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The Dance Tree
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
In Strasbourg, in the boiling hot summer of 1518, a plague strikes the women of the city. First it is just one - a lone figure, dancing in the main square - but she is joined by more and more and the city authorities declare an emergency. Musicians will be brought in. The devil will be danced out of these women. Just beyond the city's limits, pregnant Lisbet lives with her mother-in-law and husband, tending the bees that are their livelihood. Her best friend Ida visits regularly and Lisbet is so looking forward to sharing life and motherhood with her. And then, just as the first woman begins to dance in the city, Lisbet's sister-in-law Nethe returns from six years' penance in the mountains for an unknown crime. No one - not even Ida - will tell Lisbet what Nethe did all those years ago, and Nethe herself will not speak a word about it. It is the beginning of a few weeks that will change everything for Lisbet - her understanding of what it is to love and be loved, and her determination to survive at all costs for the baby she is carrying. Lisbet and Nethe and Ida soon find themselves pushing at the boundaries of their existence - but they're dancing to a dangerous tune . . . From Kiran Millwood Hargrave, the bestselling author of The Mercies, The Dance Tree is a heart-stopping story of family secrets, forbidden love and women pushed to the edge.
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review
MeJeMiller
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Mehso-so

It‘s one of those books I really like the writing but I have to focus on it.

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Kristelh
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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#bookspin One, None, and a Hundred Thousand
#doubledpin The Dance Tree
#bookspinbingo 3
#June2024

3 likes1 stack add
review
rockpools
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

I loved this. The audio is slow and understated and (for me) perfectly evokes the long hot dread of the summer.

1518. Lisbet‘s baby may actually survive to term after so many losses, but she dare not hope. Her beloved bees are at risk. Her exiled sister-in-law has returned (exiled for what?). And women are dancing.

As the endless summer wears on, Lisbet discovers her own strength, makes unexpected friendships and has her eyes opened.

39 likes1 stack add
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Itchyfeetreader
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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This hits hard. The stultifying heat of 1518 seeps off the page. The angst and sadness of Lisbet who has hung ribbons for 12 lost babies is heartbreaking. The combustion engine of Strasbourg as women start to ‘dance‘ in their ‘plague‘ is wonderfully rendered. Is this a book about faith? Loss? Love? Hatred? I am not sure but I am glad I pulled it off the tbr - only the 16th already owned that I have managed! For this year #readaway2024

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 6mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 6mo
AnnCrystal 💕🐶💝. 6mo
rockpools Lovely review. And stultifying pretty much sums it up! 5mo
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TracyReadsBooks
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

In the summer of 1518, a woman started dancing in the streets of Strasbourg…by the time she stopped it was too late, the “plague” had spread & at one time, over 400 people were dancing. This is the event that inspired Hargrave‘s book which tells the story of a young wife navigating family & marriage, a sister who returns home in disgrace, a town under the mercurial control of an abusive man, & what happens when the dancing starts. a good read.

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TracyReadsBooks
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Started a bit slow but it‘s really picked up. Getting hard to put down now…

Soubhiville I‘m very much looking forward to reading this one! Hope you love it! 14mo
Bklover What an intriguing cover! I‘ll have to check it out! 14mo
25 likes2 comments
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TracyReadsBooks
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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That feeling when you come across an amazing sale and get a great stack of books for less than a third of the total list price…💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽

There are a few new books I stumbled across pursuing the sale but most of these have been on my “I want to read this” list for some time. Hard to say which one I‘m most excited about but the tagged book is near the top of the list. Hargrave‘s The Mercies was one of my top two books in 2020.

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JenniferEgnor
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

What was it like to be a woman in the 16th century? A queer woman? A Brown skinned man? These are questions this story asks. In an often frightening time, one woman faces one loss after another until she is finally forced to make a sacrifice in order to find her own happiness.
The Dancing Plague of 1518 is a real event that is still an unsolved mystery. The best book I‘ve read about it is also recommended by the author: A Time To Dance, A

JenniferEgnor Time To Die. Dancing trees were also a real thing of the time, and some pagans still carry on the tradition today. TW: this story contains homophobia, misogyny, racism, xenophobia, pregnancy loss, mental health issues. 1y
14 likes1 stack add1 comment
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JenniferEgnor
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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He‘s not ON my book for once! I didn‘t have Hospice this morning, so I have more time with him. Halfway through this interesting read.

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JenniferEgnor
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Strausbourg is sliding Hellwards. And we women, we bear the brunt. We are bred or banished, and always, *always* damned.

