Overview
Reminiscent of Maggie Shipstead’s Astonish Me and Julia Phillips’s Disappearing Earth, Winterland tells the story of a previous era, shockingly pertinent today, shaped by glory and loss and finding light where none exists.
In the Soviet Union in 1973, there is perhaps no greater honor for a young girl than to be chosen to be part of the famed USSR gymnastics program. So when eight-year-old Anya is tapped, her family is thrilled. What is left of her family, that is. Years ago her mother disappeared. Anya’s only confidant is her neighbor, an older woman who survived unspeakable horrors during her ten years in a Gulag camp—and who, unbeknownst to Anya, was also her mother’s confidant and might hold the key to her disappearance. As Anya moves up the ranks of competitive gymnastics, and as other girls move down, Anya soon comes to realize that there is very little margin of error for anyone.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company.
Review
Anya has been chosen to be a gymnast for the USSR. This is one of the greatest honors for her family. Since her mother’s disappearance, her family has been on the government’s radar. Anya hopes to improve the family name with her talent. But, it is more of a struggle than anyone ever imagined.
I remember watching Olga Korbut (yes I am that old!) and Nadia Comaneci when I was a young girl. I knew they struggled but really had no idea exactly what they may have gone through. This book brought all of this to light. I had a childhood full of gymnastics, twirling, dancing, singing and anything else my mother wanted to put me in. And yes, a lot of it was a struggle, but not to this extent.
This story made a huge impression on me. Being an over achiever, I can feel for Anya. But, THE PRESSURE! Then there is her neighbor (her name escapes me🤷🏻♀️), with her past in the Gulag camp for just living her life.
Y’all! This book is a must read! There are very few books that I want to read again…THIS IS ONE OF THEM!
Need a story which will open your eyes…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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