Tunes for Dancing Bears

by Irena Karafilly

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Pub Date May 01 2025 | Archive Date May 31 2025

Literary Press Group of Canada | Baraka Books

Literary Fiction | Multicultural Interest | Women's Fiction

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Description

It is September 1991 and Lydia has just given birth to a stillborn child in Montreal. As she and her husband, Dr John Gabriel, grapple with its after effects, their relationship come under inevitable scrutiny. Lydia, the daughter of poor Greek immigrants, fears she has failed her husband as well as his more prosperous Greek family. Their marriage had been shaky from the start and the stillbirth seriously threatens its very foundations, including John’ s commitment to marital fidelity. Tunes for Dancing Bears plunges deeply into the complexities of grief and the many challenges of being a woman. A touching story of family, loss, immigration, hope, and the real meaning of "for better or worse."

A Note From the Publisher

All over the world, medical and support staff (social workers, clergymen, etc.) are being trained to deal with birth tragedies. Two hospital officials who read an early draft for authenticity both volunteered the opinion that the book is bound to appear on nurses' and students' required reading lists - not to mention bereaved parents' groups and associations.

All over the world, medical and support staff (social workers, clergymen, etc.) are being trained to deal with birth tragedies. Two hospital officials who read an early draft for authenticity both...

Advance Praise

“This eloquent, impressionistic novel evokes the devastating void left by a stillborn child.” Meg Nola, Foreword Reviews

"Irena Karafilly has written a beautiful and moving addition to the literature of loss and grief." William Kotzwinkle, author of Swimmer in the Secret Sea

Praise for Arrested Song:
“I enjoyed this book immensely. Karafilly succeeds brilliantly where I had decided not to even try. A very accomplished novel.” Louis de Bernieres

“A gripping, powerfully evocative chronicle of Greek island life. . .. Nothing is black and white here, least of all her feisty, iconoclastic heroine . . . hard to put this book down.” Sofka Zinovieff

“Arrested Song is a wonderful novel, fully realized and absorbing.” Anna Porter

“This eloquent, impressionistic novel evokes the devastating void left by a stillborn child.” Meg Nola, Foreword Reviews

"Irena Karafilly has written a beautiful and moving addition to the literature...

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Available Editions

EDITION	Paperback
ISBN	9781771863810
PRICE	CA$24.95 (CAD)
PAGES	242

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