Angie Abdou

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.… (altro)

I picked this book up on a whim. I saw it recommended in an issue of Elle Canada magazine, and it sounded intriguing enough that I immediately went looking for it. I dove in with no expectations, having never heard of the author before, and I found myself pleasantly surprised.

Abdou writes with heartfelt candour, authenticity, and emotional openness. She wears her heart on her sleeve through most of this book. While her experiences have clearly been edited to fit a narrative format, they ring true to anyone who's ever been a parent, a writer, or simply unwittingly found herself at the mercy of the internet's undeserved fury.

I appreciated the backdrop of nature's breathtaking beauty as Abdou explored her relationship with her daughter, her community, and herself. I read this book while gripped by what seemed to be a never-ending winter, and I found myself yearning for the sultry heat of hiking weather. Overall, this was a lyrical, compelling read, and I'm glad I picked it up.… (altro)

I am in awe of athletes, particularly athletes who make it to the Olympics. This is a book about two Olympians from Calgary. It is a novel but I believe it accurately reflects the reality of the hard work and sacrifices such elite athletes must perform.

Sadie is a swimmer. She has a degree in English literature but she continues to live with her parents, work part-time at the university gym and train full time as a competitive swimmer. She has qualified in the 800 metre freestyle event to represent Canada at the Sydney Olympics. Now she has seven months to hone her style and reduce her time. Except life throws roadblocks in her way and she struggles to stay on course. The death of her beloved grandmother really throws her for a loop; she stops going to practices for a while but then gets back into the routine so she can keep her promise to her grandmother to win a medal at the Olympics.

Digger is a wrestler. He also has trained and sacrificed a lot and has missed qualifying for the Olympics twice. Now at 30 the Sydney Olympics is probably his last chance so he is delighted to qualify in his weight class. His teammates from Calgary did not make it and one has a hard time accepting that. Digger just keeps training and working out and he is sure that this is his chance.

Since both Sadie and Digger train at the University of Calgary it is inevitable that they will meet after they join the small group of Olympians from that facility. They recognize something in each other and soon are helping each other train. There could be a sexual attraction as well but that is just put on hold until after the Olympics. There is no time for anything but preparing for the Olympics. Until there is an accident and one of them has nothing but time.

This book really gave me insight into how hard these elite athletes work to climb to the top of the heap. I will never achieve anything close to this and I don't think I would be willing to make the sacrifices even if I had the natural ability. Society asks a lot of the people who represent us at the Olympics and I don't think they ever get repaid.… (altro)

I had mixed feelings about this book. Though I expected it to be the diary of a hockey mom during her son's 9 to 10 year old Atom hockey year. Yes, there's some of that but she focuses more on the role of sport. The role of sport for youths. The impact on families. Seemingly, pretty much the interaction of sport and anything you can think of.

The book is well written and it made me want to pick up her non-fiction book, [The Bone Cage], which is about the years after competition for a high-level swimmer and a top wrestler. I think I might enjoy that one even more because, in this book, the apologies for personal conduct seemed to get in the way. I kept thinking "talk more about sports and less about your marriage."

I'd give this one 3.5 stars which, for me, is a neutral rating. It has its moments. I loved it when her son, Ollie, was happy. I loved some of her insights into sports. Yet, too often, it got bogged down with personal flaws and apologies.

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for a fair and honest review.… (altro)