Reviews

The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

cerilou's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

motherbooker's review against another edition

4.0

In the Summer of 1518, a woman called Fray Troffea started dancing uncontrollably in the Strasbourg street. The dancing went on for weeks and she was joined by dozens more people. Nobody knew what caused the outbreak but there was much speculation. At the time, the Church saw the dancing as sinful and brought about by the devil. Some claimed it was a punishment, and the dancing only stopped when the participants were sent to a mountain shrine to pray for absolution. During the weeks of dancing, many dances collapsed and it's said that some even died. For whatever reason, those weeks caused chaos, confusion and concern for everyone in Strasbourg. So, it's easy to see why Kiran Millwood Hargrave was inspired by it.

In her version of the story, the dancing plague only affects women. It starts with Frau Troffea who suddenly starts moving her body to a rhythm only she can hear. This mania quickly spreads through other women and it builds to an overwhelming number dancing on platforms in the street. The story is mainly narrated from the point of view of Lisbet, a pregnant beekeeper who has experienced a great deal of loss in her life. Just as the dancing starts, Lisbet's sister-in-law returns from the mountains after being punished for an unnamed crime. Over the weeks, Lisbet tries to uncover the secrets at the heart of her family and deal with her own feelings and desires. Just how will that hot summer in Strasbourg change her life?

Though she doesn't participate in the dancing, Lisbet is changed by the events of that summer. She learns more about herself and her place in the world. She must face new desires and come to terms with great secrets. Mourning the loss of her unborn children, Lisbet is worried about the upcoming birth. She wants nothing more than to be a mother but is starting to realise that her place in the world is to bear her husband's children. She alone mourns the death of her previous children and the death of her mother years before. Seeing the women dancing both horrifies and intrigues her. She has been taught to follow the word of the Church but she is starting to see that the word of God might not be everything.

Throughout the book, Lisbet's narrative is woven into the brief glimpses we get of the women who have joined the dancing. We hear the stories of the different and learn of their losses, their passions and their traumas. We also see those who just can't resist the freedom that seems to come from being part of that group. This book is a testament to the variety of female experiences and how history has tried to reduce it as much as possible. It is also a book that champions the people who had to remain hidden because of strict rules. The people who were forced to deny themselves because of the superstitious and religious society of the time.

Kiran Millwood Hargrave uses this historical event to discuss themes that are still so relevant today. This is a well-written book that really brings history to life. This was even better than I thought it would be and I went in with high expectations.

beccaattiffanys's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

soph183's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A truly lovely book about female friendships, love and the importance of individuality. Hargrave does a lovely job of highlighting the way that opening your eyes to a new perspective can change your life completely.

The start is a little slow and the setting took me a little while to get into, but once past that I couldn’t put it down.

It is based on such an interesting concept- a dancing plague in 1518, that was a real life event! 

Another review said that this book connects you to other women by showing the ways in which oppression, love, and sisterhood link us across generations, and I couldn’t agree more ! The story demonstrated the way that men used to use the church to control women/ queer people/ minorities, minimising their individuality and their feelings until they were nothing but the shells of themselves. Whilst historical fiction, there’s plenty of scary parallels  to the way that men (and some religions) try to control women’s bodily autonomy today.

Also really loved the exploration of Lisbet’s maternal pain through her experiences with miscarriage and child loss, which I understand was written from the authors own life experiences- a really vulnerable and valuable perspective

hazelbynature's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

e_m_barnes's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

bookish_olga's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

 

"Being a woman is a beautiful but brutal thing." 

Kiran Millwood Hargrave delivers another captivating novel! The writing style in this book is simply exquisite, reminiscent of my beloved authors like Lauren Groff and Hannah Kent. The prose flows effortlessly, like honey, drawing readers in with its mesmerizing and entrancing quality. What truly sets this novel apart is its emotional depth, which resonated with me on many deep levels. 

Set against the backdrop of a time and place dominated by iron-fisted influence, particularly on women, this beautifully written story explores themes of love, resilience, and defiance. Through the
experiences of three remarkable women – Lisbet, Ida, and Agnethe – the novel vividly depicts the oppressive forces of culture and religion. Despite facing punishment and persecution, these women courageously challenge the cruelty of men and the Church, asserting their right to love and self-expression. 

‘Why do you think those women dance? Because there is no earthly way to be saved. You and Mutter have told me enough times – Strasbourg is sliding Hellwards. And we women, we bear the brunt. We are bred or banished, and always, always damned. Prayers cannot help us, the priests will not help us. Your babies were never blessed, so they were damned. It is not right, that is the unnatural act, not this.’

The book is Inspired by the historic Dancing Plague of 1518 and I was particularly fascinated by the author's skilful intertwining of the religious fervour of the era with the lingering mysticism prevalent in
society. In this setting, the pervasive influence of God and religion dictates every facet of existence: from matters of love and wealth to estate management and political affairs. 

Overall it is an incredible read and one that I wholeheartedly recommend to others. 

 

breadandmushrooms's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

rubymaddog's review against another edition

Struggling to maintain my focus. Felt dry. 

wildflowercrypt's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0