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A review by amyedreger
Bruiser by Neal Shusterman
4.0
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.
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.