During the 1970s, Verdi's relationship with street-smart Johnson leads her to heroin and the brink of destruction. Rescued by a conservative professor willing to give up everything for her, she lives a quiet, comfortable life for 20 years--until Johnson returns to re-ignite old passions. Pulled uncontrollably toward the reckless appetites of her youth, Verdi struggles to understand her desires and to decide where she wants life to take her next. Best-selling author Diane McKinney-Whetstone fills this lush, lyrical novel with the steamy intensity of great jazz music. Myra Lucretia Taylor adds a rich, rhythmic voice to Verdi's dangerous, intoxicating, and utterly unforgettable dance of self-discovery.
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"I have read all of Ms. McKinney-Whetstone's books, and this is my favorite, with Tumbling next. All of her books take place in Philadelphia, one of my favorite cities. This one addresses the issues of the black middle class, drugs, relationships. I've read it a few times." — Mary (5 out of 5 stars)
"I have read all of Ms. McKinney-Whetstone's books, and this is my favorite, with Tumbling next. All of her books take place in Philadelphia, one of my favorite cities. This one addresses the issues of the black middle class, drugs, relationships. I've read it a few times."
“The author pegs the caring but comfy zeitgeist of the ‘90s…Verdi's evolution, from sheltered but curious daughter of a Southern preacher to drug-addicted student to stifled partner of an overprotective father figure, is all too credible. Flashbacks to the early days of the erstwhile lovers’ relationship shimmer with the intoxication of first love, while their later encounters powerfully reveal their vulnerability to old desires.”
“Real depth and emotion.”
“Blues Dancing is a novel well worth curling up with a long winter's night.”
“McKinney Whetstone's strength—apparent in all her work, including Blues Dancing—is plot development. Her novels have a page-turning quality.”
“Blues Dancing is reminiscent of moving from a beloved neighborhood and leaving behind friends who are like family.”
“A fine tale…the author wraps the characters in emotions so acute that readers can virtually taste [them].”
" An excellent book about finding your own inner strength and the consequences of the choices we make. "
" Loved it! My favorite DMW book. Very richly and beautifully written. "
" I read this when it first came out and will be re-reading very soon. One of my favorite stories. "
" I read this book years ago, as a teenager, but I've never forgotten it. The language is so lyrical. It's sets a mood that, just like a song, you never forget. I plan to re-read very soon "
" One of the realist love novel's I have read!!!!! "
" McKinney-Whetstone is amazing at character development and revelation! I LOVE the way she connects the storylines and makes you feel like you know each and every person in them! "
" I worked at the lit agency who rep'd this... "
" The language was very impressive. The characters were so real. I was sad that it ended. "
" Amazing Amazing Amazing Amazing! The characters, their realness, their struggle the love. Everything in this book was perfect. The story was right on time it didn't skip a beat and it was a very sophisticated book in terms of vocabulary and references. "
Diane McKinney-Whetstone is the author of five acclaimed novels and the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Library Association’s Black Caucus Literary Award for Fiction, which she won twice. She teaches fiction writing at the University of Pennsylvania and lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Greg.
Myra Lucretia Taylor is an award-winning actress who has appeared on Broadway, off Broadway, in many theaters across the country, and internationally. Her television and film credits include Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Atlanta, The Big Sick, Bushwick, and Catfight.
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