Book Review & Giveaway: Going in Circles by Pamela Ribon
August 20, 2010 
23 Comments
Title: Going in Circles
Author: Pamela Ribon
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Downtown Press; Original edition (April 20, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416503862
ISBN-13: 978-1416503866
I’m really going to attempt to rein in my enthusiasm. Really! This is me attempting to sound like I’m not pushing a book at you.
Why?
Because it’s been just over a year since I retired from derby, that’s why.
The Setting — current day LA. For the most part the story centers around three locations; Charlotte’s apartment, work, and The Warehouse. The apartment and work are all commonplace locations and I really get a feel for where Charlotte lives with all of her F/U items. The Warehouse though, where the derby track is I really get. I felt as if I could hear the squeal of wheels on track and smell the pungent aroma of derby gear. Okay, it could also be my memories, but it took me back to those moments, standing on weird 80′s carpet and watching the pack fly by me as I decided I wanted to be there.
The Characters — felt like real people. The main character, Charlotte, is a very flawed person going through very real things and you get that. She’s not just in a horrible separation headed towards divorce, she’s a person with other issues. Her divorce isn’t the only thing wrong with her; sometimes she’s self-centered, sometimes she this or that, but she’s real. I know that I read that the book was based in some aspects off of real events, but I get what’s on paper. Matthew, Charlotte’s husband was a little less tangible but I think that was because he switched between being the man she married and this person he was becoming. However, I got his ticks, the things that Charlotte would see and work with – through Matthew you could see the depths of how much she cared and wanted to belong. Personally, that was what drew me to derby; you just belong there, and to some degree you really do marry it. I adore Paster, not only because I share part of my derby name with her, but also because I identified with being that person. I’m not a Charlotte. That’s just the truth. I’m a Francesca/Paster. Francesca is that person who hauls you out of the water and smacks life back into you. I sort of spent part of the book wishing that Andy would become something other than a friend, and part of it not wanting him too.
The Plot — is fairly straight forward, but real. Girl and boy get married, things go terribly wrong and they separate and try to figure out what to do. It picks up with Charlotte narrating her own life in 3rd person via the voice of John Goodman; I’ll admit, that was fun to imagine in my head. Along the path to discovering what she’s going to do with her life, Charlotte befriends Francesca and begins the real road to recovery. I don’t want to say too much, but I was laughing and feeling the heart-wrenching moments as I read. Heck, I scared my friend when I started laughing out loud in the middle of a chapter. You really are taken through the full gauntlet of what happens in a serious break-up. It’s not just a story about self discovery, it’s about healing, and you see the good moments and the bad. Tucked around it is the experience and support that roller derby has given Charlotte. It’s a really good view of what derby can be like. I played flat track, not banked so while some of the terminology was different – and we had no rails just crash zones – it is explained in such a way someone who knows nothing about derby can understand.
I would say that this book isn’t for the weak of heart. If you don’t like books that evoke emotions, some of which can remind you of ugly moments you don’t want to confront, those skeletons in the closet, this book might not be for you. But if you aren’t afraid to pick your own scabs or feel some empathy for the highs and lows – this is a fantastic book. Not just because there’s roller derby involved – yes, derby makes things ten billion times cooler – but because of the roller coaster ride it takes you on. There’s no fairy tale ending. But you know how it feels when a scab falls off and there’s new skin there? Sort of pink and tender – but it’s no longer bleeding – that’s sort of what this book feels like.
Now I think I need to check when the next bout is – because in flat track you call games bouts.
I bought this book after reading about it over at Whatever.
I’m giving away a copy of this book to a random commenter. You get an extra entry for posting entertaining roller derby names. Preferably you make it up yourself, but you can also scope out the registry over at two evils to see what kind of names people skate under and post your favorite. What was mine? Sick Cid Six Slinger.
Contest is open until August 24nd @ high noon!
I too retired a year ago- my derby name is Elle Beaux!
Name: Kobayashi Maul-You
Number: 2^43112609-1
I literally just decided that I should figure out how to skate and join a roller derby team like two weeks ago.
I’m glad you found a book that resonated so deeply with you. The first half of Paper Towns by John Green did the same with me.
Derby is a life choice, at least it was for the league I was in. I loved it, it was hard, and sometimes I cussed about it, but I wouldn’t go back and change anything. If you do join a team let me know and I’ll come cheer you on!!!
Yeah, I’m kind of known for making life-altering decisions at 3am. Hence my year-point-two-five of vegetarianism.
I need to learn to skate first ( I think? ) but I will definitely let you know.
Thank you so much for your support <3
Yeah, learning how to skate is kinda important. Learn how to skate and do crossovers and then you’re ready!
Wow. A Star Trek reference and a Mersenne prime (M45) tied up in one [potential] skater. Excellent!
I thought the unbeatability was somewhat appropriate
Oops! Should have been (M47)…that’s what I get for relying on wetware memory. As for unbeatability, double check before registering your name/number – I’d bet there will be a larger prime number within 18 months.
Considering I have to learn to skate and do crossovers before I can play, there will probably be several larger ones. :/ It makes me happy that people get it though
I’ve been a real fan of derby for a long time now. I’ve been an avid reader of Pamie since I was a freshman in High School and many of my friends are involved in derby. I would love to join myself but I am in grad school and have no time outside of reading. When bowling with some derby friends over the summer I came up with the name “Harlot Bronte”, but I’m sure it’s already been taken by a real skater.
Eeeeh! Harlot Brontë is freaking clever. I like it. <3
Loving the name!!!
I can’t wait to read this book! I’m a longtime avid Pamie reader.
I’m also totally intrigued by derby, yet so far scared of the bruises. I bruise incredibly easily, so picturing myself purple all over has so far kept me away.
It hasn’t kept me away from thinking up derby names for myself, though… My favourite are two nerdy Canadian author takeoffs: Margaret Splatwood and Malice Munro.
I like Malice Munro
Very much.
It’s probably the adrenaline but I rarely realized how hurt I was in the moment. It was usually the next day when I realized I was hurt, lol. Don’t let it stop you from trying it. You never know what you’ll really like until you do!
I’ll just post my own derby name.
I’m a Programmer, so I went with TechKnuckle Nikki. Gotta love Pamela Ribon!
NICE!!!
I love ms. Ribon’s work! she is a great author! looking forward to reading this one.
It really is one of my favorites this year.
I love Bella the Bully lol. Please enter me for your book giveaway
chaarmedone1512 {at} aol(.)com
Love it!
The contest is closed. I will post the winner shortly!