by Diana Evans
First published 2009
Lucas lives on a narrowboat in West London with his sister Denise, still puzzling over childhood assumptions about orphaned children and water. He discovers remnants of the Midnight Ballet hidden in an old wardrobe. This black dance company from the 1960s was founded by his missing Jamaican father, Antoney Matheus. Lucas pieces together stories of intense rehearsals in an abandoned Notting Hill church, creative conflicts, and a European tour that changed everything. He uncovers the volatile romance between his parents and the circumstances surrounding his father's final departure. His investigation takes him through multiple worlds: 1950s Kingston, the Blues parties of Ladbroke Grove, early carnival celebrations, and the bustling markets of modern Portobello Road. The story connects to the legendary Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky's rise and fall. Lucas must navigate the tension between artistic passion and family loyalty as he searches for answers about his inheritance and identity.
Genres: literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 21st-century, family-drama, african-american-historical-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, mystery
Setting: Jamaica, Kingston, Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, Portobello Road, West London
Period: 1950s, 1960s, Modern
320 pages · Hardcover · Bond Street Books