Review by Frank Plowright

 Spoilers in review

Kota takes a secluded route when running to her gymnastic club, so is surprised to see a woman in the same area one morning. It turns out Riley has just joined the club, but she’s deaf and doesn’t like wearing her hearing aids when running, so warns she won’t be greatly communicative. That doesn’t dissuade Kota, who’s infatuated, and begins to learn sign language.

Ray Nadine takes a slow approach to the friendship between Kota and Riley, who we learn are both possibilities for the US gymnastic team. Kota is very keen from the start, really putting the effort in, but Riley isn’t anywhere near as friendly for some while. There are plenty of meaningful glances, and long strolls, giving I Felt Myself Slipping an appeal to readers who appreciate a slow build slice of life story about friendship and overcoming difficulties.

It’s a while before it’s revealed how clever the title is, and among several positives are the explanation and use of sign language, the time taken to show gymnastics and the lack of objectification about the art. Nadine presents average and ordinary looking people, although as they’re gymnasts, they’re all slim. The cartooning is neat, and much of the story is told without words, the pictures being enough, and the depiction of gymnastic routines is graceful.

When the ending arrives, it plays into the idea that it’s not enough to have done something extremely well, because it’s only winners that count. The distressing consequences of that attitude have been a dark secret of British competitive gymnastics for years, ruining the lives of young women. It’s unlikely American creator Nadine is aware of that, but with mental health an issue running through the story, it’s a topic to bear in mind.

There’s a definite intention is to present melancholy and regret amid an introspective, slow release plot, but for many readers I Felt Myself Slipping is just going to drag.