I’ve been wanting to read Fast Girl by Suzy Hamilton ever since I saw all the buzz a few months back upon it’s release. When Wendy (Taking the Long Way Home) mentioned it was her pick for her virtual book club this month, I knew I was in. I admit I have not been reading as much as I used to so I purchased the hardcover and took it along on my Aruba vacation.
https://www.instagram.com/p/_2RxBRRuWj/?taken-by=deborahbrooks14
Fast Girl is not about running but it is a fast read for sure. I was immediately sucked into the salacious story and basically binge read it. This book brought out the old psychotherapist in me. I have a Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work and back in the day I worked in an eating disorders clinic.
From the interviews that I saw on TV, (here on Good Morning America) Suzy Hamilton wrote this memoir to draw attention to the fact that she suffered from Bipolar disorder that went untreated for years. She believes her bipolar disorder led her to lead the life she did and spiral out of control.
Fast Girl is a text book case of narcissism among other personality disorders. Suzy Hamilton writes about her rise to elite runner status as an NCAA runner in college. She describes know how quickly rose to elite status while having the “best” boyfriend (and later husband), “best” coach and “huge” contracts with all the big brands. She talks a lot about the thrill she got posing for magazines and realizing what an amazing body she had.
She obviously was a very talented runner who won a spot on the US Olympic Team 3 times however, in my opinion, this did not seem to be enough for her. She craved attention and couldn’t get enough. She describes having the most amazing supportive husband but soon that was not enough either.
Once having her child and moving back to the suburbs of Wisconsin, she quickly became bored with life and her marriage. Somehow, she convinces her husband that it would be a great idea for her to become an escort in Las Vegas. She writes about her husband totally supporting her “need” to explore this side her. She then becomes the most “sought after and highly rated” escort in Vegas while her husband stays home taking care of their child. I had a really hard time believing he was on board with her lifestyle as she describes.
She relates in detail her numerous encounters with the “most important” clients in Vegas and how easy it was for her to make money because her body was so spectacular. She basically continues this behavior until she is found out by a journalist. Even now that she is in treatment, she doesn’t seem to have much regret about her behavior.
Fast Girl a fascinating, and steamy book to read on many levels. I was disappointed that the author essentially used her mental illness as an excuse for her behavior and even at the end of the book never really talks about her recovery at all. She includes a few sentences at the beginning of each chapter about realizing she was suffering from mental illness but does not elaborate on it or offer any advice on how someone else could get help.
As the reader of her memoir, I felt like I had stumbled across someone’s exaggerated, embellished diary. If you are looking for a “fast” entertaining read, I highly recommend this book. You can find it on Amazon here (affiliate link).
I am so glad that I participated in the virtual book club with Wendy! Check out all the link ups on her blog.
Next month Wendy has chosen
Looks like another winner to me! I’ve already ordered it myself.
Her story certainly is interesting. I haven’t read the book yet (I’m currently podcast binging on my 2 hours per day commute time) but I did hear her interview with Bob Babbitt on Babbittville Radio. I admired her honesty, although as you indicate nothing really comes across as remorseful. She did portray it in the interview as coming forward and talking about it despite people wanting her to just “go away” because of the need to raise awareness about these mental health issues. It was thought-provoking.
Thought provoking indeed! I was a little disappointed that she did not talk about her recovery more
I love reading anything that I can psychoanalyze- I totally need to get my hands on this book!
So do I and I think you would love it!
I am good at reading books if I don’t like the central character. It would be one thing if I knew that she reformed at the end, but knowing she doesn’t… I would probably want to strangle her for using her mental illness as a cop out.
I had some mixed feelings indeed but it was a very interesting read. Perfect for your vacation!
You had the exact same thoughts as me. I think she did bipolar disorder a disservice. What a read!
I completely agree! I was left hoping for more on how she was changed with treatment. Thanks for the linkup
Hmm. Sounds like an interesting story but I get annoyed by “true” stories that are embellished. Just write fiction!
I think it was “true” for her because she obviously has a distorted view of some things. An interesting read indeed!
This sounds like quite a book! I’ll have to pick it up. I’m always looking for a good read.
It was fascinating really!
Sounds like an interesting read. My book club turned into a wine club, but I miss reading, so will probably join right in! 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation!
LOL I think that’s common 🙂
Wow this book seems so interesting. I’m hooked just reading your recap so I can’t wait to dive into it.
It was really a fun read! Hope you check it out
I read it a few months ago…it was a fast read for sure…. I was shocked that her husband went along with the whole thing and allowed all the Vegas trips, etc… The book does sort of end abruptly from when her secret gets out to her getting help for her illness, and you’re right, doesn’t really talk about the recovery process. It’s not a book I would necessarily recommend.
It was an interesting read for sure but I was also left a little disappointed. No way her hubs was on board with that!
This looks good! I actually saw her speak at the Health and Fitness Expo on Sunday 🙂
Oh really! I wish I had known. Would love to know how she was in person
This sounds really fascinating! I might have to pick this up once I finish Game of Thrones 🙂
It’s a thrilling read for sure!
