The Duke Don't Dance is is a saga following the lives of seven protagonists of America's "silent generation" from young adulthood in the 1960s through 2011. It would be considered a historical novel except for the technicality that a number of us from that generation are still alive today.
The Book has been self-published via Amazon CreateSpace and is available as Paperback and eBook - released in March 2012 - 262 pages.
About the Book
The novel is a frame narrative beginning and ending with the funeral arrangements of one of a group of friends and acquaintances, and tracing the evolution of their lives and relationships in the intermediate chapters. It has been favorably compared to the movie "The Big Chill" by a number of reviewers.
The novel is rich in cultural milestones designed to enhance the reader's appreciation of the protagonists' journeys throughout the decades.
The title refers to a line of graffiti encountered by the protagonists at mid-story. At first speculating that "the Duke" written on the wall refers to John Wayne, Duke Ellington, Duke Snyder or other Dukes of the day, they finally agree to consider it prophetic. No duke, such as used biblically to represent a lord of good or evil, will save their generation.
No, they must dance for themselves.
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| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Reviews (Excerpts)
- "[...] this is an excellent book for anyone who is interested in exploring real characters through the turbulence of a time not so long ago. " - T.J.D. (Amazon)
- " [...] This was the first book I read that was written by Richard Sharp and I have to say that I truly enjoyed it, its got everything in it; wars, spies, love, lust, betrayal just to mention a few themes. [...] I would recommend this to those readers interested in the 60s 70s 80s and also to people who have an interest in psychology. It was a great read. " - Michael (Amazon)
- "[...] Sharp brilliantly contrasts characters from diverse educational backgrounds; different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds; the military, unhappy homes; and liberal and conservative backgrounds. The novel is gritty and witty. As I read, I appreciated Sharp's descriptive style which transports you to the moment and each paragraph is packed with information and insights. This is very entertaining, enlightening, and a great read for people of any generation. " - Sheri Kaye Hoff
- "[...] I enjoyed this novel very much, found it clever and funny and appreciated the ride back in time on the backs of this unheard generation.
And I must wonder, after turning the last page, if this story is autobiographical or purely fictional; it is so poignant and real, especially the ending.... " - AndreaC (Amazon)
- "I loved this book. As a member of the Silent Generation I felt as if I knew the characters in The Duke Don't Dance. The writer speaks with authority and the result is an intelligent, empathetic, and witty portrait of his characters and the events that shaped their lives. " - Eileen Rose
About the Author
As a career consultant, Richard Sharp authored literally hundreds of non-fiction studies and reports over a long career and began fiction writing in 2001, producing two historical novels for mostly personal pleasure that will be released as Indie publications later this year. He wrote his current novel, "The Duke Don't Dance," in 2011 and it was published in 2012.
Richard Sharp is significantly influenced by the work of Isabel Allende, and writes from a somewhat similar perspective.
He is working on his second novel entitled "Crystal Ships," referring to an old Irish legend and a Doors tune. It is built around the philosophy that life is not about the destination or the journey, but rather the vessels -- that is the people, ideas, illusions that take you through it.
Links to the Author and the Book
Connect with Richard Sharp on Twitter: @Richard_G_Sharp
Link to the Book The Duke Don't Dance (eBook-Kindle) with Excerpt on Amazon
Link to the Book The Duke Don't Dance (Paperback) with Excerpt on Amazon
