Drawn to the Rhythm: A Passionate Life Reclaimed

by Sara Hall

The inspiring story of one woman's journey of healing and transformation. Sara Hall's life seemed perfect: a wealthy husband, a big house in an affluent suburb, three healthy children. But the surface of Hall's life hid a marriage filled with sorrow and pain. One day, at age forty-two, Hall sees a lone figure rowing in the harbor, and that image becomes her holy grail.

In this richly layered memoir, the author tells how her determination to master rowing a single shell gave her the courage to free herself from the dark forces of abuse in her childhood and the failure of her marriage. In lyrical prose, Hall describes the rigors of rowing, the elation of winning, the joy of total engagement in passionate enterprise, and the triumph of breaking free. Ultimately, she declares sovereignty over her life and wins a world championship gold medal. Drawn to the Rhythm is a brave and soulful book, written for all women who seek to find their strength and voice. 16 pages of b/w photographs

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Sports, Biography Memoir

306 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 2002

Reviews

[Books Ring Mah Bell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not need to know about her clitoris or what her abusive husband had to say about her clitoris. I just wanted to read about rowing. When she writes about rowing, she writes well, she captures the passion of being on the water. She also gets mad props for leaving her abusive jack-ass husband. And I have to root for any woman in her 40's who picks up a sport or hobby and then masters it. That's pretty damn hoots.

Not hoots was the Vespoli rep who was really rude to her when she was unknown and starting out. See if my first shell is a Vespoli!
*harumph*

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, and I enjoyed reading about her perspective on rowing

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often give a book five stars, but on my bookshelf at home, three feet of space are devoted to women's memoirs of solo achievement, and Sara Hall's "Drawn to the Rhythm" is the best.
I've thought so since I first read it in 2002, and having just re-read it, I still think so. This is partly a testament to the power and skill of her writing. The surface is as beautiful as still waters at dawn, lyrical, poetic; underneath, deep waters await. It is also a sign of the enduring relevance of her story. Lured into a marriage with an abusive man, she rediscovered her own potential on the seat of a single scull.
Read this book. You don't have to have been through what she endured to celebrate what she achieved. This is a book about finding your bliss and fighting for it -- a message we all need to hear.

[Thing Two · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm just not in the mood to read about spouses complaining about what their partners won't "let" them do. Instead of writing a book about it, go get some therapy! Learn how to set boundaries. Teach those children you're raising how to have healthy relationships, or they'll mimic yours.

Ugh. Next book ...

[Starasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed her story of how she (finally) escaped her horrible marriage but wasn't interested in the minute details of crew. Her writing was often confusing. For example, she never explained that a shell was a rowing boat, so when she said that she was an adult the time she saw one, I assumed it was because she grew up in landlocked Colorado. Then there were many long sentences that I had to reread multiple times to understand what she meant, like this one:

"In awful irony, the need I sensed in him kept me safe from my own ambivalence about releasing the powerful physical passions still very much present under what soon became an excrutiatingly conventional exterior."

I was annoyed that she was completely blind to the shortcomings of this man who she married after dating six months and that she stayed with him for so long. Yeah, yeah, I know the reasons why. However, what annoyed me the most was, at the end, when she finally grew a set of balls, she attributed everything to God. It was all "sing praise, honor the gift, serve the divine, so blessed, faith to let go, and God delivers." The Library of Congress neglected to add religious belief to the catalog categories, which includes "middle age women." LOL.

[Alan Collenette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the most inspiring true stories I’ve ever read—a moving account of one woman’s escape from a life of quiet desperation.

Sara Hall is that rare kind of author, one who bravely bares her innermost self in order to inspire those who doubt their ability to transform their lives. She writes candidly about leaving a toxic relationship and discovering her passion for rowing—a sport that demands the highest level of both physical endurance and mental resilience. As a masters rower myself, I am in awe of how Sara, in early middle age, not only learned to row but reached an exceptionally high level in the sport.

What makes this story so powerful is its universality. It does not matter whether you are a rower, an athlete, or neither; it does not matter what your gender is. This book reminds us all that if you feel trapped in a stifling life, convinced you are stuck forever, you can still break free and become the person you were always meant to be.
I believe this book has the power to change your life. Forever.

[Maggie Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I did not think he husband was abusive. I thought she was just being whiney. But the further into the book I got, the more I realized that she was drawing us into her story, just as he drew her into a life of being gaslit. He started out nice and a little needy but loving and by the end of the book, his jealousy and madness coupled with her winning more and more rowing races, gave her the courage to stand up to him and to ultimately leave his abuse. I had a hard time putting this book down!

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author's story is compelling, and her courage inspiring. But her disdain for mothers who also have a professional career, is off putting. The myth that women who work, even in professional positions, look down on full time moms needs to be busted. Clearly, this author looks down on working mothers and repeats this judgment often throughout the book. I suspect her husband had some redeeming qualities she failed to acknowledge.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable vacation read. I would read anything about rowing for the memories it provokes. The writing was better than expected. That said, it is impossible for me to judge how good this book would be for someone who does not row. I generally do not like memoirs about messed up marriages, so the rowing must have overpowered this subplot sufficiently for me to enjoy this book.

[Ainsley Jeffery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book and compelling life story. Would have enjoyed it more without the technical rowing references and time jumps were sometimes harder to follow. Would have like a chunkier ending with a bit more substantial ending with where Sara is at

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved learning about singles rowing! Her dedication and drive was amazing!

[Lisa Strayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and compelling story of how a woman discovered a love for rowing, and how it changed the substance and rhythm of her life.

[Susan Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I thought it was very well-written and I admired the courage of the author to put her truth on the page. My only frustration in reading the book was wishing that she had removed herself from the abusive husband sooner.

Unlike many memoirs where I come away disappointed that the author has lived a harrowing life and has very little insight into what got them there in the first place, Sara Hall has examined her part in the drama and has come away, in my opinion, both humble and wiser.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent and moving biography by a champion rower. The act of rowing is woven throughout the more important aspect of the story, that of a woman in her 40s claiming a life for herself in the face of fierce opposition in the form of an abusive husband. This is both for women in abusive situations, but truly for anyone wanting to step out and try something new. This is for people who dream big.

[Janie Ewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I decided to learn to scull this summer, this book found me on a trip to the library. It said, "Read me!" and I did. A true story about a woman who fell in love with sculling and eventually became a Master's level national champion several times over despite some heartache at home. Quite the adventure and the perfect summer read for me. The book inspired me to learn to row which has been the highlight of the year for me.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my rowing coaches recommended this book, and it certainly would appeal more to the rowing community than to the average reader. However, it shows how an inner strength, long buried but fortified with an awakening sense of value in *some* world (rowing), can triumph over an abusive marriage -- and win gold in the World Masters Rowing Championships along the way! Quite read

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book - a true story about a woman who from her escape from an abusive marriage through rowing. Within a relatively short period of time (2 years) she goes on to winner international championships against women who have rowed since youth. Also, takes you through the painful process of her divorce.

[Suzanne Fessenden]

Haven't read it yet but a friend said it was very interesting and the woman who wrote it ended up living in Lloyd Harbor.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring book, especially for any stalled rower, wannabe rower, or person stuck in an unhealthy relationship.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful true account of one woman's strength and courage to reclaim her self, her confidence, her life.

[Marilyn Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rowing

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, pulls you in. While the success at rowing was great the strongest storyline was about finding herself again and developing the strength to do what she needed to do.

[Peggy Long-thibault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story of strength and courage with some great sculling adventures!