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Title: Little Girls in Pretty Boxes: The Making and Breaking of Elite Gymnasts and Figure Skaters
ISBN: 0446672505
Author:
Joan Ryan
Publicate Date: 1996-05-01
Publish: 1996-05-01
List Price: $12.99
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $23.95
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
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| Customer Review: |
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1: everything top-notch
not only was the book in great condition (which surprised me for it being a used book sold online) but it arrived earlier than i actually expected it. great seller, will definitely pass along to frends
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2: A little too sensationalist for my tastes...
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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3: awesome and scary
as a mother to a 5 year old gymnast i was shocked to find out 5 year old elite gymnasts spending 5 hours a day in the gym! this is an eye opener. i would not want my daughter to be an olympian after reading this book! i read the whole thing in one day. it was a real page turner!!
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4: Change the Name From "Women's" Gymnastics
This was a fascinating, and I felt, a well-researched book. I've always felt that the term "women's gymnastics" was a drastic misnoner: it should be changed to "girls' gymnastics". These are not adult women competing - they are children. It points out the inherent sexism still at work. Men's gymnastics events feature adult males competing; women's gymnastics events feature young girls.
This is a book that should be read by every girl considering a career in gymnastics and by every parent of such girls.
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5: Little girls in pretty boxes
A fascinating account of the stressful lives the lithe young and talented attletes endure. Very well written and illuminating.
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