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The Sweetheart
In a “powerful tale of a person’s capacity for reinvention” (Kirkus Reviews), a teenage girl from Philadelphia leaves her old life behind to become The Sweetheart, one of America’s most infamous female wrestlers.It’s 1953 and seventeen-year-old Leonie Putzkammer feels destined to spend the rest of her life waiting tables and living with her widowed father, Franz, in their Philadelphia row house. Until the day legendary wrestling promoter Salvatore Costantini walks into the local diner and offers her the chance to make a name for herself in the ring. Leonie sets off for Florida to train at Joe Pospisil’s School for Lady Grappling. There, she transforms into Gorgeous Gwen Davies, tag-team partner of legendary Screaming Mimi Hollander, and begins a romance with the soon-to-be Junior Heavyweight Champion Spider McGee. But when life as Gorgeous Gwen leaves her wanting more, she orchestrates a move that will catapult her from heel to she becomes The Sweetheart, a choice that attracts the fans she desires but complicates all of her relationships—with Franz, Joe, Spider, Mimi (who becomes her fiercest competitor), and even with herself. Asking the big questions about what it means to grow up, and stay true to yourself, The Sweetheart is daring, innovative, and powerful storytelling. “With a debut both endearing and enjoyable, this is a hands-down winner” (Star-Telegram, Dallas).
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2015
13 people are currently reading
2133 people want to read
About the author
Angelina Mirabella
1 book42 followersAngelina is the author of The Sweetheart. She lives in Ithaca, NY with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 27, 2016
Okay so I only read this book for a challenge here on goodreads, but I found the story really interesting. I mean this is a novel but I had no idea there really were women wrestling back in the 1950's! I still think I'm losing it and that can't be right. lol
Anyway, Leonie Putzkammer is a waitress living with her father. She works at a diner and doesn't see her life changing at all until one day in walks Salvatore Constantini. He is a wrestling promoter and he saw a film on Leonie doing flips and wants her to come with him and train at Joe Pospisile's School for Lady Grappling.
From there things take off for Leonie. They have to change her name of course and she becomes the Gorgeous Gwen Davies. At one point she's tag teaming for fighting with Screaming Mimi Hollander and at some point they become friends . . . just a little anyway.
This is a story of what all Gwen goes through, the people she meets, the person she falls in love with, and what it's like in the female wrestling world.
I thought the book was pretty good but I kept getting confused a lot until I figured out the writing style of the author.
Anyway, Leonie Putzkammer is a waitress living with her father. She works at a diner and doesn't see her life changing at all until one day in walks Salvatore Constantini. He is a wrestling promoter and he saw a film on Leonie doing flips and wants her to come with him and train at Joe Pospisile's School for Lady Grappling.
From there things take off for Leonie. They have to change her name of course and she becomes the Gorgeous Gwen Davies. At one point she's tag teaming for fighting with Screaming Mimi Hollander and at some point they become friends . . . just a little anyway.
This is a story of what all Gwen goes through, the people she meets, the person she falls in love with, and what it's like in the female wrestling world.
I thought the book was pretty good but I kept getting confused a lot until I figured out the writing style of the author.
May 8, 2015
This one I liked with loving some parts of it.
The sense of scenery/atmosphere and character is done well.. I was caught up in the journey of Gwen as she went from regular girl to star lady wrestler.
The plot moves along at a steady pace, for me it never lagged but there were a few times I wished it was shorter.
We celebrate and cringe along with Gwen/Leonie on her journey. A couple times I wanted to advise her off a path she had chosen but also knowing it was her choices to make.
Nothing is simple/black and white here... some of the characters choices have consequences that work out well for them while at least while others make you wonder if that person had chose differently if it would have gone any better.
(Came out better in my head haha)
Sam I liked at first but he grated on me for the last half of the book sometimes. Wish she would have stood up to him more often, some instances I didn't fault him for being protective but still...
Mimi was my favorite of the side characters. I was rooting for her the whole time.
The ending wasn't abrupt and wrapped up the story nicely but I would have loved to see the reunion between her and Mimi (personal thing).
The narration took a bit to get used to but wasn't hard to follow (been awhile since I read a book with this style) and a fitting way to tell the tale.
Would recommend if you don't mind slower paced reads.
(Writing review from phone so forgive typos for now haha )
Some interesting insight into a part of the wrestling world I hadn't thought much about.
The sense of scenery/atmosphere and character is done well.. I was caught up in the journey of Gwen as she went from regular girl to star lady wrestler.
The plot moves along at a steady pace, for me it never lagged but there were a few times I wished it was shorter.
We celebrate and cringe along with Gwen/Leonie on her journey. A couple times I wanted to advise her off a path she had chosen but also knowing it was her choices to make.
Nothing is simple/black and white here... some of the characters choices have consequences that work out well for them while at least while others make you wonder if that person had chose differently if it would have gone any better.
(Came out better in my head haha)
Sam I liked at first but he grated on me for the last half of the book sometimes. Wish she would have stood up to him more often, some instances I didn't fault him for being protective but still...
Mimi was my favorite of the side characters. I was rooting for her the whole time.
The ending wasn't abrupt and wrapped up the story nicely but I would have loved to see the reunion between her and Mimi (personal thing).
The narration took a bit to get used to but wasn't hard to follow (been awhile since I read a book with this style) and a fitting way to tell the tale.
Would recommend if you don't mind slower paced reads.
(Writing review from phone so forgive typos for now haha )
Some interesting insight into a part of the wrestling world I hadn't thought much about.
February 21, 2021
Maybe a 3.5 stars. The premise sounded so good, female wrestling in the 1950s, sounds so epic. While some parts of this is really good I didn't connect with the story, it didn't quite draw me in.
I've seen there's been a few books about female wrestling and boxing through history and I would like to read them as well, but my book app don't have them
I've seen there's been a few books about female wrestling and boxing through history and I would like to read them as well, but my book app don't have them
November 2, 2014
A good novel educates as well as entertains and 'The Sweetheart' certainly does that-and more subtly than the Green Goddess move that Gwen, the books eponymous heroine, inflicts upon her opponent Screaming Mimi in the ring.
