In The Water They Can't See You Cry: A Memoir (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
i just remembered that i have not marked this book as read on goodreads. I don't know how that happen.i read this in 2012 and now i am reviewing it in 2014. i remember loving this book. It talked a lot about Amanda's struggle with cutting and eating disorder. And her life story. In the end i remember thinking how didn't i know about the things that where going on with her live. It made me see her as some what as a role model. The memoir I read is called “In the Water They Can’t See You Cry”, the story of Amanda Beard. Overall I thought the memoir was a work of art. It brings a raw element to the Olympic and competitive athletes. The first element of the memoir I found to be its best attribute was its self- discovery aspect. When you read through the story, you watch as Amanda grows into herself, she allows herself to change. You are introduced to a girl who struggles through school, but knows her place in life; she does what she loves with no care in the world whether it’s proper in society. You as a reader are taken on a journey of ups and downs, you learn that the person how started the story is a different one when they finish. Struggling with dyslexia allows you to see into her personality, she could have easily given up, but she fought to keep her grades with the help of her dad. Having two failed relationships do not stop her from finding love, her views on what was important changed, her views of herself changed. Throughout high school and college society put a lot of pressure on her. The memoir allows us to see how people can feel alone even if they are surrounded with people that love them. The emotions and feelings throughout the book were bottled up inside, you have a greater understand of how the mind works. This memoir touches on so many relevant topics found in society, especially high school. When Amanda meets her husband Sacha, you can see how her character starts to change, her character arc is forming. She is discovering the truths in front of her. Sacha allowed her to find happiness. She found help; he helped her change and realizes the ways she was coping weren't the only ways. He made her understand the beautiful person she was inside and out. This shows the memoirs self-discovery part. The second element of the memoir that was very important is conflict. Well in college Amanda Beard met her first boyfriend. He swept her off her feet, being everything to impress her. He was courting her to his fullest ability. But when they started dating, and his career/swimming got worse, he became destructive. Alcohol and drugs became his pride. He introduced Amanda to a world she never expected to be in. Throughout the lies, arguing and drugs they still stayed together. When Amanda went to meet his parents she realized, that she was not the girl for him. He neglected her as a person and caused her to self-destruct; cutting and bulimia were her coping mechanisms. As Amanda grew through the story the reader understands that her road to victory wasn't golden or easy. She found herself heading into an area of self-destruction. We as an audience start to realize, many of her feelings are what we hear within our minds. The conflict of her life brings a certain perspective to the memoir. She pushes her issues inward, she blocks out people but during the novel she learns to love herself and what she has been blessed with. The story is inspiring; she shows us the grief, depression, as well as the happiest part of her life. We learn that every conflict or challenge she has overcome has only strengthened her into the women she is today. The third element is narrative structure. Narrative structure is a literary element. Since this is a memoir, it is written with a one person narrative. It is in the perspective of the writer Amanda Beard. This method was useful in portraying the overall theme of the memoir. The narrative text structures are the plot and the setting. The structure allows the reader to hear her thoughts, and understand her point of view. She describes her situation, we feel her pain, sorrow, happiness, and overall we understand her choices. This memoir is a roller coaster of emotions; it’s about striving for perfection. We learn of the pressures and struggling an Olympic swimmer overcomes. WE learn about how the media affects a person attitude towards them. The reader understands what lengths people have to go until they find peace. We learn about coping mechanisms and how people can handle the overall stress. This book is about beating the odds, it’s about being the best you can be, and the most important it’s about learning to love your imperfections. Overall I think this memoir, is a big success. It relates to some of the hardest topics to discuss. It tackles the elephant in the room efficiently. The memoir challenges everyone to accepting of their flaws. Amanda was just having fun in 1996, but that all turned dark when she became a fourteen year old celebrity, a status that she neither wanted nor knew how to handle. The memoir itself sheds light on topics every person encounters throughout their life. When reading this book I realized many things, taking in only negative can only ever produce a negative, people are not always as they seem and that your imperfections make you beautiful. I felt the last chapter of the book showed the most character change and self-discovery, Amanda comes to fully embrace who she is, and well realizing that being a mother to a beautiful baby boy Blaise and a devoted wife is the things that bring her the most lasting joy and fulfillment, just like her love of swimming. I enjoyed the memoir, and highly encourage others to read for pleasure. It isn't just a memoir about an Olympic; it’s about the emotional journey to get to the top.
What do You think about In The Water They Can't See You Cry: A Memoir (2012)?
Great read, enjoyed her memoir. It really fast and was as entertaining as a nonfiction book!
—minhthu9190
Another memoir down...super easy read...Always amazed how everyone has 'their stuff'...
—Wootak
"In the water they can't see you cry"Suka sama judulnya!
—khh
Very insightful. It is good to hear her story.
—dess
