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Reversul Medaliei
2012 edition.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 18, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 7, 2019
I've never been much of a sports fan, especially around the football (soccer) season. When everyone around me was busy cheering for their favorite teams, all I could look forward to was a swift end to the world championship: the water cooler talk needed some new topics.
Back in middle school, I would occasionally watch the artistic gymnastics championships. Admitedly, the main reason may have had something to do with Sailor Moon being cancelled during the season. Not that I didn't enjoy all the cool tumbling...
Andreea Raducan tumbling on the floor
I've actually had my eye on Andreea Raducan's autobiography for a while now, but somehow never really stumbled on it in libraries. As a matter of fact, if it hadn't been for the 2017 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships, I still wouldn't have it. The medals not being for sale, this was the next best thing.
Reading it in the aftermath of the Larry Nassar hearings, I couldn't help but wince every time weight issues, or harsh reprimands were being mentioned. Especially when they were happening in the context of the events of the 2000 Olympic Games.
Just having her all-around medal taken away was dramatic enough, but when Andreea started to mention how the gymnasts were encouraged not to eat before their competitions, and how she would be feeling high on endorphins anyway... Well, things rapidly veered into creepy territory for me. I say all that, even though there is no trace of reproach anywhere in this book for either of her coaches.
Andreea Raducan mid-air
I can understand not eating a few hours before the competition. But not eating anything all day before, when she had to compete in the early afternoon?! That didn't sound quite right to me.
The book's biggest flaw however, was its atrocious translation. It reads as if it had been written in Romanian, but using English words. And that's before we come to the numerous typos and grammatical errors, that should've been caught during editing. If I ever wanted a refund for a book, this was it.
Score: 2.6 / 5 stars
I fervently wish I had bought the original version, whose undertone I could recognize in the translation. As awkward as the translation sounds in English, a literal re-translation to Romanian actually makes the book sound truly engaging. And that's its saving grace.
Present-day Andreea Raducan
One of the reasons I review foreign books in English, is because I secretly hope that they'll one day inspire someone to translate them. Or retranslate them, as the case may be. Please. please, with cherry on top, let this book be translated by someone who can speak English naturally, and does not use Google Translate exclusively.
Note to self: next time get the championship mascot.
Back in middle school, I would occasionally watch the artistic gymnastics championships. Admitedly, the main reason may have had something to do with Sailor Moon being cancelled during the season. Not that I didn't enjoy all the cool tumbling...
Andreea Raducan tumbling on the floor
I've actually had my eye on Andreea Raducan's autobiography for a while now, but somehow never really stumbled on it in libraries. As a matter of fact, if it hadn't been for the 2017 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships, I still wouldn't have it. The medals not being for sale, this was the next best thing.
Reading it in the aftermath of the Larry Nassar hearings, I couldn't help but wince every time weight issues, or harsh reprimands were being mentioned. Especially when they were happening in the context of the events of the 2000 Olympic Games.
Just having her all-around medal taken away was dramatic enough, but when Andreea started to mention how the gymnasts were encouraged not to eat before their competitions, and how she would be feeling high on endorphins anyway... Well, things rapidly veered into creepy territory for me. I say all that, even though there is no trace of reproach anywhere in this book for either of her coaches.
Andreea Raducan mid-air
I can understand not eating a few hours before the competition. But not eating anything all day before, when she had to compete in the early afternoon?! That didn't sound quite right to me.
The book's biggest flaw however, was its atrocious translation. It reads as if it had been written in Romanian, but using English words. And that's before we come to the numerous typos and grammatical errors, that should've been caught during editing. If I ever wanted a refund for a book, this was it.
He wanted a boy - probably a boy who would become a football player, but that was not to be. A girl was born instead - a girl so similar to him with the same characteristics and looks. The choice was gymnastics instead of football.
Listen mister, this is performance, not therapeutic gymnastics.
I had emotions, but also a huge trust in myself. I knew how to focus extremely well and to perform professionally.
Score: 2.6 / 5 stars
I fervently wish I had bought the original version, whose undertone I could recognize in the translation. As awkward as the translation sounds in English, a literal re-translation to Romanian actually makes the book sound truly engaging. And that's its saving grace.
Present-day Andreea Raducan
One of the reasons I review foreign books in English, is because I secretly hope that they'll one day inspire someone to translate them. Or retranslate them, as the case may be. Please. please, with cherry on top, let this book be translated by someone who can speak English naturally, and does not use Google Translate exclusively.
Note to self: next time get the championship mascot.
