There is a critically important story of generational shame, and the trauma children of minority families experience because of racism and shame, as well as the plight of being a powerful woman. However; it is nearly entirely overshadowed by a sometime sloppy plotline. The world building leaves something to be admired, the 3 narrative perspectives don't really blend well together, and it truly feels like the author took two halves of different books and sewed them together with the story of red shoes and frantic dances. That being said, the 1500s narrartor's piece is delightfully intoxicating. It makes you want more and more of her story, and in the same vein for her story to have more of an impact on her living relative.  I think this book could have been something magnificent, if it had been left on the drafting table just a minute longer to get a refined take on the points she was trying to create.