The Animals Waltz

by Cary Fagan

Sheila Hersh is spending her early thirties leading a double life. She hangs out at the cool Firenze Bar at night, has a closetful of black clothes, and is even the reluctant star of an underground film. By day she writes ad copy for her father's store, Hersh's House of Mattresses (where she is instructed to use a lot of exclamation points), and manages to keep the rest of the employees - her outspoken, ambitious aunt and her stylish but ineffectual uncle -- on an even keel.

The only thing that really keeps her interest is a mysterious book of poems that belonged to her dead mother. Sheila feels that if she could find out more about the obscure Viennese poet who died at the age of twenty-three in 1938, it might lead her to a greater understanding of her mother -- and even of herself.

Sheila travels to Vienna, where the city's ancient streets, aromatic coffee houses, and glorious music work an unexpected magic on her. As this literary mystery unravels, Sheila's familial bonds become more palpable. Surprising discoveries and chance meetings make this a delightful novel, funny, moving, and romantic.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 1996

About the author

Cary Fagan has written numerous books for children, including What Are You Doing, Benny?, Little Blue Chair and Mr. Zinger's Hat, which was awarded the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award and the IODE Jean Throop Award. He has also won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People for his body of work. Cary was born and raised in Toronto, where he continues to live with his family.

Reviews

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very strange novel indeed when I thoroughly enjoyed the setting and all the supporting characters...only to wish ill to the main protagonist, Sheila. She is one whiny, unsympathetic irritant in an otherwise fascinating story. She doesn't plummet to Jane Eyre levels...but she certainly tried my my patience, and kept this from being any more than a 3 star novel.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This title appeared somewhere on a list of funny books. I read half and it never seemed funny to me.

[Beverly · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young woman leaves her confining family to trace her family history in Vienna. Disapointing.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite books of 1996...