Early from the Dance: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Better than "Prince of Tides"....
Review: An engrossing, moving book, very richly written. Totally absorbing. Any person to whom I have recommended this book has thanked me afterwar

Rating:
Summary: ...comes into your life and breaks the whole thing wide open
Review: Any book that inspires you to write down line after line from the pages (including the line above) must be impressive. This book is emotional, introspective, terrifying and joyful. David Payne is AMAZING. I read the entire thing in three days. I couldn't bear to rip myself away from the characters, who taught me something about being free and happy and thoughtful. This book makes you THINK. Definitely one of the most influential books I have ever read

Rating:
Summary: A True Southern Classic
Review: As a yankee who was educated in the South, I was confused and sometimes angered by the Southern culture thrust upon me during college. As time went on, I learned to love the South and its heritage and culture. I couldn't bring myself to leave the South after graduation, and now consider it my home. Early From The Dance celebrates every bit of this culture I fell in love with, and I, of course, instantly fell in love with this book. It's a must-read, brilliantly written novel. Arguably, the best I've ever read.

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular
Review: David Payne is now my favorite author. Early From the Dance is simply amazing. I can't imagine having never read it. The characters are so real that when I see or hear something that reminds me of them, I think "that sounds like A." or "Jane would say that"...as if they're real. Because they are in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Almost a great book
Review: David Payne is without doubt on his way to becoming a great
novelist. His books (both of them) are set in the south but
avoid the cliches so common in books about the south.
His characters are vivid and the plot is believable. If Early
From The Dance has a fault it is that it is too wordy - there
is too much anguish over the fate of Cary and not enough action.
The hunt for the wild boars however was told in thrilling detail
(the storm at sea in Gravesend Light was even better than A
Perfect Storm). Can't wait for #3!

Rating:
Summary: Almost a great book
Review: David Payne is without doubt on his way to becoming a great
novelist. His books (both of them) are set in the south but
avoid the cliches so common in books about the south.
His characters are vivid and the plot is believable. If Early
From The Dance has a fault it is that it is too wordy - there
is too much anguish over the fate of Cary and not enough action.
The hunt for the wild boars however was told in thrilling detail
(the storm at sea in Gravesend Light was even better than A
Perfect Storm). Can't wait for #3!

Rating:
Summary: Book starts with promise....but ends flat
Review: David Payne scores some compelling imagery and skillfully sets up what promises to be an equally compelling plot. I read eagerly at first, but gradually became disenchanted. In the last 200 pages, the plot grew increasingly absurd, especially in the resolution of a subplot involving two adult figures who influence the young protagonists. Payne's characters' dialog is clever; unfortunately, his plot is not so. If you want a truly stirring Southern novel with the same "boy-girl-dead boy" triad (I'm not giving anything away by saying that), then I recommend Robert Penn Warren's _All the King's Men._ Warren's book is many decades old, but it has aged better than Payne's Early From the Dance.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the best novel I have ever read
Review: David Payne's characters and prose speak so closely to me that I get Goosebumps every time I read this book. An absolutely amazing piece of Southern literature. This is, without a doubt, my favorite novel of all time. Filled with so much intelligent, touching, heart-tugging prose, you will no doubt feel compelled to go out and buy everything that David Payne has ever written. I honestly can't go into my local Barnes and Noble without at least casually wondering by the "P" section to verify that another David Payne novel isn't finally available. Payne's brilliant use of imagery is so mesmerizing, powerful and compelling that you'll never want this novel to come to an end. 'Early from the dance' is a vivid, honest, oh-so-bittersweet novel that you will ALWAYS remember. Read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Bravo, Mr. Payne
Review: Early from the Dance was my second David Payne reading and it was every bit as good as the first (his last novel, Gravesend Light). I'm a big David Payne fan. I couldn't put this latest book down (I read it in five days, including taking the last day off for the specific purpose of having an uninterrupted read (the last 150 pages)). The story(ies) were gripping from the start. Payne can move from male to female voice and I'm thoroughly convinced by either. I'm only upset that there are just two more Payne books for me to read.

Rating:
Summary: a wonderful lingering read
Review: I absolutely loved this book. These characters leap off the page, conversations ring true. I recommend this book to everyone -- the only negative thing I've ever heard back is that one person commented that the character's dialogues were too intelligent to be believable! I read this when first published and reread every summer. I just got Net Access and came here to see what others thought,and am pleased to find agreement! READ THIS -- i wish for more from Mr. Payne.