What do you think?
Rate this book
Who She Is
In the fall of 1967, Faye Smith’s family moves to Florida to work in the orange groves, and she has to start a new school… again. She tries out for the track team, knowing her mother would never approve because of Faye’s epilepsy.
When Faye discovers she has a talent for distance running, she and her friend Francie decide to enter the Boston Marathon, even though women aren’t allowed to compete. Desperate to climb out of the rut of poverty, Faye is determined to take part and win a college scholarship.
After the school bully tries to run her down with his car, a strange memory surfaces—a scene Faye doesn’t recognize. Her parents insist that it’s a symptom of her epilepsy, but Faye thinks they might be lying, especially when it keeps happening. To get her life on the right path, she’ll need to figure out what her parents are hiding and never lose sight of the finish line.
When Faye discovers she has a talent for distance running, she and her friend Francie decide to enter the Boston Marathon, even though women aren’t allowed to compete. Desperate to climb out of the rut of poverty, Faye is determined to take part and win a college scholarship.
After the school bully tries to run her down with his car, a strange memory surfaces—a scene Faye doesn’t recognize. Her parents insist that it’s a symptom of her epilepsy, but Faye thinks they might be lying, especially when it keeps happening. To get her life on the right path, she’ll need to figure out what her parents are hiding and never lose sight of the finish line.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 20, 2018
195 people are currently reading
1048 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
August 6, 2018
Faye has to move schools again, she is used to moving around a lot but it doesn’t mean she is happy.
Faye makes friends with Francie and they plan to train for the Boston Marathon, but Faye’s parents ban her from competing as they worry it will make her Epilepsy worse. Faye is undeterred and will do anything to run the Marathon.
Faye keeps having nightmares about being in a dark place and can remember living in a different house where she was looked after by another lady. But is this due to her Epilepsy or are her parents lying to her. Faye is determined to find out the truth.
This book was so interesting, I loved the historical elements, imagine women not being able to officially run the Boston Marathon until 1972, but then it got me thinking even in the 21st century we are still fighting for women’s equality. Now we are fighting for equal pay in the workforce.
I would definitely recommend this book, you can’t help but love Faye as she is so brave and strong and reminds me that if you put you’re mind to it you can conquer most things in life!!
Diane Byington you had me gripped from the start, desperate to find out if Faye gets to find out the truth and has her happy ending after all!! Please don’t make me wait too long for you’re next book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy on exchange for a review.
Faye makes friends with Francie and they plan to train for the Boston Marathon, but Faye’s parents ban her from competing as they worry it will make her Epilepsy worse. Faye is undeterred and will do anything to run the Marathon.
Faye keeps having nightmares about being in a dark place and can remember living in a different house where she was looked after by another lady. But is this due to her Epilepsy or are her parents lying to her. Faye is determined to find out the truth.
This book was so interesting, I loved the historical elements, imagine women not being able to officially run the Boston Marathon until 1972, but then it got me thinking even in the 21st century we are still fighting for women’s equality. Now we are fighting for equal pay in the workforce.
I would definitely recommend this book, you can’t help but love Faye as she is so brave and strong and reminds me that if you put you’re mind to it you can conquer most things in life!!
Diane Byington you had me gripped from the start, desperate to find out if Faye gets to find out the truth and has her happy ending after all!! Please don’t make me wait too long for you’re next book.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy on exchange for a review.
August 26, 2023
"Who She Is" by Diane Byington is a terrific and engaging novel. It is a rich emotional journey, set in Florida in the late 1960s.
The storyline is about a young woman with an abusive family life. She copes with her passion for running. It's truly female coming-of-age tale that follows Faye's difficult life. The pace is fast, the twists are often captivating and it is overall, a very creative story
Superb characters just held my attention, especially Faye, her friends and her family.
Faye is a strong but sensitive leader. Additionally, this is a tale shedding light on how far women have overcome to participate in high school sports.
The issues are real to this day. Do sexism, racism, bullying, parental over controlling, fitting in at school, communicating (or not) with family, and first love ring a bell?
The writing is finely crafted, and the mystery is revealed in layers in a way that keeps you guessing.
Her storytelling surprises us to the very end! I personally loved how each chapter is named afterf a Top 40 record from the era. It had me flashing back to my teens.
I highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The storyline is about a young woman with an abusive family life. She copes with her passion for running. It's truly female coming-of-age tale that follows Faye's difficult life. The pace is fast, the twists are often captivating and it is overall, a very creative story
Superb characters just held my attention, especially Faye, her friends and her family.
Faye is a strong but sensitive leader. Additionally, this is a tale shedding light on how far women have overcome to participate in high school sports.
The issues are real to this day. Do sexism, racism, bullying, parental over controlling, fitting in at school, communicating (or not) with family, and first love ring a bell?
The writing is finely crafted, and the mystery is revealed in layers in a way that keeps you guessing.
Her storytelling surprises us to the very end! I personally loved how each chapter is named afterf a Top 40 record from the era. It had me flashing back to my teens.
I highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 1, 2018
Faye's used to moving a lot. Her parents are farm workers and they go from place to place. It's 1967 and Faye is about to start over once more. Every time she has to begin at a new school. Faye loves running and would like to be part of a track team, but her school doesn't have a program for girls. There might be a solution to that problem, but Faye's parents don't approve of running. They want their daughter to go home directly after school and do chores. Faye's mother is afraid the running will trigger Faye's epilepsy and therefore she isn't allowed to exercise. However when Faye meets Francie, another fan of running, she decides she will disobey her parents' orders and give it a shot anyway. Faye would love to earn a scholarship, so she can finally be free of her oppressive home environment.
