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Cinderella Man

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Jim Braddock is a successful boxer in New York. But in October 1929 the American economy fails, and at the same time Jim starts to lose in the boxing ring. Does the true story of Jim Braddock ― the Cinderella Man ― have a happy ending?

69 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2005

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About the author

Marc Cerasini

87 books48 followers
Best-selling author, Marc Cerasini has spent time on the New York Times and USA Today best-seller's lists. His writing spans from children's picture books and young adult novels to adult mystery and military nonfiction. Along the way, he's managed to ghostwrite for Tom Clancy.

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5 stars
120 (29%)
4 stars
148 (35%)
3 stars
107 (25%)
2 stars
27 (6%)
1 star
10 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Michiyo 'jia' Fujiwara.
429 reviews
April 28, 2012
Ladies and gentlemen, Tonight we will watch a boxing match: James” Cinderella Man” Braddock Vs. The Game of Life.. Ya, bukan Max Baer lawan tertangkuh yang harus dihadapi Jim ketika ia menjadi juara dunia kelas berat, tetapi kehidupan itu sendiri adalah lawannya yang terberat, The toughest game is the game of life.

Novel yang dibuat berdasarkan film dengan judul yang sama (Russel Crowe dan Renée Zellweger), dan film yang dibuat berdasarkan kisah nyata, tokoh Jim Braddock benar-benar ada.. Jim “Cinderella Man” Braddock adalah Petinju Irlandia-Amerika pernah mengalami puncak karir gemilang, tetapi tak sampai 5 tahun, cidera tangan kanan dan kekalahan 10 kali berturut-turut menderanya, ia tersungkur dan keluar dari arena tinju. Dan pukulan terberat ia harus hadapi adalah “Great Depression”, yang melanda Amerika, Oktober 1929, membuat apa yang telah di-investasikannya menjadi tak bersisa sama sekali: saham, obligasi, perusahaan taksi dan rumah kesayangannya hilang dan mereka pun jatuh miskin.

Ini bukan hanya cerita mengenai tinju..tetapi lebih dari itu, ini kisah tentang kehidupan untuk tidak menyerah dan tidak takut melawan, mengajarkan untuk selalu ada untuk orang yang kita sayangi, untuk terus mendukungnya dan memberinya semangat berjuang, ini kisah mengenai pengorbanan: pengorbanan seorang ayah Jim, ditengah cidera tangan kanannya, ia memaksa terus bekerja meski harus menggunakan tangan kirinya dan tangan kanan yang masih berbungkus gips mengangkut berkarung-karung bermacam barang dari pelabuhan hanya demi 25 sen, pengorbanan istri dan ibu Mae Broddock yang terus setia disamping suaminya, yang selalu mengkhawatirkan keadaannya ketika Jim habis bertanding dan ketika Jim pulang dari pelabuhan, yang ada disampingnya ketika mereka tinggal di apartemen kumuh satu kamar. dan ini kisah mengenai anak-anak (Jay, Howard dan Rossy) ketiga bersaudara ini sangat meng-idolakan apa yang dikerjakan oleh ayah mereka dan salah satu cara menolong ayah mereka, mendatangi Sam si tukang daging mereka berkata: “Ayahku akan melawan laki-laki yang membuatnya babak-belur saat terakhir mereka bertemu. Steak macam apa yang kau punya?” (steaknya bukan buat dimakan tapi buat dipakai kompres lebam luka habis bertinju).

Kisah yang sangat mengharukan mengenai perjuangan seorang Jim: ia adalah pria yang punya kemampuan, kuat, suka bekerja keras, tapi dunia membuat ia tak berdaya, tak berharga, ia adalah ayah dan suami yang punya harga diri, tapi memergoki dirinya tak sanggup mengurus istri dan keluarga. Jim terpaksa menerima pinjaman dari dinas sosial dan ia menengadahkan tangannya di klub tempatnya berlatih hanya untuk melunasi tagihan listrik dan gas dirumahnya. Dan atas perjuangannya lepas dari belenggu kemiskinan untuk bangkit dan kembali bertanding, orang-orang yang sama senasib sepenanggungan dengan Jim, mereka memberikan julukan kepadanya: Cinderella Man, pria yang mampu bangkit dari keterburukan dan menghadirkan mimpi bahwa harapan akan selalu ada ditengah segala kesulitan hidup.


