Dansen langs de rand

by Han Nolan, Nan Lenders (Translator)

Miracle is een bijzonder kind. Haar grootmoeder Gigi, die haar opvoedt, herinnert haar er voortdurend aan dat haar leven een echt mirakel is. Ze is immers geboren uit de schoot van een vrouw die na een aanrijding overleden was. Miracle moet wel zijn voorbestemd voor een bijzonder leven, net als haar vader Dane, die romans schrijft. Gigi leeft in een wereld vol mystiek. Overal branden kaarsen en Gigi houdt regelmatig seances, waarbij met de doden gesproken wordt. Op een avond is Dane plotseling verdwenen.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness, Childrens, Mental Health, Contemporary

223 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1997

About the author

Han Nolan is widely acclaimed for her evocative language, her gritty subject matter, and her ability to plumb the psyche of her characters. Her books include Dancing on the Edge, which won the National Book Award, Send Me own a Miracle, a finalist for the National Book Award, Born Blue, A Summer of Kings, and several other acclaimed novels. She and her husband live on the East Coast.

Reviews

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sad. My favorite character was actually Grandaddy Opal. I thought the hook was good but I’m unhauling the paperback as I’ll probably not read it again.

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when they describe books as poignant? This is the real deal, and embodies the true meaning of the word. This book was so hard to read. Not interest wise but mentally.

Miracle has been born of a dead mother, and that is not the only thing that sets her apart. Her grandma Gigi is into talking with the dead, incense and the like. Miracle herself believes in all of this too. It all becomes too real when her father Dane just melts. Yeah you read right he "melts". She moves to her Grandpa's and starts taking dance lessons, but for some unknown reason she has to keep it a secret from her grandma Gigi. Why all the mystery? In due time we find out.

The book starts out when she is ten and ends when she is fourteen. So we see some major character changes. It's so sad to see her spiral down and you just want to tell her not to give in and not to give up. Of course the story must run it's course though. She is a weird girl. Her thoughts are odd, but you understand why because she feels so lost. There isn't much she can believe in and no real friends to speak of. It's just has to be difficult to grow up like that. You root for her even though you don't know much about her as a person. The reader knows the events and what's happening in her head, but not who she really is. It's like you are cheering for her potential if that makes sense? I loved the scenes she had with her grandpa because you could feel those were some of the few moments she felt like she was a real person who belonged in the world.

I don't want to give too much away, but I'll say this you won't forget Miralce and her journey, and you'll feel more like you're real after reading her story. And most of all, "that love might turn out to be the truest, realest thing I'll ever know" pg.244

[Spider the Doof Warrior · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first started this book, I thought, this is ridiculous. This book is so stupid. I kept reading it and thought. Wow. This is powerful stuff. It's a book of lies, half-truths and trying to find out who you are through the lies.
Miracle is told over and over how she survived being pulled from the body of a dead woman, but there's so much she hasn't been told, so much she can only feel about her birth. She really just wants to be a normal healthy child, so this book is about her finding her way to that and the rest of her family as well.

Read it.


Read it again. Sometimes people in this book talk in a strange way, but it could be that they are southern. The man lesson is, don't lie to your kids. Tell them the harsh truths. It's healthier!

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

"There's always light after the dark. You have to go through that dark place to get to it, but it's there, waiting for you. It's like riding on a train through a dark tunnel. If you get so scared you jump off in the middle of the ride, then you're there, in the tunnel, stuck in the dark. You have to ride the train all the way to the end of the ride."

—Dr DeAngelis, Dancing on the Edge, P. 210

The style of this book is so unusual that it's hard for me to completely get a grasp on it. Living through the life story of Miracle McCloy is like being forcibly immersed in dark water, thrust into a murky state in which reality is never fully all that it seems, and people as well as situations are capable of changing on a dime. Miracle—a preteen and later, teenage, girl—is up against circumstances in her life that could confound nearly anyone. How much of what she is told is true though, exactly? Did her father, Dane, really melt in his clothes, leaving her to the care of her extended family? When her mother died before Miracle was even born from her body, was there more to the story than Miracle is being told?

These are mysteries that can only be unraveled by reading the entire story, by confronting the myriad difficulties of Miracle's life alongside her as she tries to grow normally in a family that doesn't really allow for that. So often Miracle finds herself in the familiar position of being a pariah to all around her, and her mind is only capable of handling these battling elements for so long before it...goes up in flames.

