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A review by books_by_bethany
The Happiest Girl in the World by Alena Dillon
3.0
3.5 Stars. Sera Wheeler’s life has always been gymnastics, and she dreams of one day competing at the Olympics. After Sera’s best friend reports the USA Gymnastics team doctor for his inappropriate treatments, Sera feels torn about whether to back up her friend, or continue to do whatever it takes to protect her dream.
Though described as fiction inspired by real-life events, the first half of the book VERY closely mirrors the Larry Nassar scandal. The novel constantly references real-life people and athletes, such as Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, yet creates fictional characters to emulate the Károlyis and Larry Nassar. While I appreciate the attention it brings to the USA gymnastics scandal, I also feel it somewhat shares the scandal in an inauthentic light. I did like the second half of the novel better, as it examines more of the physical, mental, and emotional tolls on a gymnast in training, and Sera’s constant struggles and hardships as she continued to pursue her Olympic dream.
Though described as fiction inspired by real-life events, the first half of the book VERY closely mirrors the Larry Nassar scandal. The novel constantly references real-life people and athletes, such as Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, yet creates fictional characters to emulate the Károlyis and Larry Nassar. While I appreciate the attention it brings to the USA gymnastics scandal, I also feel it somewhat shares the scandal in an inauthentic light. I did like the second half of the novel better, as it examines more of the physical, mental, and emotional tolls on a gymnast in training, and Sera’s constant struggles and hardships as she continued to pursue her Olympic dream.