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nerfherder86's review against another edition
5.0
Freakin' hilarious! Crutcher's childhood, putting up with his older brother who would always dare him to "do something neat"--which invariably got him (chris) in trouble and the brother off scot free. Great read aloud, too, you won't be able to stop laughing. But he also talks about his whole life, his athletic endeavors, good and bad, and all of the painful things that go into everyone's life. It's just a really really heartfelt book.
ccaterer's review against another edition
5.0
I have rarely raced through such a delightful and laugh-out-loud funny memoir as this one. I had the honor of hearing Chris speak at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators conference in New York this past weekend (January 25-26, 2012); he had all 1,000 of us in the room cupped in his hand from the beginning to the end of the speech. When I asked him to sign my book, I confessed to him that one minute I was crying about his stories as a therapist for abused children, and the next minute I was crying because his stories about his youth were just so funny. Most of this memoir about growing up in the 1950s in small-town Idaho fall into the funny camp; but occasionally they surprise you with a tragic twist. If you loved the movie A Christmas Story, you'll appreciate Crutcher's tales of torture at the hand of his big brother and his stumbles along the road to becoming the passionate and compassionate author of young adult fiction that he is today.
libscote's review against another edition
4.0
This book was actually quite funny. I had only read one of Crutcher's books before reading his autobiography, and I can definitely see how his work and life shape his writing. I laughed quite often while reading this book and I may pick up more of Crutcher's work as a result.
tiamatq's review against another edition
5.0
Ever wonder what childhood was like for your favorite author? Not just the “born in the country, raised in a log cabin,” sort of thing, but the embarrassing, mind-boggling moments in high school or church or on the summer job? Well here’s your answer. Chris Crutcher writes his own ill-advised biography that will answer a lot of your questions about how he started writing and where his stories come from. Did you ever ask yourself how the term Stotan came into existence? Or how the author got the inspiration for Angus? Or maybe you just wanted to be let in on the secret of Esus, Jesus’s older brother. This hilarious biography tells the story of how the crybaby of the Crutcher family became one of the best writers for young adults.
Crutcher’s autobiography is funny and touching. While he brings up some difficult issues (particularly his relationship with his parents), he mostly keeps the story lighthearted. After reading about Crutcher’s life, you begin to understand some of the trends in his characters. He skillfully connects his childhood stories with deeper meanings that make the reader stop and think.
Crutcher’s autobiography is funny and touching. While he brings up some difficult issues (particularly his relationship with his parents), he mostly keeps the story lighthearted. After reading about Crutcher’s life, you begin to understand some of the trends in his characters. He skillfully connects his childhood stories with deeper meanings that make the reader stop and think.
ecstaticlistening's review against another edition
3.0
I haven't even read any Chris Crutcher books and I enjoyed this.
trogdor19's review against another edition
5.0
This book is hilarious, in the tradition of Patrick McManus! It is also an interesting study in how an author's life influences their writing.
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
5.0
This memoir will give Crutcher's fans a glimpse into his heart and mind. The characters he has created struggle with the same issues he did as a young person. I think that's where his fierce honesty comes from. Every book is a gift to young men who are looking for the same answers he did. This book made me laugh out loud and cry...my favorite kinds of books do that.
libscote's review
4.0
This book was actually quite funny. I had only read one of Crutcher's books before reading his autobiography, and I can definitely see how his work and life shape his writing. I laughed quite often while reading this book and I may pick up more of Crutcher's work as a result.