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The Crazy Horse Electric Game

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'The Crazy Horse Electric Game' by Chris Crutcher follows the story of Willie Weaver, a star athlete whose life takes a drastic turn after a water skiing accident leaves him partially crippled. The novel explores themes of loss, resilience, and identity as Willie navigates through the challenges of his new reality. Readers witness Willie's journey of self-discovery as he copes with the aftermath of the accident, his family falling apart, and his girlfriend moving on. Through encounters with various influential figures in Oakland, CA, Willie finds himself on a path of healing and personal growth, ultimately transforming into a different person from the one he was before the accident.

The narrative style of the book starts slow, but gains momentum after a significant incident that captures the reader's interest and investment in Willie's story. Chris Crutcher's writing is praised for its ability to depict realistic and relatable characters, compelling storytelling that delves into heavy topics such as loss and privilege, and a poignant exploration of despair and triumph without sugarcoating the ending.

Characters:

The characters are complex and realistic, featuring a relatable protagonist whose growth is influenced by a diverse cast that reflects a variety of experiences.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by expert storytelling that balances heavy themes with moments of hope, making the characters' journeys relatable and engaging.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows a star athlete who faces life-altering challenges after an accident, leading him to explore themes of loss, acceptance, and resilience in a new setting.

Setting:

Initially set in a suburban town, the story transitions to Oakland, highlighting a diverse high school that plays a crucial role in Willie's character development.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly but picks up significantly after the inciting incident, drawing readers deeper into Willie's evolving story.
Sometimes he remembers it as if it were unfolding in front of him this very minute, all of it; event by amazing event. And sometimes it seems as if it all happened a long, long time ago, maybe in anot...

Notes:

The main character, Willie Weaver, is a 16-year-old star athlete.
Willie's life drastically changes after a water skiing accident leaves him crippled.
His family falls apart and his girlfriend cheats on him after his accident.
Willie leaves his suburban town and finds himself in Oakland, CA.
He attends an alternative high school called OMLC, which stands for One More Last Chance.
The book explores themes of loss, resilience, and self-discovery.
Willie's journey highlights the importance of diversity in personal growth.
The story deals with heavy topics like violence, aggression, and privilege.
The book was published over 30 years ago but contains relevant issues that resonate today.
It starts slowly, but the plot picks up after the main incident happens.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of disability, loss, family issues, and some violence.

From The Publisher:

ALA Best Fiction for Young Adults

School Library Journal Best Book

Willie Weaver used to be a hero.

Now he's nothing.

Willie is a top athlete, the star of the legendary game against Crazy Horse Electric. Then a freak accident robs him of his once-amazing physical talents.

Betrayed by his family, his girlfriend, and his own body, Willie's on the run, penniless and terrified on the streets, where he must fight to rebuild both his body and his life.

 
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