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A review by bookstorian
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
5.0
I was positively itching to get my hands on the next TJR read to well and truly complete the 'decades series'. When I finally did crack that spine (just kidding I would never intentionally crack a spine) I hardly put it down for 48 hours, even at 2am on Saturday morning. What can I say? I was sick and it was the distraction and highly addictive read that I needed.
At thirty seven years old Carrie Soto makes the huge decision to return to the world of tennis and snatch back her record twenty slam titles, with her dad and coach by her side every step on the way. The only problem - she retired six years ago and in a sport where your body is your instrument and ageing is seen as the enemy, can Carrie actually win another slam?
Carrie Soto Is Back ticked every box for me and a quickly turned each page hungry for more. In typical TJR fashion, Carrie was famous, fierce and flawed yet determined in the face of so much adversity that came with being a woman in sport. I loved the flicks in times, the other minor characters, the tension between herself and other players - this of course includes the reference to Brandon Randall (for readers of Malibu Rising).
The integration of other media including articles and interview transcripts and the experience of Carrie within the sport really highlighted the ageism and sexism that existed in the sport in the 90s and in to the sport today (for example the number of sets played between genders as well as the fact that the mens final is always played last). "We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men."
What I did find surprising what the father, daughter relationship explored, many of TJR's characters have complicated relationships with their fathers so it was nice to see a close knit father daughter one (ironically I read this book over the fathers day weekend...). In addition, the tennis chat didn't phase me, I'm no sportsfan but have been to the tennis a few times and understand most of the game - I became wrapped in the games, often sitting on the edge as I read! It really made me understand more about the game but also didn't take away from the characters and the relationships - rather enhanced the stakes.
My only real gripe with the book was the cover, Carrie reflected on her body a few times within the story, she describes herself as being a more built 'thicker' woman, and yet the girl on the front doesn't represent this at all. She's wearing a knee brace so she is clearly Carrie... Also - why oh why don't any of the covers for this series match even in size?!?!
At thirty seven years old Carrie Soto makes the huge decision to return to the world of tennis and snatch back her record twenty slam titles, with her dad and coach by her side every step on the way. The only problem - she retired six years ago and in a sport where your body is your instrument and ageing is seen as the enemy, can Carrie actually win another slam?
Carrie Soto Is Back ticked every box for me and a quickly turned each page hungry for more. In typical TJR fashion, Carrie was famous, fierce and flawed yet determined in the face of so much adversity that came with being a woman in sport. I loved the flicks in times, the other minor characters, the tension between herself and other players - this of course includes the reference to Brandon Randall (for readers of Malibu Rising).
The integration of other media including articles and interview transcripts and the experience of Carrie within the sport really highlighted the ageism and sexism that existed in the sport in the 90s and in to the sport today (for example the number of sets played between genders as well as the fact that the mens final is always played last). "We live in a world where exceptional women have to sit around waiting for mediocre men."
What I did find surprising what the father, daughter relationship explored, many of TJR's characters have complicated relationships with their fathers so it was nice to see a close knit father daughter one (ironically I read this book over the fathers day weekend...). In addition, the tennis chat didn't phase me, I'm no sportsfan but have been to the tennis a few times and understand most of the game - I became wrapped in the games, often sitting on the edge as I read! It really made me understand more about the game but also didn't take away from the characters and the relationships - rather enhanced the stakes.
My only real gripe with the book was the cover, Carrie reflected on her body a few times within the story, she describes herself as being a more built 'thicker' woman, and yet the girl on the front doesn't represent this at all. She's wearing a knee brace so she is clearly Carrie... Also - why oh why don't any of the covers for this series match even in size?!?!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Grief