Francie has a lot more freedom than Faye. Because of the strict rules at home Faye has never had any friends before, but Francie's mother makes sure Faye's parents allow their daughter some liberties. This means Faye can finally have a job and earn money. Francie would love for them to take part in the Boston Marathon. Women aren't officially allowed to run yet, but there are ways to participate. Unfortunately Faye's parents aren't happy with this plan. While Francie and Faye are training for the event of their lives Faye keeps struggling with each rule she has to follow. At the same time strange memories are coming to the surface, are they real and what do they mean? Will she stay somewhere long enough to run the marathon and get that scholarship and can Francie help Faye to find out what her parents are keeping from her?
Who She Is is a great gripping story with a fabulous strong heroine. Faye is determined, brave and fierce. She works hard and fights for what she believes in. Her parents just allow her to work and go to school. She's such a sweet and loving girl and the cold atmosphere at home put tears in my eyes. Faye isn't supposed to have friends and her parents want to deny her what she loves doing the most, running. Faye doesn't give up though, she perseveres and slowly her parents are losing a bit of control over their daughter. It was fascinating to see how she becomes her own person and chooses her battles. She keeps going, even if the situation seems too daunting to continue. I admired her spirit and was incredibly curious to find out more about the strange memories she has.
Diane Byington has a fantastic engaging writing style. She slowly builds up the suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat. I love how she combines Faye's passion for running with complex family relationships and intriguing secrets. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out more and love it when a story captivates me so much that I can't put it down and have to read it in one sitting. Who She Is is set in an interesting time, in 1967 women weren't allowed to officially partake in the marathon yet, but there were some very talented ones who earned to cross that finish line and reading about them was amazing. I loved how everything comes together, connections become deeper, the truth comes to light and Faye and Francie reach their full potential. Who She Is is a mesmerizing journey filled with surprises. Diane Byington has written a terrific story that I really enjoyed.
Francie has a lot more freedom than Faye. Because of the strict rules at home Faye has never had any friends before, but Francie's mother makes sure Faye's parents allow their daughter some liberties. This means Faye can finally have a job and earn money. Francie would love for them to take part in the Boston Marathon. Women aren't officially allowed to run yet, but there are ways to participate. Unfortunately Faye's parents aren't happy with this plan. While Francie and Faye are training for the event of their lives Faye keeps struggling with each rule she has to follow. At the same time strange memories are coming to the surface, are they real and what do they mean? Will she stay somewhere long enough to run the marathon and get that scholarship and can Francie help Faye to find out what her parents are keeping from her?
Who She Is is a great gripping story with a fabulous strong heroine. Faye is determined, brave and fierce. She works hard and fights for what she believes in. Her parents just allow her to work and go to school. She's such a sweet and loving girl and the cold atmosphere at home put tears in my eyes. Faye isn't supposed to have friends and her parents want to deny her what she loves doing the most, running. Faye doesn't give up though, she perseveres and slowly her parents are losing a bit of control over their daughter. It was fascinating to see how she becomes her own person and chooses her battles. She keeps going, even if the situation seems too daunting to continue. I admired her spirit and was incredibly curious to find out more about the strange memories she has.
Diane Byington has a fantastic engaging writing style. She slowly builds up the suspense and kept me on the edge of my seat. I love how she combines Faye's passion for running with complex family relationships and intriguing secrets. I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out more and love it when a story captivates me so much that I can't put it down and have to read it in one sitting. Who She Is is set in an interesting time, in 1967 women weren't allowed to officially partake in the marathon yet, but there were some very talented ones who earned to cross that finish line and reading about them was amazing. I loved how everything comes together, connections become deeper, the truth comes to light and Faye and Francie reach their full potential. Who She Is is a mesmerizing journey filled with surprises. Diane Byington has written a terrific story that I really enjoyed.
April 26, 2018
Thank you so much Diane Byington for offering me a complimentary version for my honest review!
Faye Smith has lived a rather secluded life moving from one place to another with the limited number of personal items that her family is able to pack quickly. Faye is undoubtedly happy when they move to Valencia, Florida because her parents have finally agreed to stay put for a while. Shortly after starting at the school she meets another classmate, Francie, who has the same passion for running as Faye. The two young girls quickly become best friends and decide they want to train and run the Boston Marathon - something woman are technically not permitted to do.
Faye wants more for her future than the poverty that she has always known even if that means going against her parents wishes. She continues her training even though her parents claim that running could be harmful to her epilepsy. Then one day while on a run a bully tries to run her off the road. Shortly after she begins having flashbacks and nightmares but cannot seem to make sense of the images she sees.
Who She Is not only covers the obstacles Faye faces while training for the Boston Marathon but it also gives a glimpse into the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. The multiple layers of this novel flowed magically and I applaud Diane Byington for that. It is easy to add too many layers to a story line making it less enjoyable but Diane was able to walk that line and not cross it.
I highly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys reading about a strong female lead, running, the Boston Marathon, history...I mean really just about anything. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Faye Smith has lived a rather secluded life moving from one place to another with the limited number of personal items that her family is able to pack quickly. Faye is undoubtedly happy when they move to Valencia, Florida because her parents have finally agreed to stay put for a while. Shortly after starting at the school she meets another classmate, Francie, who has the same passion for running as Faye. The two young girls quickly become best friends and decide they want to train and run the Boston Marathon - something woman are technically not permitted to do.
Faye wants more for her future than the poverty that she has always known even if that means going against her parents wishes. She continues her training even though her parents claim that running could be harmful to her epilepsy. Then one day while on a run a bully tries to run her off the road. Shortly after she begins having flashbacks and nightmares but cannot seem to make sense of the images she sees.