Miracle's pathway to have a chance at a regular life isn't simple, and it's far from comfortable for the involved reader. Author Han Nolan holds up a mirror, of sorts, and as the reader passes by in reading this book, his or her own reflection will occasionally be revealed in that mirror. There is a lot to learn from this story about ourselves and the emotional connections (both good and bad) that form in families, and for that, I think that Dancing on the Edge is a worthwhile read. I would give it two and a half stars.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really pulls at me. It takes a bit to understand where Miracle is coming from. She grow up in a very different reality from anyone I've known. I liked her grandmother Gigi but I think she causes Miracle a lot of trouble facing reality. She puts way too much on the girl but it makes me wonder how broken she is too. Her father frustrates me beyond words. Does he even care about anyone?! UGH! And poor Miracle is stuck in everyone elses shadows. My heart goes out to her. Her struggle with finding herself and being whole. Great mental health awareness read.

[Rei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was amazing, not only because of the amazing plot but because it’s about a teenage girl Miracle, who’s about fourteen years old and deals with her difficult life. It was about a girl who loves dance and trying so hard not give up. It’s also very sad because both her parents are not there to support her or have fun with her because her mother died right when Miracle was born. This usually happens often in America and it’s really devastating when you hear it. Imagine it, not having a mother carrying you when you were a baby. Miracle’s dad in this book is probably hiding, I think because in the book they don’t clearly state that he is hiding or not hiding. One of my favorite characters in this book would be Miracle’s grandfather because he took care of Miracle whenever she needed to be taken care of. Miracle’s grandfather took her in as a relative and I thought that that was a really nice thing to do. At least she had the support from her grandfather. Grandfather Opal (Miracle’s grandfather) also put Miracle in ballet, where she did a dance and fell in love with Ballet. I think that the grandfather put her in there so she could take away the feelings of depression and loneliness for a while. I also think that this title goes really good with the overall plot of the story. Overall, this book is really good.

[Maryam M.Gh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the third time after 10 years.
I can imagine why it was my favorite book growing up, the loneliness of Miracle, the act of trying to find your true self, it all makes sense now.
But this time, I read it in the view of an adult. I found out how small acts of parents and relatives can make a huge impact on child's mind. That children might held themselves responsible for grown ups' behaviors, even the ones that has nothing to do with them. This, could make them feel guilty and they might not be able to express how they really feel.

I would recommend this book to everyone, regardless of their age. Especially to the ones that have experienced loneliness at some point in their life, feeling like there is no one in their entire life that understands them and there never will.
I promise you, there are. It might take some time, but you will find them. You just have to look harder and seek help :)

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 4 out of 5]

فضای غریبی دارد این کتاب
یک جورهایی روان شناختی هست و نیست
نویسنده خوب از پس خلق قهرمانی تنها و عمیقاً درگیر با کسب هویت برآمده
و همین طور از پس خلق فضا...
که برای من خیلی ارزشمند است
تقریباً به اندازه ی شخصیت پردازی خوب!
+ ترجمه ی همیشه خوب آقای عبیدی آشتیانی!
کم کم اسمش دارد برای من تبدیل به امضا می شود!
مثل پروین علیپور و مثل چندتای دیگر...
پ.ن. بشری می گفت بعد از خواندن این کتاب، دیدش به روان شناسی خیلی بهتر شده!
پ.ن.2. ممنون از بشری به خاطر این
n امین
کتاب خوبی که به من معرّفی کرده!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book that first inspired me to write, it seems strange how hard it to find words that capture what it meant to me. Beyond an amazing plot; beyond exquisitely fleshed-out and stripped-down characters, beyond the lyrical beauty of Nolan's writing in general.

This book introduced me to poetry. It gave me words for things like "poignant" and "yearning" and "depression," for feelings that had and would tear and burrow and putrefy inside me. It taught me about the power of knowledge, and the truth found in the flesh of every lie. It taught me about hope. And it taught me that the best and worst thing in the world is to be purely, undeniably, alone.

"I'm Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – too? Then there's a pair of us! Don't tell! they'd advertise – you know!"

[Madeleine]

i stopped reading iit 4 a little while but then i remembered it and started right were i left off! i am really glad that i did!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't particularly like the beginning, and I was very confused. The purposed childish southern accent in the beginning was a nice touch though, and was appreciated. I did enjoy how Miracle describes her family members quite bluntly. How her Aunt Casey always has lipstick on her teeth (seriously, that's always embarrassing. Am I right girls?). My taste in it did get better as the book progressed. (Minor spoilers. Stop now if it bugs you) I loved when she finally established a relationship with her Grandaddy Opal, and how he truly did love her and was happy she was moving in with him, unlike her first encounters described. I am empathetic for Miracle, how she burned her legs and was sent to the suicide ward. How she doesn't remember it, because she want to believe another story. How she want to think she's nobody to deal with the fact that shes in pain. As a person who suffered existential feelings and grew up with a family situation that isn't normal herself, I really connect with her, and almost see a part of me in her.