Ronde Pertama
”Ketika bel berdentang, kau ada disana untuk menang”
-James J.Braddock
Seperti dikutip Peter Helen dalam
In This Corner

Ronde Kedua
”Sang pengantin pria terlihat amat sehat dan tak bermata lebam. Dan, Mae Theresa tak diragukan lagi adalah pengantin wanita yang jelita”
-Ludwig Shabazian, Relief to Royalty
Biografi resmi James J.Braddock

Ronde Ketiga
”Jika memperoleh kesempatan, kau akan berada di sana, kau akan berada di puncak, jika tidak, kau akan berada di dasar”
-James J.Braddock
Seperti dikutip Peter Helen dalam
In This Corner

Ronde Keempat
”Laki-laki yang bergantungan tak berdaya pada tali dengan kaki tak menyentuh tanah, akan dianggap telah takluk”
-The Queensburry Rules
Nomor 5

Ronde Kelima
”Seseorang bisa menanggung banyak cobaan jika masih menyimpan harapan”
-Clyde T.Ellis
Seperti dikutip Studs Terkel di Hard Time: An Oral History of The Great Depression


Ronde Keenam
”Jika salah satu petinju jatuh akibat kelemahan sendiri atau sebaliknya, ia harus bangkit tanpa dibantu..”
-The Queensburry Rules
Nomor 4


Ronde Ketujuh
”Aku tak peduli siapa dan sehebat apa dirimu, kau akan kena pukul.. kau harus bisa mengabaikan rasa sakit”
-Tommy Loughran
Juara Dunia Kelas Berat-Ringan
1927-1929

Ronde Kedelapan
”Aku selalu kurang-lebih menjadi orang yang tidak diperhitungkan. Itu tidak ada pengaruhnya buatku”
-James J.Braddock
Seperti dikutip Peter Helen dalam
In This Corner



Ronde Kesembilan
”Kau memperoleh kekuatan, keberanian dan kepercayaan diri dari setiap pengalaman dan membuat kau benar-benar berhenti merasa takut.. kau harus melakukan sesuatu yang kau pikir tak bisa dilakukan”
-Eleanor Roosevelt


Ronde Kesepuluh
”Jangan samakan petarung-petarung Amerika yang berlatih di sasana dengan mereka yang berlatih di Klub Kebugaran Knightbridge”
-Hugh McIlvanney, The Hardest Game


Ronde Kesebelas
Siapa juri yang lebih baik: publik atau para pakar? Menurutku, publik
-Damon Runyon


Ronde Keduabelas
”Aku ingin menyampaikan kepada penggemar tinju dan publik: aku akan berada di kondisi terbaik yang bisa dicapai atlet manapun untuk pertandingan ini.. Aku tahu makna pertarungaan ini bagiku.. Dan, ini akan menjadi pertarungan yang istimewa”
-James Braddock, 1935

”Aku bersikeras meminta sebuah ambulans di pinggir ring. Jim orang baik, dan aku tak ingin melihatnya mati ditanganku. Ia tak akan bertahan sampai satu ronde”
-Max Baer, 1935

Ronde Ketigabelas
”Baer adalah orang yang bisa melukai kita.. Tapi aku selalu berkeyakinan bahwa Max seharusnya menjadi aktor dan bukan petinju”
-James J. Braddock
Seperti dikutip Peter Helen dalam
In This Corner

