Dancing with the Octopus: The Telling of a True Crime

In Dancing with the Octopus, Debora Harding explores the aftermath of a traumatic childhood abduction, questioning if it was the most significant event of her life. She shifts between the past and present, unravelling her story and exploring the social and political forces that shape us after experiencing serious crime. The book is a vivid, intimate portrait of one family's disintegration, darkly humorous, and ground-breaking in its narrative of reckoning and recovery.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 01 July 2021
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

Extraordinary Kate Mosse
Electric Lemn Sissay
Searing Julia Samuel

One Omaha winter day in 1978, when Debora Harding was just fourteen, she was abducted at knife-point, thrown into a van, assaulted, held for ransom, and left to die. But what if this wasn't the most traumatic, defining event in her childhood? Undertaking a radical project, Debora Harding dexterously shifts between the past and present to unravel her story. From the immediate aftermath to the possibility of restorative justice twenty years later, Dancing with the Octopus lays bare the social and political forces that act upon us after the experience of serious crime. A vivid, sly, and intimate portrait of one family's disintegration, this is a darkly humorous and ground-breaking narrative of reckoning and recovery.

In 1978, on a cold winter day in Omaha, Nebraska, Debora Harding's life took an unexpected turn when she was abducted at knife-point, thrown into a van, and subjected to a series of violent assaults. She was held for ransom and left to die, but what if this wasn't the most traumatic event of her childhood?

Deciding to embark on a unique project, Debora Harding delved into her past, exploring the events that shaped her life. She skillfully alternated between the past and present, unraveling her story with precision. From the immediate aftermath of the ordeal to the possibility of restorative justice twenty years later, Dancing with the Octopus shed light on the societal and political forces that impacted her after experiencing such a severe crime.

This book is a vivid, sly, and intimate portrayal of one family's disintegration. It is darkly humorous, yet groundbreaking in its narrative of reckoning and recovery. Through her meticulous research and storytelling, Debora Harding offers a fresh perspective on the aftermath of trauma, challenging societal norms and offering hope for those who have faced similar hardships.

Dancing with the Octopus has been shortlisted for the CWA Dagger for Non-Fiction, a prestigious award recognizing excellence in crime writing. This achievement further highlights the significance of Debora Harding's work and the impact it has had on readers worldwide.

In conclusion, Dancing with the Octopus is a remarkable book that delves into the depths of trauma and resilience. Through the skillful storytelling of Debora Harding, it offers a powerful exploration of the social and political forces that shape our lives after experiencing serious crime. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of human behavior and the power of healing.

Weight: 354g
Dimension: 130 x 197 x 37 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788165174
Edition number: Main