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miss_hempstock's review against another edition
5.0
As I sit to review Rafael Nadal’s autobiography, fresh from having watched del Potro triumph over Wawrinka in a hard fought Wimbledon second round (an unfortunate fixture for this stage of the tournament with both men capable of winning Grand Slam finals on their days), memories come flooding my mind. Nearly six years from where the book leaves off and Nadal being far from the top of the ATP rankings, “Rafa-my story” doesn’t fall short of putting into perspective all it says, all Rafa Nadal comes to signify, and perhaps some of the key values that everyone must embody. Mildly Puritanical as the overtones may suggest, and starkly in contrast with my present Postmodernist bearings, Nadal’s book is a wholesome experience. However, I don’t regret not having read it immediately after publication, for though the sixteen year old me might have clutched it harder in fanatic enthusiasm, the raw information the book provides is scarcely novel to an ardent fan. The achievement of the book lies in revealing the sensitive and clear-headed Rafael behind Rafa Nadal, the tennis champion.
One fine morning more than eleven years back, while watching a match, probably in Rome Masters, in the run-up to his debut French Open, I chanced to get a glimpse of the player who was to become the biggest hero of my growing years during which tennis remained my singular obsession. Keeping this in mind, an objective judgement of this memoir of my superman is fairly impossible, and when I go over the top in adulation, which I frequently do, I do so unapologetically.
“Rafa: my story”, though compared with Andre Agassi’s “Open” for its popularity, never for once becomes controversial or explosive, and the only attacks that ever ensue are wrapped in affection and aimed at his “uncle, coach and friend”, Toni. It narrates along smooth anticipation a tale of struggle and love for struggle, and human endurance raising itself to the superhuman. Nadal is neither a swan-like Federer nor a dazzling-blasting Djokovic. He runs runs and at the baseline hitting incessantly and knows exactly when to send that charged curling forehand past his opponent, leaving the whole world gaping. It’s the story of the boy, who though uncomfortable with the dark and dogs, had had to learn to go out and play a Wimbledon final, aged twenty.
The narrative technique doesn’t fail to intrigue either as it alternates between fist person monologues and third person reports. Though I had initially found Carlin’s interruptions slightly annoying but comprehend in retrospection, their utility and symbolic value. Nadal’s part is chronologically non-linear. Through two of the biggest matches of his career—Wimbledon final 2008 and US Open final 2010—he revisits the whole of his life: the loving family and happy childhood, his love for football, the beginnings of tennis and subsequent conquest of the world, his many injuries, but most of all, the shaping of his trademark morale. To be “good people” was ingrained in him right from his childhood by his parents and the fierce uncle Toni. And that resulted not just in his good-natured persona off the court, but also his on-court humility which he describes to have taught him to respect the good balls and consequently know which ones to kill.
The two matches, especially the Wimbledon final of 2008, have been described with meticulous details, facilitating an insight into the brain of a tennis player in action at the highest level, which might at times seem to drag for non-tennis readers, but lovers of the games must find them a treat. Carlin comes in at every nerve wrecking juncture, mostly to take him home to the island of Mallorca, when the gladiatorial stance becomes too dominant. Though personally, I would have loved an uninterrupted monologue just as well. The prose deserves a mention of its own, especially Nadal’s parts—carefully crafted, it retains an echo of his voice, which makes the text all the more effective.
The book deserves to be read, read widely. Or so I believe. And as for myself, I’m definitely going to reread it and love it everytime. “Rafa: my story” stands out as does Rafa Nadal himself—not for literary genius and beyond sporting genius—with its unique human appeal.
Vamos!
One fine morning more than eleven years back, while watching a match, probably in Rome Masters, in the run-up to his debut French Open, I chanced to get a glimpse of the player who was to become the biggest hero of my growing years during which tennis remained my singular obsession. Keeping this in mind, an objective judgement of this memoir of my superman is fairly impossible, and when I go over the top in adulation, which I frequently do, I do so unapologetically.