Who She Is not only covers the obstacles Faye faces while training for the Boston Marathon but it also gives a glimpse into the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. The multiple layers of this novel flowed magically and I applaud Diane Byington for that. It is easy to add too many layers to a story line making it less enjoyable but Diane was able to walk that line and not cross it.
I highly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys reading about a strong female lead, running, the Boston Marathon, history...I mean really just about anything. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
February 27, 2018
A real page turner! I read this book in two days because I just did not want to put it down. It starts off with a bang, and once you get into the 2nd half your heart is absolutely racing! Diane Byington wrote a thoughtful, suspenseful story about a determined teenager who overcomes obstacles and who discovers some very surprising things about herself, way more than just that she has a talent for running. I recommend it highly!
March 10, 2018
Wow. I was just blown away by WHO SHE IS by Diane Byington. WHO SHE IS stars Faye Smith, a teenage girl growing up in the late 1960s. In the fall of 1967, Faye and her parents move to Valencia, Florida, to work in the orange groves as tenant farmers. Frequent moves and poverty is the life that Faye is used to. But that doesn’t mean that she’s happy with it. Faye dreams of something more for her adult life – something that takes her away from her parents and their goal to keep her with them. At her new school, Faye befriends a girl named Frankie. Together, the two girls begin training to run the Boston Marathon in the spring. In the late 1960s, women are not allowed to officially register for the Boston Marathon (this won’t happen until 1972), but that doesn’t stop Faye and Frankie from striving to break barriers and prove that women are just as capable of running as men. It seems almost laughable to me that just twenty years before I was born, it was believed that women shouldn’t run because it could cause their female organs to fall out. Faye’s parents believe running is a useless hobby, and they push for Faye to give it up. Faye agrees to quit the track team after she makes the national news for being the first female in Florida to run in a track meet against boys. But Faye refuses to give up long-distance running because it is one thing that makes her happy. And it’s possible that she could get a college scholarship by running in the Boston Marathon.
While the novel follows Faye’s training and the issues that her running causes her family – her parents believe that all of this running will trigger her epilepsy and cause her to have a seizure – it also focuses on Faye’s search to discover who she really is. It quickly becomes clear that things aren’t quite right in the Smith family. There is something going on that extends beyond the typical family squabbles. Faye begins to have memories of another life with different parents. As she digs into her past, Faye realizes she might not be safe with the Smiths. After running away to run in the Boston Marathon, Faye learns that the Smiths are not her parents and that she was kidnapped as a child.
WHO SHE IS is a wonderful novel. I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know the answer to who Faye really is. Faye is a strong and determined female character, as is her best friend, Frankie. The fact that they are only sixteen years old and are training to run in the Boston Marathon despite the fact that women aren’t allowed to register for it is amazing. Having grown up playing in various female sports leagues, it’s hard for me to imagine that not too long before I was born, females were discourage and banned from playing sports. I was inspired by Faye’s and Frankie’s determination. I was also captivated by Faye’s search into what happened to her when she was a child. The mystery of whether the Smiths are her real parents was fascinating. It added an extra element to the novel. Since the novel takes place in the south in the late 1960s, Byington was able to touch on several topics that were relevant during that time period. Not only does Byington address women’s rights, she also touches on Civil Rights (the man training Faye and Frankie is an African American black male) as well as the Vietnam War.
I would suggest WHO SHE IS to anyone who is interested in women’s rights and women in sports.
While the novel follows Faye’s training and the issues that her running causes her family – her parents believe that all of this running will trigger her epilepsy and cause her to have a seizure – it also focuses on Faye’s search to discover who she really is. It quickly becomes clear that things aren’t quite right in the Smith family. There is something going on that extends beyond the typical family squabbles. Faye begins to have memories of another life with different parents. As she digs into her past, Faye realizes she might not be safe with the Smiths. After running away to run in the Boston Marathon, Faye learns that the Smiths are not her parents and that she was kidnapped as a child.
WHO SHE IS is a wonderful novel. I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know the answer to who Faye really is. Faye is a strong and determined female character, as is her best friend, Frankie. The fact that they are only sixteen years old and are training to run in the Boston Marathon despite the fact that women aren’t allowed to register for it is amazing. Having grown up playing in various female sports leagues, it’s hard for me to imagine that not too long before I was born, females were discourage and banned from playing sports. I was inspired by Faye’s and Frankie’s determination. I was also captivated by Faye’s search into what happened to her when she was a child. The mystery of whether the Smiths are her real parents was fascinating. It added an extra element to the novel. Since the novel takes place in the south in the late 1960s, Byington was able to touch on several topics that were relevant during that time period. Not only does Byington address women’s rights, she also touches on Civil Rights (the man training Faye and Frankie is an African American black male) as well as the Vietnam War.
I would suggest WHO SHE IS to anyone who is interested in women’s rights and women in sports.
February 22, 2019
This was a well-written story about a couple of high school girls from Florida determined to run in the Boston marathon in 1968 before women were allowed to run in it. There is a lot more to the story, but I wouldn't want to spoil anything. Honestly, this book is best if you don't even read the book summary.
I was disappointed that you knew something that was going on very clearly by the half way point of this book, well before the main characters did. I was also disappointed that the adults in the story shrugged off certain things that would be huge red flags for people now-a-days. Were times so different back then that these things would have been ignored? Possibly, but it's difficult to look through today's filter and not expect it to be handled differently.
Otherwise, it was a really good story. I thought the author did a really good job of bringing the social issues of the day into the story, Vietnam, race, and gender issues were all addressed as they applied in 1968.
