Saturday, April 24, 2010

The House of Dance by Beth Kephart


House Of Dance

Rosie and her mother coexist in the same house as near strangers. Since Rosie's father abandoned them years ago, her mother has accomplished her own disappearing act, spending more time with her boss than with Rosie. Now faced with losing her grandfather too, Rosie begins to visit him every day, traveling across town to his house, where she helps him place the things that matter most to him "In Trust." As Rosie learns her grandfather's story, she discovers the role music and motion have played in it. But like colors, memories fade. When Rosie stumbles into the House of Dance, she finally finds a way to restore the source of her grandfather's greatest joy.

Eloquently told, National Book Award finalist Beth Kephart's House of Dance is a powerful celebration of life and the people we love who make it worthwhile.
The House of Dance has the same flowing, poetic narrative as Beth's other books. This story, especially, is heart warming and at times a bit sad. It has a hint of romance but it's not the center of the book, just enough to make itself known.

Rosie is an awesome character, well rounded and unique. She has such a good heart, I want her to be my friend. Her relationship with her mom isn't good but she doesn't blow up every time she's mad at her. She just decides to stay quiet and keep her thoughts to herself. Sometimes this frustrated me because I'm not at all like that but I also understood her.

The grandfather was adorable except that I would have liked him to be more involved somehow. I felt like when Rosie was with her grandfather, it was just as a spectator, not as part of the action.

I would have also liked to see more of the dancing. The title suggests like it would be all about the dancing and it wasn't, which was good, but I also wished there could be a pinch more. The ending is just beautiful.

In one sentence:
"A heartwarming story that will keep your feet tapping."

Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Writing: 5
Cover: 4
Overall Feeling: 4
Average: 4.2 stars

2 comments:

The Library Lurker said...

Nice review! I hadn't heard of this one before your review, but I searched my library's website and they have it, so I'll be getting it next time I'm there. It sounds really cute!

Gina said...

Yes, I agree on the "keeping quite" bit...I'm not exactly like that either (well, at least not all the time). I think the grandfather was a spectator for the most part because he was in the last chapter of his life. He wasn't the main character in a sense, more supporting. (Love your one sentence at the end as well...very true.)

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