“Rafa: my story”, though compared with Andre Agassi’s “Open” for its popularity, never for once becomes controversial or explosive, and the only attacks that ever ensue are wrapped in affection and aimed at his “uncle, coach and friend”, Toni. It narrates along smooth anticipation a tale of struggle and love for struggle, and human endurance raising itself to the superhuman. Nadal is neither a swan-like Federer nor a dazzling-blasting Djokovic. He runs runs and at the baseline hitting incessantly and knows exactly when to send that charged curling forehand past his opponent, leaving the whole world gaping. It’s the story of the boy, who though uncomfortable with the dark and dogs, had had to learn to go out and play a Wimbledon final, aged twenty.
The narrative technique doesn’t fail to intrigue either as it alternates between fist person monologues and third person reports. Though I had initially found Carlin’s interruptions slightly annoying but comprehend in retrospection, their utility and symbolic value. Nadal’s part is chronologically non-linear. Through two of the biggest matches of his career—Wimbledon final 2008 and US Open final 2010—he revisits the whole of his life: the loving family and happy childhood, his love for football, the beginnings of tennis and subsequent conquest of the world, his many injuries, but most of all, the shaping of his trademark morale. To be “good people” was ingrained in him right from his childhood by his parents and the fierce uncle Toni. And that resulted not just in his good-natured persona off the court, but also his on-court humility which he describes to have taught him to respect the good balls and consequently know which ones to kill.
The two matches, especially the Wimbledon final of 2008, have been described with meticulous details, facilitating an insight into the brain of a tennis player in action at the highest level, which might at times seem to drag for non-tennis readers, but lovers of the games must find them a treat. Carlin comes in at every nerve wrecking juncture, mostly to take him home to the island of Mallorca, when the gladiatorial stance becomes too dominant. Though personally, I would have loved an uninterrupted monologue just as well. The prose deserves a mention of its own, especially Nadal’s parts—carefully crafted, it retains an echo of his voice, which makes the text all the more effective.
The book deserves to be read, read widely. Or so I believe. And as for myself, I’m definitely going to reread it and love it everytime. “Rafa: my story” stands out as does Rafa Nadal himself—not for literary genius and beyond sporting genius—with its unique human appeal.
Vamos!
ashybear02's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic insight into the life of my favourite tennis player. I remember watching every moment of that Wimbledon match and it was great being able to learn what he was thinking at the crucial parts. He's as gracious and as good hearted as I thought he was and I adored his book.
taraddonai's review against another edition
5.0
It was a good read, however I would have liked it to be a little more about Rafa and a little less about 1 match..
thorfrost's review
5.0
As a huge Rafa fan this was interesting to read, mainly for the indepth match analysis he gives for the 2008 Wimbledon final. I am sure many people watch these big matches and wonder what is going through the players minds during a massive occasion like that and here we have one of the biggest players ever giving us a blow by blow account.
There are definitely no big revelations, I knew all the stories he referred to in here, from the eating too many chocolate croissants, having special shoes designed to uncle Toni telling him he could make it rain, so if you're a long time Rafa fan who follows him closely you're not going to learn anything new from this at all.
The only thing that did surprise me was the level at which he discussed Toni's strictness, again I have known about the water bottle thing for a while but it was different reading it from Rafa's perspective and it comes across that Rafa is in no doubt that Toni's behaviour helped to mould him into the player he is today, along with his very supportive parents.
Overall a good read with some interesting point of view information but not the warts and all kind of book that Agassi gave us, which is actually not what a Rafa fan should expect anyway. :)
There are definitely no big revelations, I knew all the stories he referred to in here, from the eating too many chocolate croissants, having special shoes designed to uncle Toni telling him he could make it rain, so if you're a long time Rafa fan who follows him closely you're not going to learn anything new from this at all.
The only thing that did surprise me was the level at which he discussed Toni's strictness, again I have known about the water bottle thing for a while but it was different reading it from Rafa's perspective and it comes across that Rafa is in no doubt that Toni's behaviour helped to mould him into the player he is today, along with his very supportive parents.
Overall a good read with some interesting point of view information but not the warts and all kind of book that Agassi gave us, which is actually not what a Rafa fan should expect anyway. :)
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