These Heavy Black Bones

Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell was once a double British Champion and the first Black woman ever to swim for Great Britain. These Heavy Black Bones is a compulsive and unforgettable study of intensity, meditating on Blackness, identity, and the ecstasy of peak physical performance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2024
Publisher: Canongate Books

Poetic, Candid, and Utterly Compelling: Freya Bromley's These Heavy Black Bones is a remarkable literary achievement that captivates readers with its poetic prose and candid portrayal of the world of elite sport. The book reads like a thrilling thriller, immersing readers in the intense world of elite athletes and the struggles and sacrifices they endure.
Absolutely Remarkable: Lynn Barber, a renowned critic, praised These Heavy Black Bones as "absolutely remarkable." She commended the book for its ability to capture the tension and excitement of elite sport, highlighting the physical and mental challenges that athletes face. Barber praised the author's ability to illuminate the world of elite sport, both the struggle and the sacrifice that athletes make in pursuit of their dreams.
An Embodied Water Odyssey: Lidia Yuknavitch, a celebrated author, described These Heavy Black Bones as an "embodied water odyssey." She praised the book for its vivid and sensory descriptions of swimming, which brought the reader into the world of the athlete and the water. Yuknavitch noted that the book was a captivating exploration of Blackness, identity, and the ecstasy of peak physical performance.
Not a Story About Making History: While These Heavy Black Bones tells the story of Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, a double British Champion and the first Black woman to swim for Great Britain, it is not a story about making history. Instead, the book delves into the personal journey of the athlete, exploring her physical and mental development, her relationships, and her ultimate decision to walk away from the sport.
A Compulsive and Unforgettable Study of Intensity: These Heavy Black Bones is a compulsive and unforgettable study of intensity. The book meditates on Blackness, identity, and the ecstasy of peak physical performance. It lays bare the pressures within the swimming world, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport, the demands placed on athletes, and the toll it can take on their bodies and minds.
A Deep Exploration of Blackness and Identity: Through the lens of swimming, These Heavy Black Bones offers a deep exploration of Blackness and identity. The book challenges traditional notions of athleticism and beauty, showcasing the diversity and complexity of Black experiences. It explores the intersection of race, gender, and class in the swimming world and the challenges that Black athletes face in pursuit of their dreams.
The Ecstasy of Peak Physical Performance: The book also delves into the ecstasy of peak physical performance, capturing the sheer joy and exhilaration that athletes experience when they reach their physical limits. It explores the physical and mental preparation that athletes undergo to achieve their best, the sacrifices they make, and the emotional toll that competition can take.
Conclusion: In conclusion, These Heavy Black Bones is a remarkable literary achievement that offers a compelling and intimate portrait of the world of elite sport. The book's poetic prose, candid portrayal, and deep exploration of intensity make it a must-read for anyone interested in sports, literature, or the human experience. Freya Bromley's book is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to capture the essence of the human condition.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 147 x 223 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805300441
Edition number: Main