Ironman

by Chris Crutcher

Bo has been at war with his father for as long as he can remember. The rage he feels gives him the energy as a triathlete to press his body to the limit, but it also translates into angry outbursts toward his teachers.

Now dangerously close to expulsion from school, Bo has been assigned to Anger Management sessions with the school "truants." With an eclectic mix of hard-edged students, Bo may finally have to deal with his long-brewing hatred for his father -- before it eats away at him completely.

Genres: Young Adult, Sports, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Teen, Contemporary, Coming Of Age

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 14, 1995

About the author

Chris Crutcher's writing is controversial, and has been frequently challenged and even banned by individuals who want to censor his books by removing them from libraries and classrooms. Running Loose and Athletic Shorts were on the ALA's top 100 list of most frequently challenged books for 1990-2000. His books generally feature teens coping with serious problems, including abusive parents, racial and religious prejudice, mental and physical disability, and poverty; these themes are viewed as too mature for children. Other cited reasons for censorship include strong language and depictions of homosexuality. Despite this controversy, Crutcher's writing has received many awards.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to a professor in an adolescent lit class, I first picked up this marvelous book. Being a consummate couch potato, the sports that permeate Crutcher's novels was initially a turn-off. However, once I read this book, I was hooked. Chris Crutcher has a background in psychology and his depiction of kids in crisis is always insightful and often heartbreaking. He is a master of the problem novel.

Beau Brewster is a 17 year old boy who gets into a power struggle with a teacher who is very much like Beau's dad (ie. extremely controlling and not willing to listen). After Beau calls this teacher an asshole (true, but, alas, not allowed at school) he is ordered to attend Mr. Nak's before school anger management group.

At first, Beau refuses to believe that he belongs in the group, but eventually becomes a willing participant and forms deep relationships with the rest of the "Nak pack." Beau's story is told mainly through his letters to his idol, Larry King.

Beau plans to compete in a triathalon. Though labeled a quitter by his father, Beau trains relentlessly for the triathalon, eventually finding support from a source he never expected, even as his jerk of a father actively attempts to sabatoge Beau's chances in the race.

Anyone who has a difficult relationship with a parent will find much to think about in Beau's story.

[Mari Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't love this YA novel. Lots of swearing, use of the N word, awkward colloquial and accents which make reading this a trial. I also didn't love the use of the epistolary device of having the main character write letters to Larry King. Felt dated and weird. I gave up on this novel because I didn't look forward to reading it and life is too short.

[Louis Knecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Response:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It had a great story line and it had a lot of real life problems that I think many people can relate to. Overall, it was a fun exciting book to read.

Plot:
In this book there were a lot of interesting things that happened in the plot. The main character's name was Bo. He had a rough childhood in the fact that his dad was very mean to him but not in the way you would think. When he was seven Bo’s dad was sleeping on his chair and Bo ran inside and slammed the door on accident. As soon as he did he knew it was a huge mistake. His dad woke up and was very upset, so for his punishment he told him to open and close the door quietly twenty times. Bo did 19 times without making a peep, everyone his dad staring at him making sure he didn't make a noise. The last time he slammed the door so hard the window in the room shattered. His dad told him he would be paying for it and that he was no longer a part of the family until he did it twenty times. All he would get was food and a place to sleep. He even made Bo watch their family open Christmas presents, when he didn't get a single present. After 8 months he told him he could rejoin the family. In high school Bo had on teacher the football coach that hated him because he was the football coach and Bo quit football because he was a jerk. So one day in class Mr.Redmond, the teacher, was making fun and disrespecting Bo. Bo called him an asshole, so Mr. Redmond got him suspended and said he could not come back unless he entered in the Anger Management class. Bo did and surprisingly really enjoyed it and met a girl who would become his girlfriend who he truly loved. Throughout the book Bo was training to compete in Yukon Jack's iron man race. It was a triathlon that was very long and hard. His girlfriend made a bet with a swimmer who hated Bo, saying Bo would beat him and two of his friends as a team in the race. His Dad even gave the biker of their group a 5000 dollar bike so he would beat his own son. Luckily, the biker was a nice guy and didn't want to cheat like that so he let Bo use it for the race. He still beat Bo by a lot, but luckily Bo did win because he beat the other two members in the running and swimming sections.

Characterization:
Bo was a nice kid who had a lot of problems with his dad and also his teacher. He was very stubborn but also nice. He had the will and motivation to do whatever it takes to accomplish a task.

Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to high school age people male or female who enjoy great stories about real life problems that are relate able. Also if they like sports this would be a good book for them.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find it hard to believe that I acquired this book from the purge shelf of my school library. It was very good. What resonated with me most was the fact that so called “problem children” in anger management were merely mistreated and abused children who deserved compassion from the adults charged to care for them. I wish there had been a resolution between Bo and his father. Why do parents and children have to engage in power struggles?

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauregard Brewster, a near-adult teen with serious ambitions and the persistence to succeed is frequently thwarted this fall by his commanders at school and home, especially by Dad, who seems to lack empathy for sincere strivers. Unnecessary roadblocks and irritations irk Bo so quickly he cannot at times control outbursts of language fully justifiable in self-talk, of course, nonetheless inciting more friction. Bo might eventually come to understand his father. Meanwhile, Larry King, is a wise consultant, a helpful listener for many well-known contemporary strivers with big purposes. If now you have an identifiable image in your mind, you understand why cartoons and photographs are neither provided nor necessary in this chapter book.
So Bo develops through his issues, entertainingly and transparently through dialog and regular letters to Larry King. We have all been like the Brewski. You might enjoy his expositions even if you're in the midst of an identical life. Today, in my class we are all sincere strivers. Enjoy the journey.

[Olivia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Review/analysis to come but let’s just say while there were some good points, there were quite a few bad ones stuck in the 90s I really hope we don’t keep perpetuating. And bad and offensive writing.

[Marjorie Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author does a great representation of the teenage male protagonist, Beauregard, internally exploring the typical young adult question, "who am I and what am I going to do about it?" Conversely, the power hungry cyclical relationship between Beauregard and his father has the most depth of the story. Their relationship has many dynamics that are relatable to the human experience. Beauregard working towards his athletic goals also keeps the story propelling forward. Overall, this is an excellent read!

[Logan Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally I thought the Iron Man, by Chris Crutcher, was going to be about running, and teamwork, but I gave the book a try, by the second chapter I was hooked.

The main character is , Beau Brewster. Beau is only 17, he falls into many issues, one of them being his dad which is controlling, and never willing to listen to his son. He also has issues in school with one of his teachers that is very similar to his father. Beau is very competitive and tends to get into fights. Which a lot of children his age gets into. This story keeps you wondering what happens next.

At the beginning of the story Beau is a normal kid with abnormal problems he has a father that is controlling and doesn't want to listen or believe his beau can do more than what he can, we have a teacher that acts the same as his father and you have Beau a 17 year old buy that all he wants to do his prove himself to his dad, his inspiration/ideal is Larry King, a talk show host that beau watches every day.

This thrilling book speaks of a boy that thinks he's not good enough and works hard to show he is. The Iron Man is Truly an inspirational book. The ending is definitely surprising and very heartwarming and you will have some laughs. This book is very worth the time.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The narrator is an angry kid with an angry father. His nemesis is his English teacher and football coach, Mr. Redmond. He calls him an a-hole and is forced to attend anger management classes where he meets a girl he really respects. The others in the group become his crew, the leader his mentor, along with his swim coach. It's an inspiring story about family, loyalty, hard work, and integrity. There aren't any easy answers, and I think those are the best kinds of books. I cried at the end, and I'm not sure I remember the last young adult book that did that.

I have to be honest in that I have passed this book by many times because I think it has a boring cover. The author really surprised me. One of my summer school students told me that he just really likes Crutcher's style, and I would have to agree. He's funny, his characters are funny, but they face serious issues. I so appreciate that his books and stories, many of which highlight athletes, also contain homosexual characters. I love that his straight protagonists have to work through their fears.

There is, what I consider, some mature content in this book.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ironman was a great book!

This book was quirky and humorous, especially Bo's letters to Larry King. I had been confused at first by the switching of first person to third person, but after I had gotten used to it, it had been very enjoyable! Though I am particularly not that much into sports, I found it quite interesting about Bo Brewster entering to be in a triathlon. His training sounds brutal, and I know that I'd never be in a thing quite like that! Bo's determination and motivation is pure and true.

Bo trains like crazy for this crazy event, and puts his energy to cool his anger that he feels inside, from his personal life, due to his father who is very controlling and haunts Bo's past, and teachers who egg him on to burst. After Bo curses at a teacher —who totally deserved it— he is sent to an anger management class, where Bo discovers more about others and himself that he wouldn't expect.

