Title: The Dancer and the Swan
Publisher / Publication date: Six by 9 Publishing / August 1, 2025
Language: English
Format / # of Pages: Hardcover, Softcover, E-book / 503 pages
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Historical Fiction
ISBN/ASIN: 979-8-9985884-0-2 (Paperback) / TBD
Reviewed by: Janice P. Kehler
A Title to Read by: The Dancer and the Swan
I’m always intrigued by story titles, drawn to that first glimpse of the narrative as it takes off. One of the joys of reading is discovering that moment in the novel where the title becomes manifest. The author, James Peters, is masterful in guiding the reader to the implications of his chosen title—a journey defined by elegance and raw emotion, the kind found in the experiences of love and loss, trauma and transcendence.
The Dancer is DeeDee Deneaux. Her story unfolds as she comes of age against the turbulent backdrop of the 1960s, reflecting the cultural and historical events of her time, including the decline of New Orleans’ vibrant Creole culture and, later, during the 1970s and ’80s, the Black Panther era in California. A love of dance weaves its way from childhood into the world of pornography and back. The author’s attention to cultural detail, along with his documentation of key sources, is a valuable aspect of this novel.
DeeDee’s end-of-life care in a hospice setting frames her life story. The author alternates between her perspective and that of the volunteer hospice worker, developing a mysterious tension between the present and DeeDee’s backstory. The dialogue is action-packed, revealing DeeDee’s maternal wisdom, which irritates her angry son Raymond, who nonetheless stays by her side. Her story also impacts her niece, Jules, and the hospice care volunteer, both of whom absorb DeeDee’s exploits with awe and reverence, in contrast to her son Raymond.
The swan is Pauline Swanson, the volunteer hospice care worker. Her life’s journey unfolds through scenes that alternate between the present and the past, set within a Catholic family during a time marred by child abuse perpetrated by trusted church leaders. In this context, the dialogue among the women is filled with sharp, ironic humor that is both action-packed and insightful as Pauline explores the impact of her childhood on her life choices. Readers will appreciate uncovering insights that resonate with the numerous challenges she faces as she reflects on her future.
Readers will also enjoy the author’s skill in depicting DeeDee's body language, both as a dancer and as her illness progresses. Midway through the book, the Dancer and the Swan merge in an exhilarating moment when Pauline takes DeeDee to a jazz club for one last dance. In this section narrated by Pauline, DeeDee’s dancing entices the audience to join her, a ‘silent applause to her gentle gyrations… moving around her likeaccent points to her gestures…I’m [Pauline] watching someone express over seven decades of living… all conveyed in the sway and twirl of dance…’
Indeed, it was at that moment when I joined Pauline and DeeDee, admiring this powerful expression of feminine resilience. Later, while writing this review, I also uncovered the double entendre of the book's title: DeeDee the Dancer and Pauline Swanson the Swan — subtle delights embedded in a well-told story and a testament to the artistry of its cover.