Saturated with period detail and a great American sense of place from the steamy, Kudzu infested swamps of Florida, scene of the female wrestlers training camp to the ring sides in some of the USA's great cities- Experience the fever pitched shouts, frenzied betting, razzmattazz and smokey fug of the wrestling matches as Gwen goes toe to toe with some of the USA's finest pro wrestlers to earn her place.
The novel addresses contemporary themes- body image and the awkwardness of being a young woman in a body shape that is out of fashion- tall, athletic and Valkyrie like in the soft femininity of the fifties; the battle between female ambition and feminine destiny in a time when marriage and babies were seen as the triumph women should aspire to and identity-the creation of a persona that inspires affection and reverence and admiration when underneath you might not feel deserving of those things. Gwen has to reconcile her own ambition and competitive aggression with her dislike of the consequences of peoples reaction to her when she displays those qualities. The artifice of the wrestling ring serves as metaphor for the artifice of Gwen's own professional and public identity.
As the story unfolds, Gwen and her fellow wrestlers have to contend with pressure on them to conform to feminine stereotypes- to marry, rear and care for children and not threaten the sense of masculinity and control of the men in their lives. Their lives are a tightrope as they seek to manage their relationships because no matter how ambitious a man or woman is, they still desire companionship and love.
Beautifully written and absolutely relevant to women today, I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it.
Saturated with period detail and a great American sense of place from the steamy, Kudzu infested swamps of Florida, scene of the female wrestlers training camp to the ring sides in some of the USA's great cities- Experience the fever pitched shouts, frenzied betting, razzmattazz and smokey fug of the wrestling matches as Gwen goes toe to toe with some of the USA's finest pro wrestlers to earn her place.
The novel addresses contemporary themes- body image and the awkwardness of being a young woman in a body shape that is out of fashion- tall, athletic and Valkyrie like in the soft femininity of the fifties; the battle between female ambition and feminine destiny in a time when marriage and babies were seen as the triumph women should aspire to and identity-the creation of a persona that inspires affection and reverence and admiration when underneath you might not feel deserving of those things. Gwen has to reconcile her own ambition and competitive aggression with her dislike of the consequences of peoples reaction to her when she displays those qualities. The artifice of the wrestling ring serves as metaphor for the artifice of Gwen's own professional and public identity.
As the story unfolds, Gwen and her fellow wrestlers have to contend with pressure on them to conform to feminine stereotypes- to marry, rear and care for children and not threaten the sense of masculinity and control of the men in their lives. Their lives are a tightrope as they seek to manage their relationships because no matter how ambitious a man or woman is, they still desire companionship and love.
Beautifully written and absolutely relevant to women today, I really enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it.
May 7, 2015
Very excellent 5 star read. Set in the 1950's as a young female attempts to break into the pro wrestling scene, a male dominated world. The writing here was fluid, and held my interest all the way through with a great lead character and a strong supporting cast of folks, too. I don't think you'd need to be a wrestling fan to enjoy this book and Gwen's story, but it would definitely make you more interested in the plot, probably. Two thumbs way up.
October 21, 2015
I do not consider myself a physically strong person. I have the upper arm strength of a third grader. Unfortunately, I do not have the body proportions of a third grader. The last time I tried to do a pull-up, it felt like my armpits were being shredded like cheesecloth. So defending myself from a physical attack—let alone initiating one—isn't something I spend much time thinking about. I've already accepted that if the zombie apocalypse happens, the best I can hope for is a swift demise.
Maybe the pleasure of vicarious living was the reason I enjoyed The Sweetheart as much as I did. I certainly couldn't relate to the protagonist, Leonie Putzkammer, in any meaningful way. Leonie, at almost 6 feet tall with lustrous blonde hair and curves that won't quit, is recognized in 1953 at the age of 17 as a perfect candidate for professional female wrestling. After demonstrating her tumbling ability right there in the middle of the Philadelphia diner where she waits tables, Leonie is swept up into a brand-new life: she becomes Gorgeous Gwen Davies, eventually one of the most notorious female wrestlers in the business.
Leonie quickly finds that the life of a professional wrestler isn't always glamorous. She gets roped into playing the part of a “heel,” equivalent to the villain in a vaudeville act. Her job is to make the crowds hate her—and they do, even if she wins, especially if she wins. Relations among the other wrestlers are tense on the road, particularly with her partner, Screaming Mimi Hollander, a veteran of the ring. Plus, sporting the body-baring suits the act requires demands a certain level of daring in her straitlaced era. Leonie loves the attention, but she also finds herself crumbling under the strain of it.
Leonie's adventures make for a fun, rollicking read, but Mirabella injects an unexpected dose of ethical ambiguity that elevates The Sweetheart above the level of frothy 1950s nostalgia. Leonie is far from a perfect angel, despite her golden appearance. She makes some questionable choices both in and out of the ring, and ends up suffering the consequences. She's likable without being one-dimensional. Sometimes it's cathartic to encounter a character floundering through life, making decisions on a whim and reaping regret.
But I will say, as a person who couldn't execute a roundhouse kick without falling on her face, it's also really fun to watch Leonie kick ass.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
Maybe the pleasure of vicarious living was the reason I enjoyed The Sweetheart as much as I did. I certainly couldn't relate to the protagonist, Leonie Putzkammer, in any meaningful way. Leonie, at almost 6 feet tall with lustrous blonde hair and curves that won't quit, is recognized in 1953 at the age of 17 as a perfect candidate for professional female wrestling. After demonstrating her tumbling ability right there in the middle of the Philadelphia diner where she waits tables, Leonie is swept up into a brand-new life: she becomes Gorgeous Gwen Davies, eventually one of the most notorious female wrestlers in the business.
Leonie quickly finds that the life of a professional wrestler isn't always glamorous. She gets roped into playing the part of a “heel,” equivalent to the villain in a vaudeville act. Her job is to make the crowds hate her—and they do, even if she wins, especially if she wins. Relations among the other wrestlers are tense on the road, particularly with her partner, Screaming Mimi Hollander, a veteran of the ring. Plus, sporting the body-baring suits the act requires demands a certain level of daring in her straitlaced era. Leonie loves the attention, but she also finds herself crumbling under the strain of it.
