The Next Step in the Dance

by Tim Gautreaux

Book Overview

Bringing the same light and gentle understanding that he did to the story collection Same Place, Same Things , author Tim Gautreaux tells the tale of Paul and Colette, star-crossed and factious lovers... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312181434
• ISBN13: 9780312181437
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Picador USA
• Length: 340 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A simple reason to read this book

When you read a book that makes you laugh and can actually bring a tear or two to your eyes, it's a good book!In reading other reviews of this book, it's been said it was overplotted. It got a little sticky in one or two places, but the pay-off is well worth the effort!To be honest,I found this book to be as realistic a portrayal of Louisiana as you can find. I saw names familiar to me (I have family that lived in Napoleonville),so the book became more vivid and interesting.However, I did find myself not liking Collette very much because she was so mean to Paul,but he just loves her that much and it only served to endear the book to me more. Gran-Pere Abadie is so complete a character I can see my wifes Grandfather every time Abadie comes into the scene.I would highly reccomend this book, and (having just finished it 10 minutes ago)am actually on this site to order my next Tim Gautreaux book!

Dance With The One Who Brung ya!

Being from Louisiana,I have a critical eye concerning how the state and people are portrayed. If you enjoy the detail of landscape and characters in James Lee Burke novels, then this book is for you. Tim Gautreaux tells a simple story about a young Louisiana couple, Paul and Colette, who question their values, surroundings and commitment in a detailed account that made me laugh out loud, sigh with regret, and take pride in their revelations. When Paul remembers that Colette had said "that Louisiana was a land of limited ambition" the story really takes off. Read this book to find out if Colette was right. I promise that you'll dance with the one who brung ya!

a compelling love story and social study

I could not put down this book. The characters were fun ,touching, and rang true. Of course there are some expected "cajun" types, but that is the reality as well. I appreciated the rather moving story of what the oil crisis did to Louisiana (and the oil boom also). I look forward to reading more of Tim Gautreaux's books.

A wonderful book with fascinating local color!

Taking place in a small Louisiana town, the author writes so well, you can see the characters, surroundings and events with incredible clarity. I loved it. A love story with laughter intermingled. It is a keeper.

I loved this book.

While browsing through the new-fiction shelf at my local library, I stumbled across a familiar name...Tim Gautreaux. He was one of my college professors at SLU in Hammond, Louisiana, so I checked out the book and spent two wonderful nights "going home". Having been raised in the most southeastern part of Louisiana, and being the only daughter of a 100% certified cajun man born and raised in southeastern Louisiana, this book paints the picture of cajun Louisiana with glorious highs and lows. The struggle for life, love and self-esteem from the two main characters had me laughing, crying and feeling homesick all at the same time. Well done, Dr. Gautreaux!