The Man With the Dancing Eyes

by Sophie Dahl

'In the golden half light of a midsummer's evening, the sort where any kind of magic can occur, and often does, in the midst of a party held in a wild and rambling garden stood Pierre, teetering on highly unsuitable heels, surrounded by overripe roses.' On that midsummer evening, Pierre, the daughter of a bumbling botanist and a ravishing Italian soprano, sweet and shy and gangly as a baby giraffe, meets a man with dancing eyes...Alas, in the midst of a glorious affair, an indiscretion is committed and Pierre flees to New York. But forgetting her beloved proves far harder than she imagines...Magical, bittersweet, and utterly charming, Sophie Dahl's debut is an old-fashioned romance for a modern day world.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Art, Graphic Novels, Novella, Picture Books, Contemporary

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Sophie Dahl (born Sophie Holloway) is an English author, cookbook writer and former model. She was born in London, the daughter of actor Julian Holloway and writer Tessa Dahl. Her maternal grandparents were author Roald Dahl and actress Patricia Neal. Her paternal grandfather was actor Stanley Holloway. She was the inspiration for Sophie, the main character in her maternal grandfather's book The BFG.

Reviews

[Rand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fable as fey bull. Female character with masculine name falls for philandering male referred to as the phrase which forms the title of this tiny tome. These name games serve to keep the reader's eyes dancing across each page, careful to collect clues, and perhaps insert their own self into the wayward foil who forms the title of this tiny tome. The protagonist is more gem than rock, though she be steadfast to her own self, as should you.

Worth the time for those curious about Roald's progeny or who wish to understand the need to yield to wanting and forgiveness. There are worse ways to pass fifteen minutes. The thick paper of the hardback is tactilely stimulating, for those who are not afraid of a papercut.

Cute that love looks so easy on paper, tho I pray for those who take this tale in wholesale—that none shall prey on their hearts lest they forget which wintercoat 'twas sewn to come summer.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Mostly she was happiest sitting on top of the Aga, her small nose firmly buried in a book.”

The title caught my eye as I made my way through the enchanting Leaky’s Bookshop in Inverness, Scotland. Once I opened it I knew I wouldn’t be able to leave it behind. There is something Matilda-ish about it, the illustrations giving roots to an absurd that becomes magic. I was expecting a different ending, but still quite enjoyed this little tale. A stunning hardback edition.

[Clare Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book on a whim during a trip to Anthropologie. I loved the drawings when I flipped through it. I am mildly ashamed of the love I have for this book because it truly has very little substance, aside from a handful of cute quips and a sort of impossible lifestyle for the heroine that is written to sound completely everyday. (It sort of makes you feel like anyone's story could be magical if Sophie Dahl told it.) I fully admit that it is complete fluff and some people would utterly loathe it, but I think it's adorable and sweet (even if the moral is kind of questionable). I mostly just love it for what it is: a modern little fairytale marketed to girls in their twenties who want to love something adorable and feel kind of original doing it. AND I DO.

And the watercolors are spectacular and inventive, which is no small thing. Even if the story fails to hold your attention completely, the watercolors are whimsical and let you pour over them for a good long time.

[Lizzie Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally devoured every line of this , it was so beautiful !
I picked this up early today in a charity shop as I was so intrigued by the fact Sophie is roald dahl’s granddaughter, I was not disappointed !
All I can say is I too now want a mongrel named froggy.
The illustrations in this are also so pretty -
Overall it’s a 4/5 stars ✨ one of my fave read this year so far for sure :-)

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enchanting adult picture book with Chagall-like illustrations and a story that contains an uncanny number of things that I love (sea horses, New York, a stray dog).

[Ceola Daly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 star story but I adored the illustrations

[Jvermeersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sprookjesachtig en luchtig tegelijk. Ik genoot enorm van die verliefdheid op eerste zicht in het eerste kwart. De waterverfillustraties zijn soms lelijk of raar maar soms ook prachtig luchtig. Het vervolg had een andere toon, al beviel het me al meer bij een 2e lezing. (Een boek dat je op kwartier kunt lezen, verdient een extra kans.) Het einde had vervolgens ook meer ruimte mogen krijgen dan dat midden. De les die ik hieruit trek: tot over je oren verliefd worden is hemels, maar respecteer zeker jezelf wanneer de ander dat niet doet, en durf zowel jezelf weer openstellen voor de wereld als hopen dat het toch goed komt.
Als geheel in ieder geval een aangename verrassing. Vooral dankzij de humor erin en de waterverfstijl. Weet al niet meer exact waar ik deze aanbeveling ben tegengekomen, maar blij dat onze bib hem had. Leuk om even mee te ontsnappen in een droomwereld.

[Shruthi Jothsana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stroy is weaved with so many whims and fancies that the illustration falls short to describe the beauty of the words (Although, I suppose it was intended).

Quick read to dabble in if you are working and you are bored with the meetings and bascially the work itself.

Note: I read this when I was having a glass of Pinot Noir - maybe the essence made this story more beautiful? We will never know!

[Jiselle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh the little story was okay but the illustrations were beautiful so 2 stars

[Helen]

Really gutted about this book as I so wanted to enjoy it, and I just thought it was pants. Well gutted as totally respect Sophie Dahl and her quirkiness and I really enjoyed her writings in her cook book which is Totally Brilliant. I feel I have to say I’m sorry I just didn’t like this short story. Even the illustrations I didn’t like and I Love quirky illustrations but these didn’t hit the mark for me and I can’t put my finger on why. I think I will have to give this book another read at a later date perhaps then I will love it as much as everyone ells

[Jodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

'I hope you have someone's love to keep you warm,' said the driver as she got out.

'Yes,' replied Pierre crisply. 'My dog's. Goodbye.'

This was so cute and the pictures were really cute, it was kind of like a picture/ story book for mature readers and I really enjoyed it!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written and illustrated. Takes about 20 minutes to read and just warmed my jaded little heart. A sweet, simple, tiny love story with whimsical illustrations.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why is love so difficult? I hope this is not a real story about Sophie, however, it will be someones story.

Great quick read.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A spoonful of sheer delight - eye candy, heart candy.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 'illustrated novella' is a refreshing light read. Sophie has a beautiful turn of phrase and the illustrations are a delightful throwback to the picture books of my youth.

[Jenny Knutsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful, and the idea of the storyline is good, but hasn't been done in a way that captures the reader

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story with a nice collection of illustrations however I like a story with more substance I felt like I was reading a child's book for adults.

[Ewa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute and quirky! I loved it. I'd love to read it again sometime while sitting in a garden with sweet pea and listening to Ella Fitzgerald.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wait I LOVED this, it’s so cute and cheesy and actually quite empowering, also the illustrations are amazing.

[Gerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

The best way for me to describe this tome is weird! I bought it because of its fey-like illustrations and thought it might have possibilities. I was wrong. Fortunately it was a quick read so not much time was wasted.

A young lady with a masculine name, Pierre, goes through a series of bizarre relationships and expresses any number of bizarre thoughts. She meets equally odd characters but carries on with the unusual life style that she seems to enjoy.

Her original beau eventually turns up again in New York, where she has relocated to, and their unlikely romance is rekindled.

The dust wrapper inside blurb states, 'Magical, bittersweet, and utterly charming. Sophie Dahl's debut is an old-fashioned romance for a modern-day world.' That's as may be but I am afraid it did not cut the mustard for me.

[Linda Branton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I likely picked this book up for free at a little library, walking around my neighbourhood. I was intrigued by seeing what R. Dahl's daughter was up too, and it looked like a lovely, illustrated children's story. Instead, I think it was a young adult story of love?

It mostly felt like a privileged European young woman and her arty friend trying to publish a little book. Not great in any sense of the word, and the art was nothing amazing. Meh. Pass.

[Orion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chef and cookbook author Sophie Dahl began her career as a model. Her first book, published in 2003 was this illustrated novella called "The Man With The Dancing Eyes", which was a Times bestselling book. It was illustrated by British artist Annie Morris. It is a "magical, bittersweet, and utterly charming" romance with end pages filled with Morris's colorful drawings of birds.

[Reggie Veggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this is like poetry.

The illustrations, linework and story suit beautifully. While I'm glad to have experienced this, I can't help but wonder if the author intended us to feel saddened by the ending.

Pierre deserves better, but it seems that she spent so long mourning what she could have had that she ended up stifling any possibility of rich happiness.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much I just bought two copies for my daughters to open when they’re 16 ( they’re 5&3 now).

[Lauren Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little book

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book simply intrigued me for the illustrations, weird and wonderful.

[Els · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magisch mooi!

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars for the story but 4 for the artwork

[Letisha King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sophie Dahl's unique writing style. She writes with true feeling and what I imagine as understanding of both the pain and joy of love.

[Jo Larkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Don't care for the art!