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graces_piper's review
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
ldv's review
4.0
An engaging novel about two athletes preparing for the Olympics. The chapters flip between the wrestler and swimmer, and of course their stories connect about half way. At that point the book was a bit nature YA romance-y for my taste, but the theme of dedicating one's life to a short-lived profession and what life will or won't be afterwards was poignant. It is also a good look at high-level amateur sports in Canada, so anyone thinking about that life might be interested in this novel.
Well written enough, too.
Well written enough, too.
megan_prairierose's review
4.0
I had a pretty good idea what swimmers went through, but I had no idea that is what wrestlers went through.
What happens when your dream is out of reach or when you are so close you can taste it and it all comes crashing down? Great read.
What happens when your dream is out of reach or when you are so close you can taste it and it all comes crashing down? Great read.
olddatainadeadmachine's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
something i should’ve read for school. pretty good
joaniemaloney's review
4.0
I only knew about this book through Canada Reads, and this is the third one I've read, with [b:The Complete Essex County|6096829|The Complete Essex County|Jeff Lemire|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1246923893s/6096829.jpg|6273933] and [b:The Best Laid Plans|4441294|The Best Laid Plans|Terry Fallis|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1284295895s/4441294.jpg|4489501] to go. Having heard the radio debates before reading this, I did keep in mind that this didn't get a very positive reception from the judges, but after reading it, that is a disappointment because like Georges Laraque said, this is quite an accessible book. And although by the end of the week that word did seem to carry a negative connotation, I don't mean to say that the writing is too simple or the book is 'dumbed down' for the masses, but that the story is relatable because it talks about the process of working towards a life's dream and the disappointment that is always lurking beneath it all. I suppose this was always the choice to take out of the race, along with the graphic novel, but both deserved better.
This story centers around Digger (Tom Stapleton), who is a wrestler preparing himself to make the Olympic trials for the 2000 Sydney Games, and Sadie, a swimmer who is doing just the same. Their stories do not intersect at all to start off with, which is all well because the peripheral characters that make up the support system for these two are worth getting to know: their coaches, fellow trainees and confidants, parents, etc. Fly, Digger's friend, was easily my character for the humour he brought to whatever situation he happened to be in.
I am about as far from an Olympian as you can be, and I still enjoyed this story very much. I was looking forward to Sadie's story because I do enjoy swimming, albeit for leisure, but Digger's training was just as gritty and real - at some points it was like a chess match, his mind furiously going through the moves he could use to gain points and take down his opponent. The descriptions for the sports never do get tiring for me, I could nearly smell the chlorine from the pool, sense the constant pressure to keep shaving time off from their swims, sweat dripping from the athletes as they grind through their practices.
I'm not sure how long this book will stay in the public's conscience - even the Vancouver Games are fading fast from our memories - but it is a worthy read. It's not often I care about both protagonists; all too often the prose will be wonderful to read but the fates of the characters don't seem to be foremost on my mind. Not with these two. I cared about Sadie and Digger's journeys, and whether or not they'll finally make it to the Olympics to give it their all.
I'd definitely recommend this book. Angie Abdou has an almost methodical prose, in a complimentary sense, because the pacing ticks along and there's never a boring moment. The story moves. Some chapters are written with a near short story flourish because she compacts everything so smartly within the boundaries, but strung together, it makes quite a visceral read.
This story centers around Digger (Tom Stapleton), who is a wrestler preparing himself to make the Olympic trials for the 2000 Sydney Games, and Sadie, a swimmer who is doing just the same. Their stories do not intersect at all to start off with, which is all well because the peripheral characters that make up the support system for these two are worth getting to know: their coaches, fellow trainees and confidants, parents, etc. Fly, Digger's friend, was easily my character for the humour he brought to whatever situation he happened to be in.
I am about as far from an Olympian as you can be, and I still enjoyed this story very much. I was looking forward to Sadie's story because I do enjoy swimming, albeit for leisure, but Digger's training was just as gritty and real - at some points it was like a chess match, his mind furiously going through the moves he could use to gain points and take down his opponent. The descriptions for the sports never do get tiring for me, I could nearly smell the chlorine from the pool, sense the constant pressure to keep shaving time off from their swims, sweat dripping from the athletes as they grind through their practices.
I'm not sure how long this book will stay in the public's conscience - even the Vancouver Games are fading fast from our memories - but it is a worthy read. It's not often I care about both protagonists; all too often the prose will be wonderful to read but the fates of the characters don't seem to be foremost on my mind. Not with these two. I cared about Sadie and Digger's journeys, and whether or not they'll finally make it to the Olympics to give it their all.
I'd definitely recommend this book. Angie Abdou has an almost methodical prose, in a complimentary sense, because the pacing ticks along and there's never a boring moment. The story moves. Some chapters are written with a near short story flourish because she compacts everything so smartly within the boundaries, but strung together, it makes quite a visceral read.
gettinglostinagoodbook's review
3.0
While I enjoyed this book in many ways, there were other ways in which the book held little appeal. While I am not an athlete, my children are involved in competitive sports. One dreams of becoming an Olympian herself, and perhaps I viewed this story with that in mind.
I could feel the grit and determination emanating from both Sade and Digger. The hours of practice, the physical and emotional involvement in their training was palpable. I felt that I was viewing my child a few years down the road, and could easily see her in that role.
The lack of social and personal activities outside of training saddened me. The characters seemed lifeless and simple outside of their sport - which may very well be what Abdou intended. Well done - I think. Is this a result of poor writing by the author or a reality of the demands and pressure of competitive sports? While I would prefer this to be a flaw of the author, I feel that perhaps she captured the life of an Olympian clearly.
I could feel the grit and determination emanating from both Sade and Digger. The hours of practice, the physical and emotional involvement in their training was palpable. I felt that I was viewing my child a few years down the road, and could easily see her in that role.
The lack of social and personal activities outside of training saddened me. The characters seemed lifeless and simple outside of their sport - which may very well be what Abdou intended. Well done - I think. Is this a result of poor writing by the author or a reality of the demands and pressure of competitive sports? While I would prefer this to be a flaw of the author, I feel that perhaps she captured the life of an Olympian clearly.