Tonya PlankRecensioni

I really did enjoy this book....it was Great! Had a great time with Rory & Sasha...had a few cries...but all in all the adventure with them was awesome! Great job Tonya!

SYNOPSIS :

Rory’s once promising ballet career was destroyed by family tragedy and illness. She turned her life around and became a lawyer. Now at the start of her legal career, she lacks passion in her work and self-confidence in her abilities. But when she meets gorgeous, mysterious Russian ballroom dancer, Sasha, at a firm holiday party, her passions for life and dance are immediately re-kindled.

Since being torn from his Siberian family as a child, Sasha’s life ambition has been to be world ballroom champion, a path he was destined for until his former partner pulled the plug on their partnership. She went on to win the world title, leaving him, without a partner equal in ability, forever in second place. The instant he lays eyes on Rory, he recognizes the depth of her passion and talent, and falls hard for her in more ways than one.

But she also reminds him of great pain from his past. He must not only overcome his own demons but convince her to leave her demanding law career, and all that she has worked for in her adult life, to train with him full-time in order for their partnership – both on and off the dance floor – to work.

MY THOUGHTS:

This book opens Rory watching a two professional Latin ballroom dance partners perform while at a party being thrown by law firm her boyfriend, James, works for. The description the author gives of the dance is perfection. It's sexy, vivid, worded beautifully, and I could see the performance play in my head. I have never read anything described so beautifully. The book continues to both impress me, and hold my interest, until about 35% percent the into the book. Then it is just dance class, after dance class,after dance class. It reads like an instruction manual for dancing. I don't need to know the details to every class Rory attends. I don't need to know where her arms and feet are placed every second of every practice dance. This became repetitive, and (I am sorry) obnoxious. I could rip out out groups of pages from this book and a new reader would lose nothing of importance to the story. I almost didn't review this because it sickens me to give a book that gave me one of the most beautiful things I have ever read, 2 stars. I wish I could rip this in half and give it two separate ratings. 5 amazing stars for the beginning, 1 star for the rest. This needs to be majorly trimmed down. Oh, the author thanks her editor in the dedication. Huh?!? This was edited? It was definitely proofread, but edited? No! Maybe it needs an deleter. Is there such a profession? If there isn't, there needs to be. There is just too many filler scenes in this book. That being said, this is a book with no story. In my opinion, only about 150 pages of what I read had any substance to them at all, and that's being generous. This is 416 pages long! The story went nowhere, AND IT'S A CLIFFHANGER! What we are hanging on for, I have no idea. This is all I know: Girl loved ballet when younger. Girl's family stops her from dancing. Girl becomes lawyer. Girl falls in instant love with man she saw dance. Girl is not a good lawyer. Girl goes to dance class, dance class, etc.. Girl's boyfriend is a cheating douchebag. Dance class, dance class. Girl moves out. Dance class, dance class. Blah blah blah blah blllaaahhh blah blah.

On to the character development. Rory's character, in the beginning, was very well thought out. I liked her. Then, when she should be blossoming, the author focuses on dance moves and lets the character development to go to crap. I do know she can't get her hips, or posture perfect during dancing. The author informed me of this over, and over, and over.

This is supposed to be romance. Romance? Where? There is a bizarre, obsessive, school girl like crush, but no romance. Not even a steamy feel-up. When I think of Latin ballroom dancing, I expect sexy and erotic. I have read children's books with more romantic development than this book has.

If parts of this book omitted, it would greatly improve the story.

I recommend the beginning of this book, but not the the rest.

Oops, forgot ths part:

I won this in a giveaway contest.

Note : This review has been published in my blog - Book and Ink

Highly driven Lawyer protagonists are something I'm quite bored of these days thanks to an overdrive of John Grisham books during my school days. I signed up for this book for it's unconventional story line. Lawyers and ballroom dancing – that should be interesting. The book surely was interesting.

Written from Rory's perspective, the story is about Rory juggling her career as lawyer and rekindling her passion for dancing after dancing with the mysterious Siberian dancer Sasha in her boyfriend's party. What follows is Rory's story of how she moves on after breakup, handles her first probono case and ends up rekindling her passion for dancing.

The story developed gradually thereby making is a rather normal paced romance. More than half of the romance between Sasha and Rory is actually in Rory's head though towards the end, things got 'real'. In fact the story moved on in such a pace towards the end that the cliff hanger ending left me high and dry. I badly wanted to get hold of the next book. The writer's knowledge in law and dancing is evident from the detailed description of both dancing and law.

The characterization isn't exhaustive overall as this is the first book in the series. The writer choose to elaborate only on Rory's character. I felt Sasha's character lacked the depth that was much needed. Given that there are two more books in the series, I hope the writer talks more about Sasha and his background. The writer gave an exhaustive account of Rory's character, but I felt she could have been bit stronger. Some parts of the story were predictable while the ending was smack unpredictable.

MY SAY: An interesting read. Hope the next book is way better.

RATING:

PLOT: 7/10

CHARACTERISATION: 7/10

NARRATION: 7/10

BOREDOM QUOTIENT : 3/10 (lower the better)

OVERALL RATING: 7/1o

Rory is an attorney and Sasha is her love interest. I'm not really a ballroom dance person but I enjoyed this story. It was easy on my mind's eye, seeing the very sensual and sexy dancing. Ms. Plank's details were spot on. I got to see Rory mate, into the woman's she'd always wanted to be, as she left the safety net of her life and danced into her dreams of a lifetime.

It's a fun read, full of colorful characters that left me wanting to move on to book two.

Great book! At times I could totally relate to the main character. Actually, the entire cast of characters was well done. Yes, I would recommend this book to a friend.

Tanya Plank is a fantastic writer of the young, priviledged, slightly disturbed and disoriented New York professionals. She's the voice of the over-educated, preppie, ivy-leagued-to-the-max, "now what do I do to one-up everyone" generation. She "gets it" and she's telling!! LOL

I thought her author's voice--her book was hilarious and riveting! It helps to know these Harvard-types she writes about, but I think anyone can understand a pompous person when they see or hear one...or read about them. Her characterizations are golden. Sophie, the swallower in question, is a loveable and genuine young woman for whom I immediately took a liking. I was on her side right away and kept by her like a glove to her hand throughout her struggles and humorous/humiliating revelations.

Tanya is right on in her dialog and descriptions; particularly in her scene at the fancy art show with Sophie's fiance's Harvard friend, Alana. Oooo, as slick and slimy as they come in a tightly wrapped ivy package. As well as with Sophie's own would-be friend, Samia, who keeps referencing herself and Sophie as "when you're young," as if to say she is now so mature and beyond it all--and that living and working in New York for even a short time has jaded and matured them like hot house roses....which it may, in fact, have done. At the very least it's caused Sophie to choke, hasn't it?

It's caused Sophie to revisit a childhood dysfunction...a fist-sized ball (FB) that blocks her esophagus and causes her to choke, actually not being able to swallow anything but tiny bits of food, drink or even her own saliva. Sophie is struck again by her swallowing FB shortly after her boyfriend proposes, and prior to a big Public Defender's Office advocacy case that she must orally present before a presumably hostile, multiple Justice panel.

Sophie is diagnosed with a psychological problem called Globus Sensate, but not before it has run amock within the strictly held confines of her fragile life. Sophie's secrets of the pornographer father, the wacky sister who pops in to humiliate and horrify...and the fiance' who can't believe his eyes, ears and understanding about the FB!!!...all make for a fun ride!!