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JenniferEgnor
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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The medieval encyclopedia text, Hortus Deliciarum, was written by Abbess Herrard of Landsberg, in the 12th century. Its 300+ images were likely created by her canonesses. What is a pretzel doing in this text? It could be the earliest image we have of a pretzel. Next time you eat one, think of this abbess and her sisters.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-first-encyclopedia-by-a-woman-contains...

JenniferEgnor (I landed on this article when searching Strausbourg imagery). 1y
10 likes1 comment
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rmaclean4
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

Loved this historical novel set in Strasbourg during a heat wave in 1518. The author uses this nivel to talk about pregnancy loss, racism, and anti-gay violence. She does all this while still making me believe in the historical setting. I loved The Mercies. This novel is similar in tone. 4.5 🌟 #52bookclub23 #meanttoreadin22 @MicheleinPhilly @jlhammar @Deblovestoread @ravenlee @BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain @Bluebird @Read4life @LeeRHarry @Smarkies

jlhammar I also loved The Mercies. Now I'm even more excited for this one! 2y
rmaclean4 @jlhammar i hope you love it...I did. 2y
Librarybelle This is on my to read list! 2y
Deblovestoread I LOVED this books! 2y
28 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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BarbaraTheBibliophage
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

I really liked this book, but it‘s heavy and dark. So choose accordingly when you read it. It‘s about a dancing plague in the 16th century. But the characters and themes are wholly resonant for today‘s world. Hargrove examines religion, patriarchy, and who we love. And the women in the story bear the brunt of men‘s need for power. See why it‘s so heavy?

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com
#aboutneighbors #booked2023

Reggie After The Mercies, I will read anything of hers. 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Reggie That‘s how I felt also. This didn‘t disappoint! But it‘s a slow burn. Very intense but more because of the characters and situations than a lot of action. 2y
86 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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TheKidUpstairs
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

Excellent historical fiction about a family on the outskirts of Strasbourg during the dancing plague of 1518. Rather than focusing on the plague, this is a story of women's lives, love, rage, family, and friendship during a time when men wielded religion like a cudgel to control and overpower women and anyone who was different. It is a beautiful story of family born and found among the women attempting to navigate life in difficult times.

62 likes2 stack adds
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Deblovestoread
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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The brackets have spoken. Best Nonfiction Ten Steps to Nanette and fiction The Dance Tree. Mostly I just love looking at all the great books I read last year.

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Deblovestoread
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

#12DaysofChristmas August #12booksof22

After reading The Mercies I knew Kiran Millwood Hargrave was an author that would make my feminist historical fiction loving heart happy. I love everything about the tagged book which doesn‘t release in the US until March, I think.

Hidden Valley Road is a fascinating look at mental illness in families.

Andrew65 Both sound excellent. 2y
45 likes1 comment
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Tamra
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

Hmmmm, 🤔 soft pick. Great powers of description, but I wasn‘t in love with the characters and the plot was a tad melodramatic for my taste. I was most intrigued by the bad guys. 😳

Cathythoughts Oh dear ! On to the next one 😁♥️ 2y
50 likes1 comment
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Tamra
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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It‘s a blizzard outside, but my next read is set amidst a heat wave. 😃

Cathythoughts I hope the book will keep you warm. I also hope the blizzard isn‘t too trying. Take care X 2y
Ruthiella I‘m with @Cathythoughts ! Hopefully reading about a heatwave will help you stay warm! 2y
Tamra @Cathythoughts @Ruthiella thank you for the warm thoughts! 🥰😘 So far we‘re all snugged in. The one upside is I put my cookie dough outside and it will only be minutes before it‘s chilled enough to handle. 😜😜 (edited) 2y
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Deblovestoread Loved this book! Glad you can be warm and cozy! 2y
Bibliomania That's one big heap of snow on your table! I hope the book warms you up 😀 2y
batsy Oh my! Stay warm. Cool trick with the cookie dough, though 😁 2y
Tamra @Deblovestoread @Bibliomania @batsy all warm & toasty. 😊 I hope you are cozied up for the day as well! 2y
62 likes7 comments
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Cazxxx
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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“When they danced, they were one body with many hands and many feet, one breath in their chests and one pulse in their wrists.”

Deblovestoread Loved this one 💜 2y
Cazxxx @Deblovestoread I‘m enjoying it so far 😊 2y
50 likes2 comments
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TalesandTexts
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Inspired by this book, i got myself a bottle of Arka Mead. Enjoying this on the lovely event of Diwali. A very wonderful festival of lights, love and laughter to all of you! 😄🥰🥳

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Tamra
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Happy Mail! The blurb was intriguing enough to order. 😁

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful cover 🧡 2y
Deblovestoread Loved this one 💜 2y
Tamra @Deblovestoread I hope I do too. 😄 2y
62 likes4 comments
review
MariettaSG
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
Pickpick

Not what I would call literature but a good story that is well crafted around an interesting historical event. Without the dancing plague it probably wouldn‘t have held my interest. A solid narrative on womanhood in 16th century Roman Catholic Church empire in Europe.

