by AnyaNikolaievna » 07 Aug 2011, 09:54
Mila, you are just so wonderful to translate this amazing book. One of the best books I've ever read!
I was blown away by how much I never knew about this extraordinary man! I've been watching him skate and following his life since he was 15, and yet so much was unknown to me despite me reading every (English-translated) article/interview available! It is just incredible to find out just how difficult and torturous his life was on and off the ice.
I was most surprised to find out he was born, what, a month early? For his dear mother to bring him into this world in the first place must have been difficult! And the motion sickness and respiratory problems... the poor dear :(
It is nice to see him bear his soul to the readers. I just saw a part of 2010 Olympics LP from BBC commentary with Robin Cousins, and he commented that Zhenya showed that he wasn't "as invincible as he seems to think he is." Anyone who has read this book would know for sure that he does not think of himself as invincible.
I can't imagine being a child going through the bullying he had endured at the hands of the older boys. I've suffered plenty of bullying but it was never anything like that. I cannot believe the cruelty and malice in that one boy's heart and mind when he (and how good of Zhenya not to mention his name!) took that kettle and placed it against 10-year-old Zhenya's arm. I hope that boy was punished for it... or at the very least, he has the knowledge that Zhenya, who endured all of that and plenty more, is now the greatest male skater in his generation!
I was touched by how spiritual he was when he spoke of his belief in a guardian angel. The 03-04 season, for me as a spectator and fan, was proof enough that he had one! But for him to say he physically felt and believed that the angel was with him on the ice at some points, it was surreal!
I've long believed that the events of our childhood shape who we become as adults, not just in occupations/hobbies, but personalities. Anyone who thinks that he is arrogant would likely have their minds changed when they hear/read about his childhood. He is stubborn and proud, certainly! But arrogant? Not a chance in hell!
There was one sentence that really surprised me. When he spoke of Alexander Abt, who is another inspirational figure to me, he said that he grew up on the streets. I know VERY little of Sasha's life, only the struggles with injuries. I was so saddened to hear about that... I can understand why he would not go into details but I sure would be interested to know more about that...
Anyway, it is really nice that even though Zhenya has endured such torment, he does not name names for the most part. I think that shows great respect on his part.
It was so interesting to find out more about his first marriage. It seemed so private at first, and what came out later seemed to me to be a bit speculative, but the book was very thorough and detailed about it all. Nice to see that as well.
What actually made me cry was reading about his experiences at 05 Worlds in Moscow. We all knew he was injured, but I for one had no idea how truly PAINFUL it was for him. When he revealed that he could not even get out of BED the day of the free skate, that just broke my heart. I just can't imagine going through everything that he went through... He MUST have angels watching over him for him to be so strong!
I hope that he does write another book and that he will talk about Vancouver 2010. It would be SO nice to read about things from his own perspective, to know things that the public did not know and likely would NEVER know unless he spoke out. I bet he'd have a few not-niceties to say about the vicious North American media too!
As I read this incredible translation, I felt as though he were sitting right in front of me, talking to me as though I were a lifelong friend. The tone is so casual, and his vocabulary, whether in Russian or in the translation, was well-placed. I feel as if I know him so much better on the whole, and I have you to thank for it, Mila.
Thank you.
"Show what you are capable of!" -- Evgeni Plushenko
"Was there ever a man who loved, who loved not at first sight?" -- Christopher Marlowe
- These users thanked the author AnyaNikolaievna for the post (total 2):
- Phrazey (09 Aug 2011, 06:20) • lala630312 (08 Aug 2011, 00:06)