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blueeyedshook's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
2.0
I wanted to like this book. But I also wanted it to be interesting. We don't always get what we want.
The most I had ever heard about dance marathons game from Gilmore Girls episode where they did one in Stars Hollow. So basically, I knew nothing about them. I thought it would be an interesting topic and take on a historical novel set in the time of the depression. This just isn't something that is regularly talked about from that time period, and I think it had the potential to be GREAT. Instead it was SO BORING and so full of political agendas. Like today's political agendas as much as the time of the depression. I thought because of the topic it would be a lighter take on the time period and not so heavy. But shortly in to the book it brought up WAY under age dancing at burlesque shows, pedophilia, then it led in to genderism (agreed that was an issue) and curing homosexuality, plus the political talks of President Herbert Hoover. It was just a lot of agendas thrown in. And maybe its the time of my life or the season of our own pop and political culture that I just don't want to "escape" into another heavily issued book.
Plus, did I mention it was boring. So I made it to 75% and skimmed the rest. Because honestly I didn't care, and I figured I already knew what was going to happen. And spoiler alert: I was right in having it figured out.
So 2 stars felt quite generous.
**Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. My opinion is my own.
The most I had ever heard about dance marathons game from Gilmore Girls episode where they did one in Stars Hollow. So basically, I knew nothing about them. I thought it would be an interesting topic and take on a historical novel set in the time of the depression. This just isn't something that is regularly talked about from that time period, and I think it had the potential to be GREAT. Instead it was SO BORING and so full of political agendas. Like today's political agendas as much as the time of the depression. I thought because of the topic it would be a lighter take on the time period and not so heavy. But shortly in to the book it brought up WAY under age dancing at burlesque shows, pedophilia, then it led in to genderism (agreed that was an issue) and curing homosexuality, plus the political talks of President Herbert Hoover. It was just a lot of agendas thrown in. And maybe its the time of my life or the season of our own pop and political culture that I just don't want to "escape" into another heavily issued book.
Plus, did I mention it was boring. So I made it to 75% and skimmed the rest. Because honestly I didn't care, and I figured I already knew what was going to happen. And spoiler alert: I was right in having it figured out.
So 2 stars felt quite generous.
**Thank you netgalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy. My opinion is my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, and Pedophilia
tamtasticbooks's review against another edition
I think in another time and place in my life, this book might be endearing and a fun read. Right now, though, I am having to DNF it. The first section, where our main character, Evie, is studying to become a nurse, was so interesting, and I wished we could have seen more of that story-her friendship with Sofie, the daughter of a pseudo-mobster, maybe?, her run-ins with the director who wanted to see her ousted because of her past, etc. All of that lasted a few chapters, and then we move on to the dance marathon circuit.
But not before an absolutely terrible flashback scene, where Evie's mom basically forces her CHILD to walk the runway at a strip show, complete with pervy guys going to town on themselves in front of kid Evie. I couldn't find content warnings for this book, so I was blindsided when this scene came around, and I was left with an awful taste in my mouth. After that, I had a hard time connecting to any character, and I found the story tedious (some scenes were fun-the first dance hall scene where Evie gets to show off her nursing skills was great.) I couldn't get over the dance marathon runners not cussing, though. There were lots of, "gee-dee"s (which was funny at first, and then a bit cringy) and then I landed on a, "fuggin'" and I couldn't take the book seriously anymore, even if that is how people talked during the Great Depression.
I may try this one out again on down the road, but my honest opinion as of right now is that this is a book with a lot of promise, and if you enjoy historical fiction and powering through some bits (like those mentioned prior), then you might give this one a try! It just wasn't my cup of tea.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC.
But not before an absolutely terrible flashback scene, where Evie's mom basically forces her CHILD to walk the runway at a strip show, complete with pervy guys going to town on themselves in front of kid Evie. I couldn't find content warnings for this book, so I was blindsided when this scene came around, and I was left with an awful taste in my mouth. After that, I had a hard time connecting to any character, and I found the story tedious (some scenes were fun-the first dance hall scene where Evie gets to show off her nursing skills was great.) I couldn't get over the dance marathon runners not cussing, though. There were lots of, "gee-dee"s (which was funny at first, and then a bit cringy) and then I landed on a, "fuggin'" and I couldn't take the book seriously anymore, even if that is how people talked during the Great Depression.
I may try this one out again on down the road, but my honest opinion as of right now is that this is a book with a lot of promise, and if you enjoy historical fiction and powering through some bits (like those mentioned prior), then you might give this one a try! It just wasn't my cup of tea.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia
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