Alilou
Ubercavorter
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Opinions based on comments here - 99% of which are from people who have also not read the book. So yeah, based on nothing.
Repercussions of Papadakis' book & Cizeron's response
- Thread starter Sylvia
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That is why my comment was articulated in that context. I have read many similar books such as the Spare, This is my Story, I Tonya and the list goes on (and on). They all have some level of resentment in them and not saying that it is wrong to have those feelings, but just that I have been there done that before. I am sure she has good reason to feel the way she does but why does it have to be public? To make money? To get back at those who did her wrong? To practice writing?
Vagabond
Well-Known Member
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You may have been there before, but she hasn't.
Theatregirl1122
Needs a nap
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Right, so you formed your opinion on her book based on what you assume it is like based on other books. Which is the same as nothing.
Not very nice! Message Boards are for opinions based on whatever the writer wants say! Since you wrote something, I would venture to say it is something!
Karen-W
Let the fan wars of the Olympic season begin!
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Can you lay off the tone policing? People are free to express their disagreement with other posters however they see fit.
overedge
Mayor of Carrot City
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A book by a retired skater about her life in a sport that most of the world ignores in between Olympics - and that includes information that will upset a lot of people in the tiny world of that sport - is not going to make money. At least not enough money to offset the costs of writing it. That is true for the majority of authors.
And no one writes a book to "practice writing". There are lots of ways to practice writing that don't involve the time and effort it takes to write a full-length book.
I think the title (So As Not To Disappear) is a pretty good explanation of why she wrote the book. She wants her story to be remembered, and she wants to tell her story herself so that her experiences are known. And so that her story is not overshadowed or distorted by other voices with their versions of the same story.
And no one writes a book to "practice writing". There are lots of ways to practice writing that don't involve the time and effort it takes to write a full-length book.
I think the title (So As Not To Disappear) is a pretty good explanation of why she wrote the book. She wants her story to be remembered, and she wants to tell her story herself so that her experiences are known. And so that her story is not overshadowed or distorted by other voices with their versions of the same story.
MacMadame
Getting radicalized on YouTube
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So? SFW it was just a comment about disclosure books in general......
Well apparently she has. Isn't that what the book is supposed to be about.
It is, after all, just a book. Nothing to get too excited about when others comment on it or even the idea of it.
Okay, fully fair. As long as people are allowed to share their opinions on a forum where freely sign-up for as sharing their opinions on skating, then I will stop tone policing which I am not even sure what that means, Karen. Can you please explain to me so I don't do it moving forward if it is offensive to you and against the by-laws of being a member of this forum! <3
Saying someone's opinions are based off nothing is weird. Look, I get it. Those who can't judge other people. Just try to be nicer and leave the hater energy in 2025Just like @Theatregirl1122 just did!
Bigbird
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It's all quite irrelevant now, I feel. People are now reading the actual book, and they're beginning to understand the narrative. The book is about enduring in a difficult job that you love, but fundamental inequalities took their toll. She's not writing the book to accuse anyone, but rather to inspire those at the helm to grow the proverbial balls required to manage the sport, especially the power imbalance imposed on women. That's all. But we're so desperately invested in excusing toxic male behaviour and shaming victims that we're determined to miss the point. Don't come for me now, this is just my opinion.
MacMadame
Getting radicalized on YouTube
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This is tone policing. To answer your question.
Theatregirl1122
Needs a nap
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Those who can’t what exactly?
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Really, people?
Sylvia
Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
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For those interested in signing this petition:
www.change.org
In January 2026, 2022 Olympic ice dance champion Gabriella Papadakis released her memoir Pour ne pas disparaître.
By writing honestly about her experiences, Gabriella is breaking the culture of silence and obedience to authority that pervades the sport. There are many, many skating fans across the world who are eager to hear Gabriella’s story in her own words.
With its analysis of the systems and culture that prevent women from owning their own lives and successes, Pour ne pas disparaître will also resonate with readers beyond the figure skating world.
The book has already generated significant buzz on the English-language internet, with bilingual fans stepping up to translate excerpts from the book. There is high demand for an official English release.
We believe that Gabriella’s story should be heard across the world.
Sign the Petition
Publish an English-language translation of Gabriella Papadakis's "Pour ne pas disparaître"
www.change.org
In January 2026, 2022 Olympic ice dance champion Gabriella Papadakis released her memoir Pour ne pas disparaître.
By writing honestly about her experiences, Gabriella is breaking the culture of silence and obedience to authority that pervades the sport. There are many, many skating fans across the world who are eager to hear Gabriella’s story in her own words.
With its analysis of the systems and culture that prevent women from owning their own lives and successes, Pour ne pas disparaître will also resonate with readers beyond the figure skating world.
The book has already generated significant buzz on the English-language internet, with bilingual fans stepping up to translate excerpts from the book. There is high demand for an official English release.
We believe that Gabriella’s story should be heard across the world.
4rkidz
plotting, planning and travelling
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Our daughter was one of the first athletes to get quest for gold funding as well during that era, very helpful. The only time I actually bought some lottery tickets for gift etc as knew it was helping the athletes. Scott and Tessa will always be special friends.
Tessa Virtue on Instagram: "Quest for Gold helped make our careers possible. That support meant we were able to be present and focus entirely on our training. It allowed us the freedom to pursue extra practice time, bedazzled costumes, physiotherapy,
18K likes, 265 comments - tessavirtue17 on January 8, 2026: "Quest for Gold helped make our careers possible. That support meant we were able to be present and focus entirely on our training. It allowed us the freedom to pursue extra practice time, bedazzled costumes, physiotherapy, additional...www.instagram.com
(V/M's paid partnership with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation in Canada)
It sounds like an interesting book and from the heart. I will read it and make up my own mind.
peibeck
Simply looking
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From those who have actually read Papadakis' book, I get the impression it is in many ways like Gracie's book, and not a hit piece but instead a psychological self exam put down in prose.
And while it wasn't a long running best seller, Gracie's book was in the NY Times top ten and even got her invited to speak at ISU conferences because her message was impactful. Perhaps Gabi's book will also inspire conversation and reflection within the skating community, if that same audience is open to listening to her message.
And while it wasn't a long running best seller, Gracie's book was in the NY Times top ten and even got her invited to speak at ISU conferences because her message was impactful. Perhaps Gabi's book will also inspire conversation and reflection within the skating community, if that same audience is open to listening to her message.
hollygrove
Active Member
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I read Gracie's book last year and now, with very out-of-date high school French, I'm about halfway through Pour Ne Pas Disparaitre. So far, I'd agree completely with your assessment of their similarity. I'm finding Gabi's prose surprisingly accessible for a reader like me, who hasn't thought about French for decades but loves to watch ice dance and still remembers the events and people she discusses. Glad I decided to get the online version and give it a try (with Google Translate there to help occasionally with vocabulary).
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