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sarastew23's review against another edition
4.0
5 stars for the courageous stories of the survivors of the abuse perpetrated by Larry Nassar. 3 stars for the organization of this book. The depictions of SA in the book are graphic, and with each survivor’s recounting of their experience with Nassar, MSU, and countless USA Gymnastic coaches and officials, you’ll feel sicker thinking about how long this abuse was allowed to go on for.
However, the power of some of the stories was lost on the organization of the book for me. Many of the survivors’ accounts were fragmented into separate chapters, and with so many names, I found myself taking too long trying to decipher who the story was about and not the actual content of the story. I wish there was a reference page with each name somewhere in the book or that each survivor got their own chapter.
However, the power of some of the stories was lost on the organization of the book for me. Many of the survivors’ accounts were fragmented into separate chapters, and with so many names, I found myself taking too long trying to decipher who the story was about and not the actual content of the story. I wish there was a reference page with each name somewhere in the book or that each survivor got their own chapter.
notinjersey's review against another edition
4.0
It was honestly terrifying how these girls were groomed, lead to trust, and then abused by Larry Nassar. The author interviewed 25 of Nassar’s victims and every one of them said they didn’t know that they were being abused when it happened. Nassar was a trusted doctor who convinced the girls and their parents that what he was doing to them was a legitimate medical treatment. Because of the environment of the gym they trained in, they were taught to train through their injuries and then were turned over to Nassar for his “treatment.” When the girls talked to each other, they reassured each other that they were each getting the same treatment, so they rationalized that it had to be legit. When the girls were finally listened to, they had a chance to stand up in Nassar’s trial and give their impact statements. The judge who heard the case was truly a hero. I listened to this book on audio and my one complaint was the way the narrator read the voices of men, which annoyed me.
kellerko's review against another edition
4.0
This was a hard book to read and honestly I couldn’t read more than a chapter or two at a time. It details a system that at least externally appears set up to physically, mentally, and sexually abuse young girls. The one friendly face for these immature, strong, overworked, in pain gymnasts was their doctor. He gave an encouraging word, a smile, gifts, shout outs on social media and repeatedly sexually abused them: in the gym, in his house, and on the exam table even when the parents were in the room. When the girls talk to fellow gymnasts they were reassured because he treated everybody exactly the same sexually abusing all of them. When the girls thought this could be wrong and reported to authorities again and again and again they were assured that this was part of standard medical treatment. When restrictions were placed on the doctor in Michigan. They were not followed. The abuse continued needlessly. Fortunately the saga concluded with the trial and the judge who encouraged everybody who wanted to share their story in front of Nasser.
redcabinreads's review against another edition
4.0
Powerful book.
I didn’t love the author’s style of writing - the repeated use of sentences like, “as you’ll soon see”, “as they’ll explain later when their story unfolds”, etc., became irritating very quickly! I did like that the author tied the girls’ stories in with their trail statements and judge aquilina’s replies. However, I think devoting sections of the book to the different girls would have worked better than flipping back and forth throughout.
Overall, I would recommend this book. It is worth trudging though the annoying “cliff hangers”.
This book does have descriptive sexual content/abuse.
I didn’t love the author’s style of writing - the repeated use of sentences like, “as you’ll soon see”, “as they’ll explain later when their story unfolds”, etc., became irritating very quickly! I did like that the author tied the girls’ stories in with their trail statements and judge aquilina’s replies. However, I think devoting sections of the book to the different girls would have worked better than flipping back and forth throughout.
Overall, I would recommend this book. It is worth trudging though the annoying “cliff hangers”.
This book does have descriptive sexual content/abuse.
emilymreads's review
4.0
A very powerful book about a terrible situation for these girls. Comes with content warnings for descriptions of sexual assault, which was my biggest issue. Overall, Pesta did a great job maintaining the integrity and weight of each victim’s story.
megancrusante's review against another edition
3.0
Devastating and important read, would give higher rating if every paragraph didn’t end with “as we will soon find out when we revisit her story” or some variation.
sbojo32's review against another edition
1.0
1.5 stars, rounded up
This is an unpopular opinion, I realize, but I do not think this book was well-written at all. I think the subject matter is extremely important and I think that the women that were interviewed for this book are incredibly brave. I can't even imagine the horrors they went through at the hands of Larry Nassar. His name is all over the news; it's about time the survivors (not victims) get their name out there (if they want) as well.
However, the writing is repetitive and confusing. The author writes in the first person, which distracts from the story. Lines like "when I met with" and including herself in each survivor's story takes away from them. She also introduces each girl and then ends with "as you'll find out about later" or something similar. This would have been much more cohesive if she told each woman's story in its entirety instead of trying to have the reader remember each girl.
In addition, a solid edit is needed on this book. For example on page 160, a paragraph ends with: "Jamie got to work, he says, writing the new pieces of legislation behind the scenese." There is another paragraph and then this sentence: "Jamie got to work writing the two new pieces of legislation behind the scenes, he says, recalling..."
Literally the same sentence twice on the same page. This happened multiple times throughout the books (I remember the author explaining "oversplits" at least twice). Between the writing style and the need for an edit, I felt disconnected from the stories, which took away from the book.
I read Rachael Denhollander's book, What's a Girl Worth? last year and it was MUCH better than this one.
This is an unpopular opinion, I realize, but I do not think this book was well-written at all. I think the subject matter is extremely important and I think that the women that were interviewed for this book are incredibly brave. I can't even imagine the horrors they went through at the hands of Larry Nassar. His name is all over the news; it's about time the survivors (not victims) get their name out there (if they want) as well.
However, the writing is repetitive and confusing. The author writes in the first person, which distracts from the story. Lines like "when I met with" and including herself in each survivor's story takes away from them. She also introduces each girl and then ends with "as you'll find out about later" or something similar. This would have been much more cohesive if she told each woman's story in its entirety instead of trying to have the reader remember each girl.
In addition, a solid edit is needed on this book. For example on page 160, a paragraph ends with: "Jamie got to work, he says, writing the new pieces of legislation behind the scenese." There is another paragraph and then this sentence: "Jamie got to work writing the two new pieces of legislation behind the scenes, he says, recalling..."
Literally the same sentence twice on the same page. This happened multiple times throughout the books (I remember the author explaining "oversplits" at least twice). Between the writing style and the need for an edit, I felt disconnected from the stories, which took away from the book.
I read Rachael Denhollander's book, What's a Girl Worth? last year and it was MUCH better than this one.
jlauf1996's review against another edition
3.0
Repetitive. The saving grace of the book was the reporting on the overall abusive culture of female gymnastics.