Little Movements A Novel
Little Movements by Lauren Morrow, published by Random House on September 9, 2025, is a novel that explores the journey of a Black woman pursuing her dream of becoming a renowned choreographer. With 256 pages, this edition delves into the complexities of ambition and personal sacrifice as Layla Smart leaves behind her life in Brooklyn for a prestigious opportunity at Briar House, an arts program in rural Vermont. As she navigates the challenges of her new environment, Layla grapples with the expectations placed upon her while seeking to create art that reflects her true self.
Readers will find a poignant narrative that addresses themes of family life and self-discovery within the context of women’s fiction. As Layla confronts the realities of her marriage and the pressures of her artistic aspirations, she faces unexpected revelations that challenge her understanding of identity and fulfillment. The story captures the tension between personal dreams and societal expectations, ultimately highlighting the sacrifices one must consider in the pursuit of passion. Little Movements presents a rich exploration of domestic life and the complexities of navigating one’s creative journey.
Official synopsis Publisher
A page-turning, tenderhearted debut about a Black woman who is finally given a chance to pursue her dream of becoming a renowned choreographer, only to find that it comes at a tremendous personal cost
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE FALL: People, Oprah Daily, Los Angeles Times
“Lauren Morrow’s smart, incisive and hilarious debut is an ode to the creative process and to people everywhere who feel the pull to take a risk and try something new.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune
Layla Smart was raised by her pragmatic Midwestern mother to dream medium. But all Layla’s ever wanted is a career in dance, which requires dreaming big. So when she receives a prestigious offer to be the choreographer-in-residence at Briar House, an arts program in rural Vermont, she leaves behind Brooklyn, her job, her friends, and her husband to pursue it.
Navigating Briar House and the small, white town that surrounds it proves difficult—Layla wants to create art for art’s sake and resist tokenization, but the institution’s director keeps encouraging Layla to dig deep into her people’s history. Still, the mental and physical demands of dancing spark a sharp, unexpected sense of joy, bringing into focus the years she’d distanced herself from her true calling for the sake of her marriage and maintaining the status quo.
Just as she begins to see her life more clearly, she discovers a betrayal that proves the cracks in her marriage were deeper than she ever could have known. Then Briar House’s dangerously problematic past comes to light. And Layla discovers she’s pregnant. Suddenly, dreaming medium sounds a lot more appealing.
Poignant, propulsive, and darkly funny, Little Movements is a novel about self-discovery, about what we must endure—or let go of—in order to realize our dreams.
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