ebroadbent22's review against another edition
4.0
Depressing in some parts, but the stories were really good for such a heavy read.
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
I forgot that I hadn't reviewed this book of short stories yet, and wish I had done so already. Maybe it's time for me to take a short break from eating all of Crutcher's offerings so quickly...I am starting to merge some of the characters and towns in my mind. I like that he returns to familiar locations, but now I am struggling to keep them separate.
I know that I liked this book. I liked Angus Bethune, having met him already in Angry Management. I liked and was choked up by the final story of the book, about a young man who must face his own bigotry towards a gay man with AIDS. I remember that there was also a tragic story about a fatal boating accident, and a couple of stories about wrestling. It's a good book- read someone else's review if you want more details about the stories within.
I know that I liked this book. I liked Angus Bethune, having met him already in Angry Management. I liked and was choked up by the final story of the book, about a young man who must face his own bigotry towards a gay man with AIDS. I remember that there was also a tragic story about a fatal boating accident, and a couple of stories about wrestling. It's a good book- read someone else's review if you want more details about the stories within.
sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad. I maybe would have appreciated these stories more if I had read the books that the characters were taken from, but they all stand perfect well on their own. The "athletic" tie between the stories was weak at best though, so don't be fooled by the title.
malvord27's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I appreciated that the author gave a little descriptor before each story to help the reader understand where we were in the protagonists life. I haven't read Chris Crutcher's books in the past, but getting a little insight helped me and I would imagine helps previous readers of his work.
I think the author did a good job of taking the reader back to their teenage years, with all the angst and worry and 'unknown'. I liked the descriptions of each of the athletic events, and how you understood what was happening despite the fact that I've only jogged and played basketball!
All in all a good read and I'll be on the lookout for more books from him.
I think the author did a good job of taking the reader back to their teenage years, with all the angst and worry and 'unknown'. I liked the descriptions of each of the athletic events, and how you understood what was happening despite the fact that I've only jogged and played basketball!
All in all a good read and I'll be on the lookout for more books from him.
harukoreads's review against another edition
3.0
Gotta be honest, I probably would have never picked this book up except for the fact that it's been banned so many times. And I have to say, I'm glad I've read it!
This series of short stories features characters from Crutcher's other novels, but I found them enjoyable even as a reader unfamiliar with his work. I can see why this book has caused so much pearl clutching, since it speaks so candidly about gay men, AIDS, drugs, death, sexism, racism (warning for extensive use of slurs), prejudice, sex, religion, abusive parents... I could go on. That being said, I think all of these topics are discussed with care and nuance, and it's plain the Crutcher respects his young readers with these complicated topics. My favorite story in the collection was The Pin (about a high school wrestler who decides to wrestle his abusive father).
I probably won't be reading more Crutcher, because although some of these stories were very heartfelt, the focus on sports isn't really for me, and the adolescent boy narratives sometimes led to fairly two-dimensional female characters, but that being said I think the world is better for having this book, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys sports novels or deliberately reading banned books.
This series of short stories features characters from Crutcher's other novels, but I found them enjoyable even as a reader unfamiliar with his work. I can see why this book has caused so much pearl clutching, since it speaks so candidly about gay men, AIDS, drugs, death, sexism, racism (warning for extensive use of slurs), prejudice, sex, religion, abusive parents... I could go on. That being said, I think all of these topics are discussed with care and nuance, and it's plain the Crutcher respects his young readers with these complicated topics. My favorite story in the collection was The Pin (about a high school wrestler who decides to wrestle his abusive father).
I probably won't be reading more Crutcher, because although some of these stories were very heartfelt, the focus on sports isn't really for me, and the adolescent boy narratives sometimes led to fairly two-dimensional female characters, but that being said I think the world is better for having this book, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys sports novels or deliberately reading banned books.
arkenne90's review against another edition
3.0
The six short stories that Chris Crutcher includes in this book are all interwoven with sports and all have teenage male protagonists, but with very different problems and issues to work through. Crutcher writes with wit as we preview peeks into the lives of these teenagers. A few of the characters were interesting and would maybe worth reading one of his books that are dedicated to those specific characters.
Despite what the cover might have you think, the stories are not sports-centric. In most the stories, it is just mentioned or a sport is just part of who a character is and how they cope with a problem they are working through, which I think made their stories more believable and relatable. I can definitely see "jock" type high school boys enjoying these stories, but not necessarily reluctant readers who are into sports. I always feel like teachers and librarians try to accommodate sport-motivated boys rather than reading motivated with books about sports. This book is not for that sort of boy. The reading level is a little difficult for reluctant readers and some of the older references will go over their heads (some of them went over my head!).
Despite what the cover might have you think, the stories are not sports-centric. In most the stories, it is just mentioned or a sport is just part of who a character is and how they cope with a problem they are working through, which I think made their stories more believable and relatable. I can definitely see "jock" type high school boys enjoying these stories, but not necessarily reluctant readers who are into sports. I always feel like teachers and librarians try to accommodate sport-motivated boys rather than reading motivated with books about sports. This book is not for that sort of boy. The reading level is a little difficult for reluctant readers and some of the older references will go over their heads (some of them went over my head!).
williamsdebbied's review against another edition
5.0
In this collection of six short stories based on characters from Crutcher's books, he reminds me again of why he is one of my favorite YA authors. And also one of the most-often banned. He uses the world of high school sports to address issues faced by young adults in a sensitive and realistic way. As his heroes get on with the task of growing up in a difficult world, they deal with just about every -ism there is.
Crutcher's books provide excellent talking points for conversations that parents, teachers, and any other concerned adults should be having with the kids we love.
Crutcher's books provide excellent talking points for conversations that parents, teachers, and any other concerned adults should be having with the kids we love.
randyribay's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't too crazy about Crutcher's newest book, but I loved this collection. Brave stories with a strong voice.
engpunk77's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe how raw and poignant these stories are. I didn't like the first story, as I thought it was inauthentic, but the rest of this six-story collection is genuine, politically incorrect like you wouldn't believe, and serious. Crutcher's style of writing impressed me; I chuckled and smiled as much as cried, and I felt, really FELT for each of the protagonists. Issues dealt with without shame or preachiness include having a terrible relationship with a parent, death, disastrous consequences of choices and having to live with them, forgiveness, obesity (although that's the story that I felt was off-the-mark), homosexuality, humiliation, bigotry, racism, disabilities, and of course, sports. I haven't seen such an honest portrayal of real-life issues in literature for teens, ever. I highly recommend this, and I think it's ones that guys can relate to especially (but I did, too).
I listened to the audio version on cassette tape over several commutes because my car still has a cassette player. The recording was excellent. P.S. Be sure to read the prefaces to each story; the author explains why he wrote each one, and they were just as valuable as the stories themselves.
I listened to the audio version on cassette tape over several commutes because my car still has a cassette player. The recording was excellent. P.S. Be sure to read the prefaces to each story; the author explains why he wrote each one, and they were just as valuable as the stories themselves.