Julie Hart
Tightrope Books, 2013
Paperback, Ebook
As ex-wife of Bret "The Hitman" Hart, Julie Hart is in a great position to provide some insight into some very interesting areas such as the Montreal Screwjob, the death of Owen Hart, the whole Hart clan or how the wrestling industry directly affects the spouse and children of its top stars. While she certainly touches on these - some are a mere grazing - Hart's book is far more about the life of a woman who has at times battled and overcome many obstacles in her life.
While her perseverance and candour are both admirable - Hart comes across as a credible and strong person - the choices she (or her editors / collaborators) made about what to include in and what to omit
from the story are questionable. A book written by the ex-wife of a professional wrestling star is, naturally, going to be marketed to wrestling fans. While an author need not pander to his or her audience, Hart opted to spend very little time discussing some of recent professional wrestling's biggest events. It would be foolish
to expect Ms. Hart to discuss her ex-husband's matches in great detail and/or why he was successful in the industry, but - again as wrestling fans were the most likely to buy the book - Hart would have been wise to focus more on the wrestling industry and its direct/indirect role in her life. The book is so sparse with wrestling material that Bret Hart could just as easily been a pro hockey player or travelling salesman.
Many of the issues with the book would have benefited from a strong editor. Other than the issues noted above, the book makes some odd jumps in chronology (a large chunk of the 1980s are not covered) and suffers from some grammatical gaffes.
Hart appears to be a very caring mother, sister and friend. Whereas there has been a lot of negativity said about members of the Hart Family (most often by other members of the Hart Family) Julie Hart's positive words about some of her ex-in-laws are very refreshing. She also includes some very thoughtful tributes near the end of the book. Though she presents her ex-husband in a less than flattering light, there is a sense that the book is truly a chronicle of the author's thoughts and memories and not the character assassination piece that one may expect. Despite the books many flaws, one gets the sense that Hart has truthfully (as far as she remembers/interprets) presented her life with Hart. She deserves to be applauded for all of this.
While not the worst there is, worst there was and worst there ever will be, the book is not for everyone. It is a quick read and contains some unique information that Bret Hart fans might enjoy. All things considered, Hart Strings is a disappointment as much as for what it could have been as what it is.
Ebook
Paperback
Paperback
Ebook
While her perseverance and candour are both admirable - Hart comes across as a credible and strong person - the choices she (or her editors / collaborators) made about what to include in and what to omit
from the story are questionable. A book written by the ex-wife of a professional wrestling star is, naturally, going to be marketed to wrestling fans. While an author need not pander to his or her audience, Hart opted to spend very little time discussing some of recent professional wrestling's biggest events. It would be foolish
to expect Ms. Hart to discuss her ex-husband's matches in great detail and/or why he was successful in the industry, but - again as wrestling fans were the most likely to buy the book - Hart would have been wise to focus more on the wrestling industry and its direct/indirect role in her life. The book is so sparse with wrestling material that Bret Hart could just as easily been a pro hockey player or travelling salesman.
Many of the issues with the book would have benefited from a strong editor. Other than the issues noted above, the book makes some odd jumps in chronology (a large chunk of the 1980s are not covered) and suffers from some grammatical gaffes.
Hart appears to be a very caring mother, sister and friend. Whereas there has been a lot of negativity said about members of the Hart Family (most often by other members of the Hart Family) Julie Hart's positive words about some of her ex-in-laws are very refreshing. She also includes some very thoughtful tributes near the end of the book. Though she presents her ex-husband in a less than flattering light, there is a sense that the book is truly a chronicle of the author's thoughts and memories and not the character assassination piece that one may expect. Despite the books many flaws, one gets the sense that Hart has truthfully (as far as she remembers/interprets) presented her life with Hart. She deserves to be applauded for all of this.
While not the worst there is, worst there was and worst there ever will be, the book is not for everyone. It is a quick read and contains some unique information that Bret Hart fans might enjoy. All things considered, Hart Strings is a disappointment as much as for what it could have been as what it is.
Ebook
Paperback
Ebook
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