Growing up is difficult enough for everyone. From the changes physically and mentally a child goes through as they head towards adulthood, to the challenges school and life offer along the way, growing up is one of the most formative and compelling eras of a person’s life, often defining key moments that will arise later in life. Being able to experience what childhood has to offer and giving oneself the chance to keep an open mind throughout life is crucial to becoming a well-rounded individual as life goes on.
In author GlenScott Thomas Copper’s Angels Dance on the Head of a Pin, a young boy goes on an emotional and spiritual journey as tragedy and family expectations take him in directions he never saw coming. Struggling both with the promises of duty to the church he promised his family from a young age and the hardships of growing maturity and curiosity that change brings, Scott finds himself suddenly forced to leave his town behind to head to Chicago, where he lives with his uncle and befriends a young woman named Willie. Together they face more challenges, grow closer together, and immerse themselves in friendship as they also discover the rich Native American culture of the Midwest.
A powerful and compelling novel, this lengthy narrative is rich in character development and detailed imagery that brings these settings and characters to life perfectly. The author finds a great balance in tone in using juvenile humor in the dialogue and character interactions with more grounded and nuanced emotional depth as situations arise and the characters are forced to grow up when life throws hurdles in their path. The era the story takes place in the early 60s which is already a great time of change and defiance against authority, and the parallels this story finds in that time period compared to the present will have Scott and Willie engaged instantly with readers.
Readers who enjoy stories which feature coming of age narratives in American Literature will be enthralled by this novel. The book perfectly captures the experiences and confusion that often comes with growing up and emphasizes this with witty dialogue and detailed scenes that feel compelling on the pages. Yet the story also takes the time to explore greater themes, such as the relationship people have to both Catholicism and the Native American culture found in the Midwest. The passion for which the author writes, and the powerful themes are greatly mirrored by scenes that show the characters youthful buoyancy and immaturity, from contests using flatulence driving passengers from a train car and so much more.