I thought the ending was a bit long. The author seemed to want to wrap up all loose ends. Fortunately, this wasn't too neat. You get to know what happened to everyone, the good and the bad.
I think this was a really good debut and worth a read for anyone interested in track, historical fiction, or family drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was disappointed that you knew something that was going on very clearly by the half way point of this book, well before the main characters did. I was also disappointed that the adults in the story shrugged off certain things that would be huge red flags for people now-a-days. Were times so different back then that these things would have been ignored? Possibly, but it's difficult to look through today's filter and not expect it to be handled differently.
Otherwise, it was a really good story. I thought the author did a really good job of bringing the social issues of the day into the story, Vietnam, race, and gender issues were all addressed as they applied in 1968.
I thought the ending was a bit long. The author seemed to want to wrap up all loose ends. Fortunately, this wasn't too neat. You get to know what happened to everyone, the good and the bad.
I think this was a really good debut and worth a read for anyone interested in track, historical fiction, or family drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 22, 2019
One of the best books I've read in a long time. I connected with the MC immediately and the journey she was on soon became my own. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Mrs. N
May 8, 2018
This was a nice surprise I found completely on accident!
When I bought the book I didn't even really look at it too closely, and so went in completely without any expectations besides it having to do with running.
Turns out to be a novel that doesn't just follow a young woman who loves to run, but takes place when females were still forbidden to enter long distance races like marathons or the olympics. I found the history background really fascinating, and can't even imagine that just such a "short" time back women where told they're reproductive organs could "fall out" if they ran a marathon! I like how the author wove in some real names from history.
I only give 4 stars as I loved the running and history side of the book, but the plot itself, which only really unfurled in the last bit didn't hold up to the rest of the book before. The tragic backstory and hidden secrets from the past felt just a bit too cliché and the resolution was too fast and a bit unrealistic. The last scene that takes place decades later to give a "what happened afterwards" didn't give me closure, but just felt a bit forced and rough around the edges. I think for once I'd have preferred more open ending, and one that wasn't so predictable and - again - cliché...
All in all I did really enjoy the book though, so I'll happily give 4 stars!
When I bought the book I didn't even really look at it too closely, and so went in completely without any expectations besides it having to do with running.
Turns out to be a novel that doesn't just follow a young woman who loves to run, but takes place when females were still forbidden to enter long distance races like marathons or the olympics. I found the history background really fascinating, and can't even imagine that just such a "short" time back women where told they're reproductive organs could "fall out" if they ran a marathon! I like how the author wove in some real names from history.
I only give 4 stars as I loved the running and history side of the book, but the plot itself, which only really unfurled in the last bit didn't hold up to the rest of the book before. The tragic backstory and hidden secrets from the past felt just a bit too cliché and the resolution was too fast and a bit unrealistic. The last scene that takes place decades later to give a "what happened afterwards" didn't give me closure, but just felt a bit forced and rough around the edges. I think for once I'd have preferred more open ending, and one that wasn't so predictable and - again - cliché...
All in all I did really enjoy the book though, so I'll happily give 4 stars!
March 11, 2018
I’m always excited to find a story from the authentic point of view of a teenage girl, as there are far too few of them in our popular culture. But Diane Byington’s book is that and SO much more—a complex portrait of adolescent uncertainty and family strife, a snapshot of the Deep South of the late 1960s, and a riveting tale of a talented, complicated, young woman running races at a time when that just wasn’t done. My heartbeat thundered for her, every time she ran a race. I nodded and smiled at the pitch-perfect description of what makes the Boston Marathon so special, and the details of 16-year-old Faye’s 1967 wardrobe, worries, and delights. And I enjoyed the challenging questions that arose for me as I followed a female protagonist with a complicated relationship to the truth (for reasons that become clear in time). If you love reading about risk-taking women, people who were the first to accomplish something extraordinary, or well-told coming-of-age tales, pick up his book. If you love running, pick up this book. If you love the Boston Marathon, pick up this book. I was absolutely delighted to discover it.
March 19, 2018
Who She Is by Diane Byington subtlely twists two stories around one main character, Faye Smith, a sixteen-year-old long distance runner. First there is the story of Faye’s training to run the Boston marathon as an attempt to scape her migrant farm worker background. Second is the underlying story of Faye trying to discover who she is. She has flashbacks and nightmares and can’t figure out what triggers them.
I enjoyed the feminist aspects of this novel with Faye and her best friend training for the Boston marathon at a time when running was considered bad for women’s internal organs. Faye is a determined, strong young woman.
I also liked the glimpses into the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s. The coach training Faye and her best friend, Francine, is an African American black male. In addition, there was a brief glimpse of the Vietnam War as Francine’s brother joins the Marines and goes to Vietnam.
Though there were many things to like about this novel, I found the depth of emotion simply wasn’t there. Faye had remarkably little reaction to learning her past and to starting a new future with a different family.
I enjoyed the feminist aspects of this novel with Faye and her best friend training for the Boston marathon at a time when running was considered bad for women’s internal organs. Faye is a determined, strong young woman.
I also liked the glimpses into the Civil Rights movement in the 1960’s. The coach training Faye and her best friend, Francine, is an African American black male. In addition, there was a brief glimpse of the Vietnam War as Francine’s brother joins the Marines and goes to Vietnam.
Though there were many things to like about this novel, I found the depth of emotion simply wasn’t there. Faye had remarkably little reaction to learning her past and to starting a new future with a different family.
August 6, 2018
Who she is⭐️
She is just an average basketball loving, volleyball hating, running loving new kid trying to figure out who she is in this stupid world of high school. All she wants to do is run but her parents want her to go to school come home and repeat the cycle but she wants to run. Running causes her to have epilepsy episodes but she doesnt care her parents care more about her health then she does or so it seems.
The writing was very simple and easy to read.
Thank you so much to red adept via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of who she is by Diane Byington. This will be released on march 20, 2018
All opinions are my own.
She is just an average basketball loving, volleyball hating, running loving new kid trying to figure out who she is in this stupid world of high school. All she wants to do is run but her parents want her to go to school come home and repeat the cycle but she wants to run. Running causes her to have epilepsy episodes but she doesnt care her parents care more about her health then she does or so it seems.
The writing was very simple and easy to read.
Thank you so much to red adept via netgalley for sending me an ARC copy of who she is by Diane Byington. This will be released on march 20, 2018
All opinions are my own.
June 24, 2018
Being a new girl in high school is hard enough, but being the new girl that arrives mid-term is even more difficult. Especially when this new girl has had many experiences as a new girl in high schools across the country. Her parents move a lot, being itinerate farm workers. And, with a drunken, drug doped father, who often gets in trouble flirting with other men’s wives, the moves are often a necessity of survival – his survival. Faye’s a strong girl, though, and, when she hears about the track team looking for new runners, she immediately signs up. It doesn’t matter that it’s the 1960s and women just didn’t run in the 1960s. It doesn’t matter that her mother has convinced her that she has epilepsy and that the running might bring on another seizure. Faye loves to run. And she makes her first best friend in a long time, Francie, on the track. Francie loves to run, too, and she has big plans. Francie wants to run the Boston Marathon, even though women in the 1960s are still not allowed to register for this event. She convinces Faye to join her in the dream. But the dream becomes an obsession to Faye and, as she runs, her past starts to catch up to her and her life unravels in ways she never dreamed possible.
It's not very often a book grabs me in such a way that I can’t put it down until it’s finished. I hungered to unravel Faye’s mysterious past right to the very end. Diane Byington’s novel, “Who She Is”, spoke to me at so many levels. The author touched on the many sensitive issues of the 1960s: Viet Nam, the death of Martin Luther King, racism in the south, women’s rights and so much more. The character she created in Faye, both a victim and a survivor, was compassionately molded into a strong, powerful young lady who developed into a woman who overcame her mysterious childhood. Most of the story centers around this teenage girl, and the story would definitely fit well in the young adult categories as well. Not only is the main character trying to unravel the mysteries of her past, she is also struggling to fit in with her contemporaries. Faye is struggling to find her own sense of identity and become her own woman. Very much a coming-of-age story. The plot is well developed with extraordinary attention to detail. Set in the 1960s, before the age of computers and high tech, the events that haunted Faye as a teenager are certainly possible and very believable. A powerful story from beginning to end.
Reviewed for Readers' Favorite.
It's not very often a book grabs me in such a way that I can’t put it down until it’s finished. I hungered to unravel Faye’s mysterious past right to the very end. Diane Byington’s novel, “Who She Is”, spoke to me at so many levels. The author touched on the many sensitive issues of the 1960s: Viet Nam, the death of Martin Luther King, racism in the south, women’s rights and so much more. The character she created in Faye, both a victim and a survivor, was compassionately molded into a strong, powerful young lady who developed into a woman who overcame her mysterious childhood. Most of the story centers around this teenage girl, and the story would definitely fit well in the young adult categories as well. Not only is the main character trying to unravel the mysteries of her past, she is also struggling to fit in with her contemporaries. Faye is struggling to find her own sense of identity and become her own woman. Very much a coming-of-age story. The plot is well developed with extraordinary attention to detail. Set in the 1960s, before the age of computers and high tech, the events that haunted Faye as a teenager are certainly possible and very believable. A powerful story from beginning to end.
Reviewed for Readers' Favorite.
July 5, 2018
I really loved this book! First - this book does not read like a debut novel, it is the writings of a well seasoned author. This story is about so many things - Women's rights in sports, racism, and another issue that I will not giveaway. I loved that the author gave lots of historical facts about women in sports (or lack of) and the Boston Marathon, it was very interesting to read! I am a "runner" myself, and I use quotes because I am a "baby runner" LOL a newbie, so I do what they call interval running (run, walk, run, walk etc.). I have done a handful of 5K's but can't even imagine running the Boston Marathon! So needless to say this made the story so much more interesting for me.
I am also very much for women's rights in general and very much against racism and prejudice of any kind! So I love where this book took me. I love what it stood for.
Excellent character development. I loved Faye, her friend Francie and their African American coach. I could see them running!
This story does have a few dark sides that are sad, but again I like where the author took it and how she did it - it was very tastefully done. And as for the little mystery that Faye was trying to figure out about herself - I did kind of had some of it figured out about half way through.
GREAT story - great ending! Loved it. This is definitely an author to keep an eye out for!
Visit my blog to read an excerpt - https://wall-to-wall-books.blogspot.c...
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from the author - Thank You!!
I am also very much for women's rights in general and very much against racism and prejudice of any kind! So I love where this book took me. I love what it stood for.
Excellent character development. I loved Faye, her friend Francie and their African American coach. I could see them running!
This story does have a few dark sides that are sad, but again I like where the author took it and how she did it - it was very tastefully done. And as for the little mystery that Faye was trying to figure out about herself - I did kind of had some of it figured out about half way through.
GREAT story - great ending! Loved it. This is definitely an author to keep an eye out for!
Visit my blog to read an excerpt - https://wall-to-wall-books.blogspot.c...
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from the author - Thank You!!
March 30, 2018
Diane Byington's debut novel, Who She Is, revolves around Faye and the mystery behind her identity, as well as her determination to push against the societal expectations that bind her to the current time. The athor's mastery of storytelling kept me glued to the pages, wanting to find the answers, but not wanting the story to end. I stayed up entirely too late, reading! I would recommend this book as a must read!
