Blues Dancing: A Novel

Set in Philadelphia ...Blues Dancing (BD) unfolds and is told. BD is the story of Verdi and Johnson, Verdi and Rowe, Verdi and extended family poetically and lyrically told in a breathtaking manner! I finished this book in a day and was saturated with so many feelings that it was over two weeks before I was able to pick up another book. In fact, Blues Dancing is by far the best book that I've read this year and the only book that I've read twice in a VERY LONG TIME.Blue's Dancing is vividly and lyrically written and is an unforgettable story about love, betrayal and faith. For the last twenty years, Verdi has composed a quite life with her former professor, Rowe. He takes care of her and makes her feel good albeit over time the relationship becomes increasingly stifling and controlling at times. All appears fine until Johnson returns to town. Johnson, the boy from the streets of Philadelphia who captured Verdi's heart when the two of them were in college. Johnson the boy who taught Verdi to love heroin and then wanted out of the relationship when the heroin consumed Verdi. With Johnson's reappearance, the ground beneath Verdi begins to shift, and Verdi must discover the only person who can save her-herself.I like Ms. Whetstone's ability to tell an engrossing and provocative story. Even thought the story spanned the 70's and 90's and switched back and forth one barely noticed because of Ms. Whetstone's excellent writing skills and writing style. The characters were well developed and had depth including the youngest cast member Sage. You cheered for Posie and one wanted the best for her; Rowe was the character that everyone loved to hate. Blues Dancing touches all of ones senses as it is alive with scent, sound, sight, taste and touch. Whetstone wraps us in emotions so acute that we can almost taste Johnson's sadness, smell Verdi's innocence, and touch Rowe's manipulation. Whetstone's descriptions are rich with imagery so vivid that one can readily visualize the scenery and the characters lives as they stand on the brink of crumbling. Once you've read Blues Dancing you'll change your mind about some of the current genre out there by AA authors and say wow...CAN WE HAVE MORE WRITING LIKE THIS...no broken English, mature and educated AAs, characters with depth, substantial storyline, plots that build and get better, excellent writing skills, and the list goes on but read it for yourself and form your own opinions. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't say that this book is for serious readers only...if you're looking for something light and mindless...this might not be the book for you.If you're still interested, please read this poignant and memorable novel from Ms. Whetstone.

This novel came highly recommended by one of my favorite people, Brian. Thanks so much for the suggestion. This is my first novel to read by author Diane McKinney-Whetstone but it won't be my last.The love shared between Verdi and Johnson was so deep and strong. After being apart for 20 years these two reunite. Will Verdi leave Rowe who saved her life and go back to Johnson? I won't say. At no time in the novel did I feel sorry for Rowe. He had to deal with the decision he made to leave his wife. The many twist to the story made for a great page turner. The characters were well developed and described. I loved the authors ability to go back and forth in time without confusing me. Blues Dancing is a novel that shouldn't be missed. I look forward to reading Tumbling and Tempest Rising.Diane, I wish you much success and look forward to adding you to my list of favorite authors. Be Blessed.

Yes, she has done it again ! Diane McKinney Whetstone is one of my favorite writers of the 90's. I LOVED Tumbling, was again impressed by Tempest Rising and was anxiously patting my foot waiting for another novel to be published. Blues Dancing was yet another 'love story' which featured 'tragic' female characters who ultimately find themselves and overcome their demons. This story was simple, yet lyrical - complicated, yet easy to read and understand. You could compare her to Toni Morrison but you can leave the notepad, dictionary and hightlighter in your desk.It is hard to trudge through this wave 'Dating Game', junk food fiction by African American writers which has marked the 1990's. But, finding Diane McKinney, Edwidge Danticat and Helen Elaine Lee has renewed my faith in real writers and makes me glad I am a reader.The main character, Verdi, along with her male suitors Johnson and Rowe, demonstrates how easily people can give up their power to another person or substance and how finding your own self and own way are really the only ways to assure that someone elses strengths or weaknesses are not making you what you are.

While Tumbling and Tempest Rising were very good, Blues Dancing has to be the best work of Ms Whetstone. She very smoothly takes us back and forth from the 70's and 90's and the relationship of Verdi and Johnson and Verdi and Rowe. Her writing is very descriptive and you could just imagine yourself in the midst of the story. Sage, Penda and Kitt lends a very nice touch to the story. This book will keep you intrigued.

Diane McKinney-Whetstone has done it again... taken her readers to Philly, evoked every sensory organ, and personally introduced us to vivid characters with personality. Mrs. McKinney-Whetstone is such an excellent storyteller!Blues Dancing is a beautifully written novel of passionate relationships between friends and family. By passionate, I'm referring to the deep and loving heartfelt emotions... and a bit of physical intimacy.Verdi and Johnson display such strong passion for one another during a time when the major focus of the Movement was violence. During their college years, they become friends and inevitably lovers. I enjoyed reading how they were so much a part of one another that you couldn't tell where one ended and the other began... that's some DEEP love.While swimming (and nearly drowning) in the depths of this passionate love story, I had to put the book down a few times to literally catch my breath. Blues Dancing took me back to a place I never wanted to leave... who knows, maybe I'll smell the sweetness of butter!