Book Review: Throwback To 1990s Women’s Tennis
Carrie Soto is Back
By Taylor Jenkins Reid
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
Published: 2022
Synopsis:
Carrie Soto is a fierce and determined tennis player who retires after winning 20 Grand Slam titles. Her record is broken by Nicki Chan six years later, prompting Carrie to come out of retirement at age 37. She enlists her father as her coach to reclaim her record and trains with Bowe Huntley, a former love interest. Carrie must also confront her own ego, her aging body and the sports media’s disapproval.
Highlights:
Set in the 1990s:
The story begins in 1994 when Carrie Soto decides to participate in the Grand Slams the following year. We are also shown flashbacks to her childhood in the 1970s, just before she enters professional tennis.
Sports Theme — Tennis:
The story revolves around professional tennis, and TJR provides clear explanations of the sport’s rules, even for those who are unfamiliar with it. Additionally, she explains the different Grand Slams in detail in this book.
Father-Daughter Relationship:
This book also explores Carrie’s relationship with her father. After losing her mother at a young age, her father becomes her coach and helps train her to become the Tennis star she is today. He once again takes on the role of her coach when she decides to reclaim her Grand Slam record.
Review:
If you’re a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s (TJR) books, you’ll love this one too! This book revolves around tennis, but don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the sport — the author does an excellent job explaining the rules, and various tournaments. I especially enjoyed reading about Carrie’s matches, where the writing makes you feel like you’re witnessing them firsthand. The tension, anger, and joy during these scenes are palpable through the writing.
The book also discusses the issue of sexism in sports, which regrettably continues to be widespread today. The portrayal of how the media treats Carrie is incredibly frustrating, but it provides an excellent representation of the challenges that female athletes faced during that time.
It took me a little while to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked on Carrie’s unapologetic drive and determination. I loved reading about the dynamics between her and her father. I appreciated that their relationship was the focus of this book rather than her romantic one. The writing style of TJR made this book an enjoyable and captivating read.
Overall, I recommend this book if you are looking for a simple yet fascinating read centered on sports.
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