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jessiejonesbentley's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Sexual assault
alexan13's review against another edition
2.0
I just found this so thoroughly *fine.* Art was cute, but I felt very detached from the narrative and at times even confused. Perhaps memoir is not the genre for me.
ccaitlinranae's review against another edition
5.0
i'm an ex ballet dancer, not an ex figure skater, but i've never related to a memoir more than this one. it was so cathartic it made me cry like a baby. from growing up lesbian in texas, to hating the sport you're in but staying for the rare adrenaline surge, to being forced out of the closet, to wondering if i even want to go to college, to falling asleep in your athletic clothes to make waking up in the morning easier- it's all so raw and real in a way i've never felt before. i've never been able to put into words how it feels to be in a sport that doesn't love you back unless you betray yourself for it- but Tillie has. Tillie Walden and i have both quit our sport now. i've only taken one full class since quitting just to prove that i can and that i too can still leave.
even if you're not a sad ex performer you should read this memoir. it didn't make me more than two hours. trust me, you'll be thankful.
even if you're not a sad ex performer you should read this memoir. it didn't make me more than two hours. trust me, you'll be thankful.
novelette's review against another edition
3.0
The author said she was trying to write about the hazards of ice skating, but this ended up being more of her story of burning out
ciuuu's review against another edition
5.0
Memoirs can hit really hard and boy did this it.
The author comment said she wanted to convey feelings rather than be a true retelling of life episodes in order, and she definitely succeded.
The lines and limited colors, as well as the framing of some of the panels and spreads really convey a sense of loneliness and melancholy throughout the whole book.
Stared at the wall for a bit after finishing, you could feel that everything told here is very personal and no doubt hard to share in some parts.
The author comment said she wanted to convey feelings rather than be a true retelling of life episodes in order, and she definitely succeded.
The lines and limited colors, as well as the framing of some of the panels and spreads really convey a sense of loneliness and melancholy throughout the whole book.
Stared at the wall for a bit after finishing, you could feel that everything told here is very personal and no doubt hard to share in some parts.
mehsi's review against another edition
2.0
Well, this was one of those books I really really wanted to read, but boy, it was such a struggle to get through it.
Also before people come to me telling this is a memoir and that I am pretty harsh: Yes, I had heard something about it, but it wasn't until later that I saw it really was non-fiction/memoir. So my feelings on this book are based on me thinking it is a fiction book.
I just had expected more from it. More joy, more happiness, more skating, more competitions, plus also coming out. But instead I got a grumpy/whiny MC, parents who don't care, more complaining, bullying.
I really had to push myself to continue. Yes, I could have dropped it, but I wanted to see our MC get a spine and stop with skating (as she really didn't seem to enjoy it any time in the book). Plus I wanted to know if she would see her first love again.
The MC, well I just never liked her. I just wanted to shake her and tell her that if she didn't find enjoyment in the whole skating she should just stop. :| But instead she keeps on going while it is clear that it isn't going well.
The skating, well, whatever we saw of that (and I mean competitions) was pretty decent. I also liked that each chapter began with a skate-move (counters/spins/etc.). And that we also saw patterns/maps of how they had to skate. Plus I loved seeing how dedicated everyone was. Just getting there on time twice a day while also doing school and music lessons, it was really amazing.
I liked that this wasn't only about skating but also about acceptance, about being gay and figuring out what that means. Especially in a place like Texas. I don't live there myself, but I have heard enough to know how they look against people who are gay/different. :|
The tutor thing had me pretty disgusted. Bah. What a terrible person. Same goes for the bully stuff (as we find out some stuff later on).
The pacing was a bit wobbly at times. Sometimes we would go from one scene to another without anything stringing them together.
The art is pretty decent, it is a bit wonky at times, but I still quite like it. Especially the bigger panels.
But yeah, I struggled, and it just wasn't like what I expected, so I am not sure if I would recommend the book. :|
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Also before people come to me telling this is a memoir and that I am pretty harsh: Yes, I had heard something about it, but it wasn't until later that I saw it really was non-fiction/memoir. So my feelings on this book are based on me thinking it is a fiction book.
I just had expected more from it. More joy, more happiness, more skating, more competitions, plus also coming out. But instead I got a grumpy/whiny MC, parents who don't care, more complaining, bullying.
I really had to push myself to continue. Yes, I could have dropped it, but I wanted to see our MC get a spine and stop with skating (as she really didn't seem to enjoy it any time in the book). Plus I wanted to know if she would see her first love again.
The MC, well I just never liked her. I just wanted to shake her and tell her that if she didn't find enjoyment in the whole skating she should just stop. :| But instead she keeps on going while it is clear that it isn't going well.
The skating, well, whatever we saw of that (and I mean competitions) was pretty decent. I also liked that each chapter began with a skate-move (counters/spins/etc.). And that we also saw patterns/maps of how they had to skate. Plus I loved seeing how dedicated everyone was. Just getting there on time twice a day while also doing school and music lessons, it was really amazing.
I liked that this wasn't only about skating but also about acceptance, about being gay and figuring out what that means. Especially in a place like Texas. I don't live there myself, but I have heard enough to know how they look against people who are gay/different. :|
The tutor thing had me pretty disgusted. Bah. What a terrible person. Same goes for the bully stuff (as we find out some stuff later on).
The pacing was a bit wobbly at times. Sometimes we would go from one scene to another without anything stringing them together.
The art is pretty decent, it is a bit wonky at times, but I still quite like it. Especially the bigger panels.
But yeah, I struggled, and it just wasn't like what I expected, so I am not sure if I would recommend the book. :|
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/