August 21, 2018
De mică stăteam lipită de ecran atunci când erau campionatele de gimnastică. Și nu mi trecea prin minte sacrificiile făcute pentru a atinge performanța. Pentru o medalie-ani de muncă-mâini degete însângerate, regim de cantonament, și o mică greșeală putea strica totul. Scrisă cu drag-nu pot să nu empatizez și să nu mă gândesc cu admirație la gimnastele-sau și mai larg sportivii care luptă pentru a-și îndeplini visul.
Și-în sens larg-mă gândesc, dacă am munci ca o gimnastă(ani de zile fără a ceda) pentru a ne îndeplini visele-oare cum ar fi?
Și-în sens larg-mă gândesc, dacă am munci ca o gimnastă(ani de zile fără a ceda) pentru a ne îndeplini visele-oare cum ar fi?
November 26, 2013
I really enjoyed the book and this would be a 4-star rating for me if not for the poor translation, missing dates, and typos. If you can get past this, the rest of the book is quite enjoyable.
December 27, 2017
O lectura foarte usoara, se vede talentul jurnalistic al Andreei Raducanu. Am citit-o practic intr-o singura sesiune. Este interesat de urmarit firul amintirilor sportivei, incepand cu primele miscari executate in sala de antrenamente.
Punctul central il constituie bineinteles nedreptatea monstruoasa comisa de oficiali la Sydney cand Andreei i s-a retras pe nedrept titlul de campioana olimpica absoluta pentru care a muncit toata viata. Atunci desi pe lista olimpica nu figura pseudoefedrina ca substanta interzisa, aceasta era prezenta pe lisa asociatiei mondiale antidoping. Cum parteneriatul dintre cele doua entitati era la inceput, listele nu erau actualizate. Acest lucru a facut posibila participarea Andreei in continuare la JO desi regulamentul era clar: un sportiv prins dopat este eleiminat din toate competitiile. Andreea desigur nu a fost dopata, iar substanta nu i-a produs niciun avantaj, motiv pt care pseudoefedrina a fost scoasa de pe lista substantelor interzise peste o anumita vreme. De asemenea o alta schimbare de regulament a fost aceea ca din aceeasi tara nu pot participa decat doua sportive... desi la Sydney podium ar fi fost 100% romanesc.
Punctul central il constituie bineinteles nedreptatea monstruoasa comisa de oficiali la Sydney cand Andreei i s-a retras pe nedrept titlul de campioana olimpica absoluta pentru care a muncit toata viata. Atunci desi pe lista olimpica nu figura pseudoefedrina ca substanta interzisa, aceasta era prezenta pe lisa asociatiei mondiale antidoping. Cum parteneriatul dintre cele doua entitati era la inceput, listele nu erau actualizate. Acest lucru a facut posibila participarea Andreei in continuare la JO desi regulamentul era clar: un sportiv prins dopat este eleiminat din toate competitiile. Andreea desigur nu a fost dopata, iar substanta nu i-a produs niciun avantaj, motiv pt care pseudoefedrina a fost scoasa de pe lista substantelor interzise peste o anumita vreme. De asemenea o alta schimbare de regulament a fost aceea ca din aceeasi tara nu pot participa decat doua sportive... desi la Sydney podium ar fi fost 100% romanesc.
May 24, 2018
Excelenta scriere, am plans, deci e de bine. :) Am empatizat cu efortul, munca sustinuta, emotia concursurilor. Sunt elemente care au rezonat cu experienta mea ca eleva si aerul pozitiv pe care il emana autoarea-naratoare este remarcabil. Tot respectul. Si sunt si putin invidioasa pe colectivul cu care a fost inconjurata, lipsit de invidii si sicanari.
Nu este de ras, dar ma simt putiiin mai bine stiind ca se intampla "miscommunications" si la un nivel atat de inalt.
Nu este de ras, dar ma simt putiiin mai bine stiind ca se intampla "miscommunications" si la un nivel atat de inalt.
November 14, 2017
A worthwhile read for a gymnastics freak
May 31, 2019
O carte frumoasa, simpla si sincera. Emotionanta pe alocuri si prin prisma sacrificiilor dar si prin intamplarea de la Sydney. Recomand cu caldura!
November 20, 2023
I love that Andreea told her story beyond how it was seen through the eyes of the media at the time and I love the translation which brings a note of authenticity to the story. Everyone expects a best seller translated by professional publishers, but for me, it's like buying a fruit from the supermarket or one from a local farmer. I love to find books that convey something other than globalization and retain the originality of their own culture.
May 24, 2020
Even if you're not a gymnastics fan, you will love it.
August 28, 2022
I am happy I have bought this book. I didn't know what to expect, but it was really good! I also enjoyed the translation and details, very interesting.
November 25, 2022
Wonderful job, Andrea! I love her even more now. I am happy that you decided to share your experience.
March 15, 2013
good story for die hard fans
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews