I really enjoyed this book, it was a comfortable easy going read that had a steady pace, a nice story with interesting characters. My only annoyance was with how timid and weak she seemed around Bruno, I found the shaman theory of 'suggestion' quite interesting, it put a new spin on the situation.What I liked the most was how Vickers changed the scenes from past to present by using coincidences and deja vu as triggers.Overall, a delightful book to read. This book had a very slow lead up to the story. I was about half-way through before I developed a real interest in the story. I felt relieved when it finally caught up with the expectation I had for it, an expectation I formed after reading the book jacket. It was after the first several of Vi's flashbacks, when the picture of her sordid past really started to come alive that I started to enjoy this book. I think the most interesting parts of most people's lives happen at a young age, when their path has not yet been established. It's an interesting time because it's full of promise, it's a time spent looking forward rather than looking back, or examining the present. Another detraction that I couldn't get past was the lack of character development of the cruise passengers. Other than Violet and Dino/Des, I couldn't keep them straight. I was a bit disappointed that the story of Dino/Des didn't come into all that much play. His story seemed just as interesting as Vi's, if not more so. Perhaps because of his youth it's better left un-reflected upon. The old cliches are proved true by Violet, youth is wasted on the young, and hindsight is 20/20. Even the idea of a magically lavish transatlantic cruise didn't sell me on the prospect of getting old.What I had hoped to gain from reading the book was probably the same thing most people hope to get from learning about the lives of those who came before, insight into my own life. From Vi I learned that romantic relationships can be blinding to those in them, and the blame for the pain that occurs within them cannot be assigned unequally. I also learned that some dreams don't die, but people do. We don't have all the time in the world, so why not chase those dreams?Perhaps the most important lesson came at the very end, allowing yourself the same "Grace and Mercy" that you have for others.
What do You think about Dancing Backwards (2009)?
Between liked and really liked. Her message is subtle. Worth reading.
—mkdhalla
Not normally my kind of book but it was a brilliant read
—Pyxii
