This post has nothing to do with triathlons or running.
I got this book for Christmas as I guess the giver thought I have read everything else and we are starting out into hockey so why not this book? And I dropped out of my book club (I need good book suggestions so...tell me some!) So you, my fine blogger readers...all 6 of you...are going to get my book reviews from time to time!! Unless we want to start our own blogger's book club...? Something to consider....
Anyway, Theo Fleury. Wow. I would NOT recommend this book if you are looking for a weekend read. About 3/4 of it is hockey stuff like stats and how great he was and play by play in certain key games, how high he was for this game and that one, how much money he spent on drugs etc. I guess that was his life and if you are interested in that then go for it. If you are a parent, with kids in sports...read it.
He was their ticket. That is ALOT of pressure to put on a 14 year old. Have your own dreams and goals....never, ever put your life in the hands of your kids. I guess this is MY parenting advice!! But he never had a chance from the get go. His dad was the town drunk...his mom spaced out on drugs. He carried his hockey gear in a pillow case!! The town totally took care of him and his brothers. A very sad story, actually. The hockey rink was where he was king, where people would give him attention and praise, as he never got it at home. I have a friend who worked for the Flames when he was in his hay-day and he was just a bad-ass. I remember thinking "What a loser!" And not that we shouldn't take responsibility for our actions when we reach adulthood, but being a loser (outside the rink) was all he ever knew! I can kind of understand it better after reading the book.
7 comments:
I'm totally up for a blogger book club. It's been kicked around a bit with the Boulder girls and a few others, but nothing really has come of it. We have a book club meeting on Sunday, in a pub of course. The book is The Shack. Totally not what I would have picked, but that's what book clubs are all about, finding good books that you wouldn't have found.
This whole cult of celebrity thing makes me gag. I think it's obscene that athletes get paid so well. To say nothing of actors.
I'd like in on the book club -- I've never been a member of a book club, so I don't have the faintest idea of what they are about. But.. I don't want to buy any books. Is that sacrilege? LOL!! Can I just borrow the from the library?
I have The Shack. I read it a while ago...
I would be up for a book club blog, but I can't be the one to own it...it would never get done ;-) But I do read a lot so I'd like to play.
I don't know much about hockey history but his story of having hockey as an outlet for a crappy life is interesting. I'm always wowed how people can take a bad situation and push through it to get what they want.
Keith, I have The Shack and have yet to read it. It's on my stack.
Julie, you should be able to borrow books from the library, no sweat.
a book suggestion 'born to run' by Christopher MacDougall. very good book - about running but also about so much more....
as far as those who come from crummy family's...i always think of something that christopher titus (the comedian said)...that although his parents were loonie, and he didn't have a great childhood, it was no excuse to behave badly. it was up to him to make a change and break from the habit of 'being bad'. i totally agree. even if we didn't have a bad childhood, our individual lives are up to us. we choose how we want to act and behave. simple as that. if you have a problem, get help.
The Shack and Born to Run are 2 of my Faves! I have been reading like a madwoman lately, mostly books I get from the Library Julie!!
I started a blog: trigeeksreadtoo.blogspot.com
You all need to send me your email so I can add you as authors. I don't really know how to do a book club either as I've never been invited to one- so Keith we might need you to start!
my email is seesally at gmail dot com
ooOOoo! I am excited about this new book club!!
@Julie: I have never purchased a book...always from the library because some of them you will like so then you go buy it and some you will not like so you are glad you didn't buy it!!
@Amber: Thanks! I am going to the site right now!
Sounds like a very powerful book.
Your book reminds of of this Fresh Air podcast I heard with Andre Agassi reviewing his memoir "open" or something like that-it's the same theme of how he was his parents' ticket "out" and ended up on major drugs while playing professionally and also it all contributed to his eventual split with Brooke Shields. Sad, but a worthwhile read. Also, I am emotionally invested in it on account of my 14 year old crush on Andre (I declared I could be on a first name basis with him as a result).
Keep the reviews a comin', good stuff!
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