October 9, 2018
I love when a novel teaches me something new about history and culture and Who She Is did just that. I liked the character’s spunk and admired her determination. The author flavors the writing with just the right amount of historical details to bring to life the era without bogging down the story. A great debut!
April 27, 2018
Very good book. Covers a lot of different issues...racism, Vietnam War, Women’s right to participate in sports, running, teen issues, then there is a whole other side plot that makes this a bit of a mystery to figure out. Ends up being quite a page turner!
July 4, 2018
A very inspiring story with great twists. A girl with epilepsy who wants to run a Boston marathon. Well-written, excellent plot, lovely main character. I loved every page.
February 5, 2021
***NOVEL THOUGHTS***
+++Thanks to BookSirens and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review+++
It is a brave thing to write a novel and I admire where and what the author was trying to say in this story about a 16 yr old who struggles with a very dysfunctional family life but who finds running as freeing as if she had wings. Byington creates something of a mystery as Faye begins to have some sort of flashback that comes to her as she runs. Who is this woman she imagines or is it her imagination at all?
It is 1967 and the Vietnam War, Women's Lib and racial tensions are always on the edges. Faye Smith has moved endlessly as her father looks for work as a migrant farmer, until they land in Valencia, Florida. She is defined by her countless moves, never allowing herself to get close to anyone, because leaving is inevitable. But here in Valencia, things are about to burst open for her. Her mother has promised they will stay put until she graduates from high school. She decides to go out for track but must join the only team which is all boys and decides too, to make a friend, Francie. Francie also wants to run track, not to be on a high school sports team but to train for the Boston Marathon, though it is closed to female runners. (Writing this now in 2021, it seems unfathomable that there was a time when women were considered "unable physically" to run a marathon!) As Faye and Francie become friends, Faye lets her walls down and allows herself to believe she could have a "normal" high school experience; to go to prom, to have a boyfriend, to thrive. She even lets herself believe she could win a scholarship to college by belonging to a sports team. But she always feels that her mom and dad are hiding something about their life always keep her tied to the house. Her parents even go so far as telling her she suffers from epilepsy to prevent her from participating in anything. But a huge family secret gets exposed which changes everything Faye knows to be true.
The storyline is a very good one. Racism, gender inequality and a strong female protagonist are the features to this novel. Byington does a good job moving story to the climax with twists and turns and for that I give her a strong 4 stars. But, the writing and dialog only get 2 stars from me because it felt stilted and forced at times.
+++Thanks to BookSirens and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review+++
It is a brave thing to write a novel and I admire where and what the author was trying to say in this story about a 16 yr old who struggles with a very dysfunctional family life but who finds running as freeing as if she had wings. Byington creates something of a mystery as Faye begins to have some sort of flashback that comes to her as she runs. Who is this woman she imagines or is it her imagination at all?
It is 1967 and the Vietnam War, Women's Lib and racial tensions are always on the edges. Faye Smith has moved endlessly as her father looks for work as a migrant farmer, until they land in Valencia, Florida. She is defined by her countless moves, never allowing herself to get close to anyone, because leaving is inevitable. But here in Valencia, things are about to burst open for her. Her mother has promised they will stay put until she graduates from high school. She decides to go out for track but must join the only team which is all boys and decides too, to make a friend, Francie. Francie also wants to run track, not to be on a high school sports team but to train for the Boston Marathon, though it is closed to female runners. (Writing this now in 2021, it seems unfathomable that there was a time when women were considered "unable physically" to run a marathon!) As Faye and Francie become friends, Faye lets her walls down and allows herself to believe she could have a "normal" high school experience; to go to prom, to have a boyfriend, to thrive. She even lets herself believe she could win a scholarship to college by belonging to a sports team. But she always feels that her mom and dad are hiding something about their life always keep her tied to the house. Her parents even go so far as telling her she suffers from epilepsy to prevent her from participating in anything. But a huge family secret gets exposed which changes everything Faye knows to be true.
The storyline is a very good one. Racism, gender inequality and a strong female protagonist are the features to this novel. Byington does a good job moving story to the climax with twists and turns and for that I give her a strong 4 stars. But, the writing and dialog only get 2 stars from me because it felt stilted and forced at times.
June 10, 2018
Faye Smith and her family move around a lot. Now she is in a new school, and for once she's seen a future. She decides to join the track team, but her mother is against it because Faye has Epilepsy. She is determined to keep running. When visions occur during one of her episodes, she finds out that what she knows of her family may not be the truth. Her parents say it's just a symptom of her Epilepsy, but she isn't convinced. She knows her mother is lying, but about what? She takes it upon herself to find out the truth. She digs and the more she does, the more fact comes to light.
This story was so excellent. It was a compelling story full of hope. Poor Faye has moved around so much all her life and then when memories begin to come to the surface; her whole life is turned upside down. Faye was such a strong character. Her story was a roller coaster, but she handled things like a champ. She moved forward and never let her circumstances stop that.
This story was written very well. The characters were real and down to earth. Some I liked more than others, of course. The story was full of hope, but it was very mysterious and kept me very enthralled. I am so glad I was able to read and review this story.
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
This story was so excellent. It was a compelling story full of hope. Poor Faye has moved around so much all her life and then when memories begin to come to the surface; her whole life is turned upside down. Faye was such a strong character. Her story was a roller coaster, but she handled things like a champ. She moved forward and never let her circumstances stop that.
This story was written very well. The characters were real and down to earth. Some I liked more than others, of course. The story was full of hope, but it was very mysterious and kept me very enthralled. I am so glad I was able to read and review this story.
