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lesbian_thespian's review
2.0
Honestly I would be a lot more interested in reading Aly's memoir now that she's not trying to maintain a relationship with USAG. As memoirs go, this is about what I would expect from an Olympian who still has one foot in that world.
That being said, I love Aly and enjoyed reading about her life. I think the most interesting and poignant parts of this memoir were Aly's descriptions of working to make a comeback after the 2012 Olympics.
Overall, I think this book targets a YA audience (maybe even middle grade) which made for some light, if not a little too fluffy, reading. Here's hoping Aly writes another book in a few years! :)
That being said, I love Aly and enjoyed reading about her life. I think the most interesting and poignant parts of this memoir were Aly's descriptions of working to make a comeback after the 2012 Olympics.
Overall, I think this book targets a YA audience (maybe even middle grade) which made for some light, if not a little too fluffy, reading. Here's hoping Aly writes another book in a few years! :)
andreabrown's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Child abuse
jujibooks's review
4.0
Written mostly, I think, for young gymnasts, Aly and her editor/collaborator did a great job (especially for a gymnastics book) explaining her gymnastics history and injury history. There are great segments about her friendships with the other girls and some of the struggles of her comeback.
jessiesmette's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much more than I expected. Whenever the Olympics are on, I love watching and following the stories of the competing athletes, but until I read Fierce, I never truly knew what it meant to make it to the Olympics.
Aly Raisman’s writing is so honest that I had a hard time putting her book down. I really was shocked by the sacrifices she and other athletes had to make in order to compete on the Olympic stage. It also gave me great insight into the sport of gymnastics and a much deeper appreciation for the dedication these women show.
I recommend this book to any lover of athletics, the Olympic Games, or people who love a great story of determination beating the odds.
Aly Raisman’s writing is so honest that I had a hard time putting her book down. I really was shocked by the sacrifices she and other athletes had to make in order to compete on the Olympic stage. It also gave me great insight into the sport of gymnastics and a much deeper appreciation for the dedication these women show.
I recommend this book to any lover of athletics, the Olympic Games, or people who love a great story of determination beating the odds.
finesilkflower's review against another edition
4.0
Aly Raisman seems like a good person, and her book is a wholesome sports autobiography I would have no problem recommending to a preteens and above. Ghostwriting by Blythe Lawrence, informed by Aly's journals, is well-done, readable and suspenseful, and Aly's voice seems to come through (obviously I don't know her personally, but she has personality in this book). She describes the discipline, persistence, and grit required to meet the mental and physical and demands of Olympic training, including times in her athletic career and training when she failed or doubted herself, struggled with body positivity and anxiety, making her Olympic wins the more exciting and inspiring.
Sexual assault is mentioned, but it's not graphic, and it's discussed in a way that I think would be valuable for teens to learn from. Aly explains the circumstances that led her not to question her molester, and the warning signs to look out for: someone who makes you uncomfortable, tries to get you alone, asks you to keep secrets, etc. She stresses that just because a person is popular and respected, that doesn't mean they're trustworthy or that you shouldn't question them. Though the book deals with Larry Nassar only in a few pages - it's not the main point of the story at all - the larger context of Aly's career, hard work, discipline, and sacrifice only combine to contextualize how evil it was for a doctor entrusted with the care of her and youth athletes like her to abuse his power.
The only time the book kinda lost me was toward the end when Aly describes her activism through partnerships with brands, like working with a clothing company to design a line with body-positive slogans. I'm sure she chose endorsements she could feel good about, and she probably has to present them in a good light if she's still working with them, but it's kind of eye-rolly all the same, like, I don't begrudge you trying to earn a paycheck but please don't shove advertising down my throat when I already bought your book (just kidding I got it out of the library) (capitalism kills)
Sexual assault is mentioned, but it's not graphic, and it's discussed in a way that I think would be valuable for teens to learn from. Aly explains the circumstances that led her not to question her molester, and the warning signs to look out for: someone who makes you uncomfortable, tries to get you alone, asks you to keep secrets, etc. She stresses that just because a person is popular and respected, that doesn't mean they're trustworthy or that you shouldn't question them. Though the book deals with Larry Nassar only in a few pages - it's not the main point of the story at all - the larger context of Aly's career, hard work, discipline, and sacrifice only combine to contextualize how evil it was for a doctor entrusted with the care of her and youth athletes like her to abuse his power.
The only time the book kinda lost me was toward the end when Aly describes her activism through partnerships with brands, like working with a clothing company to design a line with body-positive slogans. I'm sure she chose endorsements she could feel good about, and she probably has to present them in a good light if she's still working with them, but it's kind of eye-rolly all the same, like, I don't begrudge you trying to earn a paycheck but please don't shove advertising down my throat when I already bought your book (just kidding I got it out of the library) (capitalism kills)