Scan barcode
A review by acornsbooksandcoffee
Winterland by Rae Meadows
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Winterland is an absolute masterpiece. The story follows the rise of Anya from a Siberian sports school to the national gymnastics team in 70's Soviet Russia. The incredible cast of characters represent a wide range of experiences in Soviet Russia: Vera, an elderly gulag survivor; Yuri, a member of the Party questioning his ideals; Anya, a young girl trying to fulfill her duty to her country, no matter the personal cost.
Meadows paints a vivid picture of the era, sometimes in the most heartbreaking way.
Gymnastics fans will be delighted by appearances from the likes of Olga Korbut, Shaposhnikova, Nadia Comenici, and Nellie Kim. The references riddled throughout brought a lighthearted reprieve to a heavy story. My personal favorite was a reference to Nellie Kim trying to rename skills in the Code of Points after herself.
Meadows has clearly done her research, and the issues and abuses within the sport (many of which remain relevant today) are addressed clearly. Life in the Soviet Union is represented well. She does not mince words, and parts of the story were hard to read, but they were a historic reality.
Winterland was gorgeous, and I could not put it down.
Meadows paints a vivid picture of the era, sometimes in the most heartbreaking way.
Gymnastics fans will be delighted by appearances from the likes of Olga Korbut, Shaposhnikova, Nadia Comenici, and Nellie Kim. The references riddled throughout brought a lighthearted reprieve to a heavy story. My personal favorite was a reference to Nellie Kim trying to rename skills in the Code of Points after herself.
Meadows has clearly done her research, and the issues and abuses within the sport (many of which remain relevant today) are addressed clearly. Life in the Soviet Union is represented well. She does not mince words, and parts of the story were hard to read, but they were a historic reality.
Winterland was gorgeous, and I could not put it down.