I really enjoyed this book a lot! It was funny at times, making me laugh, while other times it made me stop and think. You should go read Ironman! It was a great book, and you'll surely enjoy it!

[Noah Rausch · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a quality book, but the plot is a bit cliche. It is another story about how a kid with family issues deals with his problems by throwing himself into a sport. It was published in 1995, by Chris Crutcher. Chris Crutcher's books are often repetitive in how they seem to have the same theme of a teenager struggling with problems and solving or dealing with them through sports and the help of a coach. The characters are well developed and believable. He is writing to a teenage audience so they are able to relate to the characters. The plot is old and predictable, but the interest in the characters keep you engaged rather than the actual events of the story. I could compare it to just about any other teenage sports book and there would be a long list of similarities. It is very similar to the authors other works. One of the main points of the book is to be independent and don't let others bring you down. I would probably only recommend this to male teenagers as I think that's the demographic it would appeal to the most.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In yet another sports centered novel of young men training toward a goal, Crutcher explores the often dysfunctional relationships between fathers and sons.

This novel is a good read on several levels. It's the story of an outstanding young man coming to terms with his anger. It's about gaining some perspective about what causes some bullies to behave as they do and it suggests some means of coping with the thousand little shocks that flesh is heir to.

I enjoyed seeing characters from other Crutcher novels I'd read make an appearance as well as a return of the Stotan! concept.

This is a good healthy read for young adults and those that deal with them. It has some stealth values lessons thrown in with an engaging story about some ultimately likable people.

[Jared Lindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pretty much thought this was a great book, I could really relate to it. I could relate to this novel because it has to do with anger in school, and anger towards adults that dont respect you... Now I know the saying "Respect your elders" but it would be hard when you are getting picked on by this older person Mr. Redmond, who is Bo Brewsters teacher (Bo is the main character in this story too), and football coach. Redmond was picking on Bo because Bo decided he did not want to play football anymore beacuse Redmond was embarrassing him. The next day Bo was in class and called Redmond an a-hloe, and then the story is just basically about Bo in anger management and trying to go through life without flipping out on everyone.

[Winddancer · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW. I don't know which I like better: Ironman or “Staying Fat.” I do know that I want to get my hands on every Chris Crutcher book ever written. Crutcher has a talent for writing honestly and often alarmingly accurately about the nature of human behavior. This book easily was one of my favorites, right up there with Speak, Ender's Game, and The Giver. I could relate to Bo as he was training; I used to swim and run, and I have two Siberians that take me and my husband for a walk daily. The one point I wonder with this book as well as with “Staying Fat” is that the characters, especially the protagonist, seems wise beyond his years.

[Jacob Lehman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rated the book three stars because I really thought it was a little slow. There were some boring parts where not much happend and I do not like that in a book because it is not fun for me to read. I also didn't like the ending of the book as I thought it was kind of left unclear. I did think that the book had some good themes about life. Like to never give up and keep trying and things like that. I'm not sure if I would read a book by the same author. I think it would depend on the general plot of the book and what it was about. I liked the way Crutcher wrote but I wasn't the biggest fan of the plot. So overall I thought Ironman was an okay book.

[Cherylann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Crutcher never disappoints. While I'm not a fan of books about sports, I am a fan of Crutcher. Sports become the backdrop for his novels, which are character driven more than anything else. Ironman focuses on the Bo Brewster, a high school senior, training for the Yukon Jack triathlon. The novel begins when Bo is sentenced to an anger management class. The novel explores Bo's explosive relationship with the his father, which is set against the triathlon. While some references are now dated, this is a beautifully written book.

[Kate Letterman Conway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Teaching Middle School English.

Look, I'm not saying this is a literary masterpiece, but I do think it's a good story and has a lot of good messages. It's super angst-y, but in w more masculine fashion.

I like the way this book handles some rough subjects, even if the dialogue is, at times, reaching and a little bit terrible.

This would be a wonderful book to recommend to a boy (or girl) who "doesn't like to read."

I'm about to put this on my Teachable Reads shelf, but yeah, probably wouldn't.

[Austin Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought it was alright, i would recommend it to book worms. maybe even for runners because it is very interesting for long distance runners. bo at first sounded boring but the book later progressed to be a decent book. the only reason i didnt like it was because i hate reading and it was long.







