A review by cdjdhj
The Crazy Horse Electric Game by Chris Crutcher

2.0

I didn't like this book. I read it because I am teaching it in my highschool Paperback Lit. class. I actually started teaching it before I had completely read the book, which was a mistake. Other teachers recommended it, and it was part of the curriculum for this class that I am teaching for the first time this semester, so I decided to continue using the book in the class. However, I found the book to be dated and depressing. I guess the message of the book is that difficulties can be overcome, but the main character in this book never really overcomes all his problems. He runs away from his problems, which causes more problems and in the end, the only thing he resolves is that he regains the athletic prowess he lost in a water skiing accident. None of the characters int he book seem to gain any wisdom. They are all predictably and stereotypically drawn, from the popular high school sports hero, who is the main character, to the African American Pimp who "saves" him, to the teenage whore who refuses to leave the pimp who beats her up even when the disabled sports jock falls for her. The book is filled with deplorable language throughout and without any apparent purpose. There is frequent reference to casual sex, drug use, sexual abuse and wanton violence. Seems like the perfect book to give high school students to read, right? I won't teach this book again, despite the recommendation of my colleagues.