Leonie's adventures make for a fun, rollicking read, but Mirabella injects an unexpected dose of ethical ambiguity that elevates The Sweetheart above the level of frothy 1950s nostalgia. Leonie is far from a perfect angel, despite her golden appearance. She makes some questionable choices both in and out of the ring, and ends up suffering the consequences. She's likable without being one-dimensional. Sometimes it's cathartic to encounter a character floundering through life, making decisions on a whim and reaping regret.
But I will say, as a person who couldn't execute a roundhouse kick without falling on her face, it's also really fun to watch Leonie kick ass.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
January 9, 2022
I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again because it bears repeating.
I love winning Goodreads Giveaways because it lets me read books I generally wouldn’t read if I was picking and choosing on my own.
The Sweetheart is such a book.
The only women’s wrestling I’m familiar with came from G.L.O.W. (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) and we all know how ‘real’ that was.
Man, G.L.O.W. was great!
But the book isn’t just about women’s wrestling; it’s about female empowerment, charting your own course in life.
It’s about taking a chance even when the alternative seems no better or just as dismal but how will you ever know if you don’t take that chance?
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Gwen Davies, aka The Sweetheart, aka Leonie Putzkammer is just such a young woman.
She is gorgeous but awkward, she loves her dad but their relationship is strained without a mother in the picture, she’s stuck in her Philadelphia home with few options other than marrying and popping out babies but yearns for more.
What else is a young lady to do? Wrestle!
I liked Leonie; she was real to me. She was flawed but not without moral and ethics. She was tough, she could take care of herself in and out of the ring but she made mistakes and she learned from them and moved on.
Her social circle is limited to her wrestling coterie that included Mimi, Joe, dad Franz, and are mostly extraneous, including her boyfriend Sam, which I felt was the point.
I enjoyed the behind the scenes description of ladies’ wrestling, the showmanship, the acting, the lack of glitz and glamour and last but definitely not least, the hard work involved in making something like entirely different.
It’s not easy to learn how to take a punch (I know, I've taken MMA classes) and it is definitely not easy to learn how to fall gracefully.
Some scenes reminded me a bit of A League of Their Own where the ladies were involved in a man’s sport, yet still expected to remain prim and proper even though they endured their share of sexism, humiliation and abuse, especially in certain aspects of public life.
The ending was fair, not totally happy but true to Leonie’s persona and personality.
I found the second POV narrative very distracting, an underused literary device that is not easy to pull off.
I wouldn’t say it didn’t work in The Sweetheart though I wasn’t fond of it but didn’t detract from the story.
I love winning Goodreads Giveaways because it lets me read books I generally wouldn’t read if I was picking and choosing on my own.
The Sweetheart is such a book.
The only women’s wrestling I’m familiar with came from G.L.O.W. (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) and we all know how ‘real’ that was.
Man, G.L.O.W. was great!
But the book isn’t just about women’s wrestling; it’s about female empowerment, charting your own course in life.
It’s about taking a chance even when the alternative seems no better or just as dismal but how will you ever know if you don’t take that chance?
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Gwen Davies, aka The Sweetheart, aka Leonie Putzkammer is just such a young woman.
She is gorgeous but awkward, she loves her dad but their relationship is strained without a mother in the picture, she’s stuck in her Philadelphia home with few options other than marrying and popping out babies but yearns for more.
What else is a young lady to do? Wrestle!
I liked Leonie; she was real to me. She was flawed but not without moral and ethics. She was tough, she could take care of herself in and out of the ring but she made mistakes and she learned from them and moved on.
Her social circle is limited to her wrestling coterie that included Mimi, Joe, dad Franz, and are mostly extraneous, including her boyfriend Sam, which I felt was the point.
I enjoyed the behind the scenes description of ladies’ wrestling, the showmanship, the acting, the lack of glitz and glamour and last but definitely not least, the hard work involved in making something like entirely different.
It’s not easy to learn how to take a punch (I know, I've taken MMA classes) and it is definitely not easy to learn how to fall gracefully.
Some scenes reminded me a bit of A League of Their Own where the ladies were involved in a man’s sport, yet still expected to remain prim and proper even though they endured their share of sexism, humiliation and abuse, especially in certain aspects of public life.
The ending was fair, not totally happy but true to Leonie’s persona and personality.
I found the second POV narrative very distracting, an underused literary device that is not easy to pull off.
I wouldn’t say it didn’t work in The Sweetheart though I wasn’t fond of it but didn’t detract from the story.
January 6, 2015
I knew next to nothing about women's wrestling before picking this book up. I had no idea that in the 1950s, women were not even allowed in the ring in some states. We had to fight for the right to fight. Learning that made me appreciate the characters in the book all the more.
And they are characters, with flaws, hopes, and dreams. There's Mimi, Johnny, Lacey, Sam. The women are torn between following their hearts, having marriages and babies and being champions in wrestling. You couldn't do both back then. The men need to protect their women and can't seem to accept their women don't need protecting.
Leonie is the heroine of the story. She just wants to be admired. She's been a wallflower most of her life and feel self conscious about her body. When she joins the world of wrestling she has to learn to put on a show, to look haughty when she isn't, appear sexy when she doesn't know what sexy is. She gets confused and begins playing a role all the time, undecided as to what her real role in life really is.
There are great rough and tumble scenes. There are morals--the photo shoot with the Gorgeous Girls--and really, how far should you be willing to go to make people like you? And do they like you for the right reasons? There are funny moments--not LOL ones--but sarcastic, witty prose.
But the book has a major flaw, at least for me. Most novels have one of the following types of narrative: third person, past tense; first person, past tense; third person, present tense; first person, present tense. This had a new one that I've never ran into before and hope to never run into again. The YOU person, present tense.
"You will end the day in this position, too. At present, there's no snow or ice outside, so after you finish your coffee, you will on your Keds and go for a run, reacquainting yourself with your neighborhood, before..."
This made a difficult read for me, but I was interested enough in the story to keep reading. I wanted this book because I'd never before read about women wrestlers. But it wasn't so much about wrestling as a coming-of-age, finding-oneself story, and I struggled very hard to like and even understand this heroine. By the time I hit the 75% mark, I just wanted to get the book over with.