Sounds like an interesting book. Reading was on my list last year and just didn’t happen so I have 4 books sitting here that I wanted to read that I still need to read. While today would be the perfect day to grab a book and snuggle up with a blanket and cup of tea or a latte in my bay window soaking up the sun and reading I think I will grab my coffee, sit there, and catch up on writing some posts I need to get written oh and try not to fall asleep.
I am on a mission to read more this year too!
Huh…very interesting although without reading it yet I feel a little sensitive to the way that it seems to approach mental health issues. Otherwise sounds like a good read! Nice review. 🙂
I honestly was a little disappointed in the mental health issue part and expected something different but a fun read none the less
I’m going through sort of a reading binge right now, while I can’t get out much. Fast reads that capture my attention are always good. I may check and see if they have this at my library today!
Thanks for sharing! Oh, and now after looking at you picture I totally want to be on a beach with a book, LOL
It’s so cold today so do I!
Sounds like an interesting read! Thanks for sharing your take on it! I will have to add it to my list of books to read this year!
Definitely a fantastic story!
That seems like a pretty good read. I need to pick up some books. I’ve been so lazy lately.
I am on a mission to read more this year and this was an easy book to binge read
Psychology and PEOPLE are so interesting! I think I’d enjoy this book, even though I tend to go towards fiction novels.
Oh really interesting indeed!
Wow, I hadn’t heard of this book but it sounds like a really interesting story. Your review is great, Fast Girl seems like QUITE a character, lol!
You know it was fascinating on many levels!
Wow, that sounds like an intense read! I hadn’t heard of that book before, but it sounds juicy for sure. I always like to analyze the characters and their actions so I think this would be a good one for me!
I love to psychoanalyze people too and there is a lot of material here for sure!
I totally saw this story on Dateline or one of those shoes…it was fascinating. I’m sure the book is totally an engaging read with so much more to the story. Thanks for linking up with us!
Very engaging and quite a story indeed!
Holy smokes…what a crazy life! I need to add this to my Kindle list!
OH yes you do it’s a very engaging read
Sounds like an interesting story, but I don’t like it when memoirs feel embellished…
I mean I have to believe it is but I would think she probably sees it that way.
I am always looking for easy fast reads. If it takes me too long to get into a book I lose interest quick. May have to add this to my list of books to read.
I can assure you will not lose interest it’s a page turner for sure
I have been hearing all the buzz about this one…will hafta check it out!
Yes a great read indeed!
It sounds like she has quite an inflated image of herself. Well, she’s getting a little older now. I’ll bet that body isn’t quite as spectacular.
If someone wants to be an “escort” that’s really their business, though putting that above your family is pretty selfish. But stop making excuses, and, while I’m sure the book is interesting, the idea that she is making money from all of this kind of bothers me.
Whatever Suzy. You’re really not all that.
I kind of felt the same way after reading the story and I really felt badly for her husband and daughter
So she’s an escort with a husband and a kid? I agree that this story sounds hella interesting! But the fact that she seems to have a lot of growing left really sucks…she most likely needed the money :/
I believe she really does still have a lot of healing and recovery in her future
I’ve been reading nothing but yoga books lately. Yoga teacher training starts tomorrow! My to-read list is on hold until July 🙂
That’s really exciting and probably a lot more important 🙂
Love love love the idea of a virtual book club. I feel guilty sometimes reading “easy” fiction, which is ridiculous if you factor in the time I spend watching Netflix. Maybe it’s time to change up my leisure!
Ha life’s too short to feel guilty about that!
I’ve been looking for a good book to start!! Thanks for the rec! xo
It’s a fun quick read with lots to think about for sure
Just put it on my birthday wish list! I also have been meaning to join a virtual book club, Wendy’s looks like a good choice.
Wendy’s club is fun you should join next month
Running and memoirs are my favorite things in life. I need to join this club. Thanks for the heads up.
Definitely check out her book club I am looking forward to participating each month
Interesting… it made me think of the book that made Oprah’s list but then turned out to be made up. Totally blanking on the name…
Oh yeah about that guy I remember. No this is a true story others have written about it as well. It’s a fast interesting read for sure
I have not read the book but I have heard of it and some of the story. It was a little far out there for me and I know my husband would be never go along with an idea like that. I am sure it was a fun read though, I love having a great book to read while on vacation. 🙂
It was a great vacation book for sure! I definitely had a hard time with the husband part no way that happened that way!
I had no idea that we had similar backgrounds. I have a psychology degree and worked on a locked inpatient adolescent psychiatric unit for 5 years before nursing school. We had mostly eating disordered patients!
OH wow small world we will have to chat about that one day!
It also makes you wonder how she’s going to act out next to keep herself in the spotlight . . .
It was an interesting read, I must say, and for some reason I’ve always been drawn to books about mental illness despite the fact that thankfully, that does not run in my family.
My guess is her father also had some sort of mental illness, but I couldn’t quite figure out what it was. Snow blowing all the neighbor’s driveways? Who DOES that?
It was a really interesting read! I am always fascinated by these types of books as well. I think she clearly needs some more treatment as she clearly is still acting out