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tree_hugger123
, September 15, 2009
Chinese Handcuffs by Chris Crutcher is a truly amazing novel. The main character, Dillion Hemingway, goes through many life changing experiences and learns so much throughout the story. Starting off with an intense beginning, Dillion’s older brother, Preston Hemingway, lost his legs in a horrible motorcycle accident and got involved with the crowd and unfortunately ended up shooting himself in the head. Throughout the story, Dillion writes numerous letters to Preston explaining his life and people he encounters. He explains about Stacy, who Dillion was in love with even though she loved Preston, and Jen, who is the best basketball player in the state and gets molested by her stepfather. After learning about Jen’s dark secret with her stepdad, Dillion does everything he possible can help save her while saving himself too.
I really enjoyed reading this book and thought it had many strengths. For example, I loved the descriptions of the characters and how real the author made them seem. I also liked the figurative language the author used, such as similes explaining the character’s emotions. The letters and flashbacks added variety to the story and gave us different perspectives, which was very nice.
The message of this novel is that you need to overcome emotional trauma in your life and grow stronger from it. I believe this moral is very valuable for any reader and they should be able to relate to it also.
After reading this novel, I realized that my life isn’t that bad compared to others around me that I have known for a long time and that you shouldn’t take your life for granted. You should live life to the fullest and not make any stupid mistakes. Also, you should really listen to your friends and take their problems seriously and try to help them out the best you can.
“There’s a lot to consider. I have never loved and hated anyone at the same time and so ferociously as I do you for what you did. My emotions churn inside me like a hurricane, and when it’s at its worst, I can only lay back and let them take me away. I miss you, Pres. I don’t miss the drugs and the craziness of the end, but I miss the real you from back before,” is what Dillion wrote to Preston in one of his letters. This shows how powerful some of their situations are in the book, and it can only get worse before it gets better. Read the book to find out what happens.
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