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
September 20, 2021
I liked this book. I know I would've loved it as a younger reader. It's a good escape, some good history and a nice mystery as well. Some could argue that the character might seem more mature or self aware than usual for her age, but being someone who always was just that, it's nice to see. I really see only one negative, and without spoiling the ending it's kind of hard to explain. Basically with all that the main character experienced and how she managed to get through it all, I'd like to think she would've learned more along the way and have been able to avoid some issues later in life.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 30, 2018
I enjoyed this book very much. It made me think! I knew something wasn't right about Faye's relationship with her parents. It was fun trying to figure out what was going on!! I learned some things about the Boston Marathon that I didn't know. The struggles women have had to endure in athletics was and is a subject of great interest. I enjoy when I read or hear or see where women are able to overcome those struggles. I also enjoyed the texture of the book. So smooth and soft!!
May 12, 2018
Who She Is is a lovely, endearing tale about Faye who wants to be one of the first women to run the Boston Marathon. As soon as you start reading, you will fall in love with Faye and will root for her until the very end. This is a genuinely heartwarming and engaging read.
June 29, 2019
Follow Just A Girl High On Books for more reviews.
Thank you BookSirens for a digital copy of this book.
"I think everybody's afraid of something. Getting older helps you do a better job of living with it."
The story takes place in 1967 when women are still not allowed to run in the Boston Marathon. Even if they register, pay their fees and do everything else needed, they are still not allowed to run with a number. Without a number, they can run all they want, of course!
But Faye Smith and her friend, Francie decide that they won't let it continue. They will run in the marathon and they will make sure that women aren't disqualified from it. What sucks, however, is that even though they have decided to run the marathon, they can't be coached for it by their school coach. Apparently, the day Faye ran for track was also the day her school board said NO TO A GIRL'S TRACK TEAM! Now I won't go around preaching women's equality with men or how I found the whole idea horrible because it is a historical fiction. That's just the way things were; and for Byington to have incorporated that into her mystery, was a huge thing.
Now while the issue about the marathon is going in the story, there is something else cooking at the back of it. Faye Smith doesn't know who she is. Sure, she is the daughter of a couple who keeps on moving around the country but that's just it. She knows nothing else about her family than that. She doesn't know of any cousins, any relatives—no one—just no one. And then, when one day she remembers a certain incident after being stuck in an accident, things begin to make less sense. She remembers an accident but she doesn't know when it happened. When asked to her mother about it, her mother gives an entirely different description of the accident and blames her memory on epilepsy. But how can epilepsy do so much?
That is what Faye decides to find out. And there are hurdles along the way. Hurdles and unimaginable discoveries. Together, Francie and Faye find out one of the biggest secrets of Faye's life and that is what makes the book so special.
I don't think I'll rate the book a 5 star because even though the major theme of the book was finding out who she was, I felt like it got a little sidetracked in running the marathon. I understand that the issue was rather important but somehow, I felt like that was what was more important to the story than what the author intended it to be (despite the climax, mind you).
But because the writing style was beautiful, the narration top-notch and the plot rather creative, I think the book deserves a 4.
Thank you BookSirens for a digital copy of this book.
"I think everybody's afraid of something. Getting older helps you do a better job of living with it."
The story takes place in 1967 when women are still not allowed to run in the Boston Marathon. Even if they register, pay their fees and do everything else needed, they are still not allowed to run with a number. Without a number, they can run all they want, of course!
But Faye Smith and her friend, Francie decide that they won't let it continue. They will run in the marathon and they will make sure that women aren't disqualified from it. What sucks, however, is that even though they have decided to run the marathon, they can't be coached for it by their school coach. Apparently, the day Faye ran for track was also the day her school board said NO TO A GIRL'S TRACK TEAM! Now I won't go around preaching women's equality with men or how I found the whole idea horrible because it is a historical fiction. That's just the way things were; and for Byington to have incorporated that into her mystery, was a huge thing.
Now while the issue about the marathon is going in the story, there is something else cooking at the back of it. Faye Smith doesn't know who she is. Sure, she is the daughter of a couple who keeps on moving around the country but that's just it. She knows nothing else about her family than that. She doesn't know of any cousins, any relatives—no one—just no one. And then, when one day she remembers a certain incident after being stuck in an accident, things begin to make less sense. She remembers an accident but she doesn't know when it happened. When asked to her mother about it, her mother gives an entirely different description of the accident and blames her memory on epilepsy. But how can epilepsy do so much?
That is what Faye decides to find out. And there are hurdles along the way. Hurdles and unimaginable discoveries. Together, Francie and Faye find out one of the biggest secrets of Faye's life and that is what makes the book so special.
I don't think I'll rate the book a 5 star because even though the major theme of the book was finding out who she was, I felt like it got a little sidetracked in running the marathon. I understand that the issue was rather important but somehow, I felt like that was what was more important to the story than what the author intended it to be (despite the climax, mind you).
But because the writing style was beautiful, the narration top-notch and the plot rather creative, I think the book deserves a 4.
