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A review by annreadsabook
Little Movements by Lauren Morrow
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book had me incredibly stressed out yet eager to return to its pages--which is a great combination, in my opinion. It follows Layla, a Black choreographer who finally gets her big break with an in-residence choreographer position at the esteemed Briar House in rural Vermont, which forces her to leave her (white) husband behind in NYC for over half a year. Over the ensuing months, she discovers she's pregnant, Briar House becomes embroiled in racial scandal, and her marriage begins to crumble.
As someone who went to undergrad on the East Coast in a very similar setting, I was locked into the discussion of the dynamics of rural upstate areas--while they often get a reputation for being affable, crunchy granola white liberals (which comes with its own issues), there is a lot of racial terror and racism that goes on up there. But also, I was reeled in by this book's exploration of what it means to pursue a passion, navigate conflicting desires, and make a name for yourself as a Black woman--and I loved the depiction of Layla's relationship with her mother, both fraught and deeply loving.
I feel this will work quite well as a book club book, since there is SO much to discuss in these pages. Can't wait for more people to read! A very solid debut.
As someone who went to undergrad on the East Coast in a very similar setting, I was locked into the discussion of the dynamics of rural upstate areas--while they often get a reputation for being affable, crunchy granola white liberals (which comes with its own issues), there is a lot of racial terror and racism that goes on up there. But also, I was reeled in by this book's exploration of what it means to pursue a passion, navigate conflicting desires, and make a name for yourself as a Black woman--and I loved the depiction of Layla's relationship with her mother, both fraught and deeply loving.
I feel this will work quite well as a book club book, since there is SO much to discuss in these pages. Can't wait for more people to read! A very solid debut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Racism, Grief, Pregnancy