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Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Dancing on Coals: A Memoir of an Overperformer by Cynthia Moore is a candid and heartfelt exploration of a woman’s journey through a tumultuous life marked by intense ambition, emotional struggles, and the relentless quest for authenticity. The memoir traces Cynthia’s evolution from a childhood shaped by displacement and family dysfunction to her pursuit of artistic excellence in the theater, her struggles with overachievement, and her eventual path toward self-acceptance and inner peace. Through vivid storytelling, she recounts her experiences in avant-garde theater, her challenging relationships, and her exploration of therapy, as she tended to hide herself, and her quest for spirituality, all while asking the question of how to find her voice in the noise of the world.
Cynthia Moore takes you on a journey from the sun-drenched islands of Nassau to the cold Swiss boarding school, the lively streets of San Francisco, and the quiet woods of Vermont. The recurring themes of the quest for excellence, authenticity, and the search for love are skillfully reflected in the writing. Dancing on Coals vividly explores the human condition—how overperformance masks deep-seated fears, how cultural and family pressures shape identity, and how surrendering to life’s natural flow can lead to genuine peace. This memoir emphasizes the importance of listening to oneself, embracing one’s brokenness, and recognizing the strength of authenticity. I enjoyed the author's crisp writing, punctuated with vivid descriptions. She peels off layers of her personality, allowing you to see someone broken, authentic, and longing for love — someone hidden behind the excellent achiever. While I found this memoir memorable, it also gave me invaluable insights and lessons about life, love, and success.
