Molly Arnette is very good at keeping secrets. She lives in San Diego with a husband she adores, and they are trying to adopt a baby because they can’t have a child on their own. But the process of adoption brings to light many questions about Molly’s past and her family-the family she left behind in North Carolina twenty years before. The mother she says is dead but who is very much alive. The … The father she adored and whose death sent her running from the small community of Morrison’s Ridge. Her own birth mother whose mysterious presence in her family raised so many issues that came to a head. The summer of twenty years ago changed everything for Molly and as the past weaves together with the present story, Molly discovers that she learned to lie in the very family that taught her about pretending. If she learns the truth about her beloved father’s death, can she find peace in the present to claim the life she really wants?
Told with Diane Chamberlain’s compelling prose and gift for deft exploration of the human heart, Pretending to Dance is an exploration of family, lies, and the complexities of both.
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Pretending to Dance is a women’s fiction novel written by Diane Chamberlain. This story is told from the past and present perspective of the main character: Molly. The revolving time frames work flawlessly as the reader witnesses how events in her adolescence follow her into adulthood like a shadow. Life seems to come full circle for Molly and she must address the secrets and lies associated with her past if she wants to move forward. Focal themes include coming of age, adoption, marriage, family estrangement, and quality of life issues.
Pretending to Dance was so very, very good. I felt consistently engaged and when I cried, my tears felt endless. The subject of adoption is close to my heart and the emotional complexity of this part of the story was palpable. Pretending to Dance is one of my favorite Chamberlain books to date, and the audiobook performance is excellent. If you enjoy women’s fiction/drama, please don’t miss this one.
My favorite quote:
“It’s hard to move on if you don’t forgive. It’s like trying to dance with a lead weight on your shoulders. The anger can weigh you down forever.”
** spoiler alert ** THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!
I listened to this book on audio and loved it. It is the second novel I’ve “read” by Diane Chamberlain. I am excited to have discovered this author. She creates relate-able, deep characters set against times and places that come alive with her succinct, descriptive writing. The father-daughter relationship was written beautifully and poignantly. The only reason I didn’t give this one five stars is (SPOILERS BELOW)
I found it a stretch that Graham would get his whole family to participate in his mercy killing. I also found it hard to believe that Molly would have cut off her entire family. I can see a fourteen-year-old being too hurt and angry to try to comprehend the tragedy. As she grew into an adult, however, I was disappointed that she held on to that anger. I understand her opposition to it totally, but to cut off her mothers completely without trying to understand bothered me. I decided that I really liked 14-year-old Molly. The adult Molly was too self-centered and she didn’t grow much from her 14-year-old mindset. (She even whined about her 22-hours travel time to get to Sienna’s bedside! I know she said she can’t compare it to what Sienna was going through, but REALLY?!) Again, I’m not saying she should have agreed with her family’s actions, but there’s a gray area there.
Anyway, I highly recommend the book.
Love Diane Chamberlain!! I have yet to read a book of hers that I haven’t got ridiculously drawn in and love her characters
A book you don’t have to pretend to love, you’ll be absolutely captivated by PRETENDING TO DANCE. From the first page turn, Diane Chamberlain draws readers into an intimate look at a “dysfunctional” family only to reveal that in reality, all families are dysfunctional. The gritty details and sobering realities of their lives challenge the traditional concept of “family” as Chamberlain colors outside the lines creating a new and affirming definition of what family really means.
Kept me wondering what would happen next!
Another Diane Chamberlain that didn’t disappoint.
I just finished this with happy tears in my eyes, and loved it. Fell in love with the characters, good story, 5 stars for me. Read the synopsis and try it.