Final thoughts: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...
And they are characters, with flaws, hopes, and dreams. There's Mimi, Johnny, Lacey, Sam. The women are torn between following their hearts, having marriages and babies and being champions in wrestling. You couldn't do both back then. The men need to protect their women and can't seem to accept their women don't need protecting.
Leonie is the heroine of the story. She just wants to be admired. She's been a wallflower most of her life and feel self conscious about her body. When she joins the world of wrestling she has to learn to put on a show, to look haughty when she isn't, appear sexy when she doesn't know what sexy is. She gets confused and begins playing a role all the time, undecided as to what her real role in life really is.
There are great rough and tumble scenes. There are morals--the photo shoot with the Gorgeous Girls--and really, how far should you be willing to go to make people like you? And do they like you for the right reasons? There are funny moments--not LOL ones--but sarcastic, witty prose.
But the book has a major flaw, at least for me. Most novels have one of the following types of narrative: third person, past tense; first person, past tense; third person, present tense; first person, present tense. This had a new one that I've never ran into before and hope to never run into again. The YOU person, present tense.
"You will end the day in this position, too. At present, there's no snow or ice outside, so after you finish your coffee, you will on your Keds and go for a run, reacquainting yourself with your neighborhood, before..."
This made a difficult read for me, but I was interested enough in the story to keep reading. I wanted this book because I'd never before read about women wrestlers. But it wasn't so much about wrestling as a coming-of-age, finding-oneself story, and I struggled very hard to like and even understand this heroine. By the time I hit the 75% mark, I just wanted to get the book over with.
Final thoughts: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...
November 6, 2014
Incredibly enjoyable coming-of-age novel about a lady wrestler in the heyday of lady wrestling. I loved every bit about this book - from the modest and shy beginnings of our protagonist, to her desire for something bigger with her life, to her enjoyment of fame, and all the life lessons that came with the journey. The descriptions of the wrestling bouts were fantastic, and very edge-of-your-seat. Even me, the non-athletic type, got swept up in the excitement, and kinda wanted to put on a vintage suit and join in! Pairs well with the documentary Lipstick & Dynamite.
July 30, 2016
This book would probably fall pretty solidly into the category of "beach read"-not lifetime-memorable, not any deep substance to it, but I really enjoyed it! It was a fun novel narrated by and revolving around women. Parts of it were fairly predictable but the ending did a bit of a bait-and-switch that made me very happy. I just had a really good time reading this.
September 18, 2021
A well written novel about a young woman coming of age, discovering herself and her new life by becoming a female wrestler in the 1950s. A most unlikely candidate for such a life, she crashes completely out of her shy and inarticulate youth and eventually discovers a new world and a new self, seeing others in a new light was well.
One interesting dynamic in the book involved the assigned roles in the wrestling world: you were either the heel (villain) or the face (hero). The roles and the outcomes of the matches were almost always determined beforehand. In contrast to this, our protagonist has to decide whether she will accept the assigned roles, in both wrestling and life, or not. Very well written.
One interesting dynamic in the book involved the assigned roles in the wrestling world: you were either the heel (villain) or the face (hero). The roles and the outcomes of the matches were almost always determined beforehand. In contrast to this, our protagonist has to decide whether she will accept the assigned roles, in both wrestling and life, or not. Very well written.
December 31, 2015
I think any time an author writes a novel in a perspective other than the standard first person singular or third person limited, it’s going to get a lot of attention just for that reason. Though Angelina Mirabella’s debut novel has a lot going for it, what’s going to stand out for its readers right away is its second person narrative. Though, of course, I think the fact that The Sweetheart is also about a professional female wrestler in the 1950s United States is another huge draw, regardless of anything else. The story presented in this book, of Gwen Davies and her rise to wrestling stardom, is one that’s certainly far outside what’s typically offered in mainstream historical fiction.
DEAR YOU: HERE’S THE STORY
So, second person narrative. It’s a big thing to try in the book, one that can really be hit or miss. For myself, I don’t mind a second person narrative except in certain situations where the fourth wall is broken. That doesn’t really happen here, since the “you” and the “I” Mirabella uses are both contained within the novel itself. Honestly, I thought that the book did a good job with her narrative decision here, and though the conceit wound up feeling a bit too much like an attempt at being “literary” in the epilogue, it did make quite a nice effect in some places and passages.
By and large, though, I think second person narrative is something that’s nice every once and a while, but it would get old very fast if it suddenly became a major market trend.
GROWING UP IS MESSY
The Sweetheart is very much a coming of age story, focused on maybe a few years in the life of teenaged Gwen Davies, a girl who’s decided that she wants to be a professional wrestler. Though, as the reader finds out, Gwen is less interested in the (questionable) athleticism of the sport and more in the fans and adoration she receives as a minor celebrity—she reinvents her image as a wrestler with the express purpose of becoming more widely adored by audiences, for instance.
What’s interesting, and in the end, admirable, about this book is that it portrays a main character who is absolutely not making the best choices for much of the story. Gwen Davis is selfish and shallow and a little bit vain, and those character traits cause problems for her not only professionally, but personally as well. Mirabella isn’t afraid of writing this “unlikable” young woman, and though the final chapter shows Gwen attainting some level of self-awareness (thus completing her coming of age), for the most part, The Sweetheart does not portray Gwen as a good person, a view which is helped by the seemingly omniscient, retrospective narrator, who isn’t afraid to expose this protagonist’s mistakes and chide her for them.
FACES, HEELS, AND OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
While, obviously, professional wrestling is a popular enough thing to have been around for decades, it’s not something that makes frequent appearances in books. At least not in my experience. Never overly didactic, The Sweetheart still did a good job of explaining Gwen Davies new career and highlighting the culture that surrounds professional wrestling. The wrestling was very well integrated into the book, and was important to the plot in ways that made it clear that this wasn’t just the story about a girl who happened to be a wrestler. I appreciated the author’s attention to detail and faithful depiction of the sport/spectacle (whichever you prefer).
