The Dead Don't Dance (Awakening Series #1) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Charles Martin (Author)
Key Phrases: pig crap, Pastor John, South Carolina, Dylan Styles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Competent writing and a poignant plot combine to make Martin's first novel with newcomer fiction imprint WestBow an absorbing read for fans of faith-based fiction. In rural South Carolina, Maggie and Dylan expectantly await the birth of their first child. Tragedy strikes when their son is stillborn and Maggie slips into a long-term coma. Refusing to give up on her recovery, a devastated Dylan marks time earning money as an adjunct English professor at Digger Junior College. In a role vaguely reminiscent of the teachers in Mr. Holland's Opus or To Sir with Love, Dylan connects with his students in spite of himself and is able to offer hope to others amid his own disappointment and grief. As Dylan waits for some change in Maggie's condition, he reflects on his life and hers in numerous seamless flashbacks. Martin integrates faith elements into the story with a deft touch. But what makes this book sing is not the plot, which sometimes feels disaster-heavy (rape, abortion, coma, car accident), but the delightfully quirky characters. From Amos, the black, bald deputy who is Dylan's best friend, to Bryce Kai MacGregor, a Vietnam veteran who lives north of town in a drive-in movie theater, drinks Old Milwaukee beer and plays the bagpipes mostly in the buff, they are ingeniously imaginative creations.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist
Although not perfect, life for Dylan Styles is initially just the way he likes it. Once a professional student, he finds his footing in Digger, South Carolina, the small farming community where he grew up. Here on his grandparents' old farm, Dylan and his wife, Maggie, find happiness in the daily rhythms of the natural world. Maggie's pregnancy only adds to their contentment. However, a complicated delivery changes everything; their son is stillborn, and Maggie falls into a deep coma. Suddenly Dylan is thrown into a position of painful uncertainty. His doubt extends into theological realms as he asks the agonizing question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Fortunately, he is surrounded by people willing to help and lands a teaching position at a local college. Here Dylan finds an example in one of his students who handles her own pregnancy from a brutal rape with infinite grace. Like God in the story of Job, the author tests his protagonist repeatedly until Dylan returns to an underlying truth that was never really lost. Jerry Eberle
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (September 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595543279
• ISBN-13: 978-1595543271
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #41,357 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar Debut!, March 24, 2005

By	JDK (Level Green, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dead Don't Dance (Awakening Series #1) (Paperback)

Dr. Martin, you've done it! I remember sitting in a graduate class you helped teach 10 years ago, hearing how you dreamed of becoming a novelist someday. Well, you're living the dream -- and doing a fine job of it, too. Your writing is brutally -- and refreshingly -- honest. Real characters with real emotions that resonate throughout the story make this an engaging read. Bravo to WestBow for not asking you to pull your punches in telling the story like you knew it had to be told. Looking forward to reading "Wrapped in Rain." Keep the faith -- and keep writing!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real, June 7, 2005

By	K. Miller (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dead Don't Dance (Awakening Series #1) (Paperback)

I was very impressed with this book. The writing and characters where extremely realistic. All the characters were very unique and well developed. I really enjoyed the flashbacks in the book. They really made it possible to relate and understand the main character. This book will make you laugh and cry. Unlike many faith based fiction novels, the people were real, complete with flaws.

One of the main themes in the book is the importance of moving forward even when faced with tragedy. I was deeply touched by this book. I purchased Mr. Martin's second book as soon as I finished this one.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very enlightening, June 14, 2004

By	J. S. Marshall (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Dead Don't Dance (Awakening Series #1) (Paperback)

After much anticipation in waiting for the book to ship on May 14th (I heard about it from the author's wife), I knew after reading the first chapter, that it was going to be worth the wait. As a woman, I loved reading about the soft side of a man (Dylan Stiles), and as an African American, I thought that the description of the African-American charactors were tastefully written. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to future books written by Charles Martin.