Beneath the surface #1-42

Summary:
The following pages, 1-42, is about Micheal Phelps reminiscing on his past and his childhood before becoming a legendary swimmer. In the book so far he goes through his life from when he was a little kid in the first grade to when he is now talking about his sister and what she struggled through. Micheal didn't really like the water at all, when he was put to swimming lessons he kind of grew into it and became a natural due to his hard working ability and high energy level. He grew up idolizing his sisters first who got a head start in swimming before he did at a sports club in Baltimore. Micheal also talks about how hardships in the family that he didn't understand back then and he does now, for example when his sister suffered from an eating disorder and when his parents got a divorce. Now his sister is recovering and the family is recuperating and he doesn't understand it as a child but looks back and understands it now.

Quote:
"I'm glad he doesn't coach my group. .... At the same time, the coach walked away, mumbling to himself 'thank goodness, I will never have to coach that kid.' We were both wrong."(Phelps 26)
I like this quote because it shows a clear foreshadow which is funny and give away the irony since there was a new coach and they already got on each other's bad side. Then when you flip the page you find out that they are both going to be working with each other which is ironic. I found this pretty funny.

Reflection:
The thing I like most about this novel is that it has many flashbacks and seems to be going in chronological order. The author starts of in the Olympics but then he goes into his childhood and his growth in life and family but also his growth in swimming. Another thing that really interested me was that the author talks to the reader and shares his thoughts, share his flashbacks, relates to his flash backs and also comment on certain situations. Almost as if he's sitting next to you, conversing with you and telling you his story.