Some books should not be listened to on audio. Some books should come with a warning that says “Gut-Wrenching & Heartbreaking”.
I’ve watched a lot of movies of the intense, graphic, emotionally, physically painful variety. I’ve read a lot of books of the intense, graphic, emotionally, physically painful variety. Rape. Child abuse, physical and emotional. Bullying. Horror. You name it, I’ve seen it or read about it.
I read Push twice. I read The Kid, for goodness sakes.
And I sure as hell didn’t expect a book about a High School football player and a High School gymnast to be the most difficult and stomach churning book I’ve ever listened to.
I had to go through long spells of not listening to Leverage because it’s so horrible. Not the writing or the characters but the violence done to characters by other characters. Horrible.
Once we reached the end, TW said it was a book she would recommend to absolutely nobody. Ever.
I can’t quite agree because this shit does happen. Sports culture IS like this. IN HIGH SCHOOL. People should know this. They should read this. Just know, before you start – I don’t recommend it on audio. Do not read this if you’re looking for a feel good sports story, this is not that book. You will feel dirty and sick and heartbroken over and over and over again as you read. You might even find it difficult to drive past a damn high school football field while/after reading it – or maybe that’s just me?
I think sometimes it’s harder to *listen* to a book than read it. I read The Kid. I don’t think I could have listened to it as an audio book.
It was horrifying. Slowly, explicitly graphic. I kept waiting for someone, anyone to think call 911. Or an autopsy investigation. Or the football player to die from his repeated head injuries. Or any of the coaches, janitors, teachers to notice and act appropriately.