I loved Tanya Plank's book. I loved NYC through the eyes of the Arizona girl and the Yalie mix. I loved the story through the words of a choking, swallowing dysfunctional lawyer!!! LOL What could be better than the image of a poor lawyer who can bearly talk for choking on her words! (with apologies to my sons)

This is a wild and fun romp full of satire, symbolism and insight into the lives of the educationally priviledged and spoiled vs the "real" people. It's a look into the workings of the public defender's life and the big city lawyer's mindset. It's a glance at the young bucks and brave girls who come to Town with all the credentials and hautier but missing some of the heart and raw bones of real life. And, a look at the other young "brave ones" who come hoping to make a difference against some mighty odds that aren't in their favor.

This is a book that's easy to swallow. Though, I have to admit, I suffered with Sophie when she was having problems swallowing. I felt myself closing up. I found myself putting my hand to my throat and getting a smothering feeling and practicing swallowing, myself. That's how good Tanya Plank is at writing!

You have to get this book. Ms Plank is going to be heard from again, and you're going to be listening and loving her!! Just like I do.

Tanya Plank’s Swallow is currently sitting within arm’s reach, discarded after I finished the first 60 pages.

I couldn’t go any further.

But not for the reasons you might think.

Sophie Hegel is a quiet attorney who has arrived in New York City by way of a small Arizona town. Settled in a committed relationship, she’s a Yale Law grad trying to fight the good fight — but often losing, and all because of a curious ailment that seems to strike out of nowhere. Like the night her boyfriend proposes. Without warning, Sophie feels a “fist-like” sensation forming at the base of her throat, rendering her unable to speak, swallow or — in this case — act excited. About, you know, the proposal.

From the book’s description, Sophie is suffering from a psychological condition called “Globus Sensate,” and you know what?

It turns out I’m a hypochondriac.

The more I read Plank’s specific prose about a condition that seems, for all intents and purposes, to be completely in Sophie’s mind, the more I mysteriously felt like my own throat was closing. Call it engaging writing. Call me a lunatic. Whatever you’d like to say, it got to the point that I couldn’t pick up Swallow without — well . . . without feeling like I couldn’t swallow.

The rest of the novel’s description boasts “cast of characters that includes a pornographer father, a sister with a knack for getting knocked up by denizens of the town pen, a painter of male nudes, an eccentric Sing Sing-residing client, a tough-talking fashion maven and a bevy of privileged Manhattan lawyers and judges,” and I don’t know about you, but that sounds pretty interesting to me. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t make it that far — which I hate, because I actually had grown to care about Sophie.

This is a great read. Kudos for the author. Sophie is a shy appeals attorney in New York City. She develops what she calls a FB (fist ball) in stressful situations. This feels to her like a fist sized ball in her throat and prevents her from talking, eating and eventually even breathing. This story alternated between narration and conversation making it very easy to follow what happens. I was hooked from page one and could barely lay the book down. When you read the book, you are right there with Sophie in the situations that brought on her stress like her self-possessed boyfriend and her porn movie making father, her mixed up sister and her angry mother. Sophie didn’t fit in with her family. She does have good friends like her very frank and self confident girl friend and her very intuitive gay friend. This is a black comedy but it will not make you depressed. There are moments of situations so funny that you can do nothing but laugh and there are times when you just wanted to hit the person who is hurting Sophie. I don’t want to tell you too much about the story because I do not want to spoil it for you. I am already looking forward to reading Tonya Plank’s next book. I recommend this book for women mostly and especially those who have to struggle with a disability, psychologically, physically or in some other way.

I enjoyed this book far more than I expected. It is a good story about an accompished young woman who need to learn to quit living her life in relation to what others think of her. I really enjoyed reading it.½

This was an enjoyable read for me! There was a psychological tone to the book which really tied everything going on together. Once you meet "FB" in the book you really start to see how other people affect you in ways that you wouldn't think.

I enjoyed Sophie's character for the most part. At first, I kept wondering why heck she didn't stand up for herself! There were a few characters that I totally despised through the entire book. But...these characters are what make a story interesting. *shrug*

All in all, I was happy with the way the story turned out and delighted in watching the main character grow. I liked the message of the book also as I think it's an important one for all of us. Standing up for yourself and realizing that yes, you are important and in charge of your life.

I had a very hard time putting this book down. I could not stop reading it.

I found that I could relate to Sophie because we have similar problems. What she goes through is a lot like Selective Mutism, which is what I have. To me, Sophie is a strong, passinate and brave character, that I actually can see myself looking up to her in a way.

This is a must read! I was hooked from the first page.

Like so many times since arriving on the East Coast, I realized that, for all the oohs and aahs I received back home for my accomplishments, they amounted to absolutely nada here. – Sophie Hegel

It’s hard to believe that someone who graduated from Yale Law School and landed a prestigious fellowship with the New York City Public Defender’s Office could think her accomplishments amount to “nada,” but when we meet Sophie Hegel at the beginning of author Tonya Plank’s debut novel, Swallow, Sophie is experiencing serious self-confidence issues.

Originally from a small town in Arizona, she’s not found it easy transitioning to the fast paced world of NYC. It doesn’t help that her boyfriend, an attorney at a prestigious law firm, works insane hours and the only socializing they do seems to bring her into contact with a crowd of upscale attorneys from generations deep ivy league pedigrees… which only makes her feel more insecure.

Things seem to be looking up when her boyfriend proposes to her at dinner one evening, except that she suddenly gets the sensation that she has a lump in her throat and finds it nearly impossible to swallow. Not only does the sensation not go away, it gets progressively worse and her inability to eat anything substantial causes her to lose such an alarming amount of weight that her friends and family think she has an eating disorder. Though she doesn’t, she does realize that she needs help, and thus begins her search for the cause of her condition.

Despite that rather dire sounding set-up, Swallow is actually a very engaging, darkly humorous read. Sophie’s attempts to find the answer to her problem in the medical world, first with a physician then a psychologist, are fertile ground for misadventure. She’s also surrounded by an extremely colorful cast of supporting characters: the fashion maven who takes Sophie under her wing; her gay, law school dropout turned artist friend; her father, a semi-successful maker of pornographic films; a surprisingly insightful client, currently incarcerated at Sing Sing; even the enigmatic doorman of the building Sophie lives in makes for a memorable presence in his few scenes.

The supporting cast, however, is not merely there as pretty window dressing. Each serves as a unique piece of the puzzle that is Sophie’s life. Her challenge is in learning to understand how her interactions with each are either helping or hurting her growth as a person and potentially contributing to her condition, which is eventually diagnosed as a psychosomatic illness caused by stress.

Plank has created a wonderfully three-dimensional and quite believable character in Sophie, and Swallow presents an almost painfully realistic portrait of a young woman’s journey from emotional repression and self-doubt to emotional freedom and self-assurance.

I enjoyed this book very much. I thought it was an exceptional first novel for the author. Tonya Plank does a good job of making you understand each character in a way that helps the reader identify with at least something in all of them. Hopefully, I do not relate to them completely since it reveals how messed up people are regardless of class or status. The only thing that confused me was that the description calls this a dark comedy. I am not sure how I would characterize it, but not a comedy of any sort. I hope this is not the only book that Ms. Plank plans on writing.

Description: Sophie Hegel is a shy New York lawyer from small-town Florence Arizona, known not for the Renaissance but for housing a large prison. She’s just graduated from Yale Law School and landed her first job when, one evening she feels a fist-like ball form at the base of her throat. Diagnosed with the psychological condition Globus Hystericus, this “fist-ball” wreaks havoc on her life, causing difficulty eating, speaking, and eventually breathing. With a cast of characters that includes a pornographer father, a sister with a knack for getting knocked up by denizens of the town pen, a tough-talking fashion maven, a painter of male nudes, an eccentric Sing Sing-residing client and a bevy of privileged Manhattan attorneys and judges, Swallow is a dark comedy about the distance that can separate fathers and daughters, and about a young woman’s struggle to survive in a world of pedigreed professionals for which she has no preparation.