Bingo Row 1 – rec’d
My mother-in- law recommends two types of books. There are books that I already read and enjoyed and books that I don’t care for.
So when she recommended Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel, I didn’t think I’d like it, but I mostly did.
It’s a slice of life in a literal sense because it covers a very specific moment of eight girls’ lives – namely their competition in the Daughters of America Cup, a teenage girl boxing championship in Reno, Nevada.
The fighters:
Andi was a lifeguard until a little boy drowned during her shift.
Artemis is a legacy – one of three daughters who box.
Rachel wears a weird hat and is maybe actually homicidal.
Kate is upset by weird hats.
Iggy has a purple birthmark of some sort above her lip and looks up to her cousin, Izzy.
Izzy is a bit resentful of her younger cousin and wants to be a dog.
Tanya becomes an actor and plays clapping games.
Rose also plays clapping games and is maybe telepathic.
Their bodies are awkward, strong, and violent. This makes adults uncomfortable and so they get comments. One of the girls is called pretty because she isn’t. Another is told her birthmark is okay by people who don’t like it. And then they smash their bodies until one of them is left standing.
All the present moments in life and relationships will be the past one day. After the fight, win or lose, the girls grow up and get jobs in pharmacies, weddings, admin. Who wins isn’t that relevant. It’s just a moment in their young lives.