August 22, 2018
This book was very different than I thought it would be but it was really good. This book talks about issues that aren't usually discussed in books. Our main character Faye lives in a small town and her parents are very strict. Her parents try to keep her close and try to make her life free of stress and physical strain as possible. They do this because Faith has epilepsy and they don't want the strain to trigger any seizures. When they move and Fae becomes friends with the girl next door the two decide to throw caution to the wind and train for the Boston Marathon even though women at this time are not permitted to join. The more Faye runs the more she discovers hidden secrets about the life she thought she knew. With the mystery of who Faye really is being slowly unraveled before her I couldn't help but try to solve the mystery with her. I really enjoyed this book and I liked how it was about friendship and family and there was no real romantic relationships in it. You don't see that too often anymore. I found the main character Faye really likable and I really wanted her to succeed even though some of the odds were stacked against her. Really good book and it was a lot deeper and more complex than I originally thought but the writing in it was very nice and easy to understand. This book takes tough, mysterious situations and makes them nice and easy and hides them behind the simpler story of running, but behind that you get death, family secrets, and deception. What I thought was going to be a book about illness turned into something more interesting that I could have imagined. Great read and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it I think that this book will be a big hit with lots of readers because of the vast subjects that it covers, such as racism, family secrets, alcoholism etc. Check this one out you wont be disappointed. While I loved the book through the whole thing the ending was nothing I expected or could have ever seen
coming. Everyone young and old should read this book you wont be disappointed. I also feel that it will be one of those books that lives on through generations and will stay with the reader long after the last page has turned. Great book I loved it!
coming. Everyone young and old should read this book you wont be disappointed. I also feel that it will be one of those books that lives on through generations and will stay with the reader long after the last page has turned. Great book I loved it!
February 27, 2019
This book was so different from any book I've read and a welcome breathe of fresh air. The story follows Faye Smith, a teenage protagonist (unusual in women's fiction), on her journey to become a runner. Faye's home life is difficult. Her parents are cold and unsupportive and because of her father's hot temper and substance abuse issues, they've been forced to move more times than Faye can count. When they move to a small town in Florida, she makes friends with a girls named Francie, her first friend in a long time, and also discovers her passion for running. We then follow the two girls as Faye learns to stand on her own and figures out how to forge a path into the world, with or without her parents. Faye is a wonderful character, as is Francie, Francie's mom and so many others. I really enjoyed getting to know them and seeing how Faye would figure things out. This is a book about the sport of running, but is also about so much more—coming of age, healing from trauma and finding one's true identity.
August 21, 2018
I went into this story knowing nothing about the plot. I was intrigued at every turn and thought that Diane Byington wrote a layered and beautifully heartbreaking story of a 16 year old girl with a point of view during a tumultuous time for women and minorities in American history.
Faye knew who she was and want she wanted in life, even if in the end everything she knew was wrong. She was determined, strong, smart and resourceful. As a mother I hope that my daughter will possess many of the characteristics that Faye has. It was refreshing reading a story about a young woman with such determination that nothing would get in her way of accomplishing her goals. I highly recommend this book and think it would be a great addition to any high school curriculum reading list. It contains many important talking points such as women's rights, racism, and abusive relationships in the home that are still valid even though this book is set 50 years ago.
Faye knew who she was and want she wanted in life, even if in the end everything she knew was wrong. She was determined, strong, smart and resourceful. As a mother I hope that my daughter will possess many of the characteristics that Faye has. It was refreshing reading a story about a young woman with such determination that nothing would get in her way of accomplishing her goals. I highly recommend this book and think it would be a great addition to any high school curriculum reading list. It contains many important talking points such as women's rights, racism, and abusive relationships in the home that are still valid even though this book is set 50 years ago.
August 7, 2018
This story takes place during the 1960's. It's a tumultuous time. It's a time of harrassment between the blacks and whites. It's a time when Martin Luther King Jr. Is assassinated.
Faye is fifteen going on sixteen. She has been the new girl is a bunch of schools. Her parents travel from town to town, state to state looking for work. Her father works in orchards and fields. Both of her parents are rather harsh. Her only outlet is running and her parents disapprove of this. She will soon face major decisions and discover surprising things about her life.
The characters are remarkable. The storyline is full of twists and turns. You are definitely kept guessing what will happen next.
I was given this book to read and review. These are my thoughts about this book. Strongly recommend!
Faye is fifteen going on sixteen. She has been the new girl is a bunch of schools. Her parents travel from town to town, state to state looking for work. Her father works in orchards and fields. Both of her parents are rather harsh. Her only outlet is running and her parents disapprove of this. She will soon face major decisions and discover surprising things about her life.
The characters are remarkable. The storyline is full of twists and turns. You are definitely kept guessing what will happen next.
I was given this book to read and review. These are my thoughts about this book. Strongly recommend!
August 16, 2018
I went into this story knowing nothing about the plot. I was intrigued at every turn and thought that Diane Byington wrote a layered and beautifully heartbreaking story of a 16 year old girl with a point of view during a tumultuous time for women and minorities in American history.
Faye knew who she was and want she wanted in life, even if in the end everything she knew was wrong. She was determined, strong, smart and resourceful. As a mother I hope that my daughter will possess many of the characteristics that Faye has. It was refreshing reading a story about a young woman with such determination that nothing would get in her way of accomplishing her goals. I highly recommend this book and think it would be a great addition to any high school curriculum reading list. It contains many important talking points such as women's rights, racism, and abusive relationships in the home that are still valid even though this book is set 50 years ago.
Faye knew who she was and want she wanted in life, even if in the end everything she knew was wrong. She was determined, strong, smart and resourceful. As a mother I hope that my daughter will possess many of the characteristics that Faye has. It was refreshing reading a story about a young woman with such determination that nothing would get in her way of accomplishing her goals. I highly recommend this book and think it would be a great addition to any high school curriculum reading list. It contains many important talking points such as women's rights, racism, and abusive relationships in the home that are still valid even though this book is set 50 years ago.
August 6, 2018
I am extremely conflicted on how to rate "Who She Is" . I am going to explain my reasons in a future review on my YouTube channel. Thank you, Net Galley for giving me a free e-copy to read. xo
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews