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A review by daffodildyke
The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I struggled trying to decide what to rate this book and how to review it. Overall, I enjoyed it and have been thinking about it since I finished it. There was clear thought that went into the historical setting, and genuine care given to the characters.
I was left wanting more of Lisbeth, Ida and Nethe themselves, more of their intimate thoughts and feelings and concerns, entirely separated from the men in their lives. Whilst there was clearly some distancing from the men and the patriarchal grip on society at this time, with Lisbeth’s dance tree, Ida and Nethe’s relationship… it just felt like too much attention was given to Plater in particular when I could have honestly done without any genuine focus on him beyond what the women saw or felt.
The way the number of women dancing increases throughout as the events in the characters lives also escalate feels very important, and the way the bees are interwoven with the love and the pain of the narrative is really beautiful too.
It’s really strange to say I really loved this book but also give it a middling rating, but honestly the last sort of 3 hours of the audiobook are all I am really gushing about at this point.
Also Ruta Gedmintas narrating was a stroke of genius.
I was left wanting more of Lisbeth, Ida and Nethe themselves, more of their intimate thoughts and feelings and concerns, entirely separated from the men in their lives. Whilst there was clearly some distancing from the men and the patriarchal grip on society at this time, with Lisbeth’s dance tree, Ida and Nethe’s relationship… it just felt like too much attention was given to Plater in particular when I could have honestly done without any genuine focus on him beyond what the women saw or felt.
The way the number of women dancing increases throughout as the events in the characters lives also escalate feels very important, and the way the bees are interwoven with the love and the pain of the narrative is really beautiful too.
It’s really strange to say I really loved this book but also give it a middling rating, but honestly the last sort of 3 hours of the audiobook are all I am really gushing about at this point.
Also Ruta Gedmintas narrating was a stroke of genius.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Death of parent, Miscarriage, Child death, Death, and Lesbophobia