SOLIDLY THOUGHT-PROVOKING
I wouldn’t go so far as to cal The Sweetheart a fun or entertaining book. The oddity of the narration style combined with a deeply flawed protagonist kept me from enjoying this book in the way I might perhaps have expected (assumptions based on the cover, perhaps). Yet, it was still fascinating, and an experience that I haven’t had before while reading. Fundamentally, most coming of age stories are the same, but how many are there about female wrestlers in the mid-20th century? Not many. So perhaps much of this book’s success lies in its novelty; certainly, I didn’t think Angelina Mirabella managed the hard-hitting literary scope she was clearly intending with this. I’d say The Sweetheart was a good read, different from the usual genre offerings, and well-written.
DEAR YOU: HERE’S THE STORY
So, second person narrative. It’s a big thing to try in the book, one that can really be hit or miss. For myself, I don’t mind a second person narrative except in certain situations where the fourth wall is broken. That doesn’t really happen here, since the “you” and the “I” Mirabella uses are both contained within the novel itself. Honestly, I thought that the book did a good job with her narrative decision here, and though the conceit wound up feeling a bit too much like an attempt at being “literary” in the epilogue, it did make quite a nice effect in some places and passages.
By and large, though, I think second person narrative is something that’s nice every once and a while, but it would get old very fast if it suddenly became a major market trend.
GROWING UP IS MESSY
The Sweetheart is very much a coming of age story, focused on maybe a few years in the life of teenaged Gwen Davies, a girl who’s decided that she wants to be a professional wrestler. Though, as the reader finds out, Gwen is less interested in the (questionable) athleticism of the sport and more in the fans and adoration she receives as a minor celebrity—she reinvents her image as a wrestler with the express purpose of becoming more widely adored by audiences, for instance.
What’s interesting, and in the end, admirable, about this book is that it portrays a main character who is absolutely not making the best choices for much of the story. Gwen Davis is selfish and shallow and a little bit vain, and those character traits cause problems for her not only professionally, but personally as well. Mirabella isn’t afraid of writing this “unlikable” young woman, and though the final chapter shows Gwen attainting some level of self-awareness (thus completing her coming of age), for the most part, The Sweetheart does not portray Gwen as a good person, a view which is helped by the seemingly omniscient, retrospective narrator, who isn’t afraid to expose this protagonist’s mistakes and chide her for them.
FACES, HEELS, AND OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT KNOW
While, obviously, professional wrestling is a popular enough thing to have been around for decades, it’s not something that makes frequent appearances in books. At least not in my experience. Never overly didactic, The Sweetheart still did a good job of explaining Gwen Davies new career and highlighting the culture that surrounds professional wrestling. The wrestling was very well integrated into the book, and was important to the plot in ways that made it clear that this wasn’t just the story about a girl who happened to be a wrestler. I appreciated the author’s attention to detail and faithful depiction of the sport/spectacle (whichever you prefer).
SOLIDLY THOUGHT-PROVOKING
I wouldn’t go so far as to cal The Sweetheart a fun or entertaining book. The oddity of the narration style combined with a deeply flawed protagonist kept me from enjoying this book in the way I might perhaps have expected (assumptions based on the cover, perhaps). Yet, it was still fascinating, and an experience that I haven’t had before while reading. Fundamentally, most coming of age stories are the same, but how many are there about female wrestlers in the mid-20th century? Not many. So perhaps much of this book’s success lies in its novelty; certainly, I didn’t think Angelina Mirabella managed the hard-hitting literary scope she was clearly intending with this. I’d say The Sweetheart was a good read, different from the usual genre offerings, and well-written.
February 3, 2015
This book was a strong 3.5 stars and then I absolutely loved the ending! First, the reason for the lowish rating (at least for me), I found the plot to be a bit slow at times in this one. While there were lots of things happening, it just felt like I was supposed to feel excited, but that the hype just never quite got through to me.
That being said, the writing in this was so fun. I usually don't care for books written in the second person, but in this case it's pretty clear from the beginning that there is another narrator at play, and she is addressing Gwen, not really me the reader. (Does this make any sense? No? That's okay, you don't find out the narrator until the very end anyway). But I loved both the generational and wrestling-specific lingo. The whole story had a real "hey hep cat" "what's the big idea wiseguy?" kind of a feel.
Finally, the ending, which really brought home the feminist leanings of the book, which were pretty subtle throughout the rest of the story. Which I appreciate, because while I agree with those sensibilities wholeheartedly, it's nice to not always be beat over the head with them (even though sometimes you may want to be).
That being said, the writing in this was so fun. I usually don't care for books written in the second person, but in this case it's pretty clear from the beginning that there is another narrator at play, and she is addressing Gwen, not really me the reader. (Does this make any sense? No? That's okay, you don't find out the narrator until the very end anyway). But I loved both the generational and wrestling-specific lingo. The whole story had a real "hey hep cat" "what's the big idea wiseguy?" kind of a feel.
Finally, the ending, which really brought home the feminist leanings of the book, which were pretty subtle throughout the rest of the story. Which I appreciate, because while I agree with those sensibilities wholeheartedly, it's nice to not always be beat over the head with them (even though sometimes you may want to be).
February 15, 2015
Like many other reviewers, I was unfamiliar with the world of women's wrestling when I picked up this book, but the intricate detail of the author's well-researched descriptions had me hooked. I found the pace a bit slow until about the midpoint of the book and, as others have noted, the second-person narration somewhat off-putting--but I also found it intriguing enough to keep reading. Just as the protagonist comes into her own as the Sweetheart, the novel really begins to take shape, and I found the second half much more compelling than the first. The characters are well-developed and the epilogue is particularly satisfying. I'm looking forward to reading more from Mirabella in the future.
April 14, 2015
The world of women's wrestling int he 1950's like you've never seen it before...
What's unique about this novel is its second person narration; as you read, you are Gwen, you are The Sweetheart, and you are completely tangled into the plot. Gwen is a strong woman - both physically and mentally - and has a lot to accomplish to make her way to the top. You're thrown into the world of wrestling, with the faces and heels, the rivalries and pageantry, the love and the lies.
Such an absolutely fun read!
