You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott

A Four-Star Book Review

The 2024 Summer Olympics inspired me to go on a gymnastics-related book-buying spree. So of course I didn’t start reading any of the books until December. The joys of being a mood reader, right?

Still, I’m glad I chose You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott as it was a great blend of elite gymnastics storytelling and  a psychological thriller. 

Summary of You Will Know Me (No Spoilers)

Devon Knox is on the path to being one of the top gymnasts in the USA, and her parents, Katie and Eric, have stopped at nothing to help their 15-year-old daughter’s Olympic dreams happen. Not only are they in deep debt, but also they’re deeply entrenched in the boosters club at Devon’s gym, where everyone sees her success as a boon for the group. But, when a shocking death rocks the tight-knit gym family, the weaknesses within the Knox family and amongst their friends begin to crystallize.

Told from the point of view of Katie, Devon’s mother, You Will Know Me examines the pressures of elite athletics, the power of wealth, and the extremes that people will go to in order to reach their dreams.

“Isn’t it a strange day,” she said, “when you realize you have no idea what’s going on in your kid’s head? One morning, you wake up and there’s this alien in your house. They look like your kid, sound a little like them, but they are not your kid. They’re something else that you don’t know. And they keep changing. They never stop changing on you.”

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott (pg 194

What I Enjoyed about You Will Know Me

You Will Know Me is a dark novel that left me unsettled. Here’s why.

• Main Characters: Katie is a dedicated mother, but as the book progresses, it’s clear that she’s clueless about some parts of her family’s life. Eric is driven to the point of obsession, focused solely on Devon’s gymnastics career and bringing money into the gym by catering to the booster club members. Devon is a perfectionist to the point that you forget she’s only 15, even though she’s constantly aware of the childhood accident that left her with a deformed foot. Her determination to overcome that challenge and become an elite gymnast drives her to robotic, affectless behavior. And then there’s Drew, Eric and Katie’s son, who is a tagalong on their push for Devon’s dream, but he sees far more than they anticipate.
• Plot: You Will Know Me isn’t just a book about elite gymnastics and the pressure young girls feel to be perfect in their sport. The characters carry dark energy and have secrets that complicate Devon’s rise to elite status. The unexpected death happens relatively early in the story, and much of the book is spent exploring how different characters react to that death. Their behaviors build suspicions and conflict while keeping secrets amongst themselves. 

My Final Thoughts about You Will Know Me

You Will Know Me is a good choice for you if you’re interested in the dark side of elite athletics and family dynamics. It will leave you with questions about what you would do to help your child, family member, or friend achieve their goal, and how far is too far. 

Are you a fan of books that focus on athletes?