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To Dance in the Desert: A Novel
Having witnessed the violent deaths of both her husband and father in one terrible day, Dara flees to the solitude of a secret house in a remote desert valley. But she's not alone, for a strange woman dances on the distant sands of the desert. Further, Dara's begun to hear a voice in the wind that whispers it loves her, and invites her to dance. Follow Dara as she learns of the art of loving despite her fears, discovers the mother who abandoned her long ago, and surrenders at last to the rhythm of grace.
320 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 5, 2020
This was like watching a badly written independent film. Boring. Circumstances just flowed one to another pointlessly. Too much terrible stuff took place, and the theme of God guiding you in the moment was driven so hard that it was obnoxious. Also the way mysticism was eluded too but not fleshed out was ANNOYING. I had to force myself to finish this book because I don’t give up on books or authors like that. I always think and hope there will be a gem worthwhile along the way. This book failed me in that regard.
September 23, 2020
3 stars for the first half.
2 stars for the second half.
2 stars for the second half.
February 13, 2022
3 1/2 stars
March 9, 2023
This had the potential of a good story but was too slow and had too many story lines going on. I got confused with all the different people.
February 27, 2023
I felt like this book jumped around a lot with different plots in the story and I was frustrated trying to figure out how old everyone was.
August 9, 2010
The cover shows a dancing woman's silhouette against the sunset bronze of the desert. That, and the title, convinced me to give this novel a try, in spite of my dislike for the genre in general. I've read too much badly written Christian fiction with it's overused melodrama and endless stereotypes and just can't bring myself to read any more. The cover on this one appealed to me though. The woman holds a scarf or shawl in her outstretched arms that is catching the wind and billowing out behind her, suggesting a freedom, an uninhibitedness that was hard to resist, so, I read the book.
It wasn't bad. It was certainly an improvement over some of what I've read in the past, particularly the Christian fiction that's been written specifically for women. I don't know if the quality of the genre has improved over the past few years or if I just happened to stumble upon one of the better authours. Either way it was a relief to find it a pleasant book to read.
The first few paragraphs are interesting enough to draw the reader in, although I stumbled over part of a description in the opening line. The main character is describing a woman standing on a bluff: "...her arms stretched to the horizons, her face dry as sandstone, her silver hair blowing...". "Her face dry as sandstone"? The character watching is doing so from a distance and probably can't see her face. Maybe it's saying the woman resembles a statue carved from the cliffs, but isn't that in direct contrast to the other image being painted, an image of movement with a woman dancing and the wind blowing? I know it's a small thing, I just found it odd.
Popa has developed a story line that is fresh and original, and that held my attention well enough to keep me turning the pages. There were a couple of situations that I thought were a bit far fetched but on the whole the actions and back stories of the main characters were credible. I found the characters to be fairly well written on the whole, but among the secondary characters there were a few well worn cliches. There was the stereotypical legalist preacher, a predictable rugged cowboy type and a few others. The two main characters were the most believable, both fairly well rounded, both complex enough to be interesting.
The dialogue was also better than I would have expected, with a natural feel, easy to read. I usually find myself frustrated and rolling my eyes over the unnatural dialogue in some Christian fiction but not so much in this one, although there was a poem written by the cowboy and read at a party that was so embarrassingly corny it was hard to read it all the way through.
A lot of 'women's' novels (in my admittedly somewhat cynical viewpoint) have nice, neat impossibly happy endings for everyone involved, but this one is thankfully a little more realistic, with the main character aware of the uncertainties of the future and facing it with her eyes open. I liked that the authour gave her doubts and let her express them; it's so much more realistic than everyone living happily ever after.
The goal of this story, I think, is to tell women that there is hope, that there can be healing, no matter what awful thing life has thrown at you. And I think the authour succeeded in doing that. I'd recommend it to women who enjoy Christian fiction, particularly anyone in need of encouragement or reassurance. It's a solid story, fairly well written if a little predictable at times. But it's also realistic enough to make you stop and re-think your own attitudes toward life and that's always a good thing.
