Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Dancing Woman” by Elaine Neil Orr, Blair Publisher, January 21, 2025, On Tour with Suzy Approved Book Tours, Caitlin Hamilton Summie, Caitlin Hamilton Marketing & Publicity

WOW! Elaine Neill Orr, the Author of “Dancing Woman” has beautifully written a powerful, poignant, memorable and heartfelt novel. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction, and Literary Fiction. The author discusses how both music and art can enhance this literary experience. This is a cultural masterpiece, and I appreciate how the author vividly discusses the landscape, scenery, plot, and the dramatic, complex, complicated and colorful characters. The timeline for this story is set in Northern Nigeria in the early 1960s. The female protagonist of the story, Isabel is an America expat in Nigeria with her husband, who is an agricultural aid worker. Isabel is searching for something that will make her feel alive. Isabel wants to be more passionate in life and her art. While gardening in the back of her home, she discovers an ancient statue in the ground that reminds her of a dancing woman. She consults the Chief of the village, and is told that she will understand the meaning of this. This is a difficult time because of revolutions and political unrest. This is also around the time that John F. Kennedy is shot in America.

The author takes us along on Isabel’s journey for self-discovery. I appreciate how the author discusses the importance of self-worth, family, friends, forgiveness, redemption, love and hope. I learned so much about the culture, and the expectations and limitations of women. This is a thought-provoking novel that I highly recommend for others to read.