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Never Ready
In 1992 Henrietta Drake’s affluent family has life of the mind obsessions that may have fueled her academic ascent, but also made high school an impossible holding tank for her.
The dream was always getting to New York, but this was not what she had in mind. Now she's living with a half sister she barely knows and working for a dance company she's never heard of - a wizard-of-oz storm that drops her in a world where everyone knows the steps and the secret handshake. Amid complexities and compromises inherent to independence, can she face the fragility of found family and friendship?
Never Ready features an anxious heroine whose journey with artists and art, design and dance crosses generations. Mark Carpenter, American Genius, shows her the best and worst of the downtown dance world as Henri leans on Carmen, Luke, Ajax and, of course, Kit, who never had to say anything… but who, for some reason chose to say so much.
Never Ready features an anxious heroine curating her own life within a beautiful, terrible time. Art helps her hang on, but is she ready for more goodbyes?
Readers and critics are attached to Never Ready and its cinematic sweep from the suburbs to the city and back. They've imprinted on Henri and cheer her acceptance of light and dark, myth and modernity, and most of all, love and loss.
The dream was always getting to New York, but this was not what she had in mind. Now she's living with a half sister she barely knows and working for a dance company she's never heard of - a wizard-of-oz storm that drops her in a world where everyone knows the steps and the secret handshake. Amid complexities and compromises inherent to independence, can she face the fragility of found family and friendship?
Never Ready features an anxious heroine whose journey with artists and art, design and dance crosses generations. Mark Carpenter, American Genius, shows her the best and worst of the downtown dance world as Henri leans on Carmen, Luke, Ajax and, of course, Kit, who never had to say anything… but who, for some reason chose to say so much.
Never Ready features an anxious heroine curating her own life within a beautiful, terrible time. Art helps her hang on, but is she ready for more goodbyes?
Readers and critics are attached to Never Ready and its cinematic sweep from the suburbs to the city and back. They've imprinted on Henri and cheer her acceptance of light and dark, myth and modernity, and most of all, love and loss.
330 pages, Paperback
Published June 16, 2025
About the author
Lucie André
3 books2 followersFollowing a BA in English from UVa, Lucie André moved to New York with few skills beyond waitressing and reading. Her love of art, people, and art-people led her to fundraising for some of the best organizations out there, Paul Taylor Dance Company, American Ballet Theatre, and Cooper Union among them.
In Atlanta she and her husband renovated a house with one hand and raised a daughter with the other. As she coached, consulted, and communicated with Lucid Advising clients, she dreamed of being a writer.
Now in Baltimore, she is.
In Atlanta she and her husband renovated a house with one hand and raised a daughter with the other. As she coached, consulted, and communicated with Lucid Advising clients, she dreamed of being a writer.
Now in Baltimore, she is.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 21, 2025
A little free library find… better than I could have ever imagined
March 15, 2026
Great book! I love how clear the author's love of art comes through.
January 25, 2026
Loved this book. The author put so much detail and love into every page. 10/10!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews