Review by Jaymie m -- The Dancing Barber by AC Michael

[Jaymie m]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Dancing Barber" by AC Michael.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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When a book starts with a body in a dank gutter, you might be forgiven if you thought it to be a horror/thriller. However, The Dancing Barber by A C Michael is a lighthearted work of fiction. The story revolves around Taras the barber and his family; and it frequently time jumps from the 1960's Bradford, England to a rural village in Chaplinka, Ukraine in the 1930's.

The first challenge that Taras faced — just like many other Ukrainian new in England — was the uncertainty of bright future. He had to climb over a few hurdles to take control of his financial destiny. And when he seemed to have settled in, his wife gives accommodations to an unwanted tenant named Klem. From here, the story weaves an intriguing tale with funny twists, turns and secrets.

"A minute later, Ivan listened to the door being unbarred...the grating of rusty bolts and the clanging of corroded chains sounding more ominous than ever. The heavy door slowly opened... Ivan gingerly peered into the kitchen beyond that was cloaked in total darkness."
There is always seems to be one pending doom or another that is about to befall the characters — homelessness, food poisoning, arrest or reeducation. The writer uses language cunningly to capture our imagination, and to compel us to keep reading.

I must say I truly enjoyed reading "The Dancing Barber". It seemed to uplift my spirit while being thought provoking. Not only does A C Michael highlight the devastation of a man-made famine in Stalin's Ukraine but he wonderfully describes the oppression and suffering Ukrainian had to endure during that time. For these reasons I have rated the book 3 out of 4.

"Taras swung open the attic door and stormed straight in, immediately witnessing the most appalling sights. Lenka's rear end hovered above a yellow bucket, while Zena lobbed the contents of another bucket over the balcony."
"Lenka — as usual — seemed excessively interested with her armpits, and Klem wasn't shocked when she plucked something from amongst her plentiful hairs and examined it close to her eye. He watched her crush it between her thumb and forefinger..."

With the introduction of the twin sisters, Lenka and Zena, you must stagger nauseated through the rest of the book to find out if good manners are really dead. There is no end to their disgusting behavior. Personally, I found this kind of humor a bit excessive.

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The Dancing Barber
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Like Jaymie m's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Manang Muyang]

Hi, Jaymie m! I have read mixed reactions to this book. But since I like laughing and history, I just might dance with this barber.

[Jeremie Mondejar]

Nice review Jaymie, I can't imagine how a barber will dance while cutting hair. Is it really found there? I just curious about this book. Or maybe I will read it for myself.Thanks.