailed that I could just picture it all in my mind perfectly! I plan to read more of Susan Malone's "Works of Literary Art" & I recommend that you might do the same! Thanks & Have a Blessed Day!
September 30, 2015
[I received a free digital copy of this book from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review]
I agreed to read this book because it sounded like something I would love. I wanted to really like this book, but sadly, I didn't love it. I was irritated by the main character, Paula. Several times I wanted to smack some sense into her. I did, however, like the supporting characters of Diana, Lola, and Sleepy. I thought the family dynamics between the non-related characters was very realistic. You don't have to be blood to be family. I thought it was kind of ridiculous that every adult in the town seemed to be unfaithful and everyone slept with everyone else. Is this a soap opera town? The mythology that weaves through the story is really interesting and intriguing. I would have liked more of that, or maybe a book of the myths instead of the story.
Bottom line, the book isn't great, but it has enough redeeming qualities that it isn't bad either. If you are into women's fiction that is also somewhat spiritual, you may enjoy this book.
I agreed to read this book because it sounded like something I would love. I wanted to really like this book, but sadly, I didn't love it. I was irritated by the main character, Paula. Several times I wanted to smack some sense into her. I did, however, like the supporting characters of Diana, Lola, and Sleepy. I thought the family dynamics between the non-related characters was very realistic. You don't have to be blood to be family. I thought it was kind of ridiculous that every adult in the town seemed to be unfaithful and everyone slept with everyone else. Is this a soap opera town? The mythology that weaves through the story is really interesting and intriguing. I would have liked more of that, or maybe a book of the myths instead of the story.
Bottom line, the book isn't great, but it has enough redeeming qualities that it isn't bad either. If you are into women's fiction that is also somewhat spiritual, you may enjoy this book.
September 16, 2015
Fun to read. This is a beautifully written story about a woman in a Texas town, struggling against the constraints of her gender, making unexpected friends along the way. It brings to light the complexity of human relationships and the confusing emotions that fuel them.
Woven throughout are threads of mythology and folktales, and the protagonist's dreams. It's not supernatural, it's part of the ordinary lives of these characters. It works well to deepen the place and the people within it, giving them beliefs that are almost religious, though, of course, not.
What worked really well was the dialect. It's difficult to grasp as a writer, and the author here has done a fantastic job, rooting the characters somewhere and giving them flair through the their language, and making sue none of them fall flat.
Overall, enjoyable. Sometimes brutal, but often very good.
Woven throughout are threads of mythology and folktales, and the protagonist's dreams. It's not supernatural, it's part of the ordinary lives of these characters. It works well to deepen the place and the people within it, giving them beliefs that are almost religious, though, of course, not.
What worked really well was the dialect. It's difficult to grasp as a writer, and the author here has done a fantastic job, rooting the characters somewhere and giving them flair through the their language, and making sue none of them fall flat.
Overall, enjoyable. Sometimes brutal, but often very good.
September 14, 2013
This was a very good read. It isn't the kind of book I usually would read. When I read fiction, I'm a SciFi, mystery, action type reader. This was a story of self discovery from a woman's POV but I got caught up in it immediately and made quick work of it.
Eloquent descriptions painted the locales in my head even though I've never spent any time in Texas. The people were real and the colloquialisms were down home Texan.
I'd have given it a 4.5 stars if the system let me. It would have gotten 5 stars with a car chase or an alien abduction.
I really did enjoy this book and recommend it. Ya can't dance and it's too wet to plow, so you might as well read this book. :-)
Eloquent descriptions painted the locales in my head even though I've never spent any time in Texas. The people were real and the colloquialisms were down home Texan.
I'd have given it a 4.5 stars if the system let me. It would have gotten 5 stars with a car chase or an alien abduction.
I really did enjoy this book and recommend it. Ya can't dance and it's too wet to plow, so you might as well read this book. :-)
September 15, 2015
I enjoyed this book and am very glad for the offer to read and give an honest review to it. Although I couldn't fully understand and relate to some things about rural life, the language and the plot were nice.
Overall, this is a story of a woman finding out what she really wants in life. Having been led by society expectations, making choices is really hard for her. But then she learns a lot from a strong woman who practically runs the town, where heroine came to dance. And there couldn't be a better teacher for her.
I also want to note the way myths are used in this book. I don't remember anything like it and I found it quite interesting.
Overall, this is a story of a woman finding out what she really wants in life. Having been led by society expectations, making choices is really hard for her. But then she learns a lot from a strong woman who practically runs the town, where heroine came to dance. And there couldn't be a better teacher for her.
I also want to note the way myths are used in this book. I don't remember anything like it and I found it quite interesting.
October 3, 2015
I love Malone's writing style and the way her prose reaches deep inside you. She has a unique voice and it comes across on the page perfectly. The characters, from our beleaguered heroine, Paula Anne to the mysterious supposed witch Diana, are all brought to vivid life in the story.
The storyline itself is compelling and one I feel many women would identify with, but there is also the literary tension of the portrayal of life in a small town in rural Texas and all that means, both good and bad. I highly recommend this fascinating tale.
The storyline itself is compelling and one I feel many women would identify with, but there is also the literary tension of the portrayal of life in a small town in rural Texas and all that means, both good and bad. I highly recommend this fascinating tale.
January 14, 2014
When Myth And Desire Collide, Can The Simple Truth Prevail?
September 17, 2013
This book was an awesome read! Highly recommend
February 9, 2020
I knew I wanted to read this book when I read the title - I love to dance. Then I read the sample pages on Amazon and was hooked by the author's voice and the voice of the main character, Paula Anne Fairbanks.
The opening line, "Some folks said I went crazy that summer," pulled me into the story, and I just had to find out what happened to Paula Anne that fateful summer. The story is nothing like what I expected, but what a story it is. It's charming and mystical with undercurrents of harshness as relentless as the late-August Texas sun that bakes the earth and anything walking upon the earth.
I Know Those Kinds of Texas Summers
Paula's life is ripped apart when her husband, Marty, takes up with her best friend, Melinda, but their's is not the only love triangle. There's also one between Diana, who has been called the White Witch of Sociable, Texas, and Paula's mother and father. The way these people and their relationships come together, pull apart, come together again, much like a dance, makes for a very compelling read as they all search for a greater understanding of themselves and how their "self" fits into this complicated world.
This is not a story to be read quickly. I suggest taking time to savor the wonderful characters, the unique descriptions, the humor that abounds, and the truths that the story conveys.
You won't be disappointed.
The opening line, "Some folks said I went crazy that summer," pulled me into the story, and I just had to find out what happened to Paula Anne that fateful summer. The story is nothing like what I expected, but what a story it is. It's charming and mystical with undercurrents of harshness as relentless as the late-August Texas sun that bakes the earth and anything walking upon the earth.
I Know Those Kinds of Texas Summers
Paula's life is ripped apart when her husband, Marty, takes up with her best friend, Melinda, but their's is not the only love triangle. There's also one between Diana, who has been called the White Witch of Sociable, Texas, and Paula's mother and father. The way these people and their relationships come together, pull apart, come together again, much like a dance, makes for a very compelling read as they all search for a greater understanding of themselves and how their "self" fits into this complicated world.
This is not a story to be read quickly. I suggest taking time to savor the wonderful characters, the unique descriptions, the humor that abounds, and the truths that the story conveys.
You won't be disappointed.
Read
September 29, 2021Loved it. Susan knows Texas and crazy Texans.
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