Introduction
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel delivers an electrifying exploration of the radical intimacy of competition, centering on eight teenage girl boxers fighting for national glory in Reno, Nevada. Each young athlete brings a unique story of ambition, sacrifice, and resilience as they face the physical and emotional demands of their journey. With frenetic storytelling and flashes of tenderness, Bullwinkel crafts a striking portrait of desire, perfectionism, and the raw power of determination.
Headshot Novel Synopsis
An unexpected tragedy at a community pool. A family’s unrelenting expectation of victory. The desire to gain or lose control; to make time speed up or stop; to be frighteningly, undeniably good at something. Each of the eight teenage girl boxers in this blistering debut novel has her own reasons for the sacrifices she has made to come to Reno, Nevada, to compete to be named the best in the country. Through a series of face-offs that are raw, ecstatic, and punctuated by flashes of humor and tenderness, prizewinning writer Rita Bullwinkelanimates the competitors’ pasts and futures as they summon the emotion, imagination, and force of will required to win.
Frenetic, surprising, and strikingly original, Headshot is a portrait of the desire, envy, perfectionism, madness, and sheer physical pleasure that motivate young women to fight—even, and perhaps especially, when no one else is watching.
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More About the Novel

Author: | Rita Bullwinkel |
Publisher: | Viking |
Genre: | Fiction |
Mode: | Complete |
Themes Explored In The Novel
The novel Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel explores several compelling themes:
- The Pursuit of Excellence: It delves into the intense drive and sacrifices required to excel, particularly in the context of competitive sports.
- Identity and Individuality: Through the diverse backgrounds and personal motivations of the teenage boxers, the story examines how identity shapes ambition and performance.
- Resilience and Struggle: The narrative highlights the physical and emotional challenges faced by the protagonists, illustrating the power of perseverance.
- Desire and Control: Themes of control—over one’s body, choices, and outcomes—are intricately tied to the characters’ desires for success and recognition.
- Connection and Isolation: The novel juxtaposes the camaraderie among competitors with the isolating nature of their struggles and ambitions.
- Societal Expectations: It critiques familial and societal pressures, particularly regarding success and the expectations placed on young women.
This debut offers a nuanced portrayal of ambition, vulnerability, and the transformative nature of competition.
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