What's unique about this novel is its second person narration; as you read, you are Gwen, you are The Sweetheart, and you are completely tangled into the plot. Gwen is a strong woman - both physically and mentally - and has a lot to accomplish to make her way to the top. You're thrown into the world of wrestling, with the faces and heels, the rivalries and pageantry, the love and the lies.
Such an absolutely fun read!
January 14, 2015
Goodreads win. Will read and review once received.
This was an enjoyable coming of age book. It is about a woman who is a wrestler. I found that to be interesting because in truth I never think of a woman as being a wrestler. I know they can be but it just never pops into my mind. This book has some interesting life lessons throughout the journey o this book. The author did a great job of describing different things throughout this book. A great read.
This was an enjoyable coming of age book. It is about a woman who is a wrestler. I found that to be interesting because in truth I never think of a woman as being a wrestler. I know they can be but it just never pops into my mind. This book has some interesting life lessons throughout the journey o this book. The author did a great job of describing different things throughout this book. A great read.
January 9, 2022
I added this book to my TBR/WTR (want to read) list because of the title and the cover initially. Later I realized that this book was not something that I would normally pickup to read. Second-person narrative and a sports book - women's wrestling to be specific - neither topic typically appeals to me. Historical fiction on the other hand, does. So I figured I'd at least give it a shot.
I will say, it does take a bit to get used to the second-person narrative writing style. But the way that Angelina Mirabella writes this story is almost that the main character is reflecting on her life and documenting her life and how she felt and feels now about her decisions.
I found myself relating quite a bit to the main character (Leonie Putzkammer/Gorgeous Gwen Davies/The Sweetheart). She's an awkward girl with a relationship with her father that could be described as distant or strained but for me it reminded me very similarly of the relationship that I had with my father where he didn't know what to do with a daughter as she developed into her own person. Perhaps that's the two reasons I found myself drawn to Gwen (as this is the persona that she refers to herself in, that's how I shall too). We were both looking for a place that we belong to, a group of people or place to accept us as we discovered who we were meant to become.
Angelina does a great job of introducing women's wrestling and it's start in a beginner's format as Gwen starts out at school and then later transitions on to the road. Angelina provides insight and definitions into terms and positions as it's Gwen learning them. As Gwen learns about this new world, you also learn about it. While Gwen and most of the characters are fictional, what the characters do and go through are not. Gwen stars on shows, find love within her sport, starts out as a nobody and becomes a somebody, and rises and falls - just like many others in the sport. Angelina helps to tie this back to some notable characters in women's wrestling by talking about Mildred Burke and June Byers as they are a big part of the start of women's wrestling.
Like a lot of people who are discovering themselves and who they want to be, they're going to make choices that affect the rest of their life. But it's only in self-reflection to do they see how all the pieces got them to where they are today. For Gwen - I think a big part of this falls on the time where
This book is a great read once you're used to the writing style. I think there's something that everyone can take away from this book - even if it's just the self-reflection afterward. I found some great quotes that I liked and think about still while writing this review a day later that lead me to think about the following: Are we all destined at some point to become either a face or heel? If we're a face, will we eventually become a heel because of our own doing? Can we ever really go home again?
While I don't think I will ever be a fan of women's wrestling (it's just not my speed as a sport), I am a fan of this book and thank you Angelina for a writing this as your debut novel. Thank you also for bringing us Leonie/Gorgeous Gwen Davies/The Sweetheart.
I will say, it does take a bit to get used to the second-person narrative writing style. But the way that Angelina Mirabella writes this story is almost that the main character is reflecting on her life and documenting her life and how she felt and feels now about her decisions.
I found myself relating quite a bit to the main character (Leonie Putzkammer/Gorgeous Gwen Davies/The Sweetheart). She's an awkward girl with a relationship with her father that could be described as distant or strained but for me it reminded me very similarly of the relationship that I had with my father where he didn't know what to do with a daughter as she developed into her own person. Perhaps that's the two reasons I found myself drawn to Gwen (as this is the persona that she refers to herself in, that's how I shall too). We were both looking for a place that we belong to, a group of people or place to accept us as we discovered who we were meant to become.
Angelina does a great job of introducing women's wrestling and it's start in a beginner's format as Gwen starts out at school and then later transitions on to the road. Angelina provides insight and definitions into terms and positions as it's Gwen learning them. As Gwen learns about this new world, you also learn about it. While Gwen and most of the characters are fictional, what the characters do and go through are not. Gwen stars on shows, find love within her sport, starts out as a nobody and becomes a somebody, and rises and falls - just like many others in the sport. Angelina helps to tie this back to some notable characters in women's wrestling by talking about Mildred Burke and June Byers as they are a big part of the start of women's wrestling.
Like a lot of people who are discovering themselves and who they want to be, they're going to make choices that affect the rest of their life. But it's only in self-reflection to do they see how all the pieces got them to where they are today. For Gwen - I think a big part of this falls on the time where
This book is a great read once you're used to the writing style. I think there's something that everyone can take away from this book - even if it's just the self-reflection afterward. I found some great quotes that I liked and think about still while writing this review a day later that lead me to think about the following: Are we all destined at some point to become either a face or heel? If we're a face, will we eventually become a heel because of our own doing? Can we ever really go home again?
While I don't think I will ever be a fan of women's wrestling (it's just not my speed as a sport), I am a fan of this book and thank you Angelina for a writing this as your debut novel. Thank you also for bringing us Leonie/Gorgeous Gwen Davies/The Sweetheart.
March 17, 2018
When Wrestling promoter Salvatore Constantini walked into Leonie diner, her world would turn upside down...for ever.
Her life tending tables and caring for her father changed when she found herself at Joe Pospisil School for Lady Grappling. She would become ‘Gorgeous Gwen Davies’ tag team partner to ‘Screaming Mimi Hollander.
But life as a ‘heel’ leaves her wanting, until she becomes the heroine known as ‘The Sweetheart’. Fans adore her new persona yet Gwen finds this only further complicates the relationships around her.
What price for fame does Gwen have to pay and still be true to herself?
Af first, reading the initial Prologue provided a real ‘make or break’ dilemma. What exactly was going on about an invitation to honour a Wrestling legend, two elderly women and a ‘Turnip’?
