avalydia's review against another edition
3.0
The writing was on the simplistic side, but it's a fascinating story. Really makes you wonder about the Karolyis you don't see on TV.
sjhastoomanybooks's review against another edition
4.0
I had a mild obsession with Dominique during the 1996 Olympics, so naturally I had to read this immediately. It was a quick and easy read. Learned that there was a lot of pain and abuse behind that cute smile. She seems to be in a great place now.
kreinard's review against another edition
3.0
This was not one of my favorite gymnastics memoirs that I have read. It was disjointed and the writing skipped around a lot making it hard to keep track of what Dominique was really talking about at any given time. I did, however, really enjoy reading about her upbringing and her parents lives and influences on her. I was expecting more of her actual gymnastics career though, as is seen in many other memoirs. I can't decide, after thinking on it for a bit, if I liked this more. It may have something to do with how choppy the writing was throughout. I did enjoy the honesty and the darker side of the Karolyi dynasty while also remembering that this was one gymnasts' perspective. Overall, I am pleased that I got a chance to read this one and see a little more about Dominque's life both inside and outside of the gym. Better writing and better flow throughout the book would have increased my rating on this one.
anikaas's review against another edition
3.0
I can’t believe that between this book and the Little Girls in Pretty Boxes book that the Karolyis still had control of USGA training for so long.
melmo2610's review against another edition
5.0
This is a very candid story about Dominique Mocesnu's gymnastics career and her personal life thus far. She paints a very difficult childhood with a tyrannical father and gymnastics coaches that treated her as less than human. If even a fraction of this book is true, she is stronger than most, to have come through everything she's had to deal with in her life. If you love gymnastics or Dominique, read this book. But be warned-you will have your eyes opened about some of the sports biggest names and faces!
All in all this book is worth the read!
All in all this book is worth the read!
susanbarto's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this was a great book that showed what we often see isn't what happens behind closed doors. Yes, it made me watch gymnastics differently and yes, Bela Karolyi will not be looked upon the same. She had a lot of courage to face the obstacles life threw her. The book evoked all kinds of emotions thus causing it to be good in my eyes.
jennylee59's review against another edition
4.0
I've been a gymnastics fan for years and Dominique and her Mag 7 teammates have always been favorites of mine, so naturally I liked the book for that simple reason alone.
The book is an easy, easy read and I finished it in two days- would have been sooner had it not been for work getting in the way (hah). It was interesting her insiders view of The Karolyi's. I think it's pretty obvious to most gymnastics fans how they strict and tough they are on their gymnasts, but to learn that the majority of that charm and charisma from Bela was extremely fake was sad and I felt so bad for Dominique in both her training and personal life.
Interesting, easy read, especially if you're a fan.
The book is an easy, easy read and I finished it in two days- would have been sooner had it not been for work getting in the way (hah). It was interesting her insiders view of The Karolyi's. I think it's pretty obvious to most gymnastics fans how they strict and tough they are on their gymnasts, but to learn that the majority of that charm and charisma from Bela was extremely fake was sad and I felt so bad for Dominique in both her training and personal life.
Interesting, easy read, especially if you're a fan.
jackphoenix's review against another edition
4.0
Ms. Moceanu's book is a touching and fulfilling peek into the unberbelly of the gynmastics world.
abigailbat's review against another edition
3.0
My inner 14-year-old was very excited to read this book and my 30-year-old self was not disappointed either. Dominique Moceanu, the youngest American gymnast to win a gold medal, spills all here in her memoir. From dealing with a verbally abusive father and coaches to meeting a long-lost sister in her late-20s to being denied a comeback in gymnastics because of Marta Karolyi's control over the sport, there isn't a dull moment in this memoir. Recommended for fans of gymnastics and anyone (like me) who remembers cheering on the Magnificent Seven during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. This may have crossover appeal for teens; I think they'd be into the dramatic story (most of which takes place over Dominique's teenage years), but I'm not sure they'd know who Dominique Moceanu is.
disasterchick's review against another edition
4.0
Off Balance provides an inside look into the world of competative gymnastics. I remember Dominique Moceanu during the 1996 Olympics - epecially her floor routine. Hearing that she found a sister she never knew she had along with a book intrigued me. She is very open and honest about her life. Any parent considering putting their child into competative gymnastics should read this book. She also moves into the future by expressing how she is wanting to see women's gymnastics change and possibly for her children.