Drawn to the Rhythm: A Passionate Life Reclaimed
by Sara Hall
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Book Summary Information
Author: Sara HallEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2003-07
ISBN: 0393324540
Number of pages: 304
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Book Reviews of Drawn to the Rhythm: A Passionate Life Reclaimed
Book Review: A tale of two stories
Summary: 3 Stars
There are two distinct components to this book. The first, and the reason I bought it, is a very interesting and inspiring story about a woman who, in her 40s, transformed herself from a sedentary housewife to a world champion sculler. The second is a heart-felt, sincere yet self-indulgent story about a woman who after many years of marriage becomes dissatisfied with the lifestyle she, by her own admission, chose and decides to make some major changes.
I describe the personal growth theme of the book as "self-indulgent" not out of disrespect for the author's personal struggle, which is heart-felt and compelling, but because the narrative seems to lack balance. Some reviewers portray the author's ex-husband as a chauvinist jerk, but as the story unfolds it appears his major failing seems to be that he was upset and confused by his wife's apparently sudden dissatisfaction with the way of life they had established together for many years. By the author's own admission, she was a partner in building the lifestyle she later abandoned, but in the telling of the story her complicity is downplayed while her husband's failure to embrace her change of heart is portrayed rather unsympathetically. That's understandable, but at the same time I can't help but feel the husband may not have been treated fairly, and because that story is such a significant part of the book, it diminished my overall appreciation and enjoyment of it.
I would recommend the book, with the above caveat, because it is interesting and pretty well-written. However, prospective readers should understand what the book is about.
Summary of Drawn to the Rhythm: A Passionate Life Reclaimed
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. Reading group guide included.
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