I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Author Stephen E. Smith shares a vivid memoir from the mid 60’s that helps cope with the global COVID-19 virus in the book “The Year We Danced”.

The Synopsis

With the number of Covid cases increasing and the death toll steadily rising, award-winning writer Stephen E. Smith decided it was appropriate — maybe even necessary — to write about happier, less stressful times.

In a box of forgotten files, he rediscovered loose-leaf binders and keepsakes from his first year of college. It had been more than half a century but reading through his course notes, personal observations, and the clippings he’d torn from magazines and newspapers, he pieced together the events, good and bad, tender and tragic, that shaped his freshman year.

Much of what he writes is disarmingly funny, but recalling the Civil Rights Movement, the War in Vietnam, and the complexities of finding himself a stranger in the South forced him to reassess a period of his life he’d long recalled as carefree. In this vivid and poignant mid-60s memoir, readers come to understand how friendship, a love of language and music, and the bittersweet remembrance of lost love can help sustain us through difficult times.

The Review

The biggest takeaway from this incredible memoir is the relatability so many readers will be able to have with it. The honesty and everyman-style of writing really speak to the author’s experiences and life well, and the way the author was able to incorporate humor and showcase the lessons and insights that the author gained during his life made this a compelling book.

The artistic and poetic nature of the author’s vision for this book was evident in every chapter. The author brought readers into these memories and experiences as if they lived through them. The rich and dynamic individuals that the author brings into the book from his life and the absurd humor that keeps the book fun and light while honest and enlightening in other moments make this a great book to get lost in.

The Verdict

Author Stephen E. Smith’s “The Year We Danced” is a humorous, relatable, and engaging memoir. Its unique absurdist writing style, entertaining memories, and heartfelt attention to detail about the era it describes make it a wholly unique read. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10