'If You Can Walk You Can Dance'
by Marion Molteno
If you like biography you will probably warm to this novel
because its characters feel so absolutely ‘real’. It weaves a complex
multi-layered melody over the course of three ‘books’ within one. Set initially
in in Africa it moves across frontiers with key protagonist, Jennie as she’s
uprooted from her home and family caught in the midst of political turmoil. She
eventually lands in London and finds herself in a women’s commune.
This is the story of a naive and sensitive young woman who learns much about herself, relationships and music during her many adventures. Far less about dance than it is about music, Molteno is clearly a master of her subjects: Africa, politics, musical semantics and most of all the fickle and fathomless arena of human emotions. All our senses are engaged, ears most of all since this is a dialogue rich story in which we hear what lies beneath the words with painful clarity. I have been introduced to a plethora of new musical instruments and forms: the shehnai, tabla and mbira (I even looked up and listened to some African Mbira music while I was reading – definitely added the right tone!)
This is the story of a naive and sensitive young woman who learns much about herself, relationships and music during her many adventures. Far less about dance than it is about music, Molteno is clearly a master of her subjects: Africa, politics, musical semantics and most of all the fickle and fathomless arena of human emotions. All our senses are engaged, ears most of all since this is a dialogue rich story in which we hear what lies beneath the words with painful clarity. I have been introduced to a plethora of new musical instruments and forms: the shehnai, tabla and mbira (I even looked up and listened to some African Mbira music while I was reading – definitely added the right tone!)
The writing is lyrical and poetic and often sentences are left open-ended as if the stave has produced a rest which we must all take. I liked this for the most part, although lovers of a ‘racy story’ may find its meandering rhythms and movements a bit slow. I decided to follow its lead and took it gently. And it grew on me until I realised I had no choice but to be drawn to its conclusion which wasn’t exactly where I wanted to go, but which probably makes it a much more true reflection on ‘real life’.
Marion Molteno is one of our newly discovered Tisbury
authors, although she’s been writing for many years and all her novels have
either won or been short-listed for awards. ‘If
You Can Walk You Can Dance’ won a Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and her
publishers have reissued it, which alone says something for its quality.
Best bit? There’s a paragraph about love and what true
lovers see in each other (clue: Book 2, Chapter 4) which is one of the most
beautiful pieces of prose about love I have ever read. So, for those thinking
ahead to February this might make an extremely good Valentine’s gift. And for
any music-lover, I echo the words of a review on the back cover ‘Anyone interested in a new way of thinking
about music should read this novel.’
Liz Darcy Jones
Book Ambassador
P.S. Congratulations to another new Tisbury author and
aromatherapy expert, Michaela Boldy, on the ‘birth’ of her new book, ‘Essential
Oils for Childbirth’. This sounds like the perfect gift for any mother or
grandmother wanting to ease their granddaughter’s or daughter’s birthing
process! Beatons Tisbury has copies or order through your tearooms.