It wasn't bad. It was certainly an improvement over some of what I've read in the past, particularly the Christian fiction that's been written specifically for women. I don't know if the quality of the genre has improved over the past few years or if I just happened to stumble upon one of the better authours. Either way it was a relief to find it a pleasant book to read.
The first few paragraphs are interesting enough to draw the reader in, although I stumbled over part of a description in the opening line. The main character is describing a woman standing on a bluff: "...her arms stretched to the horizons, her face dry as sandstone, her silver hair blowing...". "Her face dry as sandstone"? The character watching is doing so from a distance and probably can't see her face. Maybe it's saying the woman resembles a statue carved from the cliffs, but isn't that in direct contrast to the other image being painted, an image of movement with a woman dancing and the wind blowing? I know it's a small thing, I just found it odd.
Popa has developed a story line that is fresh and original, and that held my attention well enough to keep me turning the pages. There were a couple of situations that I thought were a bit far fetched but on the whole the actions and back stories of the main characters were credible. I found the characters to be fairly well written on the whole, but among the secondary characters there were a few well worn cliches. There was the stereotypical legalist preacher, a predictable rugged cowboy type and a few others. The two main characters were the most believable, both fairly well rounded, both complex enough to be interesting.
The dialogue was also better than I would have expected, with a natural feel, easy to read. I usually find myself frustrated and rolling my eyes over the unnatural dialogue in some Christian fiction but not so much in this one, although there was a poem written by the cowboy and read at a party that was so embarrassingly corny it was hard to read it all the way through.
A lot of 'women's' novels (in my admittedly somewhat cynical viewpoint) have nice, neat impossibly happy endings for everyone involved, but this one is thankfully a little more realistic, with the main character aware of the uncertainties of the future and facing it with her eyes open. I liked that the authour gave her doubts and let her express them; it's so much more realistic than everyone living happily ever after.
The goal of this story, I think, is to tell women that there is hope, that there can be healing, no matter what awful thing life has thrown at you. And I think the authour succeeded in doing that. I'd recommend it to women who enjoy Christian fiction, particularly anyone in need of encouragement or reassurance. It's a solid story, fairly well written if a little predictable at times. But it's also realistic enough to make you stop and re-think your own attitudes toward life and that's always a good thing.
March 4, 2008
About the book:
"Not a safe world." How many times had she heard it over and over again? Well, it is not a safe world and Dara Murphy Brogan knew it better than most, which is exactly why she had tucked herself away on a desert mountaintop. Now it was just her, the voice inside her head and the boxes of hastily packed odds and ends--all that was left of her pathetic excuse of a life. Hadn't she chosen the desert because it was barren and brown and dead looking and far, far away from anyone who may have seen the news? So what was this, this trespasser, this interloper, this whacked out earth mother doing dancing outside her window? Celebrating life and the Spirit in a way Dara never could have dreamed. Until she opened her door and met Jane Cameron.
My review:
This story is amazing. Strange in some ways, yet incredibly insightful in others. Have you ever met someone who was very guarded and stand-offish, almost skittish? The main character, Dara, is this type of person. As you delve into her life you begin to understand the complexity of her issues and her need for a savior. Dara is so lost. Then she meets Jane, the wacky earth-mother who is not as crazy as she seems at first. I loved experiencing Dara's quest for her biological mother. Her deep pain and misplaced guilt shows how truly devastating abandonment can be to a child, especially if the person who left is the mom. Dara learned a lot about herself and grew through the course of the story. She set aside her own needs to help others, yet still had this wall around her heart. But a nagging voice in the wind would call to her, especially when her pain seemed the most out of control. That still small voice is one we all need to tune into. It just might turn our lives around if we do.
To Dance in the Desert was published by Cook Communications and was released in May 2007.