ALEX REID IS A LOSER

[Jordyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

EDIT:
After teaching for a few years, I feel like I have a greater appreciation for this book. It’s really a wonderful and impactful book.

It's a pretty quick read, kind of interesting. I think it's a good teaching book. it covers a lot of issues that many kids may be dealing with and ought to be discussed.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I'm in love with Chris Crutcher! He writes YA books, that explain to me about those kids who grow up with a disfunctional family. I hope his work will give me the empathy I need when working with middle school kids this school year.

[Damian Naldrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ironman, written by Chris Crutcher is in the genre category of realistic fiction. The setting of the book is present day of the time it is written, which is 1995. The main character of the book is Beauregard Brewster, also called Beau for short in the story. He is put into an anger management class when he gets into an argument with his English Teacher. The story is told as letters written to Larry King (CNN reporter) from Beau.
Beau’s father is another important character but is one of Beau’s biggest enemy in the story. Even though he lives with his mother, his father is still a negative part of his life. Beau is also in an anger management class, let by Mr. Nak, a Japanese cowboy. His swim coach Serbousek, aka Lion, is a mentor for him and helps him train for the the Yukon Jack Ironman triathlon. Shelly, another person in the anger management group as well as Beau’s girlfriend, is a great athlete as well and is training for the American Gladiator. Ian Wyrack is a member of the swim team and a rival of Beau’s, is angry of the fact that Beau is faster than him.
The main message of the book is to overcome difficult situations and reach a bigger goal. Beau does this by learning to deal with his anger problems with the help of Mr. Nak and Shelly. Working with these anger problems helps him with his ‘rivalry’ with his father as well. He also works hard at his goal of finishing and beating Ian in the triathlon with the mentorship and training of his coach.
The book itself has been banned, although the overall message is positive. The main reason of the banning is the Explicit language throughout the book. The language starts with Beau’s outburst at his english teacher, who he ‘cusses out’.The book is also partly banned because of the sexuality of the swim coach, Serbousek. Some argue that a book involving a homosexual character should not be taught.
I believe the book Ironman, by Chris Crutcher should be kept in school libraries. But, should be checked out only when the student has their parents permission. Also, the book should not be taught in class, only read recreationally by the student’s choice.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bo (Beauregard) Brewster has a very tense relationship with his controlling father and anyone else with a similar outlook. His anger prompts him to say unwise things that get him cut from the football team, called a quitter by his dad, and sent to Mr. Nakatani’s Anger Management class. ‘Angry’ Management is held 2 or 3 mornings a week, a couple of hours before school. This is a tough option for Bo, but his other choices are expulsion or home schooling by the incompetent and deadly Mrs. Conroy.

Bo is training to compete in the Yukon Jack Triathlon in the spring. He doesn’t fit into the ‘Nak Pack’ of juvenile delinquents and hoodlums, but as he gets to know the kids, he realizes that he has assumed some things that aren’t true. He also learns that his father and football coach Redmond are conspiring to teach him some lessons ‘for his own good.’

The story is a combination of narrative and unsent letters/journal Bo writes to TV and radio personality Larry King. (Very effectively presented on Recorded Books by narrators George Guidal and Johnny Heller.) The context is a bit dated, but not in any way that interferes with its ability to make several very important points. Ironman is an easily accessible book dealing with some serious life issues, some great characters, a group that learns to trust, and that their anger may not be of their own devising, but that they need to deal with it all the same. Bo, in particular, learns to manage his anger which comes from fear. Encouraging, affirmative, and enjoyable for teens or adults. Outstanding in print and audio formats.

Readalikes:
Mal Peet – Keeper; Laurie Halse Anderson – Twisted; Sharon Flake – Bang!; Ben Mikaelson – Touching Spirit Bear; Will Hobbs – Bearstone.

Pace: Fast; Characters: Well-developed; likable; strong; Story: character-driven; Writing style: Compelling; engaging; Tone: emotionally intense; Frame: eastern Washington State; contemporary
Red flags: some language, cruelty, abuse

[jamie-ashton fabian · Rating 4 out of 5]

really went back and forth about 3 stars, 4 stars, and 5 stars on this book- felt more like a five the more I read but I do have some criticism and can’t logically give it that. while this book may not have aged perfectly with its use of the n and r words, for its time it’s not really problematic. another criticism is Mr S and Bo’s relationship- while it’s repeated and emphasized that the guy isn’t a pedophile, their out of school meetings and closeness felt a bit weird to me. however, other parts of this book were utterly fantastic. Crutcher’s books all follow the same pattern- teen boy athlete with daddy issues is a part of a group of very ‘fucked up’ kids and slowly falls in love w/ one and befriends the others while learning great life lessons- it’s the same trope but it’s just as heartwarming and simultaneously heartbreaking every time. I loved Hudgie and Elvis and the lessons and feelings Crutcher portrays throughout. the device of much of the book being letters to Larry King is also hilarious and really unique. I did really love this book and it simply felt like love, but as I do have a few criticisms I feel I can’t give it a ‘perfect 5 stars’.

