Rowing stories need a ring of authenticity – you know when someone has experienced what they are writing about.
Leon Fletcher gives his all not just in the telling of this tale abut also in the (quasi-autobiographical) nature of the actual story itself.
It tells the tale of a feisty athlete who doesn’t quite fit the “mould” which the selectors seem to want. He seeks perfection in his sculling boat and has a dream to scull like his hero, Chris Baillieu. The story takes us from his training base on the Tideway Thames in London to international training camp in Italy and a regatta ‘show-down’ in Germany.
The short story is a delightful read which any rower will find engaging and an authentic voice for the sport.
Buy The Sculler book on the Rowperfect shop
Peter Moir Haining – World Lightweight Sculling Champion
Leon is a natural waterman and I used to race him from Kew to Putney in my London years. I couldn’t put it down, his style reminds me of the Booker Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s Remains of the Day” Leon envelopes the concept of sculling and his story takes the context and moves on well with a rich vocabulary to boot! Recommend.
