Early From the Dance [Paperback]

David Payne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 29, 1996

Reminiscent of William Styron and Pat Conroy but with the sexual heat and obsessiveness of Scott Spenser's Endless Love, this is a spellbinding love story from a young writer of extraordinary gifts.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

There are so many passages of fluent, graceful writing and sensitive insights in this second novel by the author of Confessions of a Taoist on Wall Street , that some readers may be willing to forgive its vastly overwritten length. Th e story of a young man's coming-of-agestet hyphens per Websters as he suffers through a love triangle is both exasperating--self-indulgent, cliched and sentimental--and satisfying; Payne is a natural raconteur with a pitch-perfect ear and a flair for evocative description. Thirteen years ago, when all the principals were 18, Adam Jenrette, called A., and Jane McCrae were horrified when A.'s best friend and Jane's former lover, Cary Kinlaw, committed suicide after learning that the two had betrayed him. Though A. went on to New York to achieve fame as an artist (painting has played such a small part in his life as revealed in flashback, we don't believe in his career for a minute), inner demons relating to his mother's death, his father's humiliation, and his guilt about Cary, cause a near breakdown. He returns home to Killdeer, N.C., where he again encounters Jane and continues his downward slide, helped by large quantities of cocaine. When he isn't writing endless paragraphs of adolescent conversation full of raunchy language, related in "and I said, and he said" style, Payne creates memorable characters and puts some interesting spins on his story. Not as capable as Frank Conroy, to whom he will be compared, Payne may someday give him a run for the money. Literary Guild main selection; major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Successful 32-year-old New York artist Adam returns to his North Carolina home to confront first-love Jane and relive their eighteenth summer, when Adam and Cary were still best friends and Jane was Cary's girl. By the end of that summer, Jane and Adam had fallen in love, causing guilt that was only fueled by Cary's suicide three years later. In examining their feelings for Cary and for each other now, both finally grow up, arriving at a mature love that keeps them in the dance of life that Cary left early. Although well written, especially in the last chapters, this second novel (Payne's first was Confessions of a Taoist on Wall Street , LJ 11/1/84) is overlong. It's also hard to care enough about Jane and Adam, initially so self-centered, to struggle through all their angst-filled flashbacks, despite the satisfying end. Purchase where demand exists.
- M.J. Simmons, Duluth P.L., Minn.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st Ballantine Books trade ed edition (September 29, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345410254
• ISBN-13: 978-0345410252
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,259,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely the best novel I have ever read, August 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Early From the Dance (Paperback)

David Payne's characters and prose speak so closely to me that I get Goosebumps every time I read this book. An absolutely amazing piece of Southern literature. This is, without a doubt, my favorite novel of all time. Filled with so much intelligent, touching, heart-tugging prose, you will no doubt feel compelled to go out and buy everything that David Payne has ever written. I honestly can't go into my local Barnes and Noble without at least casually wondering by the "P" section to verify that another David Payne novel isn't finally available. Payne's brilliant use of imagery is so mesmerizing, powerful and compelling that you'll never want this novel to come to an end. `Early from the dance' is a vivid, honest, oh-so-bittersweet novel that you will ALWAYS remember. Read this book!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All These Years..., January 31, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Early From the Dance (Paperback)

I first read this book when I was barely out of my teens and I can tell you each and every place I occupied while turning these pages. It is a book that has stayed with me and haunts me often in my wondering whatever became of A.

I, too, as another reviewer, cannot journey a bookstore without browsing the shelf where I find this author and always, always hope he will have published something new and memorable since my last visit.

A must read for real readers - an excellent travel/beach/late night with the flu book! Get it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a life-changing read...my fave book of all time, December 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Early From the Dance (Paperback)

This book is, without a doubt, the most thought provoking, intriquing work of fiction I've had the pleasure to read. As a southern girl who lives for my vacations on the Outer Banks, I FELT this book. My family knows not to even TRY to talk to me on vacation when this book is in my hands (I read it each trip). I only loan my copy to friends who I know will "get it" so we can discuss it later. This is such a true depiction of growing up southern style, and coming of age in a simple place with complicated issues. It's a read for anyone. I also read Ruin Creek, and was disappointed. I guess Early from the Dance was hard to top. Am eagerly awaiting the next book from David Payne.