Instincts proved right to push on and discover this sweet and rich blossoming teens journey of self discovery as a women wrestler in 1950’s America.
Wrestling is seen by many as mere pantomime. Yes, this is the world of ‘Kay-fabe’, where to be fake and not to break character in adherence to the ‘story’ is paramount. Yet, here this world is treated with a respectable eye and significant backdrop to women’s empowerment.
For Leonie, as her alter ego Gwen, it allows her to explore her world and become someone on her own terms. Against her nemesis Mimi, and with her developing relationship with fellow wrestler Sam, both tests her own beliefs between domesticity and who she is during a more conservative time of more traditional gender roles.
This is a story which lingers after the last page, as it accomplishes what good stories should do. To make the reader live in the protagonist skin and feel what they struggle and ponder. I haven’t read a book in a a while which makes you think about each point of view so profoundly. Why Leonie father Franz feels so protective of his daughter and Sam’s feelings with Gwen’s increasing adulation and fame from her fans.
Here it is important to bear in mind the time this is set and social expectations of middle America nearly a decade after the Second World War.
A loving and sweet tale of a young women’s remarkable journey to become her own person against significant odds within the world of wrestling during a more conservative time in America.
Reading the Prologue after the very last line made perfect well rounded sense. Lovely. 9/10
Her life tending tables and caring for her father changed when she found herself at Joe Pospisil School for Lady Grappling. She would become ‘Gorgeous Gwen Davies’ tag team partner to ‘Screaming Mimi Hollander.
But life as a ‘heel’ leaves her wanting, until she becomes the heroine known as ‘The Sweetheart’. Fans adore her new persona yet Gwen finds this only further complicates the relationships around her.
What price for fame does Gwen have to pay and still be true to herself?
Af first, reading the initial Prologue provided a real ‘make or break’ dilemma. What exactly was going on about an invitation to honour a Wrestling legend, two elderly women and a ‘Turnip’?
Instincts proved right to push on and discover this sweet and rich blossoming teens journey of self discovery as a women wrestler in 1950’s America.
Wrestling is seen by many as mere pantomime. Yes, this is the world of ‘Kay-fabe’, where to be fake and not to break character in adherence to the ‘story’ is paramount. Yet, here this world is treated with a respectable eye and significant backdrop to women’s empowerment.
For Leonie, as her alter ego Gwen, it allows her to explore her world and become someone on her own terms. Against her nemesis Mimi, and with her developing relationship with fellow wrestler Sam, both tests her own beliefs between domesticity and who she is during a more conservative time of more traditional gender roles.
This is a story which lingers after the last page, as it accomplishes what good stories should do. To make the reader live in the protagonist skin and feel what they struggle and ponder. I haven’t read a book in a a while which makes you think about each point of view so profoundly. Why Leonie father Franz feels so protective of his daughter and Sam’s feelings with Gwen’s increasing adulation and fame from her fans.
Here it is important to bear in mind the time this is set and social expectations of middle America nearly a decade after the Second World War.
A loving and sweet tale of a young women’s remarkable journey to become her own person against significant odds within the world of wrestling during a more conservative time in America.
Reading the Prologue after the very last line made perfect well rounded sense. Lovely. 9/10
May 24, 2019
Story: 7.5 / 10
Characters: 7.0
Setting: 7.0
Prose: 7.0
Overall, this is quite a good novel, especially for a debut. There are two weaknesses that might put off readers. The book starts with an arbitrary event that triggers a flashback that lasts for the entirety of the novel. Most stories make this same mistake. Humans have been using stories to communicate information since the early days of language. Readers know they are going to be told a story when they pick up a book. These "introductions" are entirely superfluous.
More importantly, the author chose to use a very unusual narrative device. In fact, the only other author I can recall writing in this way was Tolstoy in War & Peace. Throughout Tolstoy's novel, the narrator will say "... and it is this [battle] that ultimately results in France's [weakening power]". Compare that statement with "With France's most recent mistake, their prospects were not promising". Note however, that by the time Tolstoy wrote this work, most people would be very much aware of the results of the war. Pointing out some educational information in a largely inconsistent voice might be acceptable. It didn't work for me, but the proposition sounds reasonable.
In The Sweetheart, no one knows what is going to happen; the story is fictitious. This style is problematic because it technically spoils some of the suspense. At a conceptual level, this type of omniscient narrator is very much consistent with flashback plot structures. Nevertheless, neither work in my not-so-humble opinion.
Now I'm worried that I might some similar mistake in my upcoming first novel. The book is still well worth reading despite these high-level faults. Hopefully mine will be too.
Tags: Women, wrestling, sports, athletes, goals, purpose, direction, career
Characters: 7.0
Setting: 7.0
Prose: 7.0
Overall, this is quite a good novel, especially for a debut. There are two weaknesses that might put off readers. The book starts with an arbitrary event that triggers a flashback that lasts for the entirety of the novel. Most stories make this same mistake. Humans have been using stories to communicate information since the early days of language. Readers know they are going to be told a story when they pick up a book. These "introductions" are entirely superfluous.
More importantly, the author chose to use a very unusual narrative device. In fact, the only other author I can recall writing in this way was Tolstoy in War & Peace. Throughout Tolstoy's novel, the narrator will say "... and it is this [battle] that ultimately results in France's [weakening power]". Compare that statement with "With France's most recent mistake, their prospects were not promising". Note however, that by the time Tolstoy wrote this work, most people would be very much aware of the results of the war. Pointing out some educational information in a largely inconsistent voice might be acceptable. It didn't work for me, but the proposition sounds reasonable.
In The Sweetheart, no one knows what is going to happen; the story is fictitious. This style is problematic because it technically spoils some of the suspense. At a conceptual level, this type of omniscient narrator is very much consistent with flashback plot structures. Nevertheless, neither work in my not-so-humble opinion.
Now I'm worried that I might some similar mistake in my upcoming first novel. The book is still well worth reading despite these high-level faults. Hopefully mine will be too.
