Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Mark Hodgkinson is a true fan, and this is probably the main raison d’être for his 240-pages graphic biography Serena. An illustrated celebration of Serena Williams. In nine chapters with stylish titles – Ghetto, Cinderella, The Serena Slam, The Mother of all Controversies etc. – he offers a trove of information about an extraordinary athlete covering twenty years of her excellent career, including much of the 2019 season. The best feature of the book are, however, awesome photographs, which actually tell her story in a purely visual mode. Which is good, because whereas the first part of the accompanying text dwells on her childhood and youth, and is interesting, indeed, (and well written), the later pages feel a bit redundant and repetitive. The reader increasingly gets the impression that Serena Williams’ key motivation for returning to the tour as a mother consists of beating Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam victories. I suppose, Serena Williams has more than this one reason for playing professional tennis. Thus, my recommendation: Nevermind the “lyrics”, and just look at the pics. They are worth every page you turn in Mark Hodgkinson’s book.

Gives a fabulous insight into the worlds greatest female tennis player who is such an inspiration to many woman. This book is not just for sport fans,
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a good book about Serena's life so far and her career in tennis. She along with her sister Venus are good tennis players,for sure.