Ironman

April 17, 1995
Crutcher reassembles some of the character types he used to riveting effect in his stellar Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes: a teenage misfit narrator enduring grueling athletic training; a tough heroine with a tragic past; a right-wing authoritarian heavy; enlightened teachers; and a sadistic father. At its best, the narrative crackles along in the author's inimitable style. Beauregard Brewster, a would-be Ironman triathlete, chronicles the events that ensue after he insults an oppressive teacher and is forced to take an anger-management class with other troubled students. But Crutcher's message sometimes overwhelms the cast and the story line. Beau's stern father, who has to be right at all costs-even if it means stacking the deck against his son-is one of the few fully fleshed-out characters. Many are either saintly multiculturalists (Beau's gay swimming coach, earlier met in Stotan; ``Mr. Nak'' the Japanese cowboy anger-management teacher; the black female high school principal) or, in the case of the offensive teacher, outright villains. In spite of these flaws, Crutcher achieves many memorable moments-exchanges between the students in the anger-management class, for example, are idealized but often deeply moving. Ages 12-up.

March 1, 1998
Gr 9 Up-Although slow to accept his placement in an anger-management class, triathlete Bo Brewster learns to control and develop his emotional strength. Powerful, perceptive, and wickedly funny. (Mar. 1995)

August 25, 2009
Bo is a dedicated athlete and a loner with anger management problems. A confrontation with his football coach lands Bo in Mr. Nak's anger management group. Mr. Nak is an Asian American with a Texas accent and attitude to match, but he may be the first adult who gets it. Why It Is for Us: Bo's winning first-person narration is peppered with mock interviews with CNN personality Larry King. The focus Bo brings to his chosen sport contrasts with his messy home life-Bo's father leaves little doubt as to where Bo got his nasty temper. Throw in a little romance, and you have the classic hero's journey, Chris Crutcher style.-Angelina Benedetti, King Cty. Lib. Syst., WA

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 1, 1995
Gr. 8-12. "Ironman" Beauregard Brewster yearns to excel in the upcoming Yukon Jack swimming-biking-running triathlon--"not your run of the mill rapid-stroll-through-hell event either." Seventeen-year-old Beau carries around quite a bit of attitude, however, and has just been suspended for a major run-in with his football coach and English teacher, Keith Redmond. In a series of unsent letters to TV and radio personality Larry King, the novel's main narrative device, Beau pours out his rage, his dreams, and his life story. We meet Beau's father, whose difficult relationship with his son bears strong resemblance to that between Redmond and Beau. Then there are the anger management group sessions at school that Beau has been ordered to attend. The wonderfully offbeat group members and their adult leader ultimately nurture Beau in believable fashion. "Stotan!" readers will recognize Lionel Serbousck, now a young--and, incidentally, gay--journalism teacher and important mentor. With its highly charged intensity channeled into riveting prose, an array of eccentric and strong characterizations, and dramatic plot climax (messagey conclusion notwithstanding), "Ironman" is a combination of the psychological and the sports novel at their best. ((Reviewed Mar. 1, 1995))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1995, American Library Association.)

June 3, 1996
Though the message embedded in this novel about a teenaged would-be triathlon champ "sometimes overwhelms the cast and the story line," said PW, "at its best, the narrative crackles along in the author's inimitable style." Ages 12-up.

Starred review from March 1, 1995
Gr 9 Up-Bo Brewster, a high school senior, is forced to attend anger-management classes after a series of run-ins with his English teacher/ex-football coach. Since those in the class are considered "felons" by outsiders, he figures the best he can hope to do is survive. The group's teacher, Mr. Nak, a Japanese American from Texas, deftly draws Bo into participating in the class, allowing him to learn plenty about himself and the running war that he has waged with his father for years. Bo spends most of his time outside of school training rigorously in preparation for a grueling triathlon. An added twist finds Bo's father providing his arch rival with an expensive bike, hoping Bo will lose and learn a lesson. The story is presented in both a third-person account of events, and through Bo's eyes in letters he writes to talk-show host Larry King, the only adult he believes will listen. Through Crutcher's masterful character development, readers will believe in Bo, empathize with the other members of the anger-management group, absorb the wisdom of Mr. Nak, and despise, yet at times pity, the boy's father. This is not a light read, as many serious issues surface, though the author's trademark dark humor (and colorful use of street language) is abundant. Crutcher has consistently penned exceptional reads for YAs, and Ironman is one of his strongest works yet.-Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI