Monday, July 29, 2024
Young Woman & the Sea
Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle’s inspirational story starts off in 1914 New York City. She has the measles & the doctor doesn’t think she will survive the night. But she does. Her parents are German immigrants. Her father is a butcher. Her mother is protective of her children. Meg is her older sister & her best friend. She also has a brother. This is a very sexist & paternal world & times. Her mom is determined to find swimming lessons for her girls for their own protection. Trudy takes to the water well & begins to win swimming competitions. She evens competes in the 1924 Summer Olympics in France. After seeing newsreels about men attempting to swim the English Channel, Trudy becomes obsessed with that challenge & making that her goal. This is an inspirational story of determination. It’s also a heartwarming story about the love of family & how a community can come together during times dire times.
Alien gives it 3½ “Ain’t we got funl” stars out of 4.
