Customer Reviews

Chinese Handcuffs

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I recently read the book Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher. Ilove the book. It's an outstanding young adult book. I like thebook because most teenagers can relate to the two stories in the book. I think people can really relate to the pregnancy of Stacy to Dillion's dead brother Preston. I think that also people can relate to suicide like how Preston committed suicide in the story because of drugs and other personal situations. Also there are a lot of people getting abused around the world, not just sexually but mentally and physically, just like Jenn's father abuses her. My favorite part of he book is when Jenn runs out of the basketball game and Dillon goes after her to keep her from committing suicide. It shows that he really cares about her and doesn't want her to be hurt anymore. I didn't like that it had two different plots to the story that kind of confused me. I also didn't like the way Crutcher ends the story. I think he could have either ended it differently or came back to make a sequel.

I really enjoyed reading Chinese Handcuffs. Reading the book was a memorable experience for me. I was moved by the content of the story, which shows us that adults aren't the only people who suffer in the world; kids and teenagers do, too. In the book we learn of a boy named Dillon Hemingway. He is a junior in high school and a very big triathlon star. Throughout the story we can see that Dillon is not very open with his dad or with others about the death of his brother, Preston. His brother had committed suicide right in front of him. We also learn about a girl named Jennifer Lawless. She is a basketball star and very popular at her school. But we learn that she is keeping a very big secret, one that she has kept and won't share with anyone. Chinese Handcuffs is very open when it comes to addressing the issues that plague today's youth. I especially like the way the story was written. We see the world from Dillon's viewpoint by being able to read the letters he writes to Preston, and also we get a better glimpse of Jen's life through flashbacks. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone, especially the people who think they have it bad. After reading this, they will see the world in an entirely different light. I give the story a 5 because it was very informative, interesting, and dramatic.

This is a thoughtful book for teens that is similar to the writings of Paul Zindel (The Pigman).

The colorfully named Jennifer Lawless and Dillon Hemingway are two high-schoolers who are each struggling with a deep dark secret that belies the calm faces they show to their teachers and peers. Dillon is haunted by the memory of his brother, who shot himself in front of Dillon. Jennifer is living with a child-molesting monster, and she fears that his attention will soon be transplanted from herself to her younger sister, Dawn.

Parts of the book are letters that Dillon writes to his dead brother, which gives us some interesting first-person narrative, and also reminds us of the depth to which Dillon is affected by the death.

Another nice thing is that both Jennifer and Dillon are hardcore student-athletes, which is a little different from the steretypical outcast who is usually featured in books for teens. This might make the book a little more attractive to the non-bookworms out there who are willing to give a serious book a shot.

Overall, I recommend this book. It's thoughtful, exciting in parts, well-written, and interesting. The characters are not as in-depth as they could have been, which limits the level of emotional connection we can feel to them, but they aren't half bad, either.

One of the many wonderful novels that Chris Crutcher has written is titled "Chinese Handcuffs". Crutcher has written various books about teens, athletic sports, and the problems that follow. These intense and exciting novels discuss how some kids deal with their problems, whether they solve them or not. "Chinese Handcuffs" is just one example Chris Crutcher writing style where teens overcome obstacles.
The two main characters in the book "Chinese Handcuffs" are Dillon Hemingway, and Jennifer Lawless. Jen has had a tough life since she was eleven when her dad started to harass her, and Dillon had his brother recently kill himself. Together they learn to become friends and get through tough times and solve each other's problems.
Overcoming obstacles is a major part in this book that every character faces. For Jen, she needs to learn how to trust someone, that will get her help, but it's not that easy, there are other factors standing in the way of her wanting to get help. Dillon already went through a big downfall in his life watching his brother kill himself, but he is determined to become a family again with his father and even the family members that moved away; his mother and sister. Dillon and Jen relate in more ways than imaginable, and most people can't understand them, or what they're going through. Jen helps give Dillon confidence and trust while Dillon gives Jen the sense of security and someone to talk to that will help her. Everything seems to be getting better in Jens life until her mom comes home and announces something that would change Jens life forever in the worst kind of way. She becomes so enraged that she is willing to die rather than live though this, and Dillon finds out and almost kills himself trying to help her.
I like the style that Chris Crutcher wrote in, and the way the book was laid out. In the beginning of the book, it told Jen's side of the story, and then it told Dillon's side of the story, and by the end of the book their lives combined into one story. And then it became easier to read becasue it didn't jump back and forth anymore. I didn't like how the setting was vague; the book only mentioned the name of the town once or twice. I really liked the book because it was a mix of action and romance.
The theme of "Chinese Handcuffs" is to keep on trying to solve a problem, because the resolution may not be right around the corner, you might need to search for it. In order to overcome obstacles you need to put effort into it and really want to accomplish it, because if you don't try your hardest, then the solution may not be as obvious or ever be found.

This book deals with suicide and molestation, pits good against evil, and explores how we can overcome our own impulses for evil. Mostly it presents good people finding ways to deal with real problems. Unlike Cormier, Crutcher doesn't hang kids out to dry. Where Cormier peoples their world with hideous or weak adults and children in over their heads, Crutcher empowers teens and provides some good role models for adults to follow, as well. You'll find yourself cheering.

Chris Crutcher's novel, Chinese Handcuffs, is a must read for everyone. This author has an amazing way of showing readers what life is truly about, by reading about the struggles and triumphs of others. Never before have I read a book that has moved me so deeply. Jennifer Lawless is an amazing athlete and talented student; these qualities are obvious to everyone. However, what people don't realize is that Jennifer is also very good at keeping secrets, especially one big, awful one. Dillon Hemmingway is living with the guilt of his brother's suicide, not being able to convince himself that it is not in fact his fault. By writing him letters, Dillon feels like he can almost communicate with his brother, though none of them will ever be answered. Jennifer and Dillon are connected with each other through the pain they have both experienced. Together, they must now face the horrors before them and attempt to let go of the past that has forever haunted them. Crutcher is an amazing author. Through this novel he shows the undeniable theme that sometimes you have to face your fears if you ever want to be rid of them. No one can deny just how true that is. If you should choose to read Chinese Handcuffs, I guarantee you will not regret it.

This is an incredible book. Dillon Hemingway is a triathalon star who hopes to qualify for the Ironman. It seems he has everything, but he holds a terrible memory inside of him. Dillon's brother, Preston, killed himself right in front of Dillon and now Dillon writes letters to Pres to let his feelings out. Jennifer Lawless is a star basketball player who holds a dark secret that she is too terrified to share with anyone. One night, she runs out of a tournament basketball game, intent on committing suicide. Dillon rushes out after and stops her just in time. Together they must find a way to bring the secret out into the open and save Jen from her feelings inside.
This book makes you realize that your life isn't so bad. you could have it much worse. It made me feel thankful that I have the life I have.