Take a photo of a barcode or cover
408 reviews for:
What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen
Kate Fagan
4.2 AVERAGE
408 reviews for:
What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen
Kate Fagan
4.2 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
challenging
fast-paced
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
This was an extremely devastating and tear-jerking book, but it was also eye-opening and important to read about.
A devastating, tragic story about Maddy, a high-achieving elite college athlete who suffered from debilitating anxiety and ultimately ended her life by suicide.
By all accounts she was happy, popular, beautiful, and talented, with a large family and many friends. This book is a thoroughly researched narrative journalism style account of the final year or two of her life -- from her decision to focus on track at an Ivy League college rather than her first passion, soccer, through her first semester of freshman year when anxiety and dread took over every aspect of her life. She attempted to quit track and perhaps transfer colleges, but ultimately she was not able to find a way out of the pressure she placed on herself.
Between the chapters about Maddy are chapters that focus more on the bigger picture of anxiety among young people today, particularly the impact of texting and social media on relationships with friends, family and others (re: vulnerability, honesty, connection), along with chapters focusing on the experiences of the author, who was also an elite level athlete in college and also lived with anxiety. Because there was a lot going on, this book didn't lend itself well to the Kindle format (in my opinion), and I think I would have rather read a paper-version of the book.
Still, Maddy's story has resonated with me and I keep returning to her experiences. Getting inside her head and heart (via interviews and the author's full access to her written records) was illuminating and genuinely heartbreaking.
By all accounts she was happy, popular, beautiful, and talented, with a large family and many friends. This book is a thoroughly researched narrative journalism style account of the final year or two of her life -- from her decision to focus on track at an Ivy League college rather than her first passion, soccer, through her first semester of freshman year when anxiety and dread took over every aspect of her life. She attempted to quit track and perhaps transfer colleges, but ultimately she was not able to find a way out of the pressure she placed on herself.
Between the chapters about Maddy are chapters that focus more on the bigger picture of anxiety among young people today, particularly the impact of texting and social media on relationships with friends, family and others (re: vulnerability, honesty, connection), along with chapters focusing on the experiences of the author, who was also an elite level athlete in college and also lived with anxiety. Because there was a lot going on, this book didn't lend itself well to the Kindle format (in my opinion), and I think I would have rather read a paper-version of the book.
Still, Maddy's story has resonated with me and I keep returning to her experiences. Getting inside her head and heart (via interviews and the author's full access to her written records) was illuminating and genuinely heartbreaking.
Ooof. What a tragic story. I was familiar when it was in the news in January 2014, but this is a deeper look at what depression does or doesn’t look like and how it impacts young people like Maddy, who seemingly “had it all.” This feels like a must-read for parents of college athletes — or teens, in general, to be honest. She was clearly asking for help. Looking for help. Telling people she was desperately unhappy. My heart hurts for that poor girl. My one gripe about the book is the author’s interjection of her own personal anecdotes and stories over and over. THIS ISN’T ABOUT YOU. (Sorry, that’s unfair. But really). I did a deep dive on Maddy’s Instagram account that still exists in the ether and it’s haunting. Suicide is so devastating. Look out for each other.
I struggle with the decision to tell so much of Madison's story so invasively. I also wish there had been more emphasis on research in several parts. But the book has important take aways around the depths of pain mental health issues can cause and how we treat athletes.
For anyone who still likes to shit on millennials, this book does a wonderful job digging deep into the psyche of our generation and exploring how a narrow definition of success can lead to so much pain and unhappiness. I can't remember the last time I read a book in 24 hours (this probably has more to do with the fact that I was stuck at the car dealership for three hours getting my brakes fixed), but I flew through What Made Maddy Run. And I am a newly anointed Kate Fagan fan.
I read this in less than 24 hours. I couldn't put it down. I never felt this way and had a great college track experience, but I see versions of her story in old teammates and current clients all the time.