Straight Up

Product Information

Ruby Tui with the Rugby World Cup - won in an extra-tense final against England. Photo / Hannah Peters, Getty Images The book begins where everyone begins: with childhood and the profound ways that our early years shape who we are. Tui’s early life shifts between her large and loving Sāmoan family (on her dad’s side) and her more isolated palagi one (her mum’s). That she was loved is a fact often affirmed: Tui’s perspective throughout the book is frank and without blame, without bitterness or even regret. Very gently, with a tone of patience and an acceptance that becomes the undercurrent of the entire book, Tui describes a childhood made unstable by alcoholism, drug abuse and psychological and physical violence.

Tui herself is puzzled by some of the reactions she receives. “I find [it] a bit strange, don’t you? I feel like I’m just chatting. It goes viral, which is weird. It is what it is.” One fan posted on social media: “Men’s rugby can learn a lot from Ruby Tui. Her enthusiasm and originality is f***ing infectious … legend.” The World Cup and Olympic gold-winning New Zealand winger Ruby Tui will play in the US this summer in Premier Rugby Sevens (PR7s), a multi-tournament competition in which men’s and women’s teams compete for one trophy. There’s a reason I prefer reading people’s life stories over fiction - sometimes, you just can’t make up what people have actually been through. Reading all the twists and turns of Ruby’s childhood, knowing she ends up as an Olympic gold medallist and Rugby World Cup champ… if that was in a novel, it might seem too much. But in Ruby’s personable and authentic tone, we live those moments with her and realise what she’s been through to arrive where she is now, both on and off the field.Was not expecting to absolutely love this book. I don't watch rugby, and obviously I am missing out!! Sometimes a cliche but mostly an inspiration. We are going to give tis book away to young people doing the Award in our Christmas giveaways.

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