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Read
February 24, 2009Dara Murphy Brogan leaves her hometown because her father is killed by her husband. Also her husband is killed and she is left alone. She feels everyone in town is pointing at her and accusing her of their deaths. She moves to the desert to find herself. She wants to be alone but God doesn't allow that as Jane comes into her life. She sees Jane dancing in the desert. She begins a pursuit to locate her Mother along the way and discovers things about her life.
I found this book so inspiring and laughed, cried, and could not put it down until I got toward the end. The end left me a little down for a short while. But to read this book makes you realize serving God is more than a set of rules and regulations. You can learn to dance and know the freedom that knowing God can bring into your life. This book arrived at a time when I could use some encouragement. Not many people would admit there are times in their lives when they wonder if they can go on but then someone cares and reaches out and their lives are changed forever.
As one who has lived in Arizona, I could very much relate to the desert scenes. Inspirational uplifting and encouraging to know we all struggle with problems during our lives but what happens does not have to shape us for eternity.
Forgiveness, starting over, and forging forward when we don't understand are some of the things one learns from this book.
Also people need people and know someone cares and loves them
I found this book so inspiring and laughed, cried, and could not put it down until I got toward the end. The end left me a little down for a short while. But to read this book makes you realize serving God is more than a set of rules and regulations. You can learn to dance and know the freedom that knowing God can bring into your life. This book arrived at a time when I could use some encouragement. Not many people would admit there are times in their lives when they wonder if they can go on but then someone cares and reaches out and their lives are changed forever.
As one who has lived in Arizona, I could very much relate to the desert scenes. Inspirational uplifting and encouraging to know we all struggle with problems during our lives but what happens does not have to shape us for eternity.
Forgiveness, starting over, and forging forward when we don't understand are some of the things one learns from this book.
Also people need people and know someone cares and loves them
May 14, 2009
This story is beautiful but I have to say it was a letdown, thus the 4 stars.
Dara's mother walked away from her and her father when Dara was a young girl. Dara heard over and over in her growing up years from her father that this isn't a safe world. She snuck out one night and wed a man who after marrying, became abusive to her both physically and emotionally, slamming her head against the refrigerator and calling her derogatory names.
Now her husband and father are both dead. She meets Jane, a woman who is outside in the desert dancing in a snowstorm. Spontaneous and quirky Jane, without pushing, pulling or prodding, draws Dara out.
She meets a man who use to be a seminary professor who tells her that if she wants her prayer to find her mother answered, she needs to follow the 10 commandments and for things she does wrong, she is to deduct 5 points. For good things, she can give herself 5 points. After some time, she abandons this way of trying to get God to give her what she wants.
I was truly hoping the characters would tell Dara the truth about God and His grace. If they did, it was so vague it was missed. One female character did liken her prayers as daily marching orders for God. Was the story about love, relationships, prayer, or Dara finding her long-lost mother? The author seemed to have a message she was driving at but never quite brought it home. Is a 3 1/2 star rating possible?
Dara's mother walked away from her and her father when Dara was a young girl. Dara heard over and over in her growing up years from her father that this isn't a safe world. She snuck out one night and wed a man who after marrying, became abusive to her both physically and emotionally, slamming her head against the refrigerator and calling her derogatory names.
Now her husband and father are both dead. She meets Jane, a woman who is outside in the desert dancing in a snowstorm. Spontaneous and quirky Jane, without pushing, pulling or prodding, draws Dara out.
She meets a man who use to be a seminary professor who tells her that if she wants her prayer to find her mother answered, she needs to follow the 10 commandments and for things she does wrong, she is to deduct 5 points. For good things, she can give herself 5 points. After some time, she abandons this way of trying to get God to give her what she wants.
I was truly hoping the characters would tell Dara the truth about God and His grace. If they did, it was so vague it was missed. One female character did liken her prayers as daily marching orders for God. Was the story about love, relationships, prayer, or Dara finding her long-lost mother? The author seemed to have a message she was driving at but never quite brought it home. Is a 3 1/2 star rating possible?
July 24, 2014
I was surprised that I really enjoyed this book. I don't really read much contemporary but I am really glad that I read this one.
This is about a woman named Dara who goes to the desert to escape from the life that she had. Hoping that she would be far from anyone that would have heard what happened to her father and husband. Then she meets Jane dancing in the desert and soon they become friends and Dara starts to overcome her fears about people and learns that her long lost mother maybe close she and her group of friends help her find her mom.
I loved the story. It was a joy to read and very glad that I had the chance to read this.
I loved the characters in this book. I was glad when they were and sad when they were. It was amazing to read these characters and watch how they get out of the situation they get into.
I am really glad that I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did.
This is about a woman named Dara who goes to the desert to escape from the life that she had. Hoping that she would be far from anyone that would have heard what happened to her father and husband. Then she meets Jane dancing in the desert and soon they become friends and Dara starts to overcome her fears about people and learns that her long lost mother maybe close she and her group of friends help her find her mom.
I loved the story. It was a joy to read and very glad that I had the chance to read this.
I loved the characters in this book. I was glad when they were and sad when they were. It was amazing to read these characters and watch how they get out of the situation they get into.
I am really glad that I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did.
March 24, 2014
I toggled between 2 and 3 stars. What was the point of this story? It was one train wreck after another and as I continued to read the story I no longer felt any connect to the characters nor cared what happened to them.
It was as if the author, Kathleen Popa, dropped the reader smack dab in the middle of drama, tried to play catch-up only to pluck the reader out in the middle of the drama. The dysfunctional characters didn't line up nor were they thought out.
However, I did finish the book - well skimmed it actually.
To Dance in the Desert falls short of its title. Oh, it plays a small role but it certainly isn't anything inspirational. Dara, the main train wreck, tries to escape her past by living remotely in the desert until one day she sees her neighbor, Jane, dancing on the cliffs. Unfortunately, Jane sees it as her mission to "save" her new friend and to bring her back to civilization.
Blah Blah Blah
1 star?
It was as if the author, Kathleen Popa, dropped the reader smack dab in the middle of drama, tried to play catch-up only to pluck the reader out in the middle of the drama. The dysfunctional characters didn't line up nor were they thought out.
However, I did finish the book - well skimmed it actually.
To Dance in the Desert falls short of its title. Oh, it plays a small role but it certainly isn't anything inspirational. Dara, the main train wreck, tries to escape her past by living remotely in the desert until one day she sees her neighbor, Jane, dancing on the cliffs. Unfortunately, Jane sees it as her mission to "save" her new friend and to bring her back to civilization.
Blah Blah Blah
1 star?
July 10, 2009
To Dance in the Desert could have delivered so much more. It opens with an interesting premise and contains vibrant characters that I was quickly drawn to. But the further into the book I got the more I felt it slipping through my fingers like sand. What was the point? Why did it feel like each character was slowly being turned to blurry water color? Perhaps future works of Popa will avoid falling into these same holes.
May 31, 2010
I give this book more like 3 and a half stars. It had some great moments and you can feel for some of the characters in the book. She had some great original-typed characters. However, it was too emotional for me, meaning EVERYONE had an issue/problem and it was constantly there and never seemed to be dealt with.
February 26, 2011
I found this book to be depressing. It was described as a Christian theme but I didn't find much uplifting about it. Every character was dealing with trauma: desertion, abuse, drugs, disease, death, suicide, alcoholism, you name it.
August 6, 2012
Reading this book was an emotional experience. The imagery vivid. The characters so true to life. The situations both heart breaking and redemptive. Poetry within a novel. I'm looking forward to reading another work of fiction by this gifted author!
June 11, 2009
i just finished this novel. i was an okay book but a little to slow for me at times.
February 3, 2011
Some loose ends and gaps in the story.
September 15, 2011
I enjoyed the story, the setting. Thank you for writing about real pain and loss and how God's healing and restoration are powerful!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews