Slow Dancing

by Elizabeth Benedict

The approach of David Wiley, for an interview for his New York newspaper, awakens in Lexi Steiner, an immigration lawyer in her late twenties, doubts about the course of her life and desires for something more

Genres: Fiction

276 pages, Hardcover

First published February 12, 1985

About the author

Me: Lots of books, zillions of essays and articles. This season: REWRITING ILLNESS: A VIEW OF MY OWN. A very serious and kinda funny take on how my lifelong fear of illness collided with actual illness in 2017. I survived. I had time to think about doctor-speak, patient-speak, death, health insurance, CANCER, my husband, my friends, did I mention CANCER? I love this blurb: "As though Nora Ephron had written a book called 'I Feel Bad About My Tumor.'" --Thomas Beller.

I'm the author of the novels ALMOST and SLOW DANCING, and of THE JOY OF WRITING SEX: A GUIDE FOR FICTION WRITERS, and editor of three anthologies: ME, MY HAIR AND I: 27 WOMEN UNTANGLE AN OBSESSION, the NYTIMES bestseller, WHAT MY MOTHER GAVE ME: 31 WOMEN ON THE GIFTS THAT MATTERED MOST and MENTORS, MUSES & MONSTERS: 30 WRITERS ON THE PEOPLE WHO CHANGED THEIR LIVES.

I coach kids applying to college and grad school with their application essays at www.DontSweatTheEssay.com. Maureen Corrigan, on "Fresh Air" raved about ALMOST days after 9/11, and Anne Tyler reviewed THE BEGINNER'S BOOK OF DREAMS, saying, "The marvel is that such a sad book could be such a joy to read."

Reviews

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sounds more spicy than it is. The main focus is on love and ambition, and coming to a point in your life when you seek a better balance because the price of ambition is too high. The book held my interest like a more lightweight book but still felt real and human (another reviewer placed it somewhere in between "literature" and chick-lit).

It makes the point that entering a relataionship, now knowing where it will take you (even making you a step-mother), is much more of an adventure than a one night stand. A relationship where you don't have to be "on" all the time, but can be yourself. A partner who wants to know you deeply, asks questions and is unselfish (man who will "He realized that she needed a hug more than she needed to make love. Almost everyone did."

There is a queer element to the book, in that there's an unexplored attraction between Lexi and her college friend Nell. But the closeness of the friendship, and how it is challenged by distance and new relationships, gets more focus. The word "Lesbian" only appears once, and in light conversation, it is referred to as (and I quote) "how you say, a little strange."

It was published in 1985 and for me it was a fun time capsule, mentioning stuff like:
- taking a long lunch to play Pac Man
- WATS telephone lines and curly telephone cords
- "ghetto blaster" (portable stereo)
- Reagan's assassination attempt, the Moral Majority etc.
- word processors
- malls with wishing fountains

Some things have changed - like a dad wishing his daughter would get a tan, laughing about driving drunk, being able to join someone at the airport gate without having a ticket.

Other things haven't changed. Reactions to Reagan then read like today's reaction to Trump, and complaints about Walkmans then read like complaints about smart phones now.

There are a few dancing scenes in the book - dancing in a fantasy, dancing as a form of infidelity and source of jealousy, and dancing when you don't really know how, ie letting yourself be vulnerable.

All in all, a good novel. I wouldn't mind reading more by the author, but feel no rush.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow dancing by Benedict_ Elizabeth
Two women meet in college and become friends. Story goes to the present time and then chapters go back in time so you can understand their relationship.
Story follows David who has a teen daughter and he wants a story on immigration. Lexie is a lawyer sticking up for the immigrants.
Nell is the woman who loves talking to her girlfriend about the men she's been with. Lots of drama
Steamy descriptions of sex with other partners and themselves. Love hearing the travel and the places they visit or live.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically a well written book, except sometimes it was difficult to figure out who was speaking certain lines, etc. I had to go back & re-read a few things to keep everything straight. The storyline was good, although a little slow in parts. It did keep me entertained, so I give it 3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

I received this ARC free from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

1985 276 pages

this is one of the national book award nominees for this year. authors debut book. bi-coastal late 20 to very early 30's people figuring how to define them self after the ideal college job is not so ideal. 2 women is portrayed as lesbians or not through the book. reader knows they are not. men come and go until they finally show up. choppy book to read

[Cheryl Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a single 25 year old. It made a lasting impression on me, so much so that I could quote some lines from it, but couldn't remember the title for many years! It's a coming of age story but not appropriate for YA audiences. Very well written with memorable characters.

[Alana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok but missing the great writing you would want from a "serious book" and not light enough to be chick litt.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book in my 20s.