In the Water They Can't See You Cry

Olympic Medalist Amanda Beard shares her journey as a celebrity athlete who struggled between stardom and her private life. The swimmer candidly shares her story, addressing her parents' divorce, her boyfriend problems, and her struggle with dyslexia and bulimia, along with other unhealthy habits she had throughout her early career. Narrator Tavia Gilbert sounds totally credible as Beard and brings out her competitive personality. Gilbert successfully projects the different voices of Beard's coach, her father, and her boyfriend, allowing the listener to empathize with Beard's feelings at various points throughout her life. Gilbert's performance conveys that Beard is not only an Olympian but also a human being who faces choices everyday and has highs and lows just like the rest of us. D.Z. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine