- Hardcover: 287 pages
- Publisher: Morrow (1976)
- ISBN-10: 068803022X
- ISBN-13: 978-0688030223
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 13.7 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,102,561 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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First Sentence
I had a few spare moments before confessions that Saturday evening, so I headed for the church loft to play the organ a little. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
I had a few spare moments before confessions that Saturday evening, so I headed for the church loft to play the organ a little. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Tom Meeker, tall, blonde and handsome, in his late twenties, is in his second year of the priesthood serving in small town Cottonwood, Montana. Unaware of his sexuality, he is at first puzzled over his feelings for the good looking young half-breed drop out Vidal Stump (the Fancy Dancer) who comes to him for confession. The two strike up a friendship as Tom sees there is much more to Vidal than the drunken brawler, despite the disapproval of Tom's superior Father Vance. But when the inevitable occurs Tom is thrown into turmoil about his calling and his sexuality, and fearful that he will be found out as gay in the small community of Cottonwood.
However with Vidal's help Tom finds help in the form of a group of disaffected Catholics in Denver who are working to aid other Catholic gays. But will Tom be able to remain in the priesthood, and what of the long term prospects for him and Vidal?
The Fancy Dancer is an interesting story, but I had to keep reminding myself that this was written in 1976 to avoid it seeming rather naive at times. Both Tom and Vidal are interesting, appealing yet very different characters, the other characters are well drawn and there is a good sense of place. The dilemma's facing Tom are well thought through, and the story has a satisfying conclusion.
However with Vidal's help Tom finds help in the form of a group of disaffected Catholics in Denver who are working to aid other Catholic gays. But will Tom be able to remain in the priesthood, and what of the long term prospects for him and Vidal?
The Fancy Dancer is an interesting story, but I had to keep reminding myself that this was written in 1976 to avoid it seeming rather naive at times. Both Tom and Vidal are interesting, appealing yet very different characters, the other characters are well drawn and there is a good sense of place. The dilemma's facing Tom are well thought through, and the story has a satisfying conclusion.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
16 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Once a priest
11 Mar 2002
Format:Paperback
The first time I read this book, I was a confused struggling young man trying to make sense of his sexuality...much like Tom Meeker only without the collar. Now, 24 years later...I'm the priest still struggling to make sense of his sexuality and of love. This book, so poingantly describes the struggle that many of us in the priesthood must contend with as we live closeted lives. Unlike Tom Meeker, I chose to leave rather than stay...but there are many more who have been able to endure issues that Patrician Nell Warren so very accurately and sensitively wrote about in the book. While it is listed as "fiction", there is more truth in these pages than meet the eye. It touched me as well being a native american as I could grasp the world of Fr. Tom AND his lover, Vidal. TEN stars...not just FIVE.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Unusal Insight into the Gay life
15 Aug 1997
Format:Paperback
In 1954 I was stationed with the U.S. Navy in the Washington, D.C. area. While I was on duty one rainy evening in August, a captain in the Medical Corp. was billeted in the brig awaiting trial on charges of having sexual relations with an enlisted man. This medical doctor had been in the Navy for most of his adult life. He knew the consequences if he was caught in a homosexual act. Instead of waiting for the trial, the dignified doctor lay down on his narrow cot, poured lighter fluid over himself and lit a match. When I saw his charred body, brig personnel had carried his remains to the sidewalk where a damp summer wind carried the stench over the whole Naval complex. As I stood over the charred bones, I wondered what caused a man to commit an act that would cause him if caught to take his own life. Also, I made a vow that evening that if I could do anything to change public opinion that caused this decorated captain to take his life. I would.
Patricia Nell Warren, authoress of the Fancy Dancer, has given me a keen insight into a young priest who risked being defrocked because of his touching love for a degenerate young man. This story appalled me at times, but yet I thank a writer who tells a touching story, in a manner that made it impossible to put the novel down before I read the last word. Patricia, thank you for giving me an understanding insight into the Gay lifestyle. Luther Butle
Patricia Nell Warren, authoress of the Fancy Dancer, has given me a keen insight into a young priest who risked being defrocked because of his touching love for a degenerate young man. This story appalled me at times, but yet I thank a writer who tells a touching story, in a manner that made it impossible to put the novel down before I read the last word. Patricia, thank you for giving me an understanding insight into the Gay lifestyle. Luther Butle
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
The Struggle To Come Out
11 July 2000
Format:Paperback
As a gay jewish man, I was intrigued by this book by PatriciaNell Warren. The love that the priest finds with the title character,The Fancy Dancer (you'll have to read it to know what it means - I'm not saying), is so overwhelming that it reminded me of my own coming out a few years ago. While it is not a celebratory happy ending, the book leaves you with the feeling that the men involved here are on teh right track. I have to admit, I'm hoping Ms. Warren revists these characters and writes a sequel like she did with The Front Runner series.
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