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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Bruiser is my first read outside of the Unwind series that I've read by Neal Shusterman so I had high expectations that I was trying to keep in check and I'm so, so thrilled to say that this blew me away. This only reaffirms that you know you're going to get a phenomenal story when you pick up a Neal Shusterman book. There are so many reasons why.
Like Unwind, this story is told through multiple points of view. Shusterman is a master at multiple POVs. He nails every voice, making each so wonderfully distinct with so much depth. Brewster's voice was so poetic and made me fall in love with his words, his story even faster than I was already falling.
The relationships had so much depth as well. For a story like this, it's necessary to feel the weight of each relationship as we discover that Brewster is an empath. Brewster has to literally not care about people in order to survive. So he pushes everyone away. He sets guard rails up everywhere all while taking on the pain of his younger brother and the Uncle they live with. An Uncle whose guilt over Brewster's ability turns him into the worst version of himself. This leads to abuse in the home, making this a very emotionally tough book to read. The tension is heavy. The tone of the story gradually gets darker and darker as Brewster takes on more and more pain. As he endures the darkness for those around him, almost to the point of death.
It's a tough pill to swallow but Brewster must learn to stop allowing himself to take on other people's pain and those around him must learn to own their faults, their mistakes, their pain in order to grow, in order to be whole. Bruiser is a devastating story about what happens to the one person taking on all of the despair of the people denying the world around them, the world within them and how they all learn to heal because of it.
Bruiser is an arresting tale about what it means to have hope for a world that asks you to be selfless over and over again with nothing given from them; it's a story about what it means to have joy when you can't love over and over again. It's about the fight of a child's life, a fight that very few can see but so many are unknowingly affected by. Bruiser is extraordinary and in saying all this, I still don't think I've done it justice. This is not an easy book to read, it's a dark, dark book about the will to love. The will to let love in. The will to love selflessly. The will to do what's right despite our love. It goes there. But it is so worth it, so if you think you can handle it, read this book and read it now. It will leave a much needed bruise on your heart, one that you won't want to have go away.
Like Unwind, this story is told through multiple points of view. Shusterman is a master at multiple POVs. He nails every voice, making each so wonderfully distinct with so much depth. Brewster's voice was so poetic and made me fall in love with his words, his story even faster than I was already falling.
The relationships had so much depth as well. For a story like this, it's necessary to feel the weight of each relationship as we discover that Brewster is an empath. Brewster has to literally not care about people in order to survive. So he pushes everyone away. He sets guard rails up everywhere all while taking on the pain of his younger brother and the Uncle they live with. An Uncle whose guilt over Brewster's ability turns him into the worst version of himself. This leads to abuse in the home, making this a very emotionally tough book to read. The tension is heavy. The tone of the story gradually gets darker and darker as Brewster takes on more and more pain. As he endures the darkness for those around him, almost to the point of death.
It's a tough pill to swallow but Brewster must learn to stop allowing himself to take on other people's pain and those around him must learn to own their faults, their mistakes, their pain in order to grow, in order to be whole. Bruiser is a devastating story about what happens to the one person taking on all of the despair of the people denying the world around them, the world within them and how they all learn to heal because of it.
Bruiser is an arresting tale about what it means to have hope for a world that asks you to be selfless over and over again with nothing given from them; it's a story about what it means to have joy when you can't love over and over again. It's about the fight of a child's life, a fight that very few can see but so many are unknowingly affected by. Bruiser is extraordinary and in saying all this, I still don't think I've done it justice. This is not an easy book to read, it's a dark, dark book about the will to love. The will to let love in. The will to love selflessly. The will to do what's right despite our love. It goes there. But it is so worth it, so if you think you can handle it, read this book and read it now. It will leave a much needed bruise on your heart, one that you won't want to have go away.
My full review is here:
http://christinebookreviewcorner.blogspot.com/2017/01/bruiser-by-neal-shusterman.html
http://christinebookreviewcorner.blogspot.com/2017/01/bruiser-by-neal-shusterman.html
The storyline for Bruiser (abuse) is really to not my usual tastes. The supernatural twist doesn't take us away from it either: it just reels as in ever more uncomfortably close. Actually, what hooked me was Shusterman's sly humour in depicting the twins. Great antidote to a heavy topic. Then the excellent character development kept me hooked when things kept getting less straightforward and just generally worse for everyone.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fascinating conceptual novel about what would happen if a child could physically take away the pains of others around him. And what a perfect metaphor for how child abuse can shape a child into a punching bag in ways that permeate beyond his family.
The perspective flipping was artfully done. This book should be a case study in effective perspective and prose style switches in a story.
The ending left me wanting for something different — not because the outcome didn’t make sense, but because Brewster is a sweet cinnamon roll who must be protected at all costs. He ends up a martyr for Bronte and Tennyson's character growth , and that kills me a bit. I want this boy to have a happy ending ! Also, is he still afflicted with his condition ?? I need a sequel!!!
I read this book because I asked a good friend what she’d recommend for a perspective-changing and emotional book. I think this was a great pick, and I feel like I know her better now too :)
Wonderful 4 and half stars.Tennyson's thinking of the twins was beautiful.Tennyson's sound was so good.It was strange that Bruster wasn't the only narrator.All these narrators were good although I was afraid it wouldn't.They all were so stupid and slow to understand except for cody .Bruster was strong character and it was very hard to believe someone like that at 15 of his age .The uncle person was disgusting.Cody was very innocent and cute.
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bruiser is a book I read in high school which I remember distinctly to this day. I deeply enjoyed this as a buddy read with my good friend. Neal Shusterman, you’re a legend!
Bruiser shows the complexities of life as a teenager, and the intensity of so many emotions. Bruiser touches on topics like alcoholism, physical/verbal/emotional abuse, divorce, family dynamics, and it shows the impact we can have when we get to know people and give them a lot of love. The story told from each characters perspective is what adds to the beauty of this book.
Bruiser shows the complexities of life as a teenager, and the intensity of so many emotions. Bruiser touches on topics like alcoholism, physical/verbal/emotional abuse, divorce, family dynamics, and it shows the impact we can have when we get to know people and give them a lot of love. The story told from each characters perspective is what adds to the beauty of this book.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is so different from what I usually read, but I loved it.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes