The Grass Dance

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Grace
Review: "The full meaning of the grass dance and its true origination have been lost in time... but historians believe it to be quite ancient. Legend has it that the native Omaha people were the first to practice grass dancing, and over time its use spread southwards to the other plains tribes.

"The purpose of grass dancing was a simple one. The plains were rich with waving grasses as far as the eye could see in those days. Grasses waved in the direction of the wind; they bent but were unbroken by winds that blew across the prairies.

"The movement was fluid, bendable, and grass appeared to dance when viewed with eyes attuned to what the earth was saying. That prairie dancing grass spoke of strength and grace, of spirit gone unbent before strong wind and all the forces wind could muster.

" ...There was a purpose to their dancing, one that helped them make sense out of lives that often could be unpredictable and harsh."

With characteristic modesty, Laurel Johnson describes her autobiographical tale as "a very personal story of an obscure life, an emotional quest, a fulfilling journey." Along the way, over the course of many years and sad disappointments, she rediscovers faith and learns that no sadness or defeat is final.

Laurel Johnson writes with such consummate ease and lyrical grace, sometimes it is easy to forget this is her first published volume. Like the grass dance of the prairies, her prose is fluid and poetic and her story speaks of strength of character and grace, of spirit gone unbent before all that life's travails can muster.

The Grass Dance is truly a story of amazing grace. Read it for the simple truths it speaks of. My highest recommendation.

Rating:
Summary: There's a Lesson to be Learned Here
Review: "The Grass Dance" by Laurel Johnson is her personal account of a 15-year period of her life when she was plagued with depression, confusion, dissociation, hallucinations, and mental anguish. Her journey during this period of time is a painful one, and Ms. Johnson has the unique ability to convey the anguish and confusion she felt so as the reader feels as if she/he is there sharing it with her. I love the story about Indian John and, even more, the one about the grass dance. When the author talks about dancing the grass dance at John's grave, I could feel myself transported to that place, see the wild grass and wildflowers moving softly in the wind, watch Laurel dance around the grave. What did I learn from this book? That God is everywhere, and even though we may distance ourselves from him, he does not distance himself from us. To look around at my world and at all the wonders before me. To know that, like the grass and the wind, life may "bend" my spirit, but will not break it, as long as I believe. Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for this great gift, "The Grass Dance".

Rating:
Summary: There's a Lesson to be Learned Here
Review: "The Grass Dance" by Laurel Johnson is her personal account of a 15-year period of her life when she was plagued with depression, confusion, dissociation, hallucinations, and mental anguish. Her journey during this period of time is a painful one, and Ms. Johnson has the unique ability to convey the anguish and confusion she felt so as the reader feels as if she/he is there sharing it with her. I love the story about Indian John and, even more, the one about the grass dance. When the author talks about dancing the grass dance at John's grave, I could feel myself transported to that place, see the wild grass and wildflowers moving softly in the wind, watch Laurel dance around the grave. What did I learn from this book? That God is everywhere, and even though we may distance ourselves from him, he does not distance himself from us. To look around at my world and at all the wonders before me. To know that, like the grass and the wind, life may "bend" my spirit, but will not break it, as long as I believe. Thank you, Ms. Johnson, for this great gift, "The Grass Dance".

Rating:
Summary: This writer is so cool,
Review: After reading The Alley of Wishes by Laurel Johnson, I discovered she had another book, naturally I had to buy it and read it and I am just thrilled that I did! I love this writer she is so cool! I hope she has more books scheduled for release in the near future, I have become a huge fan!

Rating:
Summary: Very Special Story
Review: Every so often a book comes along that touches me on many levels. The Grass Dance is just that type of book. Laurel Johnson has shared her innermost feelings. She has created a personal journey that allows the reader to go along with her. Her life was spiraling downward into a pit of darkness. She knew she was lost, but couldn't find her way back into the light.
The love of family and friends was not enough. She needed to find her own path. It came about in a most unusual way.

This story is beautifully written and has a message for all. It is told with quiet dignity and honesty. The reader quickly feels like a part of the author's life due to her outstanding use of poetry, imagery, and personally shared experiences. I feel as if I danced the Grass Dance with her.

I highly recommend this book. It filled me with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. I plan to share my copy with many others.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: I don't even know where to begin about this book. It was amazingly real. The pictures Laurel Johnson paints with her words are vibrant. I don't know what others get from this book, but the message I got was one that I needed more than I can say. I went through so many emotions while reading it, so much empathy, so much wonder. When I was done this is what I knew:

At some time, every blade of grass is blown about by the wind. However, the grass bends instead of breaking, rooted as it is in the ground. Every human is buffeted by the winds of life and it's not the fact that the winds touched us that matters, it's the way we withstood them. When Laurel Johnson was buffeted about by the winds of life, she bent and, perhaps, she thought she broke, but she was rooted, rooted to a family she loved, a past she cherished and a God who never turned away and who she never forgot. So, when the time was right, she stood tall again as the grass does after the winds have subsided. Sometimes we forget that we don't have control over the winds that touch our lives. We must learn to bend, if the winds blow us one way this day and the other way the next, a little off the straight and narrow way we had planned, we must stay rooted to those things that are important and learn to bend in the breeze.

Thanks, Laurel, for teaching me to grass dance. I will pass it on.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting story, but not life-changing
Review: I don't know what I was expecting when I bought this book, but because of all the stellar reviews here I expected to enjoy it more than I did. I have to say that it was a very honestly written book, and for that I have to respect the author. She tells the story of a very personal odyssey. I wish I'd known beforehand that it had such a heavily Christian theme though, I probaby wouldn't have bought it. That's just my personal taste. Also, I had some problems with her writing, it could have used some editing for clarity.

Bottom line, it was an interesting story, but not gripping. Nothing I'd be moved to recommend to anyone else.

Rating:
Summary: The Grass Dance
Review: I had to read this wonderful book again, because it captures
the heart of a hurting soul. This is a must read if your
heart is broken and you are seeking hope!

Rating:
Summary: Compelling and Spellbinding
Review: It has been some time now since I have read an entire book straight through in one sitting. The Grass Dance captivated me from page one and although a very short book it is filled with a myriad of emotions I had personally lost touch with in my own life. As I read about Grandma and Grandpa I pictured my mother's parents, right down to the "Pshaw" my grandmother always said of anything she felt beyond belief or perhaps exaggerated.

I am not a book reviewer, but rather an author myself, and I think that I shall never write anything in my lifetime as emotionally powerful as The Grass Dance; not even if I write for another fifty years. I opened a book written by a little known author about her personal struggle through a dark portion of her life and became spellbound. I had surgery scheduled in the morning, it was late in the evening, and I couldn't put the book down. I needed my rest badly, but I needed this book's message more.

Thank you, Laurel, for the "sharing". This book is a must for anyone who isn't sure of what life is all about or for anyone who needs another "tool" for helping others figure it out.

C.H. Foertmeyer

Rating:
Summary: Touching
Review: Laurel Johnson's "The Grass Dance" is a non-fiction narrative with the readability of fiction. Hope is the basic theme of Johnson's unique tale. Unless you have experienced or seen first hand the destruction that occurs when your mind betrays, you might not appreciate the help available with Johnson's poetic prose. I applaud the courage it took Laurel Johnson to open her life to public view. Her rich heritage shines through with her flowing prose. I'm looking forward to reading her next novel.

Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge