Kate Fagan (1) (1981–)

I'll start by saying I received this book in a giveaway, and it is absolutely one I needed to read. While this story is heartbreaking, it is a real tragedy and not an isolated incident. Fagan wrote phenomenally and, above all, respectfully. Every millennial (or parent or just person who regularly interacts with individuals in that generation or younger) should read this book. This book isn't just about a tragic suicide, but about the many things that led to it and the facade we put up to hide the pain and convince others (and ourselves) that we are okay. Numerous times it is mentioned that the conversations regarding mental health need to be reframed and become less stigmatized - I believe this book is a step in the right direction.… (mehr)

I picked this book up from the library knowing nothing about it. Except the inside flap "appealed" to me. It is difficult to say that a book about suicide and the mental illness problem in the United States is appealing....but because I struggle with my own mental illness battles (and I'm a Psychology minor) I wanted to read the book.

Maddy's story is a sad one but not surprising either. We are driving athletes to perfection. We demand them to focus on their on-field performance and don't care about much else. We also are afraid to talk about mental illness. I can only imagine how difficult it is for athletes when success is glory is what gives you the win. Mental illness is not glory....it sucks.

Kate Fagan, in my opinion, did her best to do justice to Maddy's story. I did not think the writing style was always amazing. In fact, I thought it was quite poor sometimes. Her "personal experiences" occasionally were out of place but I do get why they were there--other people understand the thoughts that took place in Maddy's head.

This book doesn't give answers. I felt like every conclusion was an obvious one. And no changes were proposed either. So the reader almost felt as if we were rehashing pain for no apparent reason. Yet I did figure out the reason....eventually. Maddy's story deserves to be told (and in greater detail than a ESPNw article). Other athletes need to know they are not alone. Other PEOPLE need to know they are not alone. But I also hope this book gets people angry enough to start making changes. We do have a problem in this country. It's bad everywhere and REALLY bad on college campuses. Let's stop with the stigma and start doing something.… (mehr)

When she was younger, Kate and her father bonded over their love of basketball. When she went away to college she felt increasingly ambivalent about the game, though she would continue to play and would even play two years professionally. Then she quit, the game no longer her life, and she withdrew from the thing that bonded them together. When he is diagnosed with ALS, Kate ruminated over the strengths but also the misses in their relationship. As her father battles in a fight he cannot win, Kate and her sister, mother find ways to honor this man who gave so much to his family. Life lessons, on and off the court, that were not forgotten.

ALS, is a horrible disease and so parts of this book are difficulty read. This is though a book that is sad, but also beautiful as it is a love letter from a daughter to a father. Heartfelt read.

ARC from Edelweiss… (mehr)