Bruiser

By Ian Chorao

Book Overview

BRUISER is the story and the nickname of a nine-year-old boy living in a highly dysfunctional family in the 1970's (a bit like "The Ice Storm" on the Upper West Side) whose search for meaning and answers leads him to the open road and, eventually, the seeds of wisdom. Through the limitations of a young boy's awareness, we see the deteriorating marriage of his distant father and struggling mother, and the effects of their conflicts on Bruiser and his two older brothers. The disjunction between his literal misinterpretations, which often contain an emotional truth, and our adult understanding of the circumstances, creates the tension that runs throughout the novel. Bruiser has a kindred spirit in Darla, the prococious daughter in an already broken home who lives across the alleyway. As the tension mounts in each household, Darla conceives of a plan for the two of them that takes Bruiser on the most frightening and illuminating journey of his life, and one that will have tragic consequences.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743437764
• ISBN13: 9780743437769
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: Washington Square Press
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

stunning, moving

I read this book in one sitting! I forgot to eat, I missed a movie date. There was no way to tear myself away. It's just that good!

great story great style

Bruiser is the best novel I have read in some time. One cannot put this book down, you can't possibly tear yourself away from this very real and heartbreaking journey of Bruiser and Darla. Mr Chorao has a captivating and unique style. I look forward to reading his future work.

Captivating

I thoroughly enjoyed the realism and readability of this book - I couldn't put it down. The author did a fantastic job developing Bruiser's character, and from beginning to end you have the unique experience of viewing the world through the eyes of another. The main character was hopelessly tragic, and yet sadly realistic. Having grow up in the Bronx during the same period of time, the story is all too close to the truth. Encore Mr. Chorao!

A beautifully written page turner!

I highly recommend BRUISER. I could not put it down! Chorao's writing is spare and honest. He somehow manages to make us feel like we're seeing life through the eyes of Bruiser, a nine-year old boy, while giving us very adults insights into the world and flights into revelatory territory. I found this book extremely moving, compelling and nearly pitch perfect. 5 stars from me!