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Deblovestoread
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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With 4 months to go….Favorite fiction so far is tagged and non-fic is Ten Steps to Nanette.

#2022 reading bracket

Bookwormjillk Great idea to do separate ones for fiction and nonfiction. I‘ll have to do that next year. 2y
42 likes1 comment
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Deblovestoread
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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📚 Tagged
🖋 Emily Dickinson
📺🎞 Downton Abbey
🎤 Death Cab for Cutie
🎼 Disenchanted - MCR

#ManicMonday. #LetterD

CBee I can‘t wait to read The Dance Tree! 2y
41 likes1 comment
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ManyWordsLater
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

I‘m trying to make this book last. But it‘s hard. I love Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

80 likes1 stack add
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Deblovestoread
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Another great week of books. My favorite of the week is the tagged book but also loved The Colony. I enjoyed all the rest especially Rogues and Mr. Wickham. The Dance Tree is my August #BookSpin.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beasts 💫⭐️ 2y
Cinfhen We‘re like reading twins👯‍♀️ I just read and enjoyed Dance Tree, The Colony and Rogues!! And you are about to read one of my newest favorite NF books …. 2y
DisneyFan Rogues is in my TBR and I LOVED Hidden Valley. It‘s nice to see others with similar reads as me @Cinfhen 2y
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TheRiehlDeal I agree with @Cinfhen @DisneyFan , Hidden Valley is a GREAT book! 2y
Cinfhen Rogues was SO GOOD @DisneyFan I listened to audio which I think made a difference!!! And Yessss to Hidden Valley @TheRiehlDeal such an AMAZING book. I had SO MANY post -it‘s 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!!! 2y
48 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Deblovestoread
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Yay for #BookSpin day! It came with a little serendipity as the tagged book is the book I most want to read this month. Wishing everyone a great reading month!

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! I think The Dance Tree is one that @Cinfhen just finished and enjoyed so hopefully you love it, too. I think that cover is just so gorgeous. 2y
Cinfhen Yessss @TheAromaofBooks it was my July #DoubleSpin and I really liked it!! It‘s a gorgeous book - inside & out 2y
37 likes2 comments
review
Cinfhen
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

Visually, viscerally and intellectually stunning!! Another beautiful book by KMH. Based on true events - a medieval dancing plague, this book set in 1518 #France, transports you to a time when ( surprise, surprise) life was not easy for women and certainly not for those with limited funds & uncommon practices.
This is a quiet novel, where much of the action is in the language and setting. This was my #DoubleSpin and #FoodAndLit book for July😁

Cinfhen Helen, thanks again for this gorgeous edition!!! It‘s #SwoonWorthy 🥰🙌🏻 @squirrelbrain
2y
squirrelbrain You‘re welcome Cindy - glad you enjoyed it! I wasn‘t sure about it for myself but you‘ve made me want to read it now! 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
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Prairiegirl_reading This doesn‘t come out in Canada until March 2023. I hate when publishers do this. It makes no sense to me. 2y
Cinfhen Wow!! That‘s a long ways off @Prairiegirl_reading 😫 2y
Cinfhen Finished just in the nick of time @TheAromaofBooks 2y
Captivatedbybooks Hey mama!!!! Glad to see your still on here!!!! 2y
Cinfhen JENNNNNNNNYYYYY!!!!!! Hiiiiiiiiiiii!!! Where have YOU been @Captivatedbybooks 2y
Cinfhen So glad you gave me a shout out xxxx 2y
83 likes3 stack adds9 comments
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Cinfhen
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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This book is GORGEOUS…both on the outside & inside 😍Its my #DoubleSpin #FoodAndLit choice ( #France )for July and a gift from the incredibly sweet @squirrelbrain 😘😘same author as The Mercies which I really enjoyed earlier this year, so HIGH EXPECTATIONS

