Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Touchstone (1997), 240 pages
Description
Salt Dancers is at once a brilliant portrait of an American family, a story of the secrets families guard, and a moving account of one woman's journey back to a past filled with elusive memories and suppressed rage. Why did Julia's mother disappear one day without so much as a word? How did a loving father who taught her such a beautiful thing as the salt dance become such a terrifying and abusive presence? These are the questions which Julia must confront when she returns to Spokane, Washington, after an absence of twenty-three years. Salt Dancers, a superbly written novel, is a poignant and truthful chronicle of self-discovery and the power of resurrection.
User reviews
LibraryThing member oldblack
This book was for me a very powerful study of parent-child relationships and the failures which can occur. The fact that the narrator's parents are shown to be clearly both "good" and "bad" made it a realistic analysis. The way we deal with the problems in our relationships was also well
Here's a quote which shows one aspect of what I like about this book:
"What I wanted was the happiness I'd known as a child before I'd found out that even if things were the best they could be, you were always right on the brink of that bone-chilling isolation because people who were the closest to you- like your mother or father or brother or lover - could turn on you, turn from you."
I didn't find the language (swearing) a problem....I suppose that reflects on me!
Show More
covered.Here's a quote which shows one aspect of what I like about this book:
"What I wanted was the happiness I'd known as a child before I'd found out that even if things were the best they could be, you were always right on the brink of that bone-chilling isolation because people who were the closest to you- like your mother or father or brother or lover - could turn on you, turn from you."
I didn't find the language (swearing) a problem....I suppose that reflects on me!
Show Less
LibraryThing member herebedragons
I read this about a year ago, and now can hardly remember anything about it, except that I wasn't particularly impressed.
LibraryThing member dara85
I thought the writing in this book was wonderful. I liked the story line, it is worth reading. I was a little disappointed in the ending. I thought it was would have a surprise ending. If you liked Stones from the River, you would probably enjoy this one.
LibraryThing member bnbookgirl
After having read Stones From the River, which I loved, this book was really a disappointment. I did not like it at all. The characters did not interest me nor did their story.
LibraryThing member nivramkoorb
I have always enjoyed Ursula Hegi. During shelter in place, I have been reading books that I have had for years but not gotten around to. Salt Dancers was one of those. It was a short book(240 pages) but lots of narration so it seemed longer. Julie is 41 years old, an architect, lives in Vermont,
Show More
and is 4 months pregnant. She is not married but is connected loosely with the father to be. She decides to go back to Spokane to see her father who she hasn't seen in 23 years and her 40 year old brother who lives with him. Julia's mother left the family when she was 9 and she has basically disappeared. Julia's father abused her after her mother left them. This is the reason for her absence. The book shows her dealing with all these issues. We are totally in her head throughout the book and that is always difficult to have one point of view. I did enjoy the writing and appreciated how difficult things have been for Julia. However, it was almost too much to take in as a reader. There were plot elements that didn't add up for me. If you have read Hegi then you might enjoy this book.. It is not a happy subject but one that happens throughout our culture and I did like getting an insight into the mind of someone who had such a tough upbringing. If you have not read Hegi, then I suggest reading Stones from the River as an introduction to her. Show Less
Subjects
Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 1997)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
240 p.; 5.25 inches
ISBN
0684844826 / 9780684844824
Local notes
Fiction