Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
by Joan Ryan
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Book Summary Information
Author: Joan RyanEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1995-05-01
ISBN: 0385477902
Number of pages: 243
Publisher: Doubleday
Book Reviews of Little Girls in Pretty Boxes
Book Review: A little too sensationalist for my tastes...
Summary: 3 Stars
Having been involved in both gymnastics and figure skating, I read this book, knowing about the reviews yet trying to keep an open mind about the content. Granted, I trained in gymnastics not in the US or eastern Europe, so this book did not resonante with me in terms of the way we were trained. Even though the stories of US gymnasts Julissa Gomez and Christy Heinrich in particular are disturbing, the book is written in a very sensationalist manner and focuses on the negative aspects of competing at the elite level in gymnastics (much less of the book is really about figure skating at this level). And honestly, I had to laugh when Michelle Kwan was identified as the new "young face" of figure skating, when in her career she ended up repeat champion-ing multiple times and ultimately becoming the most decorated singles female skater in US history--well beyond her early teen years, and not simply another "one hit wonder"!!!
If you're unfamiliar with either sport and some of the more tragic aspects of it, then you should read this book. But bear in mind that it is written to sell copies, and as such, really emphasizes the horror shows and not the multitude of positive strengths and experiences that results from having the extraordinary opportunity to compete at the highest level. There are some of us who DO think back fondly of those training days and accomplishments, who emerged from such experiences as stronger and more capable adults.
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