Readers Point of View
This book is truly literary fiction. Clair Fullerton artfully
weaves a subtle romance with poetic nuance. For me, the appeal was the routine.
Some people like whirlwind vacations, but I like to settle in and grow some
roots. Dancing to an Irish Reel is about Hailey settling into a small community
and getting a feel for the personality of the locals. She meets the dark
mysterious Liam Hennessey and can’t shake the attraction. This tale does a
wonderful job of illustrating the different ways we go about falling in love;
men versus women, Irish versus Californian. Hailey is analytical, curious, and
straightforward. Liam is a free spirit, confused, and never faces anything
straight-on.
I imagine each reader will connect with different
personalities in the story. I liked Adrian. He is one of those guys who
enthusiastically helps in any way he can. Some people find him extremely
annoying, Hailey thinks he’s adorable. I also loved her description of an
elegantly dressed older gentleman named Seamus Kearney. I want to sit with him
and have a cup of tea.
Writer’s POV
A special skill Fullerton has is to allow each personality to
be uniquely different. Typically writers create dialogues with the same
speaking style. She writes each person’s dialogue differently. “In Connemara, we like to stay connected, you
know. No need to be parted by a little thing like death.” This was Liam’s
comment regarding the local haunted cemetery. After a couple of pages you can
almost hear the Irish brogue.
If a sentence stands out in literature, I know I’m on to
something good. In Fullerton’s case, many such sentences occur. My favorite of
the book describes a businessman Hailey must deal with… Her first impression; “He
had glowing white hair that stuck out every which way, and untamed eyebrows to
match. A course mustache swept hither and yon to either side of his mouth as if
it were fighting gravity.” Lovely, sigh.
I also appreciated her ability to stay true to first person
POV. As any writer knows this isn’t easy. The first person can’t know what is
happening out of their presence. Claire Fullerton masterfully pulls it off.
Well done!
