Salt Dancers Book

**this whole review contains spoilers**

liked the approach she had with 'dancing in my mother's palm,' but this book was a far cry from the best parts of that. the plot is simple, but thin.

not of the lispector attitude: 'it it thru tremendous effort that i keep my life simple.'

i don't care enough about the narrator to get involved in her drama. the characters, friendships and familial relationships are somewhat infuriating. the whole premise of the book rests upon the confrontation with the father. but is he truly 'forgetful' or slightly demented? tho it is Not at all a satisfactory confrontation for the protag, it is particularly awful as far as development for the reader. unbelievable that she went all that way to see dad after years and didn't try to understand his denial or what was behind it/causing it. so hegi, to cover that lack, intro's the mom at the end? bad. and even less developed and believable. it's a bad crutch.

what is really bothersome is that the narrator continuously Apologizes to parents for confronting them for beating her, abusing her and abandoning her. it would be infuriating if i cared for the narrator. but her relationship w her gay [how convenient] bff is simply contrived and not heartfelt.

i know people feel bad and compassionate after/during confronting people, esp parents. but to write an entire book setting up a confrontation--bc the narrator is reluctantly pregnant--and having her repeatedly apologize for that which the book is based on.....

well, this equals a one star read.

and the mom is a terrible character who, knowing her husband is a drunk and an even more abusive drunk when he's drunk Leaves her children with said drunk....that is tenuous at best for a believable plot line that could elevate discussion about these issues.