Will Leave you Battered and Bruised

This review is harder to write than most, because this book is not only difficult to classify, but it will defy all your preconceived notions. I had an idea what the book was about when I first started it, but I was quickly aware how wrong I really was. This book was not only something completely different than I though it was- it never ceased to surprise and amaze me. Each turn, twist, or plot element was a surprise.

Bronte and Tennyson are twins whose parents are both literary professors. Tension in the house hasn't been good ever since their father had an "indiscretion" last year. Now their parents tolerate one another with thinly veiled hostility from mom and humble guilt from their father. One thing is always constant, however; Tennyson is always protective of Bronte. When Bronte starts dating Brewster, known around school as Bruiser, he is not pleased his sister is going out with the boy voted Most Likely to Get the Death Penalty. But there is more to Brewster than meets the eye.

When a simple threat doesn't keep Brewster from seeing Bronte, Tennyson takes it upon himself to go to his house and scare him. When he gets to the house, he find a scene he didn't expect. Brewster's precocious brother Cody sobbing over their dead bull and their uncle Hoyt screaming at the two of them and ripping his belt off to whip Cody. Tennyson stands up to Hoyt and begins to see the real Brewster. However, there is more to Brewster than any of them truly understood. It begins to become obvious that Brewster gets hurt a lot. His back is full of bruises and scars, and Bronte and Tennyson assume Hoyt is abusive. The real reason for the scars, however, is one even the reader can't imagine. The real reason is one that will leave you surprised and sad for poor Brewster Rawlins.

This is a book that really examines pain and suffering- both physical and emotional. The bizarre situation surrounding Brewster is just the beginning. From the pain of infidelity and divorce of Bronte and Tennyson's parents, to the pain of bullying and teenage tormentors seeking their target, to true betrayal, love, and devotion. This is a story that starts like any other young adult novel and quickly emerges as so much more than that. The saddest part of this story is how much Brewster wants friends and family and people to love him, but how dangerous all that caring can truly be for Brewster.

This is a very clean story where the conflict is mostly emotional rather than physical. The story can be heavy at times, but is appropriate for a wide range of ages. It would be appropriate for any high skilled middle school student all the way through high school. The story might be a bit too complex for younger students when Brewster's secret is revealed, and would be best for those students if read with an adult who can answer any comprehension questions about the plot. Otherwise, this is a bittersweet tale that is both beautiful and horrifying. While I can imagine we will all take something different from the story, I know it will be hard for anyone to forget.