Ronde Keempatbelas
“.. Surat berdatangan dari seluruh penjuru dunia untuk Braddock.. sebagian besar dari mereka yang ditinggalkan sendirian di dunia dan dari mereka yang bekerja keras.. tanpa harapan sampai orang ini datang mengayunkan pukulan dari kegelapan untuk memperlihatkan pada mereka bagaimana mengubah kekalahan menjadi kemenangan”
-John D.McCullum
Encyclopedia of World Boxing Champions

Epilog
”..Ketika Baer menjotos daguku dengan pukulan terdahyat dan aku menerimanya, aku menjadi pria paling bahagia di dunia. Tak seorang pun mengetahui makna pertarungan itu bagiku. Uang, keamanan, pendidikan untuk anak-anakku, sokongan keuangan untuk orangtuaku. Jika pernah ada lelaki yang naik ring dengan sesuatu yang diperjuangkan, aku adalah orangnya”
-James J.Braddock, 1935
10 reviews
April 13, 2025
Didn’t realize that the book was written off of the movie screenplay until part way through the book. I thought that was going to ruin it for me, having seen the movie multiple times and loved it, but I actually really enjoyed reading the book version of one of my favorite movies. The author did a great job at preserving the iconic scenes from the film while enhancing the storyline with insight into the characters’ thoughts and emotions. He even did a good job with the boxing scenes, very engaging!
Profile Image for Zhenwei Chan.
18 reviews
May 15, 2007
I finished the book in a day or so. was a wonderful story along the lines of Seabiscuit. i fell in love with Depression-Era stories ever since i watched that movie. i respect that generation of men and women who'd endured hardship and saw the light at the end of the tunnel. i envy the nation's leadership, who'd played a pivotal role pulling the country together. tt's true american spirit. In many other countries, it would certainly have ended in riots and civil wars.

this time, the story revolved around a down-and-out boxer who lost his mojo and fortune in the stock market crash. havin his confidence wiped out, he hung his boots and took on odd jobs to keep his family alive. but fate has its way of lettin pple know this one truth: you hv to pick yourself up from where you left behind. the boxer entered the ring again, this time with the hopes of the nation's desolate on his shoulders.... very fairy tale. that's y they called him the Cinderalla Man. I havent seen the movie myself, but i'm satisfied with the book.
Profile Image for Tpy.
12 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2012
satu dasawarsa setelah kejayaan Jack dempsey, Braddock pun mengalami masa yang sulit dalam meniti karirnya di dunia tinju. ach sedih anyis ngebayangin mereka dari berkecukupan lalu satu persatu barang dijualin, jadi kuli panggul(yang nantinya justru ngelatih kekuatan tangan kirinya), tetapi dengan kekuatan cin*a Mae !! dia juara lagi !! yeaach

kaya sinetron sih,juara kaya, kalah miskin, kekuatan cin*a, menang, happy ending.

tapi karena ini dari kisah nyata dan tinju pula .jadinya keren !!
Profile Image for Adrielle.
1,218 reviews17 followers
November 28, 2015
You know those stories that aren't particularly written well but they hit you and hit you hard? That's what this novel is for me. The story is incredible and deeply inspiring.
Profile Image for Lauren.
439 reviews
June 20, 2021
Cinderella Man follows the story of Jim Braddock, a boxer in the early 1900s. His success grew until he lost a major fight and was knocked down by the depression iof 1929. Years later, after struggling like so many others to take care of his family, he gets a second chance to be a champion and puts everything on the line.

