The Dancer by Christine Dwyer Hickey
(Published by New Island)
Many readers first discovered Christine Dwyer Hickey through her acclaimed novel Tatty. This story of dysfunctional family life, longlisted for the 2005 Orange Prize, was not Dwyer Hickey's first publication. Tatty had been preceded by her Dublin Trilogy - The Dancer, The Gambler and The Gatemaker - and these books are now being reissued by New Island.
The Dancer is a stream-of-consciousness tale that focuses on three siblings - sisters Kate and Maude and their younger brother, the dancer of the title. Set in 1918, it lovingly depicts the distinctive landmarks of a Dublin of another century. The Dancer, like Tatty, has Dwyer Hickey's eye for detail and her sparse dialogue. Although it may not be as immediate as Tatty, it is still a great curtain opener for the trilogy.
