Geese Are Never Swans
Whether goose or swan, I have wings. And I'll fly.
Gus's life is about one thing—swimming. And he knows that the only coach in town who can get him to the Olympics is Coach Marks. So it seems like a simple plan: convince Coach Marks to train him, and everything from there on in is just hard work. Gus has never been afraid of hard work.
But there are a few complications. For one thing, Coach Marks was Danny's coach. Danny, Gus's brother, committed suicide after failing to make the national swimming team—a big step on the way to the Olympics. And for another, Gus and Danny didn't exactly get along; Gus never liked living in Danny's shadow. A shadow that has grown even bigger since his death.
In this powerful novel about the punishing and the healing nature of sports, Gus's rage threatens to swallow him at every turn. He's angry at his brother, his mother, his coach . . . even himself. But as he works toward his goal and through his feelings, Gus does everything he can to channel this burning intensity into excelling at the sport that he and Danny both loved, and finds solace in the same place he must face his demons: in the water.
In addition to Gus's incredible narrative, there are four pieces of original art featured in Geese Are Never Swans. The art was curated by TaskForce, a creative agency that collaborates with the most influential nonprofits, brands, and people taking on the most pressing challenges facing our nation and our world. TaskForce builds capacity and community for those shaping a more empathetic society through public opinion and policy. The artists' interpretations of their work are included in the book.
Reviews (48)
Very R Rated Book.
Our son has loved all the books that Kobe and Granity Studios has published. They are fabulous books with such good life lessons. This is why we purchased this book without any concern. My son was so excited to read the next one but immediately gave me the book after reading the first page and said... mom I don’t want to read this book.... This book is filled with tons of mature language. The first sentence of the book has the “F” word And this strong language continues throughout the entire book. Every type of word or saying there is... on every page multiple times. This is not appropriate At all for preteen and young teenage readers. It is not PG or Pg13 rated. I honestly don’t want my high school kid reading this and the boys in this book are 14! They speak of their girlfriend in the most distasteful not honoring way. I am trying to raise a boy to think and speak of girls in an honoring way that respects them. These kids never do this.It is an R rated book for its language, references to sex, and serious themes. It speaks of intimate relationships in realy crude ways. Of course the character does (as in all the books) grow and learn life lessons. The themes of mental health among athletes is a real thing and I love that Granity Studios wanted to speak into this but it could have been done in a more age appropriate way... the kids are only 14! This book is not appropriate for young readers at all. All his other books are age appropriate and fantastic so I strongly recommend those. If you don’t let your kids watch R movies then skip this book.
Language
I purchased for my 13yo son who is an avid reader and swims competitively. He complained about the language in the first sentence and refused to read more. I returned the book. There is no need for language in a book geared for teenagers.
Upside down pages
I haven’t read the book yet but hopefully it’s better than the quality control. Pages are all upside down.
All future athletes need this. Language and all.
This is not a regular Granity Studios novel. Parents and youth should understand that this tackles some really have information and story line about Gus. Thus, he has quite a foul mouth and thoughts. If you understand that going into the book, you can get past it and focus on the beautiful message that all teen athletes and rising stars need to understand: the importance of mental care. I love the short chapters that keep this book moving at a whirlwind pace. You look down and suddenly you’ve read 18 pages and 7 chapters. The thought provoking life of Gus helps everyone to understand the need for self care and professionals to deal with tough situations. The voice of Kobe is heard and felt throughout this Gus character, with his strive for greatness. The last line about geese and swans I’m certain was written word for word by Kobe himself. I would recommend this to every high school athlete that has dreams, talent and work ethic to go pro., to help them be wise in their decisions and understanding for the need for help when one is unable to cope alone. It is a really neat concept for not only the story line but the way the book flows. Absolutely 5 stars.
Another Win For Kobe
Just brilliant, Kobe. Full of raw, real emotion that will bring you to tears and then to a smile at the end. Beautifully written.
Easy and Powerful
I enjoyed the story, I enjoyed the artwork, the writing, the bad language, and the book itself. I was expecting a paperback (I guess I wasn't paying attention) and I received a beautiful vibrant hardcover.
Love this book and Kobe!!đ
A beautiful story about working hard and pushing through tough times using sports to find a sense of peace. đ
The brilliant Kobe Bryant!
LOVE love love this book.
Good Read
I have mixed emotions about reviewing this book. It's difficult to convey that while it was a good book, it may not be considered an enjoyable read. The premise of the book is that of a young man who is having difficulty navigating the traumas of his life. The writing is so good that the reader experiences the traumas too. It's a good book with important subject matter, but it is a bit emotionally heavy. As long as the reader is aware of this, it is a good read.
Coming of age novel. Touches on mental health
A story similar but unlike any of Kobe’s other novels. This one tells the story of a teenager coming of age and finding his identity in the midst of deep internal struggles. Brings mental health, peer pressure, ambition, family strife, and sibling rivalry to the forefront. No actual magic in this one but magical nonetheless
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