Tags: Women, wrestling, sports, athletes, goals, purpose, direction, career
December 24, 2017
I really wanted to like this book, if for no other reason than the great opening line "The turnip and I have a history." The premise -- a memoir style tale told by one of America's more famous female wrestlers of the 1950-1960's -- sparkled with promise. The book, however, was fairly dull. The main problem I had, which prevented me from sinking into the book, was that the narrator, Leonie, did not think, talk or reason like a woman coming of age in the 1950's-1960's. There was a thin varnish of historical accuracy to much of the book, e.g., descriptions like "white girls in Peter Pan collars," but overall Leonie's interior observations read like they belong to a woman raised in the 1970's-80's. Example of her interior dialogue > "There will be no more inquiries into your professional and personal travails on this trip." No blue collar, high school educated woman born in the 1930's who went to lady wrestling school thinks/talks to herself in this abstract language. A 30-something English major who learned to write in academic workshops thinks and talks like this: not surprisingly this appears to be who the author, Angelina Mirabelle, is in her waking life.
The book is thinly knitted together with a hodge-podge of borrowed plot lines. It starts out sounding like the beginnings of "Hairspray," in blue collar Philly, but ends up sounding like a white girl 1980's version of "Stella Gets Her Groove Back." Overall, the book struck me as a bland or "ok" piece of writing of the kind whittled out at a series of MFA workshops, over-analyzed, written by someone who had learned their backstory by watching TV clips and reading old Life Magazines rather than by living through and negotiating the moments.
The book is thinly knitted together with a hodge-podge of borrowed plot lines. It starts out sounding like the beginnings of "Hairspray," in blue collar Philly, but ends up sounding like a white girl 1980's version of "Stella Gets Her Groove Back." Overall, the book struck me as a bland or "ok" piece of writing of the kind whittled out at a series of MFA workshops, over-analyzed, written by someone who had learned their backstory by watching TV clips and reading old Life Magazines rather than by living through and negotiating the moments.
February 27, 2017
3.5/5 stars. Perhaps you don't know this about me, but when I was little I used to LOVE watching female professional wrestling. In the early-to-mid 80's there was a WWF-style wrestling show with only lady wrestlers. I'm not sure what I liked about it so much, but it was probably mostly related to their outfits. I was also really into She-ra, and the characters on that show definitely dressed in wrestler-like costumes, so that makes sense. Eventually, when I was about 6 or 7, my parents banned me from watching lady wrestling any further, as the show got me "too worked up" and they were worried I'd break the couch jumping on it and body slamming myself.
So, that leads us to this book, which is set in the 1950's during what was, apparently, a heyday for women's wrestling on a touring circuit. The first part of this novel is super interesting as we follow the small town protagonist as she goes from amateur gymnast to budding pro-wrestler. Eventually, the story takes too long to wrap itself up, but for the most part the plot if pretty solid. In some ways, the book is pretty unique, but in other ways it's a lot like a wrestling version of "A League of Their Own."
Also, this book is written with 2nd person narration, which was a weird choice. Frankly, it seemed like a technique that the author used so she could just "tell" us stuff, rather than have to write better and make us infer what the character was feeling.
So, that leads us to this book, which is set in the 1950's during what was, apparently, a heyday for women's wrestling on a touring circuit. The first part of this novel is super interesting as we follow the small town protagonist as she goes from amateur gymnast to budding pro-wrestler. Eventually, the story takes too long to wrap itself up, but for the most part the plot if pretty solid. In some ways, the book is pretty unique, but in other ways it's a lot like a wrestling version of "A League of Their Own."
Also, this book is written with 2nd person narration, which was a weird choice. Frankly, it seemed like a technique that the author used so she could just "tell" us stuff, rather than have to write better and make us infer what the character was feeling.
July 10, 2017
I loved this. Literary fiction about professional wrestling? I'm so there for that. I did not, however, like the ending. It's hard because the end did fit with the character and her growth, and, at the very least, she didn't give it all up for a man, but still. I'm upset she gave it up at all and the way it happened felt a little ridiculous.
Also, why oh why did I have to read an entire novel in second person? Kill me. I could've connected with all of the characters more if the story wasn't told in second person. I really don't understand what point this narrative decision served. What do we gain from Leigh telling this story to her old self (and addressing her as you)? When you think about the logistics of it, it's kind of awkward.
Also, why oh why did I have to read an entire novel in second person? Kill me. I could've connected with all of the characters more if the story wasn't told in second person. I really don't understand what point this narrative decision served. What do we gain from Leigh telling this story to her old self (and addressing her as you)? When you think about the logistics of it, it's kind of awkward.
August 25, 2019
A coming of age novel set in the 1950s using the backdrop of ladies wrestling to tell the story of Leonie Putazkammer, a Philadelphia native. A shy teenager, finding herself caught up in the world of lady wrestling through a chance encounter with a wrestling promoter at a diner she where she worked. Her sheltered existence exploded as she sought to find her own self. She learned about friendship, love and the importance of being true to yourself all while be involved in the crazy world of lady wrestling.
Not a bad debut novel. But it was not a "page turner".
Not a bad debut novel. But it was not a "page turner".
August 20, 2017
I didn't even know there were female wrestlers in the 50s. Kind of a coming-of-age tale involving wrestling, it was interesting, but kind of dragged sometimes. It is also written in 2nd person and the "you" of the book is the main character herself, so that took me out of the story sometimes, but it makes sense why the author chose to write it that way. Overall a good book with some minor flaws.
September 6, 2024
Edgy, quirky & creative, fascinating story based in the world of women's wrestling. Provides a surprising & wonderful perspective on life & its cycles, self-image, identity, maturation, & personal transformation. Written in an unusual 2nd-person point-of-view, which winds up being very effective in creating an impact. Through the tale of one young woman, we learn about the power of resilience. ~ Great book!
June 2, 2017
Enjoyed this book. Frustrated by it's point of view and tense but it became clear later as I read on. Well done. A very odd topic for a book, women's wrestling in the 1950's?
July 31, 2018
Thrown off by the use of 2nd person and couldn’t get into it.
March 5, 2019
I found the second-person narrative off-putting.
March 26, 2022
The POV was odd and jarring at times, but an engaging read. I never expected to find a book about wrestling!
Read
April 30, 2022DNF
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