Wild Dances

Praise

“A page-turning, tragicomic memoir . . . By ingeniously weaving improbable and conflicting forces that make up his personal history, Adams affirms a resilient idea of home that yearns to transcend space and time.”
—Thúy Đinh, NPR

“A breathtaking and beautifully written book: it’s lodged itself in my heart. It’s about so much more than Eurovision – and I say that as someone who loves Eurovision!”
—Nigella Lawson

“Adams is an outspoken and humorous narrator . . . Fans have come to know and love [him] for his informative, dishy Eurovision commentary on everything from vocal tone to sartorial missteps; with this book, he is certain to increase his fan base.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Extremely well written and always interesting, Adams’ memoir ends with a touching affirmation of his love for John.”
—Michael Cart, Booklist

“An amazing true story more fascinating than fiction. Adams works through problems most of us couldn’t even imagine—all the while, he’s grappling with being gay in a world where his identity subjects him to abuse. Adams used reading as his refuge from despair. With a scholarship to Harvard and an unlimited imagination, he fights his way to the top by turning a hobby into a hugely successful career. But like all of us from difficult backgrounds, Adams is constantly plagued with family issues. How he handles his life’s outrageous challenges—with dignity and courage—will lift your heart. A courageous story well told.”
—David Crow, author of The Pale-Faced Lie

“Wild Dances is a pitch-perfect piece of autobiographical storytelling, a love song to the inspirational power of pop and the enduring resilience of queer kids with big dreams. William Lee Adams, already known to the world in his scintillating Eurovision commentator persona, proves to possess a rare talent as a writer. Effortlessly blending piercing emotion with tongue-in-cheek humor and a strong grasp of political context, Wild Dances is sure to captivate readers who seek a story with both style and substance.”
—Kai Cheng Thom, author of Falling Back In Love With Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls

“Wild Dances is an unlikely whirlwind: a globe-trotting memoir about a biracial queerdo from Atlanta who somehow becomes the world’s foremost expert on Eurovision—the bedazzled talent show that launched the careers of Celine Dion, ABBA, and Olivia Newton-John. Wild Dances is also about death and grief. Which isn’t the thematic pairing one might expect. But nothing about William Lee Adams’s heartfelt journey is predictable. Your heart WILL go on!”
—Mickey Rapkin, author of Pitch Perfect