Ironman (1995 novel)
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| Ironman | |
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| Author | Chris Crutcher |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Young adult novel |
| Publisher | Harper Collins |
| Publication date | 1995 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 279 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0060598409 |
| Preceded by | Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes |
| Followed by | Whale Talk |
Ironman is a novel by young adult writer Chris Crutcher. It is the story of Beauregard Brewster, a high school student training for a triathlon while also at war with his father and English teacher, both of whom exhibit portentous views of masculine authority. The book is written as a combination of traditional third person narrative and epistolary novel through a series of informal letters written by the protagonist to CNN personality Larry King. The novel has received numerous accolades including being recognized by the American Library Association as a “Best Book for Young Adults.”[1]
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
The story takes place in Spokane, Washington where Beauregard Brewster (Bo) lives with his mother and younger brother Jordan. Motivated by years of conflict with his father and a recent dispute with Coach Redmond, Bo’s football coach and English teacher, the teenager trains vigorously for the Yukon Jack Ironman Triathlon. Along the way Bo is forced to enroll in the school’s anger management program, where much to his surprise he meets a wise old shop teacher and a group of supposed delinquents who inspire and support him further in his efforts.
[edit] Characters
- Beauregard "Bo" Brewster is the narrator and protagonist. Bo is a humorous character who shares most of his feelings with a diary which he addresses to Larry King. Bo struggles to deal with his parents' divorce and his relationship with his father while he's been forced to join anger management. Bo also attempts to deal with his feelings by training to become a triathlete.
- Mr. Nakasagi is a shop teacher who is in charge of the school's anger management group. Mr. Nak is calm and patient with his "eclectic mix of hard-edged students." Some of the "truants" names are Elvis, Shuja, and Hudgie. Of Asian descent, Mr. Nak has a Texas accent, a cowboy attitude, and the determination of a martial artist.
- Lionel Serbousek is Bo's supportive Journalism teacher and mentor. Bo struggles to cope with his discovery that Mr. Serbousek is a homosexual.
- Shelly is Bo's love interest. She is also enrolled in Mr. Nak's anger management class. Also a disciplined athlete, Shelly helps Bo prepare for the triathlon. She also prepares a special surprise for Bo during his race.
[edit] Themes
Like many of Crutcher's other novels,Ironman deals with the physical and emotional growth of adolescent athletes.
Some other (potentially controversial) themes the novel touches on include:
- Anger management
- Divorce
- Child Abuse
- Adoption
- Homosexuality
