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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This book, as you can see from how long it took me to read, drags on. But like the boys, enduring it makes it all worth while. By the end, I was tearfully joyous! This book reminds us why sometimes we stick it out no matter what. It was tough but I am glad I finally finished it and I don't feel cheated.
Dusty Montana town 'where the blacktop goes to die', a high school basketball team with a 93 game losing streak...you know where this is going. While the plot is pure Hoosiers, Breaking Away, Miracle on Ice, the writing sucks you in and puts you there, in the town, at all the games, in the hearts of the quirky townspeople and the kids. A little on the long side - it's a first novel I think -- but really enjoyable. Title comes from an Crow Indian legend that's explained near the very beginning; don't be put off by it as it is just a metaphor for throwing your heart over the brink. The towns and locations mentioned all actually exist, as did the high school basketball team. I absolutely loved this!
I stumbled on this one from a list of best contemporary fiction set in Montana as I wanted to read a couple before my trip there in September. Definitely a winner and an author I'll read again. Also was able to slot this into 2018 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge as my book involving sports! SWISH!
I stumbled on this one from a list of best contemporary fiction set in Montana as I wanted to read a couple before my trip there in September. Definitely a winner and an author I'll read again. Also was able to slot this into 2018 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge as my book involving sports! SWISH!
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5
The characters drew me in, even though the story was predictable and somewhat corny...(think Hallmark Channel)
The characters drew me in, even though the story was predictable and somewhat corny...(think Hallmark Channel)
This was going to get a 4/5 but after doing more thinking about how I felt about this book, I had to knock my rating down.
Before I get info my disgruntled state of mind with this book, I want to talk about what I think West does well with the book. He has always been good with characters and giving them depth. It comes across amazing in this book. Grandma was my favorite character throughout the whole book. She had a way of "stealing the show" when she comes onto the page. I really enjoyed reading more about Pete, but I enjoyed Tom Stonebreaker the most, out of all the kids in the book. However, I will say for the record I didn't like Olaf, because of the cartoonish way he was presented in the book. Since I live in the Midwest and can attest to knowing a number of people who come in from other countries, the presentation was terrible. His dialogue was not rooted in reality and was not a very commanding character in terms of the plot not related to basketball, even though he played a secondary role.
This gets into where I think West didn't do so great with the book. The repetitive use of the word "regarded" or any of its forms was annoying and I could have played a drinking game for everytime Sam regarded Diana, every time Pete regarded his grandmother, or when Tripod the Three-Legged Cat regarded the parrot! This wasn't the only repetition that I felt was unnecessary, though. There is one scene where some bullies harass a few of the kids and beats them up and West continually mentions how one of the bullies is overweight. The fact West brings this up continually when this bully is mentioned is unnecessary and borders on fatphobia.
Now, onto a much lighter note as to my reasoning behind my rating! Let me use a few examples to illustrate the absolute horrible sex writing the author employs:
"He never noticed her removing her bikini bottom, and like sea turtles mating underwater, he instinctively followed creation's masculine dance." P. 215
"...he had been overcome by her carnal female Fahrenheit and swept away into her sweet, sweet salty sea." P. 216
Ugh. Just say it bluntly. They were horny and they fucked like two sexually malnourished horndogs
Before I get info my disgruntled state of mind with this book, I want to talk about what I think West does well with the book. He has always been good with characters and giving them depth. It comes across amazing in this book. Grandma was my favorite character throughout the whole book. She had a way of "stealing the show" when she comes onto the page. I really enjoyed reading more about Pete, but I enjoyed Tom Stonebreaker the most, out of all the kids in the book. However, I will say for the record I didn't like Olaf, because of the cartoonish way he was presented in the book. Since I live in the Midwest and can attest to knowing a number of people who come in from other countries, the presentation was terrible. His dialogue was not rooted in reality and was not a very commanding character in terms of the plot not related to basketball, even though he played a secondary role.
This gets into where I think West didn't do so great with the book. The repetitive use of the word "regarded" or any of its forms was annoying and I could have played a drinking game for everytime Sam regarded Diana, every time Pete regarded his grandmother, or when Tripod the Three-Legged Cat regarded the parrot! This wasn't the only repetition that I felt was unnecessary, though. There is one scene where some bullies harass a few of the kids and beats them up and West continually mentions how one of the bullies is overweight. The fact West brings this up continually when this bully is mentioned is unnecessary and borders on fatphobia.
Now, onto a much lighter note as to my reasoning behind my rating! Let me use a few examples to illustrate the absolute horrible sex writing the author employs:
"He never noticed her removing her bikini bottom, and like sea turtles mating underwater, he instinctively followed creation's masculine dance." P. 215
"...he had been overcome by her carnal female Fahrenheit and swept away into her sweet, sweet salty sea." P. 216
Ugh. Just say it bluntly. They were horny and they fucked like two sexually malnourished horndogs
Such an incredible story of grit and love and goodness.
Leaves you wondering just how intertwined everything in life really is.
Leaves you wondering just how intertwined everything in life really is.
I did really like this book. It just became a bit to predictable and long. The storyline and characters are great though.
I can't believe anyone disliked this book. Easily on my list of top 25 favorite books ever.
3 1/2 stars. It would geta 4 if not for the drawn out nature of the main storyline. Quite a bit could be taken out to condense it and still be able to keep the integrity.
I chose this book initially to branch out from my norm. I am glad I did. I have never read a book about a team before. I enjoyed this one.
The cast of characters is varied and completely lovable. I laughed and cried right along with them. I found myself glued to the edge of my seat as though I were on a bench in the stands.
This story had me believing in the miracle of the underdog. I was rooting for this haphazard team of boys from start to finish. Reading about such fierce self-preservation and all-out determintation has imbedded a nugget of courage in me. Feeling the pain of another loss in your life so much that you are sure your broken heart will never mend, only to find it can be filled with hope all over again. I find myself with a feeling of elation. I want to face down the dragons in my own circumstances; never give an inch; never "let them get the calf." I feel I can "look the elephant in the eye" and come out triumphant, not just by winning but by doing...by being...by living. I hope this feeling lasts.
I chose this book initially to branch out from my norm. I am glad I did. I have never read a book about a team before. I enjoyed this one.
The cast of characters is varied and completely lovable. I laughed and cried right along with them. I found myself glued to the edge of my seat as though I were on a bench in the stands.
This story had me believing in the miracle of the underdog. I was rooting for this haphazard team of boys from start to finish. Reading about such fierce self-preservation and all-out determintation has imbedded a nugget of courage in me. Feeling the pain of another loss in your life so much that you are sure your broken heart will never mend, only to find it can be filled with hope all over again. I find myself with a feeling of elation. I want to face down the dragons in my own circumstances; never give an inch; never "let them get the calf." I feel I can "look the elephant in the eye" and come out triumphant, not just by winning but by doing...by being...by living. I hope this feeling lasts.
Set during the 1990-91 high school basketball season, a rag-tag bunch of boys from a tiny town in Montana work together for a fantastic season.