Monkey Dancing: A Father, Two Kids, and a Journey to the Ends of the Earth

by Daniel Glick

Release Date: 27 May, 2003

Edition: Hardcover

Price:

More Info

Mixed Feelings, but overall pretty good

This was a pretty neat book, and I found Mr. Glick's willingness to take two very American kids on a trip around the world very brave. The book shed some light on the tragic plights on different endangered species. Species that most of us will never get to see outside of a zoo. I admired the honesty of this book, including the parts about his son's dabbling in drugs-it's life after all, that stuff happens, at least he made a point to show his son the negative effects of the stuff. Not too many parents do that.

The parts I enjoyed most were about what they saw on their travels, and how unique each country was. I got sick very early on about him talking on and on about his wife leaving him. Tragic yes, but to write each time he told a person on the trip what had happened between him and his ex, was repetitive and almost pathetic. I wasn't able to connect with the author because of that.

Overall, I like the book and would suggest it to friends. It's worth reading.

Brutal Honesty for Better and for Worse

"Monkey Dancing" is a brutally honest account of a father's trip with his two children to some exotic parts of the world in an effort to find some healing following devastating family tragedies. Glick demonstrates tremendous courage by revealing so much about himself and his family, about losing to cancer an older brother he always looked up to and losing a wife and co-parent who discovered late in life that she was a lesbian. But honest and accurate reporting can sometimes be tedious. For example, those of us who have travelled with children have all experienced bickering and whiny kids. Unfortunately, Glick recounts more of such bickering and whining than is necessary or desirable. In addition, since the journey was one of self discovery and healing from family tragedy, I found the reporter's lens focused more on himself and his children and less on the places they visited. I look forward to Dan Glick's next travel book as he moves further away from the hurt that inspired Monkey Dancing.