I don't read a lot of novelations of movies and I haven't seen the movie either. The message was a great one though- sticking to your dreams and the ability to continue working against both small and large obstacles to succeed. It also paints a scary and realistic portrait of life for families during the depression.
1 review
December 9, 2019
This book was Made for box fans. Almost all the book talks about boxing it has a 20s atmosphere. I really liked the book has a few borring parts of reflexion. I almost stopped to read the book only for the reflexion part. The book doesnt develop very well the characters. i didnt have enought time yo feel empaty for the other characters. I love the end. The end is an explosion of fellings You don't accept it. I recommend the book for older people because it is borring. For teenagers only for the ones that love reading
Profile Image for Malika-Liki.
467 reviews12 followers
April 3, 2020
I loved this movie and the biographic story of Jim Braddock . reding ths story was like watchng the movie again. but there wasn't a style or developent, it was very very smply wrotten. So it was OK because I love Cinderella man, the movie.
Profile Image for Vina Falah.
12 reviews15 followers
August 24, 2013
Baru pertama kali baca buku biografi semi novel tentang tokoh olahraga. Olahraga tinju pula. Awalnya ga tertarik tapi denger-denger filmnya bagus. Biasanya baca novel yang terbit novelnya dulu baru dibuat filmnya. Ini kebalikannya novelnya dibuat berdasarkan filmnya.

Ceritanya sangat menyentuh apalagi waktu James Braddock mengalami masa Depresi di Amerika ketika karir tinjunya meredup, dari petinju profesional jadi kuli angkut di dok pelabuhan hanya untuk uang makan satu hari. Yang membuat novel ini mengesankan adalah pribadi James Braddock sendiri serta perjuangannya untuk menafkahi keluarganya.

Dan yang membuat pembaca dapat nyambung dengan karakter Braddock-meskipun bukan penggemar tinju- adalah perjuangan hidupnya adalah refleksi perjuangan hidup hampir semua orang.

Jadi tertarik nonton filmnya apalagi setelah tahu dibintangi Russel Crowe dan Renee Zellweger.
Profile Image for Rina Sakurai.
14 reviews
January 16, 2013
Cinderella Man
Published by Penguin Readers
Level 4
time 240min.

success/dificulty/injured/boy/snow/broken/lose

Q. Can you live together with your partner if you two don't have enough money to make it your life?
A. Absolutely I can answer "Yes". In the story, hero and heroin couldnt pay the bill and manager cut their electricity off. it looks hard to live, but they or if you have much love to your partner, you can get over difficulty.

Q. Are you a woman who support strongly your partner if anything happen to him/her?
A.surely YES!! His partner get married with difficulty, but finally he succeed, that was his, and her pleasure. As I said, I think i can get over anything if i am with the best partner.

Profile Image for Satyabrata Mishra.
387 reviews26 followers
April 30, 2013
Before I even start writing the review, I just want to state ' Cindrella Man is the best f**king sports biography ever written!! Period.'

More than a biography, it's like a fairytale and hence a tale it shall be known as.

Cindrella man is the story of a proud family man who sees the zenith and the nadir in a niche of years due to the economy recession that hit America before the first world war. A proud boxer who had a habit of defeating the big names before he was forced to give up boxing to pay the bills.

It's those bills which brought him back to the ring, and the rest is history.

Marc Cerasini has done a brilliant job here, plotting the book just like a fairytale. I haven't seen the movie yet but if it is anything like the book, it's one hell of a movie.
Profile Image for Edit .
127 reviews5 followers
October 1, 2007
Hehe kenapa yah saya baca buku ini..covernya aja begitu..soalnya saya tertarik dengan judulnya.."cinderella man" ternyata..dan ternyata... perjuangan hidup seorang petinju yang berjuang dari bawah sehingga akhirnya disebut sebagai cinderella man oleh salah seorang wartawan ketika mencoba untuk bangkit dari keterpurukan..Di sini dapat tambahan ilmu mengenai deskripsi tentang krisis di Amerika yang begitu parahnya pada tahun 1920-an (kalau tidak salah)ironis..sampai-sampai mengantri makanan panjangnya minta ampun..sepserti di Indonesia juga ketika mengantri minyak tanah..tapi toh ternyata mereka bangkit..dan kapan raksasa Indonesia akan bangkit
145 reviews
March 9, 2009
I wouldn't chosen this book except it was the only one on a hotel shelf that looked interesting and I needed something to read - but I really enjoyed it. It's a real life story about a boxer in the Depression and his journey as a fighter. Pretty well written book and interesting life story. And some of the scenes really come to life given our country's current economic situation.

Ron Howard made this into a movie in 2005 starring Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger. Got good reviews from the critics but never made it big at the box office.

5 reviews
July 29, 2008
this book talks about the story of a man who start boxing to make money to feed his family. this story was during the depression in USA many years ago. he worked in a dock and at the same time began boxing. he passed really bad times working and boxing to find money for his family. one day he won a important fight against a good fighter and everybody began to know him. he kept fighting and won other fights and with that made enogh money for his family and became a good knowing boxer.
Profile Image for Andri Wicaksono.
35 reviews
September 10, 2008
Crisp and clear,very nice to be read, that was my first impression on this one from Marc Cerasini. The story is about a middle-class American man during Great Depression who really loves his family, struggling to have a living, then became boxing champion in a hard way. The story of CInderella Man was based on a true story. The book is as good as the movie. Both entertaining. No doubt, five stars!
Profile Image for Abdullah Al-Ghamdi.
15 reviews10 followers
August 30, 2012
James Braddock story is inspirational

I loved how people were into him. He was the hope to them. He wasn't just another boxer, he had the best boxer's story to tell. He was the father,the husband, the noble loyal patriotic person who fought in world war II. When he was fighting Max Baer, people were in church asking god to help him..Have you ever known a guy who has been loved that much?
Profile Image for Tezar Yulianto.
392 reviews38 followers
October 23, 2011
Jim Braddock, mungkin bisa jadi adalah salah satu pahlawan moral di saat desersi ekonomi Amerika di tahun 1930-an, dengan sifat mau bekerja keras, bahkan dengan keadaan kurang memungkinkan, bisa menjadi polisi moral untuk anaknya, ditengah keterpurukan ekonomi, serta semangat di saat diremehkan, untuk bisa bertinju lagi, setelah didera runtunan kekalahan, hanya untuk menghidupi keluarganya.
Profile Image for León Hidalgo.
19 reviews
June 17, 2013
Libro que me sorprendió muy gratamente que va mucho más allá del simple hecho de dar puñetazos,trata sobre devolver con más fuerza los duros golpes que da la vida.Es una obra basada en hechos reales,de gran ambientación en el tiempo y el coraje de James J. Braddock en seguir adelante pese a las circunstancias.
Profile Image for Rahmat Romadon.
116 reviews23 followers
April 28, 2008
This is the touching book, which the story is about the struggle strong & tough guy named Braddock [real boxer!]. I agree to the author comments: It's true to be said that the toughest game is the game of life.
Profile Image for Angelic Zaizai.
976 reviews35 followers
February 3, 2009
Ini true story bukan sih ?? *bingung*
kejadiannya jaman amerika lagi susah banget, great depression.
Braddock jadi petinju biar dapet duit buat keluarganya.
Sempet sukses, trus kalah, trus berusaha biar bisa bangkit lagi, biarpun lawannya serem, tetep dijabanin..

6 reviews
October 26, 2010
I liked this book even though I'm not really a huge boxing fan. It's a good story about a time when men were men and knew what the meaning of taking care of their family was. This is a touching story about courage, duty, loyalty and love.
6 reviews5 followers
November 27, 2020
It's an interesting book about the life of J.J Braddock, a box champion.
You read how this man's life, family and reputation got destroyed by his fame & glory.
You feel the blows, hits because it's so well-written.

45 reviews
June 13, 2009
Really liked this book! Makes me appreciate what we have now, and what my Grandparents/Parents went through! Inspiring....
Profile Image for Caitlin.
1,178 reviews38 followers
January 3, 2011
Normally I really like movie tie-ins, but this one was a bit dull.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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