[Brittney]

Miracle got her name simply from the fact that she was born from he dead mother. Miracle McCloy was raised by her grandma, while her dad was kinda around he was still very depressed . Not long after her dad disappeared, her grandpas's house was his by a tornado and ruined. Miracle has some mental problems. Her grandpa allows her to take dance classes even though she is forbidden, because her mother used to be a dancer. She finds out her mothers death was actually a suicide, her mother had jumped in front of the bus and go ran over. miracle was raised with no mother and barley a father and still stayed strong and did what she loved most...Dance.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got swept up in the main character’s voice and quirky but realistic world. Miracle’s story shows the burden young people carry when families don’t help them understand the family “secret” that’s there all along for everyone to see. Children fill in the gaps by blaming themselves. Beware the pain of witnessing a highly sympathetic character suffer through some serious mental health issues. Miracle’s truth may not be pretty, but she saves herself by facing it.

[Maryam M.Gh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorites when i was teen!

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief recap from my previous reviews of Han Nolan: I loved Crazy, more than I can describe. Both If I Should Die Before I Wake and Born Blue paled in comparison. I admired Nolan in both books for trying to write something unique and powerful, but both of them had fundamental problems that kept them from totally succeeding - both of them were, in the end, just average. I thought this would turn out the same way. And indeed, for the first half of the novel, it was pretty mediocre. But things turned around quite a bit in the second half of the novel, and that's where I really started enjoying it.

The first half of the novel is mostly setup for the second half. It's remarkably subtle in how Miracle's character slowly develops. Her transformation isn't immediately obvious, but it's certainly there. The problem is, it might've been a little too subtle. For the first half of the novel, I honestly had no idea why I was being given this information, why it was supposed to be interesting or important. The second half makes it quite clear, but I wish the first half had been more interesting in its own right. Miracle's family was kind of interesting, but Miracle was largely separated from the action of the story. It was clear that we were seeing it through her eyes, but until it becomes clear how profoundly her family shapes her, it's impossible to tell how Miracle is relevant to the story being told.

But once we get through the first half of the book, and the story becomes more about Miracle and less about her family, things get far more interesting. Nolan handles Miracle's mental illness with an incredible subtly. The vast majority of contemporary writers dealing with mental illness tend to paint it in the broadest, most obvious terms possible, to the point that it's unrealistic. Miracle doesn't read like a textbook example of a mental illness, in part because she isn't definitively diagnosed with anything (another touch of realism). The causes of Miracle's illness were at once clear and unclear - we see a lot that could've caused it, but there's nothing that Nolan definitively points to and says, "This is why Miracle is the way she is." This is one of the best examples of mental illness in YA that I can think of - the only thing that comes close is Wintergirls.

Miracle's voice was, yes, a tad bit bland - it wasn't as strong as Leshaya's in Born Blue. But that's not really the point of Miracle's characterization. The thing that Nolan focuses on, instead of voice, is making sure that we (the reader) have a handle on her entire life. Miracle feels like a complete person. Her personality, and her family, and her interests, and her superstitions are all very well-established, and we even have a lot of understanding of where they came from. Other than Jason (from Crazy), this is probably Nolan's most developed character, and the novel is a detailed study on her.

I wish the first half of the novel moved more quickly. But once we get to the second half, it's well worth it. I haven't described a lot of the novel in much detail, and that's because, due to its nature, the specifics are more interesting if you see them for yourself. But if you're interested in a Han Nolan novel that isn't Crazy, this is by far your best option.

