Bruiser [Hardcover]

Neal Shusterman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 29, 2010

Tennyson:
Don't get me started on the Bruiser. He was voted "Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty" by the entire school. He's the kid no one knows, no one talks to, and everyone hears disturbing rumors about. So why is my sister, BrontË, dating him? One of these days she's going to take in the wrong stray dog, and it's not going to end well.

BrontË:
My brother has no right to talk about Brewster that way—no right to threaten him. There's a reason why Brewster can't have friends—why he can't care about too many people. Because when he cares about you, things start to happen. Impossible things that can't be explained. I know, because they're happening to me.

Award-winning author Neal Shusterman has crafted a chilling and unforgettable novel about the power of unconditional friendship, the complex gear workings of a family, and the sacrifices we endure for the people we love.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up–Tennyson, 16, is a hulking loner who seems to possess the power to heal both physical and psychic hurts. When his twin sister, Brontë, befriends their shy and withdrawn classmate Brewster “Bruiser” Rawlins, he is concerned that her relationship with this boy from the wrong side of the tracks will prove somehow dangerous. After he spies Bruiser changing in the locker room and notices that his back is covered in scars and welts, he becomes even more certain that the teen and his family are bad news. In spite of her brother's warnings, Brontë continues her relationship with Bruiser, drawing him closer to her family–and Tennyson–in the process. The twins begin to notice Bruiser's unusual talent: not only can he assume the physical pain and wounds of those he cares about, but he can also absorb their anger, hurt, and grief. Told from the three characters' alternating perspectives, with Brewster's rendered in poetic form, Shusterman's novel reveals its secrets and their implications slowly, allowing readers to connect the dots before the characters do and encouraging them to weigh the price of Bruiser's “gift” against the freedom from pain that Tennyson and Brontë enjoy.Amy S. Pattee, Simmons College, Boston
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

Is it possible to experience joy if you don’t experience pain? Is absorbing someone’s pain a gift or a curse? Shusterman explores these central questions in this thought-provoking new book. Sixteen-year-old Tennyson fumes when he learns his twin sister, Bronte, is dating Bruiser, the guy voted Most Likely to Go to Jail, but Bronte insists Bruiser is misunderstood. Tennyson is eventually won over and befriends Bruiser, and that’s when the twins notice something odd. Their cuts and bruises disappear overnight while Bruiser is a mass of new hurts; somehow he takes on the pain, both physical and emotional, of the people he cares for. The story is narrated by Tennyson, Bronte, and Cody, Bruiser’s brother, in prose and by Bruiser in free verse, and the individual voices are nicely distinct. It is Tennyson, though, who stands out as he evolves from self-centered bully to caring young man and ponders big questions about friendship and sacrifice. A culminating crisis is a bit convenient, but the compelling issues and engaging premise make this a rewarding read. Grades 8-12. --Lynn Rutan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Hardcover: 336 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen; 1 edition (June 29, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061134082
• ISBN-13: 978-0061134081
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #217,527 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Neal Shusterman is the author of many novels for young adults, including Unwind, which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Everlost, and Downsiders, which was nominated for twelve state reading awards. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows such as Animorphs and Goosebumps. The father of four children, Neal lives in southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful, compelling read, July 2, 2010

By 

J. Prather (IN USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bruiser (Hardcover)

Much like Shusterman's Unwind, Bruiser is a well written story peopled with engagaging characters that will make you think, and will stay with you long after you finish the last page. The author's incredible gift with dialogue, his expert pacing and his ability to blend in totally impossible concepts and make them believable is truly extraordinary. I admire people who exude an air of being comfortable in their own skin, and it's this that I think of when I read this book. The author is just so comfortable in his own storytelling, that there are no dialogue blips, no blatantly obvious plot devices, and no clunky transitions. This tale moves along seamlessly and the reader is left with a story that is stunningly authentic.

The narrative is presented from the differing points of view of brother and sister Tennyson and Bronte, Brew, and his younger brother Cody. If I have one issue with the book, it's that these characters come across as older than their years. They are not even 16, but come across as much older teens. The prose is very well written, and the transitions between points of view are done expertly. It's Brew's point of view, written in free verse, that truly contains the power of this story. I am not a fan of free verse. I steer clear of it whenever possible, but here it so effectively gives Brew his own unique voice that I was riveted. His verse is full of pain, anger and joy. His ruminations on the nature of pain and his abilities to absorb the pain (both emotional and physical) of others are very poignant.

Each character goes through his own journey in this novel, and you don't always like them. They do make you feel, and that seems to be the whole point of this story. What good are the ups if you can't feel the downs? This is a very good book that could very well be the author's best yet. There are no language issues, no sexual situations, but some violence and lots of intense emotion. This is a book to savor for both teens and adults.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bruised, broken, down but not out, April 28, 2011

By 

broiderqueen "army mama" (Southern Oregon) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bruiser (Hardcover)

Neal Shusterman really has a knack for writing Young Adult books that resonate with a much wider audience. I started reading "Bruiser" thinking I knew what the plot was going to be - I was WRONG. I hadn't read any of the promo materials and so had no idea and am glad that it happened that way. I was able to enjoy the twists and turns of the story because of that.

I really enjoyed that the book was written in four voices and that one of the voices was done totally in poetry. Shusterman just keeps surprising me with the high calibre of his writing. Unwind was one of my favorite all-time books. But guess what? This one is right up there, too.

Shusterman's books make you think. They make you question the world and how it operates. But they do it in an exceptionally readable manner.

CAUTION:
I would recommend this for older teens or adults. Some language, sexual situations, violence.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars In the middle, July 5, 2010

By 

Melissa "Coffee Books and Laundry" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bruiser (Hardcover)

Bruiser is a very unique story, with a just as unique main character, but for some reason the execution fell short for me.

First, I'll start off with the positives. Brewster (aka Bruiser) is a such a warm-hearted, giving guy. His unwavering love for the people in his life cause him so much pain, yet he endures. I really began to think of Brewster as a big ol' teddy bear. I was commited to the story soley because of him. Author Neal Schusterman really created a great, wholesome feeling character. I would compare him to Edward Scissorhands. You know something is different, and frightening about someone one, yet you can sense good from them. The story of Brewster is so unique, and I wanted to know more. How did this come to be? How in the heck does it happen? Why? I love that the subject engaged me enough to have tons of questions swarming in my head.

The drawbacks, well, with all the questions swarming, at the end the questions remained. Very little was given of the why, and how. Infact, I would go as far to say that I think we were never meant to know the why or how? Problem is I must know! Secondly, as much as I loved Brewster, I could only tolerate Tennyson, and Bronte at times. Because Brewster was such a great character, the others faded and failed to ignite any feelings for me. A huge part of the book was about what was going on in Tennyson and Brontes house and I didn't care, really. I wanted to peek in the window of Brewster's house with his younger brother, and drunken uncle.

I'm really split on Bruiser. I think if I was asked for recommendations Brusier would not come up, but if someone asked me specifically about it, I would say give it a try soley because of Brewster.