There Should Be More Dancing

Margery Blandon, a woman in her seventies living in Brunswick, Victoria, faces the consequences of her past decisions and current circumstances. From her un-renovated weatherboard cottage, she observes the changing landscape of her suburban world while wrestling with family tensions and personal regrets. The story moves between Margery's present-day life and memories of her past, revealing the complex web of relationships with her children, neighbors, and the local community. Her real estate agent son-in-law's interest in her property adds another layer of pressure to her already complicated existence. Set against the backdrop of Melbourne's inner suburbs, the narrative maps the physical and emotional territory of aging in modern Australia. The story examines how secrets and misunderstandings accumulate over decades of family life. The novel addresses universal themes of loyalty, grief, and the impact of individual choices on family bonds, presenting a stark view of how relationships evolve - or dissolve - across generations.

Readers describe this as a slow-paced character study that focuses on aging, family relationships, and suburban Australian life. The book receives moderate ratings, averaging 3.4/5 on Goodreads from 310 ratings. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of an elderly protagonist - Authentic depiction of Australian suburbia - Dark humor throughout - Complex family dynamics Common criticisms: - Plot moves too slowly - Character of Margery can be frustrating - Takes time to become invested in the story - Some find the ending unsatisfying "The character study was deep but the pace tested my patience," noted one Goodreads reviewer. A reader on Amazon wrote: "Perfect capture of Australian suburban life, but the story meandered." Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (310 ratings) Amazon AU: 3.8/5 (26 ratings) Better Reading: 3.5/5 (42 ratings) The book maintains regular discussion in Australian book clubs but hasn't gained significant international readership.

The Last Days of Ava Langdon by Mark O'Flynn A tale of an elderly writer living in isolation reveals the collision between her rich inner world and stark daily realities.

The Secret Life of Bob by Stephen Carroll The story follows an aging man in suburban Melbourne who discovers unexpected connections through his observations of neighbors from his front window.

Our Shadows by Gail Jones Three generations of women navigate family history, aging, and loss in a small Australian mining town.

The Weekend by Charlotte Wood Three women in their seventies gather to clean out their deceased friend's house while confronting their own mortality and long-held relationships.

The Single Ladies of Jacaranda Retirement Village by Joanna Nell A widow at a retirement village faces changes in her life through new friendships and rediscovered independence.

🌟 Rosalie Ham is also the author of "The Dressmaker," which was adapted into a successful film starring Kate Winslet and became an international sensation in 2015. 🏠 Brunswick, where the novel is set, is one of Melbourne's oldest suburbs, known for its vibrant multicultural community and historic weatherboard houses dating back to the Victorian era. 📚 The book's exploration of aging and family dynamics reflects a growing trend in Australian literature addressing the challenges faced by the country's rapidly aging population. 🎭 Like many of Ham's works, the novel masterfully blends dark comedy with serious themes, a style that has become her trademark since her debut novel in 2000. 🏫 Before becoming a novelist, Rosalie Ham worked as a drama teacher and wrote the first draft of her debut novel while studying professional writing and editing at RMIT University in Melbourne.