jackeline_cruz_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
nglofile's review against another edition
3.0
A lovely but uneven memoir. Very much worth the read, but latitude must be granted.
The art is charming, with spare line drawings allowing for the collaboration of author illustration and reader inference. An icy, pastel palette suits the struggles of a young girl, especially in the world of skating, but it also effectively conveys sadness, isolation, and even moments of menace. Images from this work will no doubt haunt my thoughts long after.
Quibbles: The central metaphor is understandable but belabored. It could have been deployed in a less beat-the-drum manner. Also, in the author's note Walden concedes that the book started as one thing and ended another, and that straddling of focus is very much evident. It manifests both in awkward leaps that led me to check I hadn't turned two pages instead of one and in missteps of pacing that seemed to telegraph a lack of specific vision.
A book I can appreciate more than I might purely enjoy, but that, too, may be testament to the resonance of universal issues of growing up female.
The art is charming, with spare line drawings allowing for the collaboration of author illustration and reader inference. An icy, pastel palette suits the struggles of a young girl, especially in the world of skating, but it also effectively conveys sadness, isolation, and even moments of menace. Images from this work will no doubt haunt my thoughts long after.
Quibbles: The central metaphor is understandable but belabored. It could have been deployed in a less beat-the-drum manner. Also, in the author's note Walden concedes that the book started as one thing and ended another, and that straddling of focus is very much evident. It manifests both in awkward leaps that led me to check I hadn't turned two pages instead of one and in missteps of pacing that seemed to telegraph a lack of specific vision.
A book I can appreciate more than I might purely enjoy, but that, too, may be testament to the resonance of universal issues of growing up female.
soogore's review against another edition
4.0
Sobrecogedora novela gráfica autobiográfica sobre su adolescencia en la pista de hielo. Tiene una potencia narrativa deslumbrante, para quitarse el sombrero. Walden consigue hacerte sentir todo aquello que tan maravillosamente ilustra.
ob_ledbetter's review against another edition
3.0
I loved this! The exploration of identity, the illustrations, the Austin setting, the fact this extremely talented author is MY AGE?!?! HOW?! Loved it!
imrereads's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I love memoirs and I loved Tillie Walden, so a combination was perfect. I had heard of this book, but I wasn't too interested as it seemed quite different from Walden's other stuff. I didn't realise it was a memoir until I stumbled upon in at the library, and that really piqued my interest. I love the art style, and I think Walden has such a way with combining words and images in the most complementary way. I'm a fan!
circleofreadersdruid's review
5.0
Simply amazing. Tillie Walden is an expert at capturing feelings and emotions to cut straight to the essence of a moment. Spinning shows her coming of age, and coming out, as a young girl in Texas through the lens of the hectic world of a competitive skater. I have loved every single thing I’ve ever read by her, and this memoir was no exception.