[706sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely dramatic and hypmotizing. I could not seem to keep myself away from reading one more page. Miracle's journey and despiration left me stunned, and so far off from what I usually read. This book left a mark on me that i can not really explain, but it was deap. Her despiration to find who she really was, and not be stuck in the dust was really intense. When Mireacle finally realized that this world her grandmother was creating wasn't real, and was not safe i almost jumped for joy! This realization really helped Miracle break out of her little shell and become who she really is, maybe even someone who Dane could come back to. Dane was Miracle's father who disappeared, and her grandmother made up a tale that he melted. Miracle went on believing it and found nothing wrong, until 5 pages till the end of the book. Nobody melts, she finally realized and that left her with a feeling of hatred for her grandmother. Where was Dane, she constantly wondered.
Miracle was named this amazing name because she was a miracle. Her mother had gotten hit by a truck when Miracle was in her tummy, but the doctors managed to pull her out and save the child. Her grandmother had named her Miracle since then because she was born from a dead woman's body. Miracle never knew how to feel about this story when it was told to her constantly, but neither would I. How do you respond to a story about you being born from a dead woman.. is that a good or bad thing? Miracle often never said anything when that story was told, or she just smiled and went along. At the time she thought her grandmother was perfect, and she didn't want to upset her. Han Nolan came up with a character who was different from any other, she was alive in a different way. Having a passion for dancing, and knowing she belonged there, but not knowing where she actually stood in the world is just like being alive inside a smal, hard shell. I was so happy when Miracle started to overcome her fear and find the truth, and I hope she lives on like that forever. I enjoyed this book very much, and look forward to reading another book by Han Nolan.

[A_B_B_Y · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!!! Though I thought that it was kind of negative, but considering what the main character went through I can understand. I feel like if I were to read this book again when I am older I would understand more of the metaphors and true meaning of this book. I am not saying that I didn't understand it, or it wasn't clear. All I got was the basic storyline without the true message.

Dancing on the Edge had a lot of description. It truly painted the picture for you in your mind. The idea of the book is very creative and I never wanted to put it down. The pace was a little slow in the beginning though. I had many questions while reading Dancing on the Edge. There were a lot of things that I didn't quite get. The main character was definitely a dynamic character, and her true feelings and point in life showed throughout the entire story.

I would recommend this story to kids in middle school, as well as adults who are not looking for a challenging reading level, but more of a challenging understanding level. Basically I loved this book and I was sad when I finished it.

[Roberta R. (Offbeat YA) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An underrated story of family secrets and the weight they carry. A cast of quirky characters who still manage to sound believable, and - even when faulty - to earn your compassion. Coming-of-age meets mental health in a novel spanning a few years in the life of young Miracle McCloy, while she clings to rites and beliefs, and desperately tries to feel whole and real, until everything unravels.
If you think adults are nonexistent in children/teen books (this one definitely straddles the line), or pale caricatures, Dancing on the Edge is for you. If you're angry at the unfavorable/over-the-top representation of mental health therapy in the aforementioned books, Dancing on the Edge is for you. If you like quiet but intense stories with just a touch of humour, Dancing on the Edge is for you. If you want your books honest, raw, yet infused with gentleness and with a compassionate quality, look no further.

Full review to come.

[Devi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the first part of the book made me doubt whether I was reading the book right or whether I truly understood whatever it was I was reading. But I think there lies the brilliance of this book: reading the struggle of Miracle between real and unreal will pull you on the mystery of her family. I SIMPLY CANNOT PUT THE BOOK DOWN NO MATTER HOW CONFUSED I THOUGHT I AM OR WILL BE.

The second part now gives you a clear picture of the mystery of the struggle and I was awed of the complexity of the struggle, yet on how simple it should have been.

Now, if my opinion is still unconvinving, well, this book is well recognized receiving the following awards: 1997 National Book Award, American Library Association (ALA) Best Book for Young Adults, A BOOKLIST Editor's Choice, A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age, A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. If that's not enough to get you interested, I don't know what.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really captured me. The way the author presents Miracle (the main character) is so realistic, it's as if the author herself has gone through the exact situation. It's so personal, it's like a diary. From a writing standpoint, it's wonderfully written. As for the story, if it were made into a movie and done properly, it would be a hit. I read it off and on when I first checked it out but then all of a sudden I couldn't stop reading it. This character is so painstakingly realistic that it really gets you.

It's certainly a step away from the constant stream of fantasy I'm forever gobbling up. The first few pages confused me but it's all straightened out very quickly and Miracle is a character that you just want to cheer on: you want her to know the facts. For her to finally have rest. I was so drawn in with this character.

This book is purely magical.

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dancing on the Edge is the story of a dysfunctional family that deals in half truths and suppressing their emotions. Miracle McCloy struggles to deal in the real world having been raised by her grandmother who is a self proclaimed "mystic" and a prodigy father who is emotionally absent. After a tragedy leaves Miracle traumatized she begins to meet with a child psychologist who helps her find her way and face the truth. I enjoyed this story it was quirky but realistic in that many families prefer to cover up the facts or avoid dealing with uncomfortable situations. I thought the book was well written but would have liked more of the back story of her parents.

[Feck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heart wrenchingly alone teenage girl gets a family. Han Nolan writes pure misery like no one else.

