Reviews - Bruiser | The StoryGraph

369 reviews for:

I really liked this book. It was a nice change from the usually predictable paranormal books that are out there right now. Brewster is a 16 year old boy who has the ability to take away the pain, both physical and emotional, from the people around him that he cares about. Because of this, he tends to remain inside himself and distances himself from people so he doesn't develop a connection with people and then feel their pain. But that is easier said than done. Slowly, Brewster opens himself up to Bronte and Tennyson, brother and sister, and their family. And the results are not what everyone hopes they will be.

What I really like about this book is that it goes beyond the surface story to get at some deeper issues and to create some excellent discussion points. Namely, is there any good that comes from feeling a full range of feelings, both good and bad? People change around Brewster, sometimes for the bad. They become selfish around him because they feel so good when he is around that you start to wonder if they want him around because of how he makes them feel or because he is their friend and they truly like the guy. Everyone's motives, even his little brother's, are questioned.

My only beef with this book is that Bronte's voice is much older than a 16 year old's. I know that her parents are literature professors but the thoughts and words coming out of her head seem like they would come from someone ages older than her.

Otherwise, a really good read with a very interesting premise.

maria_rb's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

Solid intro and opening; such an interesting premise and characterization. I never do understand what it is that attracts Brewster to the twins, beyond the fact that maybe he's just plain lonely, but given what is at stake for him, I fail to see their allure. Aside from that, this is worth the read. It starts off really well. I gave 3.5 stars because, at the end, I felt like so much more could have been explored for the characters. I get why Brewster has to be a sacrificial lamb, but after a while he seems almost complicit in his own misery: where is his resistance? Why can't he stand up for himself? He seems like a character who should do more than just give in to his fate. I wanted him to be more complex but he ends up being a Mary Sue character.

connorbookinit's review against another edition

4.0

While not my favorite Shusterman novel, it was really well done. I loved the messages it had, and I found myself really caring for the characters a lot. I don't want to give anything away since it's so short and quick, so I won't say anything other than I like how the novel made me think about what I would do in the characters' situations.

katinaroberts's review against another edition

3.0

Brewster (who everyone calls Bruiser) intentionally tries to distance himself from all of his peers out of self-preservation. The more he cares for someone, the more he hurts.

I really like Shusterman's style of writing. It's clever and funny and is always an entertaining read. I also liked the story line of this book and thought the premise was interesting. I loved the evolving discovery that everyone needs to process through their own pain in order to find relief and to move on with their life. I especially liked Brewster's little brother Cody. Learning about pain and hurt is key to growth.

pattyo1984's review against another edition

4.0

This was a good book. Well written, well developed. When I was describing it to Margaret and Phil, they both said, "oh, it's the Ragman." So, if you know the story of the Ragman and like that, you will like this book. Presenting this for one of my booktalk books. Glad I have picked such good ones!

cookie_keko's review against another edition

5.0

I Loved it, it mixed comedy with a heck lot of emotion.

calico_deverre's review against another edition

4.0

Bruiser was a surprising read. I wasn't sure i was going to like it but I really did. The way Brewster is characterized by the way his speech is written is really interesting. I would recommend this to someone in high school who has an interest in bullying or something like it. Brew speaks in metaphors and similes and it really reveals the plot in a way you almost don't realize it. I know it was hard for Bronte to help Brew, and I myself have had friends that almost don't want to help themselves.

noelle123456789's review against another edition

3.0

i would give this book a 3. the characters had a lot of depth to them, and i bet i'll miss them when i move on to a new book tomorrow. Brewster has an amazing gift that made me take notice of every feeling and injury the main characters had, as well as my own. however, though this book didn't lack content, or creativity, i found the obliviousness of the characters really annoying and upsetting, almost making me want to stop reading. i suspect it was Shusterman's intention to stir up the readers anxiety as the main characters stumbled around, but because of the sheer number of pages Shusterman let the protagonists remain blind, i found reading tedious at times. i read this for a book club, however, so i continued on, and i'm glad i did, because in the end, the very last chapter where things were (spoiler) resolved i was truly touched by the morals and emotion that Shusterman was trying to convey all along.