Hayley W. (redtsunami) reviewed on 9/22/2011 + 8 more book reviews

During the Depression America was wrapped up in a craze called the "Dance Marathon." These marathons would last for weeks in some cases. Young people without many prospects would enter the competitions for food and clothing which the promoters would supply, and in some cases, with hopes to win the grand cash prize. They would dance all night and day taking 10 minute breaks for food and sleep every hour or so. The conditions are brutal and this book describes the heartbreak and desperation with beautifully sparse prose. There is much more to this little book than you think upon first reading. In fact it's so short you could read it twice in a couple of hours! I love the pacing of this book and the noir touches. It is very true to its time and place. I highly recommend this for people who like noir or are interested in depression era literature.

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