Play Book Tag discussion

This is the first book by this author I have read, and while liking it, I was left at the end rather disgruntled. Not sure why except it felt unresolved, and that made me unhappy after 442 pages. But I will definitely read this author again as her writing is rich, the plots and characters are interesting, and her narratives are even surprising at times. I also liked how dance in all forms is a recurring theme from beginning to end. In fact, the title alludes in part to Fred Astaire and his movie 'Swing Time' which is introduced in one of the first chapters.

Two young girls of mixed race grow up in Council housing in a dodgey part of London. They meet in traditional dance class, both obsessed with dancing. One girl, Tracey, is talented and beautiful, ultimately going on to professional dance school and life as a professional performer and many struggles with adulthood. The other is our narrator, not talented as a dancer but vocally, following a traditional educational path studying media in university, and ultimately working for a decade as personal assistant to Aimee, a megastar, global celebrity. Aimee's world is a bubble, isolated from other lives, and as her personal assistant, our narrator gradually loses all real connection with the world outside that bubble, frozen in place and time, isolated, an observer while also an enabler for only one person's life. All is seen through only our narrator's eyes, with at least half the story told in flashback, in chapters alternating with present time (mid-2000s). I found this at times a bit confusing or irritating. The story ranges from their childhood to teen years to mid-30s, and mostly between London and The Gambia in West Africa where Aimee has taken her philanthropic urging to create a school for girls.

I found the book most successful when Smith is drawing aside the curtain of the impact of Aimee's 'philanthropy' on a community in this poor village in The Gambia. Good does result, but in spite of Aimee and her dictates, only through the dedicated efforts of one or two members of her entourage.

In the end, I found I did not like our narrator very much. While I found Tracey ultimately more sympathetic and interesting, both were lives wasted. One stylistic note, one of great credit to the author, (view spoiler)[I only realized about 2/3rds through that our narrator was never given a name. Not even on the last page. The author, the reader, and the narrator are thus one. It is quite successfully pulled off. (hide spoiler)]

As I wrote this review, I realized that the end of the story which so disappointed me is actually giving the title of tbe book new importance, relevance even, in the lives of our narrator and Tracey.

Great review, Theresa.
I've had this book on my radar, and I'm very curious about why it left you disgruntled at the end. It seems like the plot seems like it has a lot of moving parts, and good character development. But "seems like" doesn't necessarily mean it's a good book!

Joi wrote: "Great review, Theresa.
I've had this book on my radar, and I'm very curious about why it left you disgruntled at the end. It seems like the plot seems like it has a lot of moving parts, and good c..."

I actually read up on it a bit after writing my review, including NYTimes review from when it was published, and I think my disgruntlement relates to the narrator protagonist. I don't want to say more as it would be a spoiler. Once you read it, we can talk!

It is a good book. It just is not a great book.

Very interesting. I always like when a book makes me want to research more afterwards. I'll let you know if I start!

Nice review, Theresa, my feelings about this book were similar to yours. I also gave it 3 stars but would read another book by this author as I liked her writing style.

Joi- hope you do! A friend is going to read it soon too.

Joy D - interesting. I absolutely agree on reading more of her work.

Zadie and I have not got along previously so I’m scared to try it!