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shree_reads's review
3.0
I found myself reading the pages of this book, initially drawn to its promise of unraveling the mental and physical struggles endured by gymnasts. With a rating of 2.5 stars, it fell somewhat short of my expectations. Its opening chapter tantalizingly mentioned a murder, only to withhold its occurrence until the final stretch, leaving me in suspense.
The author skillfully wove a tapestry of words, meticulously crafting the environment to transport readers to the chilling realm of Romania. The vivid descriptions immersed me in an eerie atmosphere, amplified by the harsh cold weather that permeated each page. It was a testament to the author's ability to set a scene.
The female protagonist, a paradoxical blend of maturity and childlike demeanor intrigued me. Her complexities unfolded as the narrative progressed, evoking both admiration and confusion within me. It was an intriguing portrayal, though, at times, the character's development felt disjointed as if some crucial aspects were left unexplored.
Regrettably, the execution of the plot failed to reach its full potential. Anticipation built steadily, only to falter in its delivery. The promised climax seemed elusive, leaving me yearning for a more satisfying resolution. While the atmospheric world-building captured my imagination, the narrative lacked the cohesion necessary to immerse me in its depths fully.
In retrospect, I bestow upon this book the modest rating it received. Its intentions were noble, and the author's efforts were evident, yet it ultimately fell short of becoming the captivating tale it aspired to be.
The author skillfully wove a tapestry of words, meticulously crafting the environment to transport readers to the chilling realm of Romania. The vivid descriptions immersed me in an eerie atmosphere, amplified by the harsh cold weather that permeated each page. It was a testament to the author's ability to set a scene.
The female protagonist, a paradoxical blend of maturity and childlike demeanor intrigued me. Her complexities unfolded as the narrative progressed, evoking both admiration and confusion within me. It was an intriguing portrayal, though, at times, the character's development felt disjointed as if some crucial aspects were left unexplored.
Regrettably, the execution of the plot failed to reach its full potential. Anticipation built steadily, only to falter in its delivery. The promised climax seemed elusive, leaving me yearning for a more satisfying resolution. While the atmospheric world-building captured my imagination, the narrative lacked the cohesion necessary to immerse me in its depths fully.
In retrospect, I bestow upon this book the modest rating it received. Its intentions were noble, and the author's efforts were evident, yet it ultimately fell short of becoming the captivating tale it aspired to be.
eleanor_lh's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
jlwebb's review against another edition
2.0
Holy shit .
Instead of placing this back onto my shelf of read books, I’m throwing it in the bin so I don’t have to look at it .
2/3 of this book could have been removed and it would of been a better read.
This is an example of EVERY paragraph in this book.
- Event in-front of character
- relived childhood event
- Some random insane thought she thinks of
- Revisiting her Sexually Assault .
And I mean every friggen chapter , after about 10 pages it got really old .
Also, the death within the book happened literally 12 pages from the end .
Instead of placing this back onto my shelf of read books, I’m throwing it in the bin so I don’t have to look at it .
2/3 of this book could have been removed and it would of been a better read.
This is an example of EVERY paragraph in this book.
- Event in-front of character
- relived childhood event
- Some random insane thought she thinks of
- Revisiting her Sexually Assault .
And I mean every friggen chapter , after about 10 pages it got really old .
Also, the death within the book happened literally 12 pages from the end .
katebuccilli's review
5.0
Have I really found a second 5 star read this month????
Update: Yes I have
Update: Yes I have
brooke_review's review against another edition
4.0
When I was a child, the world of gymnastics looked so glamorous. I was a young teen when the USA’s Magnificent Seven won gold at the 1996 Olympics, and all of my friends and I were obsessed with the sport, attempting to recreate the gymnasts’ routines in our backyards and arguing over which girl was our favorite (everyone loved and wanted to be Dominique Moceanu.). To us, being a gymnast performing dazzling tricks on the world stage seemed like a dream come true, but reality was much different.
In recent years, gymnasts have found their voice and are speaking out against the abuses committed against them in the name of winning gold. From mental to physical to sexual abuse, gymnasts have proven that all that glitters is not gold. In fact, there’s something downright rotten in the sport. Ilaria Bernardini’s The Girls are Good continues to expose the dark underbelly of women’s gymnastics, following an Italian team over a week’s time at a competition in Romania that ends in murder.
Divided up by days of the week, The Girls are Good takes readers through each day of the competition, highlighting the rigorous regimes gymnasts go through to compete and showing that mental gymnastics play as big a part in their performance as does their physical feats. As the competition builds, so does the tension among the girls as they all vie to be the best. Combining true-to-life accounts of sacrifice, strife, and abuse with a sensational murder story, The Girls are Good strips the glamour from gymnastics and leaves us with much to think about.
