A Time For Dancing
By Davida Wills Hurwin
The most unanticipated time of their lives is here. Juliana and Sam never imagined that they would ever have to witness such a devastating moment in their lives. It is finally time to say farewell to Sam's best friend, Julie, who has cherished her few final dancing, family and friendship memories. Sam tries to be a true friend, supporting Jules during the months of testing and treatments but the horrifying pain and indignities that Jules suffers, and the feeling that she has lost over her own life, forces her to a place where even Sam cannot follow. Cancer becomes an inner journey that gradually distances her from family, friends, and in particular Sam- in ways none of them could have predicted. They both have to accept the reality that the cancer might never go away. As their lives proceed, the two best friends drift away from each other and Sam blames Jules for being selfish and ignoring her amid of her sickness. As a result, Sam begins to spend more time with her boyfriend, Paul. Paul and Julie don't like each other which upsets Sam even more. For instance when Paul asks Sam to end her friendship with Julie and exclaimed, " Julie may been a pretty girl before she got sick. But the person I met was just... scary-looking. I don't understand how you can be around her"(176). Even though Sam has reminded herself that she has put "Jules in the back of my mind... she just wasn't immediate" (191), she felt immensely offended to Paul's reaction and she broke up with him. Deep down she sincerely cares for her "One and Only" and wouldn't trade her for anything. On the other hand, Jules decides to end her chemotherapy treatment because she can't bear the immense pain anymore. She has lost all hope and is overwhelmed of how her body physically looks. Her family agrees with her decision and support her to relieve her from the pain.
Davida Wills Hurwin has carefully crafted the novel that includes two central point of views which allow readers to imagine how life and death might look different at a young age. It is a page turner and intriguing. Over the course, readers witness Julie's own growth into accepting her destiny and Sam's growth into an emotional and psychological independent young woman. Hurwin did a good job having each girl narrate her own side of their rollercoaster story in alternating chapters. He adds various subplots such as boyfriend issues/betrayals, tension with friends and family without diverting attention from the intimate friendship, a bumpy course full of shocks, periods of silence and strains. The novel is beautifully dialogued with plotting that makes readers turn the pages through their tears. Both characters know that Jules is going to die but make one last effort to celebrate her life with dance, her passion and love.
I would definitely recommend this book to everyone including all genders (not just young women), and ages. I makes you appreciate your friendship, life and most importantly oneself. Hurwin made the story quite believable about their friendship. It's a heartwarming story about the struggle with cancer at such a young age.
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