DEEDEE AND PAULINE. The Dancer and the Swan, penned by area author James L. Peters, was officially published on Aug. 1. His fourth novel tells parallel stories about the life of a woman, born and raised in New Orleans, and her hospice volunteer.

New Orleans. San Francisco. The Midwest. Faith, guilt, shame, regret. Childhood trauma, parent-child relationships. Feminine power, resilience. Dance. At first glance this may look like random words and phrases. However, they are actually themes that come together beautifully in The Dancer and the Swan, the latest novel penned by Chippewa Valley author, James L. Peters.

This is the author’s fourth novel, and his first time writing not just one, but two female lead characters in one story.

“This is the first book that I've ever written that went from two perspectives,” Peters said. “I like to stay completely in one character's head, and so this was a challenge for me — hopping between two very different characters.”

The Dancer and the Swan tells parallel stories about the life of DeeDee Deneaux, a Creole woman born and raised in New Orleans in the 1960s and Pauline Swanson, her hospice volunteer.

“About 13 pages in, Pauline showed up again and wouldn’t leave me alone,” Peters said. “(Pauline) said, ‘Nope, you're going to write this. And this time, you're going to do it from my perspective.’ ”

James L. Peters

Author, The dancer and the swan

DeeDee is a born dancer, who first practiced ballet as a kid and eventually with friends as a teenager. It was around this time, the powers that be decided her cherished Tremé neighborhood would be the perfect place to construct a new development: Interstate 10. As the neighbors’ businesses around her closed and the once-thriving area falls to ruin, DeeDee and her brother Alfred head to San Francisco for a new start.

There, Alfred joins the Black Panther Party and DeeDee begins to dance in a gentleman’s club, quickly working her way to a top dancer role. She then becomes an adult film actress before pivoting to life as a single mother and high-powered marketing executive, and eventually, owner of her own agency. Along the way, her relationship with her son Raymond breaks down completely.

Peters' novel begins at the end of DeeDee’s life — as she meets Pauline, a first-time hospice volunteer and recovering alcoholic swamped in shame. Pauline's feelings stem from separate childhood sexual abuse and regrets over her relationship with her recently deceased father (note: who is not her abuser).

If you’ve read Peters’s previous works, then you’ll recognize Pauline from Shrugging and Fortune Falls, two novels published by Peters in 2021.

The Dancer and the Swan book cover (pictured above) illustrated by Lori Chilefone, an Eau Claire artist.

“Typically, what you'll find in my other books is that I have struggling – sometimes frustrating – male leads, and strong female supporting characters who will help guide that character to making more sensible decisions,” Peters said. “Pauline was one of those characters, where she was a primary way of guiding the main character of my first novel.”

In The Dancer and the Swan, readers get to see what’s actually going on inside Pauline’s head. (Don’t worry, you do not need to read the previous novels to become completely immersed in The Dancer and the Swan.) In reading, we discover how the trauma she experienced shaped her sense of self, her intense insecurities, and the resilience one can discover through strong relationships — like those with DeeDee and Raymond.

In his writing, Peters often takes a character-first approach. He creates the characters and possible situations they might be placed in, and then lets each individual lead him through the story.

When he first began writing The Dancer and the Swan, he wasn’t planning to write about Pauline, but she had other ideas.

“About 13 pages in, Pauline showed up again and wouldn’t leave me alone,” Peters said. “(Pauline) said (to me), ‘Nope, you're going to write this — and this time, you're going to do it from my perspective.’ ”

The end result is a well-researched and engrossing story about two women who are very different, yet whose lives mirror each other in ways that transform them both.

The Dancer and The Swan has already received significant praise from the Wisconsin Writers Association and Kirkus Reviews. The latter gave Peters's latest novel a starred review – a coveted designation given by Kirkus Reviews which marks exceptional writing and quality. 

The Dancer and Swan was released on Aug. 1 and is available for purchase from The Local Store (205 N Dewey St, Eau Claire), Phoenix Park Artists Markets (330 Riverfront Terrace, Eau Claire), and Amazon • Local artist Lori Chilefone (lorichilefone.com, @lorichilefone) created the cover art for the book •Visit VolumeOne.org for future book launch events and artists market dates