squirrelbrain I hope it lives up to your expectations! 🤞 2y
jlhammar Wow, that is a beauty! I really enjoyed The Mercies too. Look forward to your review! 2y
Cinfhen So far it‘s fabulous @squirrelbrain @jlhammar 🥰 2y
See All 15 Comments
BarbaraBB Still need to read The Mercies! 2y
CBee Can‘t wait to read this!! Love The Mercies 👏🏻👏🏻 2y
Cinfhen I think I‘m liking it MORE than The Mercies @CBee @BarbaraBB 2y
Chelsea.Poole Yes, gorgeous cover!! I have The Mercies on hold on audiobook from Libby…I‘ve heard good things! 2y
CBee @Cinfhen oooooo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 2y
Cinfhen Happy birthday @CBee hope you pick this one up!!!! 2y
Cinfhen Im pretty sure you‘re gonna enjoy both The Mercies & this one @Chelsea.Poole 🫶🏼 2y
CBee @Cinfhen I plan on it! Is your version the UK version? It is just gorgeous! 2y
Cinfhen It is!!! It‘s also a signed copy with special edges…it was a gift from @squirrelbrain and it‘s literally the prettiest book I own 🥰 @CBee (edited) 2y
CBee @Cinfhen I just looked and it‘s available for pre-order, but the US version is nowhere near as lovely 🤦‍♀️ 2y
Cinfhen Bummer @CBee 😩BookDepository ships worldwide for FREE!!! With no minimum!!! Maybe they have this gorgeous edition 🤗 2y
CBee @Cinfhen I forgot about that! Thanks 😊 2y
77 likes15 comments
review
rachelsbrittain
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

A dancing plague, a pregnant beekeeper who's lost twelve babies, and a woman returned from six years penance for unknown sins are at the heart of this gorgeous historical fiction novel from the author of The Mercies. The dancing plague is more of a background set dressing than a feature. The real crux is the complicated relationships between the women in the novel who are surviving in a difficult century. Great read for historical fiction fans.

Deblovestoread I can‘t wait to read this one. I am impatiently waiting for my copy to show up. 😂 2y
42 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Cinfhen
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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OMG, @squirrelbrain ❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️This book is STUNNING 🤩 My photo doesn‘t do the cover or edges any favors. I‘m just AWED by it‘s beauty and it sounds like a FABULOUS read!!!! Thank you 💜💜💜💜I‘m so touched by your thoughtfulness 🥰

squirrelbrain You‘re more than welcome Cindy! I hope you have the most fabulous day with the whole family! 😘 2y
75 likes1 comment
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rachelsbrittain
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Finished work so I'm doing some evening reading outside since it's like 15° cooler today that it has been

Maria514626 This sounds great! 2y
51 likes1 comment
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rachelsbrittain
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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1. The Dance Tree, The Extraordinaries, and Youngblood

2. Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

3. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

#WeekendReads

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TalesandTexts
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

What a wonderful book! It is a fictional account surrounding the real Dance Plague of 1518. The book explores the myriad facets of love and grief. It also very sensitively handles important themes like LGBTQIA+ love, immigration and pregnancy loss. I highly recommend this book. The descriptions were so lush and you acutely feel for the characters. The narration was superb!

Watch review on: https://youtu.be/f026n-ezFjs

11 likes1 stack add
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rachelsbrittain
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Woke up early with this gorgeous view to do a little reading

Deblovestoread I am excited for this book! 3y
44 likes1 stack add1 comment
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rachelsbrittain
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Last day of May reads!

40 likes1 stack add
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Twocougs
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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Pickpick

I love her writing and stories of strong women back in time. This time it‘s in Strasbourg in 1518. Such a joy to read.

Cinfhen I‘ve been eyeing this one !! glad to know it‘s g👀d (edited) 3y
26 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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rachelsbrittain
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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New book I've been looking forward to on a coffee shop outing to do some writing and reading!

Kimzey Sounds good! Stacked! 📚 3y
TheKidUpstairs Stunning cover! 3y
rachelsbrittain @TheKidUpstairs right? I'm obsessed. 3y
rachelsbrittain @Kimzey I have high hopes for this one since I really enjoyed her other historical fiction novel 3y
Kimzey @rachelsbrittain Thanks for the recommendation! I added The Mercies to my stack also. 3y
61 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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TracyReadsBooks
The Dance Tree | Kiran Millwood Hargrave
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😍

Littens!!! Look at Waterstone‘s gorgeous exclusive signed edition of Hargrave‘s next book! The Mercies was one of my favorite books in 2020 and I‘m definitely looking forward to this one.

The story is set in 16th c. Strasbourg and is about the outbreak of a plague and the repercussions for a small group of women according to blurb.

Looks like it should be out later this year which I, for one, am very excited about!

squirrelbrain Ooh, so pretty! I loved The Mercies too… 3y
Bookbuyingaddict Wow 🤩 that‘s a gorgeous edition I‘m gonna have to get That 😂 3y
30 likes1 stack add2 comments