Saturday, January 17, 2009

RING OF HELL: The Story of the Benoit Family Murders

I don't know quite what to make of this book. I felt compelled to read it because of all the praise it received from critics and fans alike. It was also billed as an "unprecedented look into the workings of pro wrestling." How could I resist. The book gets off to such a slow start that I considered not reading it at all. Just as Chris Benoit's journey begins unfolding, the author sees fit to go on completely unrelated tangents that seem to last forever. By the time everything is put back into focus, one forgets the last thing that made sense.

For those who are wondering, the details of the murder/suicide are extremely horrific and disturbing. I agree with some who say this book could be a vehicle for change and may save lives. I do not however agree with the author's constant insinuation that wrestling fans are of below average intelligence and that anyone stupid enough to dream of becoming a part of this business is a ridiculous fool. RING OF HELL is, in my opinion, a one-sided, biased look into what is considered the darkside of professional wrestling. My last thought: use this tragic tale as a blueprint of how not to achieve your dreams. Please do your best to read this with an open mind and the ability to see both sides of each issue.

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