Rating:  Summary: Not as enjoyable as I expected. Review: I really enjoyed Gordeeva and Grinkov as skaters, and I was sad when Sergei died. Recently I read "My Sergei", and unfortunately, I didn't find it quite the beautiful love story that it was supposed to be. To tell the truth, I really don't see the love story very much in the book. Katia and Sergei were attracted to each other, of course, but other than skating, they didn't even seem to have anything in common. You'd think there would be more than just a physical attraction involved in a love story, but the impression you get is that the two didn't even know each other that well. The book scarcely records any conversations they had! For example, Katia had been married to Sergei for years before she even knew anything about his childhood. I can't tell if there wasn't really much of a love story to begin with, or if there was and the problem stems from the writing style. This book could have been much, much better written. It almost seems as if someone asked Katia questions and whatever she answered, off the top of her head, was jotted down verbatim without getting further details. For instance, Katia says that after their marriage, "We didn't take a honeymoon. I don't know why." You don't know why?? Overall, I don't believe the book was organized very well, and the authors didn't really take the time to polish it up and reflect on how the story would sound to readers. I say this because I was not very touched by the beautiful love story (which I still can't find in the book!) All of Katia's insecurities are spilled out in the book, and while reading it, Sergei actually sounds quite self-centered, totally unconcerned about Katia until she attacts him with her body. Toward the end he improves, but still... Things had to be better than the book makes it sound, and all I can figure is that the book left out lots of details that would have helped the story and made the real love more apparent. The most interesting part of the book really isn't any of the part with Sergei, but the chapters about Katia's childhood and life in Soviet Russia.
Rating:  Summary: The greatest love story told Review: Since the beginning of this book you are immediatly obsorved by it. Throughout the book Katia introduces you to her life and Sergei. The book gives you insights of what the movie MY SERGEI doesn't, but I also recommend the movie as well. The book makes you feel as if you are traveling through time with Katia and about how her feelings toward Sergei start to change. She lets you in her secrets and whats more important the story holds nothing back and gives, or so it seems, the whole story as it truly was. It's a very sad story specially towards the end when Sergei's dead is told. And you feel the sadness and hopelessness Katia feels. It is then that you realize how much she truly did love him and how life without him willl not be the same not ever even if she marries another man. Like she eventually did but it is very obvious that the best years of her life were spent with Sergei as she herself mentions in the book. What leaves you with a little hope is that Katia was left with Daria wich now represents everything that Sergei and Katia had not only as figure skating partners but as lovers and the love they had for each other.
Rating:  Summary: Poor read. Review: I had very high expectations for this book- initally. I am an avid figure skating fan and have followed the careers of G & G, and several other skaters. I was also quite saddened by the death of Sergei. The books strikes me as very innocent and pure- which is probably the most appealing thing to most. I admit is has an honestly to it but the story is so biased. And when Katia wrote this book, she was still suffering from sever mourning. Who would've ever thought only a couple of years later she would have another man's baby (that man is Kulik of course). Recent events have just diminished this 'love story' for me. I know it's great and all that she can move on with her life- but come on here- hitching up with another man only a few years down the road? Guess it wasn't so bad afterall. Anyways, getting back to the book itself, it was a nice story I admit but kind of sad- for their daughter that is. The only thing I could think of during the whole book was how pityful their daughter was. I mean they trained like crazy, travelled like gypsies and saw their precious daughter maybe a month in one year. It is quite sad. It seems as if Katia, in particular, was wrapped up in Sergei so much that the fact that they had a child was not as of much importance. Anyways, this book is easy to read. Of not much importance. Easy to forget. Nothing special- just about two attractive looking skaters who lost each other.
Rating:  Summary: the story of a great love Review: "Fantastic, excellent, very romantic!" These are the first words I thought after finishing reading this book. Actually, it's one of the most beautyful book I've ever read all of my life. It made me cry, reading the last chapters, more than watching a moovie. It's not only the story of the two pair skaters' life, but also the story of their great and unlucky love. The real main actor of this tragedy is not Sergey but his young wife Ekaterina who shows her courage to overcome her husband death and go on alone with her daugther Daria, forward a new life. I suggest this book to every fun not only of the two pair skaters but of ice figure skating in general.
Rating:  Summary: Sorrowful and Beautiful Review: This book is very sad! At first it's hard to get into but then you can't stop! You actually feel like Ekaterina! The pictures inside are beautiful and you can really paint a picture in your head! As you start reading you go into a different world of skating, olympics, and deaths! Read to find out what happens to Ekaterina and see what she does about it!
Rating:  Summary: A touching story... Review: This book tells the story of two incredible skaters from their first meeting to Sergei's untimely death. It is a touching story that will remind us all to appreciate what we have in life. This is a very good read that only took me one day to pour through. Very recommended!
Rating:  Summary: One of the most memorable stories ever... Review: First things first -- grab your hankies and prepare yourself. The journey you are about to embark upon will leave you breathless and sobbing hopelessly.Of course, we all remember the story of the sudden death of Ekaterina's true love and ice skating partner, Sergei Grinkov. What a heartbreaking day that was -- I didn't even know who they were but felt my own heart rip away anyway. Reading this book brought it all back to me with as much power and poignancy as if I had heard it for the first time. My Sergei chronicles the life of Ekaterina Gordeeva, young ice skater and Olympic medalist, from pre-skating to post-Sergei with lots of smiles and tears in between. This book is not just for the ice skating fanatic or fans of Ekaterina and Sergei. It is for anyone who has lost someone special in their life or has ever felt a pure and true love like Katia did for Sergei. You will be weeping like a baby, but it is so very worth it.
Rating:  Summary: Fabulous True Story Review: I am a biography nut, and this is a beautifully told story of the two tragic Russian skaters, the one who met his death and the one he left behind. While I would not recommend this novel for a young person to read without a parent preview (for I do not morally or practically endorse as an example the way these two skaters lived their lives and made their decisions), the utter romance and international backdrop of this memoir create such a sense of mystery, unity, and exoticism... and so much joy... that is almost a privilege to read Ekaterina's version of their story. I have been a fan of this duo ever since I saw their first Olympic competition, with those royal blue uniforms, on the tiny kitchen TV in my childhood home... and now, as a woman just one month younger than Ekaterina herself, I can appreciate her as a person who's emerged reluctantly victorious over trials borne of tremendous accomplishment and love.
Rating:  Summary: Loving the most perfect pair ever. Review: This book reaches out to everyone about love, friendship, and dreams. Katia is great at expressing her feelings about love and life. She doesn't hold back, and she lets the reader feel her pain and get envolved with the settings and surroundings of the book. This is one of my all time favorite biography's. I defintely recommend reading this book even if your not a figure skater
Rating:  Summary: so touching that you will finish it in one or two sittings Review: -Passionately written, with lots of the little details that help you identify with the skaters, and induces you to remember the first love in your own life. It is so touching that you will finish it in one or two sittings. The fact that this is a true love story makes the impression upon your heart even that much more intense and charged with emotion.
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