Ice Castles

by Leonore Fleischer

Intent on becoming a champion figure skater, Alexis Winston continues training even after she is blinded in an accident

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Sports

220 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Leonore Fleischer has written more than fifty novelizations of films. She and her five cats live in Upstate New York.

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a kid. It was not my favorite but it was up there. I did a reread recently and while I did not love it as much as I did in childhood, it was still a beautiful story.

For those that do not know this book, it is about Lexy and the world of figure skating. Lexy is training for the Olympics. She puts her heart and soul into her skating and her coach is one of the best.

When Lexy has a horrible accident on the ice, she is left blind. At first she is devastated at the thought of giving up skating. But then she realizes -- does she have to give it up?


The book is really dark in certain places and not one to read if you want a happy and sunny story.

I saw the film to which I THINK , if I am remembering correctly had a different ending.

The best parts were the stories of the training on the ice.FYI-- I've always been a fan of ice skating, always.

Now I personally cannot ice skate for shit but I always adored watching it.

The book sort of brings you inside and really shows the underbelly too -- all the savage competition. Lexy herself I liked and always felt deeply sorry for --- what a tough life this girl had. There are an interesting array of colorful characters for your reading pleasure.

Basically, I didn't love it nor hate it.

This is a beautiful and touching story. But it's also dark and complex and for me, I have to be in the right mood. If you love the world of Figure skating then this is the book for you. There is also a romance but it feels authentic. I did enjoy this book, both as a child and as an adult. Highly recommended.

[Alexis Eibergen- Haenel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. My parents saw the movie in 1979 when it first came out and decided to name me Alexis or Lexi for short.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The one mistake that really stands out (to me at least), is that they said an axel lands on the same foot that they start off on. This is NOT the case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4js4b7...
That is the ending of the movie. I much prefer the ending to the new movie to the one of the old movie and book, because I like the line "We forgot about the bears" better than "We forgot about the flowers".

[Sally N. Inglis]

On August 17, 1979, I won a copy of this book from 16 Magazine. It was autographed by Robby Benson. Years later I took it to the Hollywood Show and had Lynn Holly Johnson sign it as well. I have another copy of this book as well.

[Julie Eastlick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was quite an enjoyable coming of age, sports romance novel. It held up well over the years. I need to rewatch the movie since I have not seen it since I was a child. I would recommend it if someone wants a non steamy romance novel.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and movie were my absolute favourite in my teens. I read the book so many times the binding is cracked and pages are loose. Robbie Benson's blue eyes made my heart flutter. I cannot rate it any less than five stars as that would be an injustice to my teenaged self.
To my knowledge, this is the only book I have read that was based on a screenplay rather than the other way round.
I have seen the remake of the movie, but it just seemed wrong with all the updated technology- cell phones and the like. You just shouldn't mess with the perfection of nostalgia.

[Kalista · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom gave me this book when I was in high school and I read it over and over and over! I loved Lexie, the main character, and thought she was just incredible for finally fighting to overcome the unjust obstacles in her way and go for her dreams anyway. And, of course, being in high school, I wanted a boyfriend who would be as wonderful and dreamy as Nick.

Though now far from my high school days, I still love this story. Yes, its a quick, light read. Yes, its a bit sappy. But its still a story of love and determination and following your dreams even when the odds are against you.

[Colleen Rue · Rating 5 out of 5]

AS someone who born with severe eye damage and who's now blind in one eye,this book has special meaning to me,as does the movie.I own the book,movie,and recently got the soundtrack in the mail from Amazon.I loved the original better than the remake.The theme song Through The Eyes of Love is so beautiful.SUCH A WONDERFUL STORY WITH SPECIAL MEANING TO ME!!!!

[Erin Jepsen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light read. Cheesy. But I liked it. My only problem is that there is waaaayy too much of the "poor blind girl needs a caring sighted friend/relative to kick her in the butt" trope. That aside, though, her personal journey and rediscovery of what really matters was well done.

[rach · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a whole, it’s a good heart-warming story about the journey to success and the battles faced along the way between friends, family, lovers and injury.

The only thing I did Not like was the whole thing with Brian. Like what the actual fuck was that. Lexie is literally sixteen...in high school... and he’s an actual grownass man. That’s so disgusting. And predatory. And gross. Absolutely terrible and distracting to the whole story. Just, ew. Ew. Like I get the whole part of her liking another guy but idk there could have been another guy around her age???? The fuck????????? GODDDDDD

[Mellanie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a huge fan of the movie, and the book was good, too.

[Crystal Sissons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favourite book from my childhood.

[Becky Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some curse words and a little slow but the ending is great.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This movie was on last week and it got me thinking about how much I loved this book when I was younger. It's the (totally cheesy) story of a small town girl who makes it big as a figure skater only to suffer a devastating injury. It's pure sap and I totally loved it in my early teens. As if the book wasn't cheesy enough then you've got the movie with Robbie Benson as the male lead not to mention the love theme "Looking Through the Eyes of Love" (which still seems to be a popular karaoke pick)-how can you not love it?

[GoodDay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Included as a nod to Heidi and Elise - I loved this movie as a girl and re-watching it with you was special for so many reasons - I needed some girls girls that night last March, you experienced Robbie Benson's phone call (wink) with the same impression. And I was still so touched by the beautiful song and skating at the end. Sometimes you get to experience it a second time! Bonus: I learned the book was written after the movie - nice tidbit....

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

from the when I was a kid bookpile- Lexie is a natural born skater who can do anything on the ice. She lives with her gruff old farmer dad, in smalltown nowhere. Her adventures and tragedy involving those around her provide an interesting few hours of reading. A little cheesy, very hopeful and one where you learn about those who really love and support you. Good teenage read about the late 70's and for fans of figure skating.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A guilty pleasure read for sure! Cheesy but I devoured the book in just 2 hours! A reason why I really enjoyed this book is because I have vision problems and I thought the main characters struggle with it was realistic. A sweet and romantic book that is just a fun read. The movie is just as good.

~Megan~

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another of my favorite books as a kid. I loved Robby Benson...and it was the story of a blind girl who wanted to skate...and the roses tripped her...and he loved her...Loved the movie too...

[Doree Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my all time favorite books. It's sweet and sappy, but a nice relaxing read. It's a bit dated (published in 1978), but I can ignore that and just enjoy. Plus, it's nice to see how far attitudes have come in 40 years. Occasionally it's nice to just read that love conquers all.

[Krista Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy, but reminds me of being a young figure skater and of the Robbie Benson movie, lol. Light read.

[Miranda Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really sad, about an ice skater who goes blind and still manages to skate.

[Wendy]

I loved this movie!

[Kali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great heart warming story but the language wasn't great

[Dee-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

read this when I was a teenager ... actually read it about 5 times ...loved it.

[Six-Fingered Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really touching and moving story.

[Diana]

The movie was so touching and it´s definitely my favourite figure skating movie, so I´d like to read the book, as well.

[Catastrophe Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was heat-warming. I have also seen the movie adaptation of this book.