Dance, Gladys, Dance by Cassie Stocks: A Quirky Canadian Novel

I had no point of navigation but I was hell-bent on finding my way to Ordinary. I didn’t know what I hoped to find on that voyage or, God forbid, at the end of it, but I knew there was nothing but bilge rats and bullshit on the course I’d been following.

That’s our introduction to twenty-seven-year-old Frieda Zweig, the main character in Cassie Stocks’ quirky debut novel, Dance, Gladys, Dance. Frieda is currently living with a friend, looking for a job, and trying to ignore her love for painting. After a couple of failed romantic relationships and some harsh critiques of her artwork, Frieda just wants to live an ordinary life. Whatever that means.

When a classified ad in the newspaper catches her attention, she finds herself meeting Gladys and Mr. H—and discovering that ordinary might be a little overrated.

Mr. H is a widower who is estranged from his only son and spends much of his time at the local art centre. Lonely living by himself, he decides to rent out his upstairs room. As he and Frieda try to help each other, they encounter a host of other zany characters, including Frieda’s ex-boyfriend Norman and Mr. H’s movie-producing son, Whitman.

Soon, this unusual group of friends finds themselves embarking on a rather crazy plan to save the local art centre.

I received this book for review courtesy of the publisher; all opinions expressed remain my own. This post contains affiliate links; as an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Dance, Gladys, Dance overview

Dance, Gladys, Dance is Canadian author Cassie Stocks’ debut novel, and what a fun introduction to her writing! This book entertained me from the first page to the last, and I laughed aloud in several places.

I wasn’t completely sure how I’d feel about reading a novel with a ghost in it, but I loved the way Cassie handled Gladys’ character and her relationship with Frieda. Gladys isn’t simply a supernatural addition to the story; she has her own history, personality, and reasons for remaining connected to the living.

Each character in the novel is distinct and unique, yet also feels realistic and likeable. Their different personalities and backgrounds create plenty of humour, unexpected friendships, and entertaining situations.

A Canadian Novel about Friendship and Following Your Dreams

One of the things I particularly liked about Dance, Gladys, Dance was how Stocks brings alive a variety of characters who exist on the margins of society.

Mr. H and Miss Kesstle are seniors living alone. Marilyn and Girl are struggling with drug use and near homelessness. And Gladys simply needs someone to listen to her story, after being shunned and ostracized during her lifetime.

These characters might seem like an unlikely group of friends, but their differences are part of what makes the story so enjoyable. Each has experienced loneliness, disappointment, or rejection in some way. As they come together, they begin to discover that friendship and belonging can come from unexpected places.

Telling stories and following your dreams are two of the biggest themes in this novel. Frieda has gradually pushed aside her love of painting because of criticism and disappointment. Other characters have also given up on dreams or accepted lives that aren’t quite what they hoped for.

Through their relationships and their efforts to save the art centre, they begin to reconsider what an ordinary life should look like—and whether it’s ever too late to pursue something more meaningful.

I especially enjoyed the way the novel balances humour with these more serious themes. Although the characters face some difficult circumstances, the story never loses its warmth or quirky sense of fun.

What Is Dance, Gladys, Dance About?

Here’s the publisher’s description:

Dance, Gladys, Dance is a witty, affectionate tale—with a supernatural twist—of several women who are coming to grips with the dreams they’ve sacrificed or outright given up, and the changes that they make to their lives to follow their dreams once again.

I’d recommend this book to readers who enjoy quirky contemporary fiction, unusual characters, Canadian authors, and stories about friendship and second chances. If you like novels that make you laugh while also giving you something to think about, Frieda and her unusual circle of friends are well worth meeting.

About Author Cassie Stocks

Dance, Gladys, Dance introduced me to Canadian author Cassie Stocks and her offbeat sense of humour. This debut novel brings together memorable characters, an unusual supernatural element, and an encouraging message about rediscovering the dreams we’ve set aside.

For more about Cassie Stocks and her writing, visit her website. You can also read her guest post about moms who write right here on The Koala Mom.