Dancing backwards is about a woman who feels she has been led by men all her life while she has to dance backwards and in heels. Violet seems a lovely and talented woman who is taking a boat across the Atlantic to New York. This gives the novel a timeless feel to it but mobile phones and emails quickly emerge, telling us we are somewhere near the present day. Violet has her notebooks with her and on the voyage looks back to her youth and her time in Cambridge, living with Edwin, her estranged friend, writing poems and then meeting the bullying Bruno. Violet expects to dislike the ship and the other passengers but finds friends and enjoyment in the dancing and in the sea. This is a quiet and gentle read that is engrossing and enjoyable. ( )

I found this pretty enjoyable. The cruise storyline was nice, but I really found the sections of Vi’s past with Edwin and Bruno to be very fascinating. The ending was alright but I found myself wanting more. Which I suppose just demonstrates Vickers’ amazing writing. ( )

I really enjoyed this. It was just the kind of calm, but potentially deep book I was in the mood for. I'm particularly intrigued with the way Vickers employs metaphor of dancing backwards (and in high heels ala Ginger Rogers) to depict the life of a woman who always lets men (or really anyone) take the lead. This tendency, which could easily be described as extreme passivity, causes her more difficulty than a more active approach to life would.

Complete review at Shelf Love. ( )

Another highly enjoyable book by Salley Vickers. Her writing has such a light, almost cosy, touch yet amidst the ordinary things of life and love she deals with hugely complex issues. She writes as someone who is philosophically and theologically aware and there is always a feeling of great hope shining through. I suppose for this book in particular the gentle epiphany for the main character is the (re-)discovery of the importance of grace and mercy in her life. ( )

The story of Violet Hetherington who joins a cruise ship to America to meet again with Edwin and try to repair a friendship she felt was lost , and led to her seeking safety in a life of marriage and domesticity and giving up on a possible career as a poet. Along side the current story of the realationships on board ship is the story of the events leading up to her break with Edwin. A good read. ( )