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Darryl Suite's Reviews > Headshot
Headshot
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4.5 // We follow a boxing tournament called Women’s 18 & Under Daughter of America Cup. Eight teenage girls compete: Artemis, Andi, Kate, Rachel, Iggy, Izzy, Rose, and Tanya. Each section is divided into their respective boxing matches (wins and losses) until a champion emerges by the end. Each of the girls are well-defined with enough unique personalities, perceptions, quirks and/or goals to stand out and be memorable. Now after some distance, I realize I can’t recall all that much about three of the girls. But that’s not to say that they weren’t memorable in the moment. I’m sure if I were to pick up the book again, it would all come flooding back to me in euphoric bursts.
What I really loved about this book is its almost deceptive approach: it has you believing that you’re only going to learn about these young women in their quest for glory; that the hopes and insecurities we witness will only be immediate. Instead, with each competitor, we get to see a full life. The stylistic trick is that not only do we get to hear their inner monologues during the points of action (the match), but we also get to learn about their pasts and futures way beyond this moment in time. From young girls to old women, yet we never leave the setting of the actual match.
For some, this match means the world. For others, it’s a passing fad. This novel demonstrates that most times the events we put so much emphasis on ultimately turns out to be tiny blips in our lives. For some, the event will hardly be remembered. For others, it will be one of the defining stepping stones that provide newfound personal growth and self-preservation. But no one event defines who we are. We’re constantly shifting and learning; regressing and reprogramming and growing.
The only downside of the novel is the last section, which I did not like. It went into some far-out territory, which I personally didn’t find necessary. It was a bit reductive where all that came before would’ve sufficed. In my mind, the last few pages did not occur. Overall, I had a blast. A true knockout.
What I really loved about this book is its almost deceptive approach: it has you believing that you’re only going to learn about these young women in their quest for glory; that the hopes and insecurities we witness will only be immediate. Instead, with each competitor, we get to see a full life. The stylistic trick is that not only do we get to hear their inner monologues during the points of action (the match), but we also get to learn about their pasts and futures way beyond this moment in time. From young girls to old women, yet we never leave the setting of the actual match.
For some, this match means the world. For others, it’s a passing fad. This novel demonstrates that most times the events we put so much emphasis on ultimately turns out to be tiny blips in our lives. For some, the event will hardly be remembered. For others, it will be one of the defining stepping stones that provide newfound personal growth and self-preservation. But no one event defines who we are. We’re constantly shifting and learning; regressing and reprogramming and growing.
The only downside of the novel is the last section, which I did not like. It went into some far-out territory, which I personally didn’t find necessary. It was a bit reductive where all that came before would’ve sufficed. In my mind, the last few pages did not occur. Overall, I had a blast. A true knockout.
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Reading Progress
August 4, 2024
–
Started Reading
August 4, 2024
– Shelved
August 5, 2024
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Finished Reading
