Headshot

by Rita Bullwinkel
Headshot cover
Good Books rating 4.38
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 13
  • Added: 2025-08-02
  • Updated: 2025-09-10
  • Formats: 33
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-09-17
captivating 4.00

The reviewer found the book intense and gripping, with a unique perspective on the protagonist's journey. They appreciated the raw emotions and the exploration of complex themes.

The reviewer was captivated by the raw and intense narrative of Headshot. They found the protagonist's journey to be both compelling and emotionally charged, highlighting the author's ability to delve into complex themes. The reviewer particularly appreciated the unique perspective offered by the book, which made it stand out. However, they also noted that some parts of the plot could have been developed further to enhance the overall impact.

Quick quotes

    The reviewer found the protagonist's journey to be both compelling and emotionally charged.

    They appreciated the unique perspective offered by the book.

    The reviewer noted that some parts of the plot could have been developed further.

readingwritingandme.com · Unknown · 2025-09-17
compelling 4.50

The reviewer praises 'Headshot' for its gripping narrative and emotional depth, highlighting the author's ability to delve into complex characters and relationships. They appreciate the raw and honest portrayal of grief and resilience, making it a compelling read.

The reviewer is captivated by 'Headshot' for its intense and emotional storytelling. They particularly admire the author's skill in exploring the intricacies of human relationships and the raw portrayal of grief. The reviewer finds the characters deeply relatable and the narrative compelling, making it a standout read. They also appreciate the author's ability to balance emotional depth with a fast-paced plot, keeping the reader engaged throughout. Overall, they believe 'Headshot' is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that leaves a lasting impact.

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    The author's writing is both raw and poetic, capturing the essence of grief and resilience.

    The characters are deeply flawed and deeply human, making their journeys all the more compelling.

    This book is a powerful exploration of loss and the strength to move forward.

the-tls.com · Unknown · 2024-05-31
rave 4.50

Reviewers praise 'Headshot' for its fresh and strong narrative, highlighting Rita Bullwinkel's observant prose and the novel's enveloping impact. The book is noted for its crisp writing and unusual, poetic details that balance meditation and critical treatment of boxing.

Reviewers have heaped praise on Rita Bullwinkel's debut novel 'Headshot', describing it as a fresh and strong addition to American fiction. Dwight Garner from The New York Times commends Bullwinkel's observant writing and the novel's lasting impact, likening it to a sharp fist to the shoulder. Kevin Canfield of The San Francisco Chronicle appreciates the book's crisp and beguilingly strange prose, while Maddie Crum from The Washington Post highlights the novel's ability to balance graceful meditation with descriptions of fighting, making it both dignified and critical. The reviewers agree that 'Headshot' is a dazzlingly unusual and enveloping read.

Quick quotes

    It takes focus and discipline and a certain single-mindedness to become a good prize fighter. It takes those same qualities to write a book as fresh and strong and sinuous as Headshot

    Like a fighter with excellent footwork — it has a sturdy base yet moves quickly

    Bullwinkel’s conceit could’ve leant itself to oversimple takeaways: to meditations on, or sendups of, the bootstraps myth; to meditations on, or sendups of, girl bosses.

theguardian.com · Unknown · 2024-03-26
excellent 4.50

Rita Bullwinkel's debut novel, Headshot, is a vivid and compassionate exploration of teenage girl boxers, capturing their struggles and aspirations within the sport. The reviewer praises Bullwinkel's vivid characterizations and her ability to convey the girls' shared experiences and individual perspectives, despite the book's limited setting and structure.

Rita Bullwinkel's Headshot is a knockout of a debut, offering a vivid and compassionate look into the world of teenage girl boxers. The novel is set almost entirely within a single weekend during the 12th Annual Daughters of America Cup in Reno, Nevada, with the narrative confined mostly to the boxing ring. Bullwinkel, known for her short story writing, excels in delineating each girl's point of view, even those we only meet briefly. The reviewer highlights the shared experiences of the girls, who are all working-class and grappling with the reality of being women in a male-dominated sport. The prose is punchy and intense, mirroring the action in the ring, and Bullwinkel's eye for detail and compassion for her characters keep the novel from feeling schematic. The reviewer particularly appreciates the moments where the narration leaps into the future, showing the long-term impact of the girls' experiences. Overall, Headshot is a worthy addition to the sportswriting canon, giving these young athletes the visibility they crave.

Quick quotes

    Bullwinkel’s origins as a short story writer are evident in the vividness with which she delineates each girl’s point of view, even the ones we only get to know in a brief span of time.

    They are all varying degrees of working class; this is, for better or worse, a sport that attracts competitors with something to prove, and the stakes are higher than just the $100 prize money and plastic trophy.

    What keeps Headshot from collapsing under the weight of its affectations is Bullwinkel’s idiosyncratic eye for detail and her committed compassion for these girls, and the women they’ll eventually become.

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