[شادی · Rating 4 out of 5]

یکی از خوش ساخت ترین و پر کشش ترین رمان هایی که برای نوجوان ها نوشته شده است

[Điểu · Rating 3 out of 5]

dù hơi khó để hiểu và cảm nhân vật, vẫn cảm thấy đây là một câu chuyện đẹp, một kết thúc thực sự nhẹ nhõm và vui mừng.

[Mèo Lì lợm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tôi đã thực sự nhập hồn mình vào nhân vật. Cô bé ấy - Miracle trong tôi thật mong manh và dễ tan giống như chính cái tên của cô bé.
Tôi đã cười, đã khóc cùng nhân vật vì cô bé ấy giống một phần trong tôi quá.
Sự sợ hãi, bóng đen, thực thực ảo ảo trộn lẫn, xen kẽ khiến con người ta tự hoài nghi chính bản thân mình. Phải chăng mỗi người trong chúng ta đều như vậy? Ngoài kia, người dối người, có mấy ai là đang đối đãi với ta bằng tấm lòng chân thật? Có mấy ai ngày ngày gặp ta, đối diện với ta bằng gương mặt không mang mặt nạ?
Những nhân vật trong truyện tôi đều rất thích, rất đồng lòng với họ. Những con người đáng trách thì đều có chỗ đáng thương. Gigi cho đến cuối truyện tôi vẫn không thể thấy ghét bà ấy được. Người phụ nữ ấy cũng đã kinh qua nhiều đau khổ rồi, tuy vậy trách thì vẫn cứ phải trách vì những sai lầm bà không chỉ gây ra cho chính mình mà còn tổn hại nghiêm trọng tới đứa cháu gái của bà.

[Kelliann Gomez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this as part of a summer reading challenge to read a book that has won a National Book Award. I had a problem finding one that sounded interesting to me, so I chose this... Unfortunately.

The story felt odd to me as if it started too early, elaborated too long on the middle, and had a really lackluster climax and ending. There were some good quotes, but I didn't feel like there was much closure at the end, like a chunk of the story was chopped off at the end to keep it short instead of cutting fat from the middle.

Part of the problem may also be that I've read too many stories with mentally ill people who seem to have a homogenous way of narrating lately, so much so that I'm just kind of tired of it.

On the plus side, this book can put me to sleep like no other. I'm falling asleep just working this review...

[Esaylaymuboti Kumeh]

I am on page 7 out of 244. In this book there is a girl named Miracle and she survived when her mother passed away. Her mother was hit by an ambulance when she was 4 months pregnant with Miracle, Once they found out that her mom was pregnant they cut her open and took Miracle out and she survived. In the book they have a seance with Aunt Casey and Uncle Toole to communicate with her dead mother though an Ouija Board. This book seems interesting because in the beginning there were talking about an important part of the story which is how she survived dying from the crash with her mother. I am also interested in how the rest of the story is going to go like is their anything going to happen with the board , is her mother going to communicate to her ? I hope as I read I can continue reading this book and not change my book.

[Ellen Halter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this YA novel about a girl who is trying to deal with her motherless and crazy family, especially her grandmother who believed in magic and held seances. As the novel progressed, I got increasingly drawn into Miracle's problems and was glad that she's finally hospitalised and removed from all the Crazy.

I was glad when she finally realises the truth about her dead mother and comes to understand that the magic that her grandmother foists on her is BS. Yet we never learn what happened to Dane. She realises he didn't really melt, but we never really learn what happened to him. I wanted to know that.

[Bookmarvel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really interesting. I was sort of waiting for it to get to the bit that the back cover was talking about because I wasn’t really sure what was going on, but it was actually a really well written story. It was really interesting how Miracle made herself forget certain things or wouldn’t let herself remember or think about them, and then near the end she really couldn’t think about them even though she tried. And I really liked seeing her thought process and how sometimes she just did shut her brain off and didn’t think and just listened to others without really paying attention. It’s a really cool book with an interesting point of view and I really liked it.

[Satori Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dancing on the Edge’ by Han Nolan isn’t a book you want to put down- it’s exciting and blood-pumping from start to finish, and Miracle McCloy is clearly a well thought-out character. Her descent into madness is truly invigorating and expansive, and you can tell she’s already halfway there at the start of the book, even before the seance. I really liked how the book included her recovery- how it didn’t simply make it seem like once you have danced off the edge, it’s impossible to climb back up. For such a short book (at least shorter than my usual reads), it’s detailed and lovable and has undertones of relatability, because even if we’re all sane, we all have a bit of crazy in us.