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editrix's review against another edition
I was a fan during the 1996 Olympics and thought this would be an interesting time-passer and nothing more. Surprise! Although I’d heard about Moceanu having some drama with her parents, and although it’s now well known how messed up the Károlyi system was, I didn’t expect this to be such a scathing tell-all about just how much abuse was happening to Dominique, both within the gymnastics world and at home. (And this is without any of the Larry Nassar stuff.) I had to look up whether the Károlyis were still alive when this was published because I couldn’t imagine her daring to speak out so boldly while they were still around. (The book came out in 2012 and both coaches are alive.)
Although Moceanu seems to be in a good place now, it’s pretty devastating to read about all the things she suffered through as a child and the ways in which the ripple effects continued to affect her life. (How awful to win a gold medal and not be able to enjoy it because so many important adults in your life tell you you’re a disappointment.) She’s positive where she can be, and there’s an interesting side story about the sister who was adopted out of her family at birth because of a disability, but readers who are sensitive to mental/emotional/physical abuse should consider themselves warned.
Although Moceanu seems to be in a good place now, it’s pretty devastating to read about all the things she suffered through as a child and the ways in which the ripple effects continued to affect her life. (How awful to win a gold medal and not be able to enjoy it because so many important adults in your life tell you you’re a disappointment.) She’s positive where she can be, and there’s an interesting side story about the sister who was adopted out of her family at birth because of a disability, but readers who are sensitive to mental/emotional/physical abuse should consider themselves warned.
_bookdreamer's review against another edition
5.0
Growing up I absolutely loved Dominique Moceanu. I specifically remember thinking that she sorta looked like me and that she always seemed so happy.
I started off reading this book thinking it would be meh, but wow it ended up being so good it's another book I read in just one sitting.
I was shocked to see that the image she protrayed as a young gymnast was absolutely nothing like her experience. I don't want to spoil the book at all but wow it was so good!
I started off reading this book thinking it would be meh, but wow it ended up being so good it's another book I read in just one sitting.
I was shocked to see that the image she protrayed as a young gymnast was absolutely nothing like her experience. I don't want to spoil the book at all but wow it was so good!
sarahsbookshelves's review
Eye-opening look at the politics behind elite gymnastics...and Bela and Marta Karolyi. A fantastic follow-up if you loved Megan Abbott's You Will Know Me.
hbrown's review
3.0
9.5 on the story, 7.5 on the writing. It is chilling to read about the Karolyi’s abuse as far back as the 90s in the wake of the current events in USA Gymnastics.
nikkibd4033's review
3.0
I remember so clearly hearing a story about Dominique Moceanu at the 96 Olympics that her parents had her hang from a clothesline when she was a baby, and when she didn't let go, they decided that she'd be a world-class gymnast. The announcers told this story with great enthusiasm and clearly thought it was wonderful. It immediately seemed creepy to me though, so two years later when Moceanu publicly got herself emancipated, I wasn't surprised. Even though I'm only five years older than her, I felt this sort of maternal pity for her.
Naturally I had to read this book to find out more about her life. The book itself is OK - I didn't have great expectations for wonderful prose. And it basically confirms everything I thought back in 96. Abusive parents sent the girl to an abusive coach. I didn't really expect the secret legless sister put up for adoption (and neither did she!)
Moceanu's life is a little more interesting though. From her time in Colorado and going to raves to meeting her husband as a young girl and developing a friendship with him before falling in love with him. Her gymnastics life is a little bit of a pity. USA Gymnastics would do well to listen to her because she's become a woman with a lot of empathy for others, and makes an excellent point about the Karolyi's benefitting financially from forcing young gymnasts to attend Karolyi camp, which should be outside their purview as Team Coordinators.
Overall Moceanu comes across as a woman who loves her sport despite being treated poorly by it, and as someone who has a real desire to see it change for the betterment of its athletes.
Naturally I had to read this book to find out more about her life. The book itself is OK - I didn't have great expectations for wonderful prose. And it basically confirms everything I thought back in 96. Abusive parents sent the girl to an abusive coach. I didn't really expect the secret legless sister put up for adoption (and neither did she!)
Moceanu's life is a little more interesting though. From her time in Colorado and going to raves to meeting her husband as a young girl and developing a friendship with him before falling in love with him. Her gymnastics life is a little bit of a pity. USA Gymnastics would do well to listen to her because she's become a woman with a lot of empathy for others, and makes an excellent point about the Karolyi's benefitting financially from forcing young gymnasts to attend Karolyi camp, which should be outside their purview as Team Coordinators.
Overall Moceanu comes across as a woman who loves her sport despite being treated poorly by it, and as someone who has a real desire to see it change for the betterment of its athletes.
knobbyknees's review
3.0
(More like 3.5 stars)
I remember the Atlanta Olympic games so well, and I loved the Magnificent Seven's performance that year, so reading about all the behind-the-scenes drama that happened (a big chunk of Moceanu's memoirs is devoted to training for the Olympics) was pretty interesting. Moceanu had a crazy adolescent life -- controlling parents, a string of coaches (both good and bad), early retirement -- that it made the end of the book so much sweeter. (Also how crazy is it that she's writing her memoirs at age 30?) She now has a stable home life but man, those first 20 years sure were turbulent. Interesting read, and I like the critique about how USA Gymnastics is too political.
I remember the Atlanta Olympic games so well, and I loved the Magnificent Seven's performance that year, so reading about all the behind-the-scenes drama that happened (a big chunk of Moceanu's memoirs is devoted to training for the Olympics) was pretty interesting. Moceanu had a crazy adolescent life -- controlling parents, a string of coaches (both good and bad), early retirement -- that it made the end of the book so much sweeter. (Also how crazy is it that she's writing her memoirs at age 30?) She now has a stable home life but man, those first 20 years sure were turbulent. Interesting read, and I like the critique about how USA Gymnastics is too political.
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