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bookwormmelissa's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Henry Holt and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. I heard about this book on a podcast episode that recommended books to watch this fall and winter. When I heard there was a book about gymnastics coming out in November, I was so grateful to discover it on Netgalley! I grew up a huge fan of Nadia Comeneci and other gymnasts at around the same era and after - my friends and I used to pretend we were those gymnasts. Many of the characters in Meadows' book were famous Russian gymnasts, and the author takes us deep into Russian gymnastics philosophy and coaching midst a harsh political and social background. We follow main character Anya as she is chosen to be a Russian gymnast at a young age, as well as her family and neighbors, with the story spanning decades forward and back as each character's backstory informs the present. It's a bleak book, and everything is not tied up nicely as we see the impact of communism. I appreciated the deep dive into Russian gymnastics and the greater political surroundings of the time, but I felt the pacing dragged in places. The author's in-depth research really shows, and I am glad I read it.
abbie_az's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alayna017's review against another edition
3.0
It took so long for me to get into this book, it was a slow plow through the first 50% of the book. Much of the beginning is about Anya when she’s young, but the plot of the story didn’t really happen until she actually starts her gymnastics career.
This follows Anya as she is chosen to be a gymnast for the USSR in 1970-1980. The horrible conditions and oppression of that country in that time was well represented, but I think I was hoping for more story in Anya’s relationships. There was also the mother issue that wasn’t sufficiently resolved for me.
It was okay, I wish it would have been better!
This follows Anya as she is chosen to be a gymnast for the USSR in 1970-1980. The horrible conditions and oppression of that country in that time was well represented, but I think I was hoping for more story in Anya’s relationships. There was also the mother issue that wasn’t sufficiently resolved for me.
It was okay, I wish it would have been better!
lizziewoj's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
emmajanet327's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
donnaratcliff's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Enjoyed this but wish it had been about 100 pages longer. I thought the atmosphere and setting was captured really well but I wanted to know more about the characters we met, it felt like the only one we really got to know was Vera.
Enjoyed this but wish it had been about 100 pages longer. I thought the atmosphere and setting was captured really well but I wanted to know more about the characters we met, it felt like the only one we really got to know was Vera.
lpin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ursalita's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Interesting premise but the structure was jumpy
ahomelibrary's review against another edition
Book Review — “Winterland: A Novel” by Rae Meadows (Nov 2022) and published by @henryholtbooks
Categories — Historical Fiction, Mother/Daughter Relationships, Soviet Russia, Sports/Gymnastics, Coming of Age
Currently has a 4.02 average on GR with almost 300 reviews and 4.4 on Amazon with about 30. Recently released so I’m sure more reviews to come!
Quick Summary — Set against the wintery backdrop of Soviet Russia in the 1970s, “Winterland” is the story of eight year old Anya, who is selected to join the famed USSR gymnastics program. As Anya rises through the ranks of competitive gymnastics, and as other girls fall from grace, she soon comes to realize that there is very little margin of error for anyone and so much to lose.
Yet, what is left of her family is thrilled by her selection to the team; however, years back, her mother disappeared and her family was left devastated and shattered. Anya’s only confidant is her neighbor, an older woman who survived unspeakable horrors during her ten years imprisoned in a Gulag camp―and who, unbeknownst to Anya, was also her mother’s confidant and might hold the key to her disappearance.
My thoughts ⤵️
When I first saw the cover and title for this book, I never would’ve thought the summary would seem so dark and foreboding
Categories — Historical Fiction, Mother/Daughter Relationships, Soviet Russia, Sports/Gymnastics, Coming of Age
Currently has a 4.02 average on GR with almost 300 reviews and 4.4 on Amazon with about 30. Recently released so I’m sure more reviews to come!
Quick Summary — Set against the wintery backdrop of Soviet Russia in the 1970s, “Winterland” is the story of eight year old Anya, who is selected to join the famed USSR gymnastics program. As Anya rises through the ranks of competitive gymnastics, and as other girls fall from grace, she soon comes to realize that there is very little margin of error for anyone and so much to lose.
Yet, what is left of her family is thrilled by her selection to the team; however, years back, her mother disappeared and her family was left devastated and shattered. Anya’s only confidant is her neighbor, an older woman who survived unspeakable horrors during her ten years imprisoned in a Gulag camp―and who, unbeknownst to Anya, was also her mother’s confidant and might hold the key to her disappearance.
My thoughts ⤵️
When I first saw the cover and title for this book, I never would’ve thought the summary would seem so dark and foreboding