Chinese Handcuffs [Library Binding]

Chris Crutcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 16, 2008

Dillon is living with the painful memory of his brother's suicide -- and the role he played in it. To keep his mind and body occupied, he trains intensely for the Ironman triathlon. But outside of practice, his life seems to be falling apart.

Then Dillon finds a confidante in Jennifer, a star high school basketball player who's hiding her own set of destructive secrets. Together, they must find the courage to confront their demons -- before it's too late.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9-12-- There are enough plots here to fuel a soap opera for a year. Dillon Hemingway is a brilliant student and athlete whose older brother, Preston, gets involved with a motorcycle gang, loses his legs in a bike accident, and later blows his head away in full view of his younger brother. Dillon writes long letters to his dead brother to tell him about Stacy, who was Preston's girl and the mother of their child but who may secretly love Dillon, and Jennifer, star basketball player, whose father sexually abused her and whose stepfather, a madman, also abuses her. Dillon's mother walked out on his family some years before. So much for the beginning. Beyond the first chapters there are scenes in which Dillon sprinkles his brother's ashes into the gas tanks of the cyclists who corrupted Preston and in which Stacy uses the school public address system to announce that she is indeed the mother of Preston's child. Dogs are crushed by cars, the Vietnam War is rehashed. Characters keep asking "can we talk" and then prattle on with enormous presence and wisdom about the evils of society, their parents, all adults, their own sorry lot in life, and love ("There are so many crazy things, dangerous things sometimes, that we're taught to call love"). Jesus Christ is at one point called "a heroic dude." Dillon is too much in control of himself and the other characters to be believable. The ending, in which Dillon single-handedly drives Jennifer's crazed step-father out of town, is contrived. There's a place in fiction for teenage problems, but surely not all in one novel. --Robert E. Unsworth, Scarsdale Junior High School, N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Chris Crutcher has written nine critically acclaimed novels, an autobiography, and two collections of short stories. He has won three lifetime achievement awards for the body of his work: the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Outstanding Literature for Young Adults, the ALAN Award for a Significant Contribution to Adolescent Literature, and the NCTE National Intellectual Freedom Award.

He has been a child and family therapist with the Spokane Community Mental Health Center and is currently chairperson of the Spokane Child Protection Team. Chris Crutcher lives in Spokane, Washington.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Library Binding: 296 pages
• Publisher: Paw Prints 2008-05-16; Reprint edition (May 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1435277910
• ISBN-13: 978-1435277915
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Chris Crutcher grew up in Cascade, Idaho, and now lives in Spokane, Washington. He is the critically acclaimed author of six novels and a collection of short stories for teenagers, all chosen as ALA Best Books. In 2000, he was awarded the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring his lifetime contribution in writing for teens. Drawing on his experience as an athlete, teacher, family therapist, and child protection specialist, he unflinchingly writes about real and often-ignored issues that face teenagers today.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful novel that leaves a lasting impression., February 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Chinese Handcuffs (Laurel Leaf Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

This novel addresses so much more than is stated in the synopsis. Suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, and sexual abuse are some issues addressed, as is gang rape. The novel uses profanity as it tries to acurately depict the dispicable characters and show the rage the main character has. Crutcher is a powerful novelist that young adults enjoy, but parents should read the novel, as should teachers and be prepared to discuss the novel in detail. Many young adults will be haunted by this novel for a long time. I would strongly discourage anyone younger than 15 from reading this novel. On the other hand, anyone trying to discourage a teen from gang affiliation may find this novel a powerful tool. Most importantly, this novel shows how some mistakes can never be rectified, a lesson teens find so hard to accept, and teaches major life lessons.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars My Opinion, April 19, 2000

By 

"grammie_1" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chinese Handcuffs (Laurel Leaf Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

Chinese Handcuffs, written by Chris Crutcher, is a good novel for the young adult age group. It is written about two teenagers who have to suffer through life. The main character, is Dillon has to go through life after watching his brother commit suicide. The female character in the story is Jenn, who has to go through life without trying to tell people that her dad is abusing her. The novel is written in the way that a normal teenager would talk. Chris Crutcher knows what a teenagers emotions are and tries to express them in the kind of explicit language that some teenagers would use. I think the book is best for kids who are around the teenage years. I also think that some adults should read it to see what some kids go through. I rank this book a four because some of the details are very shady, and I did not like the ending of the story very well. On a final note, I would like to say that this book is pretty good and I would read it again if I ever get the chance to do it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Outrageous book about real life, April 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Chinese Handcuffs (Laurel Leaf Books) (Mass Market Paperback)

When I read Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher, I couldn'tbelieve how realistic it was. I think that is why I like ChrisCrutcher's books. He takes problems that a person would have in real life and crams them all into one little book. One of my favorite parts of the book is how Dillion and Jennifer cope with her problem. Jen has to go through her whole life getting molested, also Dillion has to deal with his brother's suicide. I also like how he has your mind going in twist and turns throughout the book. One of my least favorite parts of the book is at the end, because I think he should have ended it differently. But besides that I thought that it was with reading. I really don't like to read, but I liked reading this book. Because it is filled with emotional things, For example, Dillion goes through watching his brother kill himself. It's full of action. For example Dillion chases after Jen when she climbs up the water tower. I recommend this book to every one who likes these things in a book. If you like books that are easy to read and that are also relevant to today's society, I would recommend this book.