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ashleyrich3825's review against another edition
4.0
Tillie Walden is responsible for one of my favorite graphic novels of all time, and I've seen this in the library enough that I finally picked it up.
I was really pleasantly surprised to find how drawn I became as I read about Walden's experience in competitive figure skating, being a young gay person, and working through traumatic events. Her perspective was a supremely interesting and personally relatable one, and I'm really happy I gave this graphic novel a chance.
Not to mention the art was lovely, as it is in all of Walden's works.
I was really pleasantly surprised to find how drawn I became as I read about Walden's experience in competitive figure skating, being a young gay person, and working through traumatic events. Her perspective was a supremely interesting and personally relatable one, and I'm really happy I gave this graphic novel a chance.
Not to mention the art was lovely, as it is in all of Walden's works.
greenkangaroolibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
This was okay. The story arc was good and the illustrations are nice. However, it jumped around a bit more than I enjoyed.
simonneliaa's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I’m a fan of Tillie Walden and her body of work. I have to say I disagree with a lot of the criticism she receives but that’s just because I am biased towards her.
This book was a look into many aspects of Tillies time growing up and through reading it I was reminded of similar moments from the same period of time in my own life. It felt so familiar, so nostalgic, and very raw and real. I commend her and I cannot wait for her next book.
Her art is beautiful and I would do anything to see a depiction of my cat in her style.
This book was a look into many aspects of Tillies time growing up and through reading it I was reminded of similar moments from the same period of time in my own life. It felt so familiar, so nostalgic, and very raw and real. I commend her and I cannot wait for her next book.
Her art is beautiful and I would do anything to see a depiction of my cat in her style.
mehsi's review against another edition
2.0
Well, this was one of those books I really really wanted to read, but boy, it was such a struggle to get through it.
Also before people come to me telling this is a memoir and that I am pretty harsh: Yes, I had heard something about it, but it wasn't until later that I saw it really was non-fiction/memoir. So my feelings on this book are based on me thinking it is a fiction book.
I just had expected more from it. More joy, more happiness, more skating, more competitions, plus also coming out. But instead I got a grumpy/whiny MC, parents who don't care, more complaining, bullying.
I really had to push myself to continue. Yes, I could have dropped it, but I wanted to see our MC get a spine and stop with skating (as she really didn't seem to enjoy it any time in the book). Plus I wanted to know if she would see her first love again.
The MC, well I just never liked her. I just wanted to shake her and tell her that if she didn't find enjoyment in the whole skating she should just stop. :| But instead she keeps on going while it is clear that it isn't going well.
The skating, well, whatever we saw of that (and I mean competitions) was pretty decent. I also liked that each chapter began with a skate-move (counters/spins/etc.). And that we also saw patterns/maps of how they had to skate. Plus I loved seeing how dedicated everyone was. Just getting there on time twice a day while also doing school and music lessons, it was really amazing.
I liked that this wasn't only about skating but also about acceptance, about being gay and figuring out what that means. Especially in a place like Texas. I don't live there myself, but I have heard enough to know how they look against people who are gay/different. :|
The tutor thing had me pretty disgusted. Bah. What a terrible person. Same goes for the bully stuff (as we find out some stuff later on).
The pacing was a bit wobbly at times. Sometimes we would go from one scene to another without anything stringing them together.
The art is pretty decent, it is a bit wonky at times, but I still quite like it. Especially the bigger panels.
But yeah, I struggled, and it just wasn't like what I expected, so I am not sure if I would recommend the book. :|
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Also before people come to me telling this is a memoir and that I am pretty harsh: Yes, I had heard something about it, but it wasn't until later that I saw it really was non-fiction/memoir. So my feelings on this book are based on me thinking it is a fiction book.
I just had expected more from it. More joy, more happiness, more skating, more competitions, plus also coming out. But instead I got a grumpy/whiny MC, parents who don't care, more complaining, bullying.
I really had to push myself to continue. Yes, I could have dropped it, but I wanted to see our MC get a spine and stop with skating (as she really didn't seem to enjoy it any time in the book). Plus I wanted to know if she would see her first love again.
The MC, well I just never liked her. I just wanted to shake her and tell her that if she didn't find enjoyment in the whole skating she should just stop. :| But instead she keeps on going while it is clear that it isn't going well.
The skating, well, whatever we saw of that (and I mean competitions) was pretty decent. I also liked that each chapter began with a skate-move (counters/spins/etc.). And that we also saw patterns/maps of how they had to skate. Plus I loved seeing how dedicated everyone was. Just getting there on time twice a day while also doing school and music lessons, it was really amazing.
I liked that this wasn't only about skating but also about acceptance, about being gay and figuring out what that means. Especially in a place like Texas. I don't live there myself, but I have heard enough to know how they look against people who are gay/different. :|
The tutor thing had me pretty disgusted. Bah. What a terrible person. Same goes for the bully stuff (as we find out some stuff later on).
The pacing was a bit wobbly at times. Sometimes we would go from one scene to another without anything stringing them together.
The art is pretty decent, it is a bit wonky at times, but I still quite like it. Especially the bigger panels.
But yeah, I struggled, and it just wasn't like what I expected, so I am not sure if I would recommend the book. :|
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/