Dancing with the bones

An enthralling exploration of roots, ancestry and the search for belonging, this memoir in triptych form begins with Carl's early life in Flanders, the conflict with his father and his departure, leading to years of travel, his attempts at growing roots as a hippy pioneer farmer on the east coast of Australia and as a music star in Brazil, the discovery of love and the mending of old wounds in Greece, Spain and Belgium, culminating in a cathartic ancestral reburial ceremony on the island of Madagascar.

Dancing with the Bones is in turn philosophical, funny, adventurous, lyrical and insightful.

Flemish-born, Carl Cleves, troubadour/poet, musicologist and world traveller, is the author of 'Tarab: Travels with My Guitar', an epic tale of high adventure and the search for musical ecstasy (TransitLounge.com.au) as a relief worker in India, antelope trapper in Uganda, recording star in Brazil and single parent. His 6 solo albums and 6 with The Hottentots, co-founded with Parissa Bouas, have won international praise and numerous awards, including Music OZ, NCEIA and ASA: 'Songs both intimate and powerful'; 'a vision whimsical and wise'; a guitar style 'utterly captivating, pregnant with unexpected nuance'.'Carl Cleves reminds his readers that true travel is about sinking deeply into cultures and allowing unique experiences to change your life'. Bruce Elder (Sydney Morning Herald)www.carlcleves.com www.facebook.com/CarlCleves www.youtube.com/carlcleves