Besides a few shows I had watched and a single cha-cha-cha class I joined while on vacation, I never gave the industry of ballroom dance much thought. This book opened me to a whole new world of art, performance and passion. Through this world, Lee Wei-Jing explores gender, sexuality, intimacy, desire, ambition, self-esteem, and human connection. She critiques normative gender roles and the impacts of familial dynamics/trauma. The metaphor and symbolism of the mermaid adds a richness that ties all the themes and commentary together. I can only imagine this story must be even more exquisite in its original language.