It was an experience for me to read a gymnastics story that follows a group of girls not from the United States. Even in the face of abuse and competition, US gymnasts typically show a supportive, smiling face to the crowd, but the girls in Bernardini’s novel are downright nasty. I am not sure if this is how Bernardini wrote the girls, if it is a cultural difference, or if something got lost in translation, but The Girls are Good shows that the girls are, in fact, bad.
Following the POV of Martina, a quiet girl on the team who comes from poverty and who can never shine as bright as the team’s stars Carla and Nadia, The Girls are Good demonstrates how ugly girls can be to each other when there is something at stake. Martina is required to bunk up with Carla and Nadia, best friends who have an unsettling obsession with each other, and through her eyes, we see that Carla especially is rude, crude, and no prude. She bullies her teammates and friends, rages against the competition, and behaves in a hyper-sexualized manner, likely due to the abuse she and the rest of the girls on the team have suffered at the hands of their doctor.
This story is dark, dirty, and difficult to read, but it is also incredibly revealing and thought-provoking. Should we be submitting our youth to the treacheries of the sport at such a young, impressionable age? How can we trust those who claim to have young gymnasts’ best interests at heart? And what are the repercussions for winning gold? Is it really worth it? Read The Girls are Good if you wanted to be horrified by the dark side of gymnastics.
In recent years, gymnasts have found their voice and are speaking out against the abuses committed against them in the name of winning gold. From mental to physical to sexual abuse, gymnasts have proven that all that glitters is not gold. In fact, there’s something downright rotten in the sport. Ilaria Bernardini’s The Girls are Good continues to expose the dark underbelly of women’s gymnastics, following an Italian team over a week’s time at a competition in Romania that ends in murder.
Divided up by days of the week, The Girls are Good takes readers through each day of the competition, highlighting the rigorous regimes gymnasts go through to compete and showing that mental gymnastics play as big a part in their performance as does their physical feats. As the competition builds, so does the tension among the girls as they all vie to be the best. Combining true-to-life accounts of sacrifice, strife, and abuse with a sensational murder story, The Girls are Good strips the glamour from gymnastics and leaves us with much to think about.
It was an experience for me to read a gymnastics story that follows a group of girls not from the United States. Even in the face of abuse and competition, US gymnasts typically show a supportive, smiling face to the crowd, but the girls in Bernardini’s novel are downright nasty. I am not sure if this is how Bernardini wrote the girls, if it is a cultural difference, or if something got lost in translation, but The Girls are Good shows that the girls are, in fact, bad.
Following the POV of Martina, a quiet girl on the team who comes from poverty and who can never shine as bright as the team’s stars Carla and Nadia, The Girls are Good demonstrates how ugly girls can be to each other when there is something at stake. Martina is required to bunk up with Carla and Nadia, best friends who have an unsettling obsession with each other, and through her eyes, we see that Carla especially is rude, crude, and no prude. She bullies her teammates and friends, rages against the competition, and behaves in a hyper-sexualized manner, likely due to the abuse she and the rest of the girls on the team have suffered at the hands of their doctor.
This story is dark, dirty, and difficult to read, but it is also incredibly revealing and thought-provoking. Should we be submitting our youth to the treacheries of the sport at such a young, impressionable age? How can we trust those who claim to have young gymnasts’ best interests at heart? And what are the repercussions for winning gold? Is it really worth it? Read The Girls are Good if you wanted to be horrified by the dark side of gymnastics.
kirstenellang's review
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Ilaria Bernadini for a copy of this book !
I always find the best kind of books are the books that haunt you and I just know that this book will haunt me. An honest and therefore heartbreaking look at how young girls in sports are treated and damaged by those who should be protecting them.
Bernadini writes in such a chaotic yet cohesive style that the entire book is a masterclass in fear and tension. It builds and builds and builds and once you think its snapped it does it again and again and again, leaving you to feel like you want to vomit (I still feel like i might). This book tells a powerful and important story and carries warnings about our young athletes and their safety.
I always find the best kind of books are the books that haunt you and I just know that this book will haunt me. An honest and therefore heartbreaking look at how young girls in sports are treated and damaged by those who should be protecting them.
Bernadini writes in such a chaotic yet cohesive style that the entire book is a masterclass in fear and tension. It builds and builds and builds and once you think its snapped it does it again and again and again, leaving you to feel like you want to vomit (I still feel like i might). This book tells a powerful and important story and carries warnings about our young athletes and their safety.
readingwithlibby's review against another edition
4.0
This book is beautifully written, depicting the horrors of competitive gymnastics in the forms of ocd, eating disorders, several types of abuse and the extreme pressure the girls face. It’s graphic and triggering but a brilliant exploration of what it is to be trapped in a cycle of abuse in the name of sport. I really loved following Martina’s inner thoughts and thought it was cleverly written. At the core, it’s about how adults continuously fail these girls to the point that they break. It’s gut wrenching and sad and horrific, but a really incredible read that filled me with so many emotions. Take care if you plan to read this book as it does come with a lot of trigger warnings!!
phoebebrown37's review
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75