Intertwined tales of sporting greatness reveal deeper meaning

THE Race is a novel told in two parts linked by the main themes of both stories and how deeply relevant they are to the people focused on.

The first we are introduced to is set in the modern day and is from the perspective of Lili, a 12-year-old girl with a love of running and a dream to be in the Olympics who was adopted by her parents from China.

The second is that of Eric Liddell, who was born and raised in China before his parents moved back to their home in Scotland and who went on to win an Olympic gold medal in 1924.

What links these two is that, though they begin over 100 years apart, it is never confusing why they have been put together, and in fact they exist in harmony, with the past giving way to the events of the future through inspiration and incredible facts.

 

This is a book that allows young people to both learn and have fun with a combination of vital truths and a bright sense of humour.

Lili mainly cares about running, despite her youth she is dedicated and, no matter what the weather, trains every day to get an edge over her competitors. With her goal of the Olympics in sight, nothing can stop her, not even Tom, her arrogant and ignorant classmate who alongside his own sporting competitiveness, looks down upon her regularly both for being originally from China and for being a girl.

His comments in class are disheartening from the very beginning making an impact on her but throughout the story she shows a resilience achieved. For her it is not only a sport or the competitions she wins, but also an escape from all the things in this world that are hurtful and worries dissipating each time she runs faster.

It’s for this reason that when it’s announced there’s a change in their school sports day, and that the Queen will attend, and the students will not be separated between boys and girls she sets her sights on victory.

Alongside the fictional and exciting story of Lili, is the history of Liddell, all that he learned from sport and from having spent time in both Britain and China, particularly in the years leading up to his death around the end of World War Two. Liddell’s story is a fascinating one which Lili discovers through a research project set by her teacher.

The themes of this book are ones that would be relatable and vital to young people growing up, whether in the 1900s or today. As someone who has never found my passion to be in sports, before reading this book I had trouble imagining it would be something I could truly become invested in, and wondered whether it was more geared towards those

who understand and adore sports on a deeper level.

This could not have been more wrong as although this book is built around the foundations of sport what it really teaches children is about family, the meaning of home and of the beauty and validity of dual identity.