Dancing in the Dark

by Robyn Bavati

Published by: Penguin/Flux

Keri’s Rating: 

He tossed her into the air as if she were weightless, and just for a moment she seemed suspended there, defying gravity. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I knew what she was feeling. It was in every movement of every limb.

Here was a power I had never seen before, a kind of haunting loveliness I had never imagined. Seeing it made me long for something, I didn’t know what . . .

Ditty was born to dance, but she was also born Jewish. When her strictly religious parents won’t let her take ballet lessons, Ditty starts to dance in secret. But for how long can she keep her two worlds apart? And at what cost?

A dramatic and moving story about a girl who follows her dream, and finds herself questioning everything she believes in.

The Book Pirate’s Review:

I confess that I have a thing for ballerinas. The line of lean muscles, the delicate yet strong bodies, and those graceful point shoes. I have the love for the dance, yet am trapped in the body of…me. This novel seemed to have been written for those of us with dreams yet no hope. The detail in which Bavati wrote the actions allowed the reader to feel as if they were bending as lithely as Ditty herself.

I truly enjoyed reading the life and experience of a strictly jewish family. I don’t normally enjoy historical fiction. Wait…did I say historical? Actually, it was set in present day! I was shocked when they started mentioning music players, jean cutoffs and cell phones!! I had no idea there was such a religious sect of Judaism still.

The story was phenomenal. Bavati writes as though she has lived it completely herself. The struggle between such strict religion and worldly desires is vivid. I actually wanted to read the glossary in the back to learn more! I loved that she used Jewish words. The vocabulary impressed on the traditions that bled through the novel.

The relationship between Ditty and her family and friends was truly convincing. I hurt for her as the guilt weighed her down and built such walls amid her and her parents. Every person reading this will recall at least one time they kept a truth from their parents. Juggling the religious and secular friendships was just as compelling.

I know this type is not one for a sequel, nor would it be realistically possible to recreate the struggle. If there was, though, I’d grab it off the shelves in a heartbeat.