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following an altercation with his football coach seventeen year old Beauregard Brewster find himself in trouble and excluded from school, his only way back is to attend Mr Nakatani's early morning Anger Management classes. We follow Bo's progress both through the third-person narrative and in Bo's own words in his letters to talk show host Larry King.

Along the way Bo learns a lot about himself, his strong willed father now separated from his mother, his fellow students in Mr Nak's class (who regard the preppy Bo his as out of place in the class), as well as coming to terms with an unpalatable fact, to Bo, that he learns about his favorite teacher and swimming coach Mr Serbousek. He also finds an unlikely girlfriend.

While attending Mr Nak's class Bo is also in training for a marathon triathlon, cycling, running and swimming, and he finds support from surprising sources and apparent disloyalty also from surprising individuals.

This is a good read, Bo's letters to Larry are full of humour and wit, and the story itself is full of wise counsel but never becomes preachy.

[Kerrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I waffled between three and four stars. The first half or so I was not really into the story. But after that it picked up. I like the message Crutcher conveys and I like Bo, the main character. I wasn't wild about the switching between first-person letters from Bo to Larry King and then third-person narrative for other parts of the book. To me it kind of disrupted the flow of the story. I'd rather be in one perspective or another. I liked Mr. Nak but I think his Texas drawl was a little overdone. It got on my nerves a bit, but his character was wonderful. I love how the anger management group comes together in the last third of the book. Definitely a good read for high schoolers or maybe older middle schoolers.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not my favorite Crutcher novel; there are several places where it really shows that this book was first published 24 years ago (1995), particularly the way racism and homophobia are handled. The letter-writing to Larry King is a strange device that doesn't work very well, in my opinion, but fortunately it doesn't detract too much.

The primary themes, anger management and parent-child dynamics, are not dated. As with Crutcher's other books and as the title suggests, athletic training (swimming, running and cycling here) is a big part of the book, and as usual it enhanced my enjoyment. I would not recommend this book to teenagers nowadays but I might recommend it to some parents, with the caveats about racism and homophobia.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend, but let me start by saying I hated this book at first. The main character is a teenage boy who is training for a triathlon and writing memos to Larry King. Boring and too boyish for me. But I had to read it for class, so I kept going (albeit complaining loudly to my roommate along the way). However, this story unfolds into a very meaningful narrative. I imagine the author's professional background is what allows him to add such depth and insight about life, adolescence, relationships, family dysfunction, etc. (Look up Chris Crutcher.) Honestly you will learn valuable life lessons through this fictional teen book. Read and be as surprised as I was.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a kid that wants to do a triathlete. he is not to good of a kid. he got kicked out of a couple schools and called his teacher a very bad name. And he likes to push his limit. And does not like his teachers and gets very anger easy.

someone that would like this book wold be. Someone that like to swim or bike or run. someone that like to push there limit, like me may like this book. someone that is not the best in school but pushes his self to do something may like this book. or someone that does not have the best relationship with mom or dad.

[Sydney S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about a young adult named Bo and he is going to war/arguing with his dad because they just don't want to agree with each other. I gave this book a 3 because there were some really good plots in the book but there wasn't really a good climax or uprising so that made the book all over the place. He never made up with his dad the dad just dissappered from the story. They just brought in Shelly or the new person in the story. Bo was put in anger manegment because he called his teacher an a-hole.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Crutcher knows how to write a sports book that isn’t about sports. I love how he lures young men into picking up his books by hooking them with the sports angle, in this case a high school senior who is training for a big triathlon in the spring. And yet although readers get to be in Bo’s head as he runs and swims and bikes, this is mostly about learning to manage unfair and abusive relationships with adults who have authority (teachers and parents, especially Dads). I will read any Chris Crutcher book even though I’m not a sports fan!