I picked this book for a strange reason! I have never excelled at athletics and I knew that you have to be physical strong among other things at West Point. This book brought back some scary feelings that I had in junior high and high school gym. And oddly enough, it helped me deal with them. I also have a tough time dealing with authority. In short I was never West Point material! Gray Girl by Susan I. Spieth helped me examine my feelings and get closure.

Besides being set at West Point, the story took place in 1982. Jan Wishart is a new cadet who wondered if she would make it to the end of her 1st year. While reading the Gray Girl, I often wondered why did she sign up in the first place, was it to please her father or to give herself the satisfaction that she could do it? Didn’t she know that she was getting herself into a lot of harassment simply because she a first year cadet and even more because she was one of the few females invading a male institution?

I identified with Jan, with her determination and independence and especially some of her physical difficulties on the required obstacle course. I wish that I had some of the tips that she was given about conquering some of the obstacles. And like Jan, when I was her age, I could easily do sit ups all day easy! Jan’s story is fully engaging. Who was her “mystery friend” was and who was the person who was engaged in sexual abuse and even rape? It was very difficult to lay this book down! The characters became real and the situations were vivid. I enjoyed the back and forth play of the past and the present. It was like puzzle pieces falling into place. I learned so much about life at West Point.

Susan I. Spieth, please write more and more! I loved your book.

Although I received this book as a win from FirstReads, that in no way influenced my thoughts or feelings in my review. ( )