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triplem80's review
2.0
Ugh. So disappointed with this book. I thought this might be a fascinating story, but overall, it was just boring. I'm a fan of wrestling, so I didn't mind all the wrestling details (though there were certainly some factual inaccuracies). But it was poorly written and edited to the point of distraction.
On the plus side, it was a fairly quick read, so I didn't waste TOO much time on it...I'm just hopeful that the movie is better.
On the plus side, it was a fairly quick read, so I didn't waste TOO much time on it...I'm just hopeful that the movie is better.
mwgerard's review
2.0
Please read my full review here: http://mwgerard.com/accent-foxcatcher-by-mark-schultz/
jennymrphy's review
1.0
I don't know what there is to say about this book that previous reviews haven't already mentioned, but suffice to say if I was Mark Schultz I would ask for my money back on the ghost-writing services. There is obviously a very complex and interesting story hidden somewhere in here, but it's hidden under waves and waves of superfluous, mind-numbing detail. It's messily, messily put together- often people Schultz has known throughout his career are often referenced only by name, as if the reader is supposed to already know who they are, followed by a real introduction chapters later. The "true story of my brother's murder" referenced by the title only really accounts for a tiny chunk of the narrative, the rest is a fairly dry, almost statistical account of Schultz's various wins and losses: clearly there is some evidence of the publisher looking to cash in on public interest in this case, as I can't imagine the autobiographical parts of this book could have stood alone as publishable without having some connection to a famous murder case.
Schultz has clearly been through a very traumatic ordeal, and it almost seems unfair to criticise what may well have been a cathartic writing experience for him. However, I also can't ignore that I found his narrative voice to be incredibly self-centred, egotistical and at times misogynistic - his descriptions of his girlfriends and wives almost always only describe them as being "incredibly hot" or are based on the fact that every other man was jealous of him for having a hot girlfriend. At one point he even describes his brother as hero when, while flirting with women at a bar, Dave "takes one for the team" by taking home the least attractive girl - ick. From reading this book, I can now understand why Schultz withdrew his support for the film version of Foxcatcher after hearing some suggested it had homo-erotic tones.
If you're looking to find more information on John du Pont, this is probably not the book for you, as it doesn't really give you any insight into him except as a comic book villain. I would struggle to recommend it to anyone except dedicated college wrestling fans.
Schultz has clearly been through a very traumatic ordeal, and it almost seems unfair to criticise what may well have been a cathartic writing experience for him. However, I also can't ignore that I found his narrative voice to be incredibly self-centred, egotistical and at times misogynistic - his descriptions of his girlfriends and wives almost always only describe them as being "incredibly hot" or are based on the fact that every other man was jealous of him for having a hot girlfriend. At one point he even describes his brother as hero when, while flirting with women at a bar, Dave "takes one for the team" by taking home the least attractive girl - ick. From reading this book, I can now understand why Schultz withdrew his support for the film version of Foxcatcher after hearing some suggested it had homo-erotic tones.
If you're looking to find more information on John du Pont, this is probably not the book for you, as it doesn't really give you any insight into him except as a comic book villain. I would struggle to recommend it to anyone except dedicated college wrestling fans.
megankass's review
4.0
Surprisingly well-written. Very readable and kept me turning the page.
Having seen the movie first, I expected this book to be about the Schultz brothers and their time with du Pont. Rather, this book is the story of Mark Schultz’s athletic career. Du Pont didn’t even show up until halfway through. But that was okay and it gave the story a lot more context.
While it was clear that Mark loved his brother deeply, this was Mark’s story, not the brothers’ story. Mark is definitely not the most self-aware narrator, and his perspective is very selective. I wish that the personalities of some of the other wrestlers, friends, wives, and girlfriends had been more fleshed out to keep them from being interchangeable. Just as du Pont didn’t like to share the spotlight, neither does Mark. But at least Mark didn't go around killing and tormenting people.
4.5 stars
Having seen the movie first, I expected this book to be about the Schultz brothers and their time with du Pont. Rather, this book is the story of Mark Schultz’s athletic career. Du Pont didn’t even show up until halfway through. But that was okay and it gave the story a lot more context.
While it was clear that Mark loved his brother deeply, this was Mark’s story, not the brothers’ story. Mark is definitely not the most self-aware narrator, and his perspective is very selective. I wish that the personalities of some of the other wrestlers, friends, wives, and girlfriends had been more fleshed out to keep them from being interchangeable. Just as du Pont didn’t like to share the spotlight, neither does Mark. But at least Mark didn't go around killing and tormenting people.
4.5 stars
mikolee's review
1.0
Wow. This book was clearly trying to build upon the popularity of the Steve Carell movie. It should be named "Me and Wrestling". It is so poorly written it is shocking. Clearly a case where a ghost writer would have been necessary. So shocked that any editor let this book pass. Some of the lines for example the description of "ugly girls" were so laughable it almost felt like SNL skit.
alexmestas's review
2.0
The core of an interesting story, but more of a memoir from Schultz than an investigation into du Pont's strangeness.
rgag86's review
1.0
30 pgs in and I had to stop, the writing is horrible. It's like an 8 yr old wrote it.
txlight75's review
2.0
It is not that the book itself is bad, it is just not what it is advertised as. If Mark had titled this and billed it as an autobiography then I would not feel like giving it such a low rating.
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