Drawn to the Rhythm: A Passionate Life Reclaimed

To say this book is about rowing is to say that Brian's Song is about football. If you are looking for rowing tips, forget it. This is a story - a true story - a page-turner that you cannot put down.What Sara Hall has given us is the story of a journey to self-discovery and freedom. And to say that her writing is "lyrical," is a gross understatement. The rhythm and razor-sharp imagery of her writing is breathtaking. Sometimes it's poetic, sometimes irreverent and funny, sometimes downright scary. Her gifts extend far beyond her world-class ability to row.I've never rowed and (fortunately) cannot identify with the abusive relationship she found herself mired in. But everything else in the book rang bells for me: the dual-edged sword of motherhood -both fulfilling and sometimes suffocating, feelings of isolation, the need to find kindred spirits, the joys of supportive friendships, the power of self-determination, the exhilaration of pushing yourself to the limits (my limits are far lower than Sara's), and so much more.Picking up this book is like hearing faint peckings within a slightly wobbly egg and turning your attention to it in fascination and astonishment as you see cracks appear, chips pop out, and finally the miracle of what's inside.When I finished Drawn to the Rhythm, I was ready to turn right back to page one and start all over again - Sara's writing is that good and that inspiring.

Sara Hall is a private person who, even in her unfulfilling marriage, preferred solitude to a busy, outgoing lifestyle. To her husband she was submissive, always trying to please him at any cost, afraid to do anything which might cause his disapproval. As she tells her story, one can almost conjure up the image of a timid mouse cowering in the corner, too afraid and insecure to speak out. As she tells of her self-discovery and passion for rowing, she is inspired by the peace, tranquility and movement the sport brings. From that point on, she becomes less submissive, and rowing becomes her salvation from a domineering husband - her personal outlet in life just as some of us choose writing, music, dance or art.Unlike the book, "An Unfinished Marriage" by Joan Anderson, which I also highly recommend to readers, this marriage does not survive. However, Sara and her husband both learn some vitally important facts about their marriage and their own personal lives. Sara goes on to become a world championship rower, her confidence grows, and in the process she discovers her true self, a new passion and zest for life, and joy in her athletic accomplishments. The book is inspirational, highly recommended and most deserving of a five star rating. Thank you, Sara, for sharing your journey. May the waters you row upon always be calm and peaceful.

Several weeks a friend sent me an e-mail concerning a book entitled Drawn to the Rhythm by Sara Hall.   I read his comments and was skeptical at first because I did not feel I would enjoy a memoir about a woman in her 40s who became a world-class sculler. But I bought the book anyway.  Was I pleasantly surprised!   Sara has written a very exciting book depicting her life on the water and off.   She is an excellent writer and is able to capture the reader's interest with her story.   At times it's a very depressing story and then suddenly rockets to excitement, victory, and happiness.    Sara has transformed a very interesting biography into a "page-turner".  She is focused on two challenges in her life: first in her life with her family, and then in her time on the water with her rowing.   It amazes me that she's able to mold these two very different facets of her experience into a very intriguing story.   My guess many of you will despise the husband because he is such a jerk.   As my English Lit  professor might have said, the word jerk is strictly a euphemism in this instance!  I won't try to convince any of you to buy this book, but I think if you do, you will hear and experience the incredible story of a woman whose life totally changed over the last 6 years.   I was flabbergasted in the last chapter where she even shows gratitude to her former husband, because if life with him had not been so difficult, she probably never would have pushed herself so hard in this new life and adventure.  This is a moving and inspirational book, so if you don't have the time to read it, then at least buy a copy for your wife, sister or niece.   In fact, I am sending my copy to my niece in Concord NH because I think it will give her some real inspiration and she will enjoy reading Sara's story.  

Sara Hall has done something in her book, Drawn to the Rythm, that until now I thought was impossible. She addresses issues of spousal abuse without accusing an entire gender. Sara found comfort in a grueling sport, rowing, and an escape route from a troubling relationship with her husband. In becoming a World Champion she has offered a sterling example of the kind of strength it takes for anyone to set themselves free. Her writing style is almost musical, a tribute to her mother I suspect. Her story is heroic, in honor of all the strong men and women in her life - father, uncle, mentors, coaches, competitors, sons, daughters and yes, even her husband. Sara says that what a winner looks like is "a woman who lets go of her demons and takes her strength into the world." This is exactly what she has done in Drawn to the Rythm. She has found in her rowing (and her writing) ways to triumph over bitterness, sorrow, resignation and anger. If only all champions had such grace.

Sara Hall has transcended the memoir genre with this inspirational account of the emotional and physical pain she underwent in order to evolve into a fully-integrated human being --and also,along the way, become the World's Masters Champion in the woman's single shell, one of the most demanding sports in the world. Marital abuse comes in many forms, and in Hall's case, the years of verbal disparagement and icy indifference left no physical scars - but the mental damage to her psyche was profound. The day that turned her life around was the day she glimpsed a figure racing along the water in a rowing shell and, like Paul on the road to Damascus, she was forever changed. What followed was the grueling effort (often surreptitious as well, as her husband did not approve of any activity of hers not related to the house or the children)to become proficient in an extremely demanding sport. That she was 44 at the time did not deter her. That she had to sneak out of the house in the pre-dawn hours to practice, without coach or companion, did not deter her. She knew in her heart and soul and gut that she wanted to do this, and to do it well. As she gained confidence in her abilities, she also found herself strong enough to break away from the suffocating circumstances of her personal life. Both her athletic skills and her growing self-confidence have been achieved at great cost. The physical agony of turning oneself into a champion in any sport has rarely been described as well as this. It makes one realize that most of us will never have that defining moment experienced by Hall, and we certainly don't have the mental stamina and will power to arrive at the point where she now finds herself. Her writing is lyrical, tough, funny, and very honest. If she decides to leave the world of rowing, she has a bright literary future.