Crux

A Novel

By: Gabriel Tallent

Narrated by: Elaine Wang

“Insanely big-hearted.” —The Washington Post

“Electric.” —The New York Times

“Tender, immersive, and thrilling." —Gabrielle Zevin, author of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

"One of the best novels I’ve ever read about friendship.” —Stephen King, #1 bestselling author

In this story of intense friendship and grit, two down-and-out teens escape their lives and chase a different future through rock-climbing -- from the New York Times bestselling author of My Absolute Darling.

Dan and Tamma are two teenagers in their last year of high school in the southern Mojave Desert. One is a gifted golden child, the other a mouthy burnout. Climbing boulders in trash-strewn parking lots during cold desert nights, they seal their unique bond and dream of a life of adventure.

As the year progresses and adult reality looms, they are rocked by change and pulled apart by irreconcilable obligations. Differences of class, talent, and prospects take on new importance; options dwindle, and their decisions grow ever more consequential and perilous. It feels inevitable, finally, that something must give.

With a magnificent gift for nature writing and a joyful appreciation for the redemptive power of friendship, Gabriel Tallent gives readers a rollicking, adrenaline-filled, and soul-searching novel about risking everything to change your life.

À solid C+

I think I would have enjoyed this more if I’d read a physical book. The reader was over the top with Tama’s character. There was some interesting and relatable philosophy, but these were ideas proposed by the main characters and were too advanced for teens. It didn’t ring true. All the climbing descriptions were very interesting and vivid. I listened to the end and was invested in the characters, but it was sort of YA at times.

Wonderful Story, Sometimes Lost in Details

I think the reader did an amazing job of representing the nature of the characters in this book and the book itself was inspired. The characters felt real and the events ranged from meaningful to those senseless things that happen in life. All of it came together to make me feel like I was listening to details of real people, people who might live in my home town.

There was a review that suggested the teenagers sounded too old for their ages and I think that's incorrect. I spoke a lot like Dan, even in my mid teens, and Tama also came across as a teenager. Has being a teen changed so much during my lifetime that they don't think profoundly anymore? That's difficult for me to believe. I bet there are teens out there thinking more adult thoughts than their elders. Circumstances, education and early experiences shape more than people realize.

The climbing details lost me frequently. It might be because I just don't know the lingo. In the case of those sections I would most likely have skimmed over them had I been reading. For me they didn't add to the story or built up tension. I could have gone with half the description of the climbs but I'm sure there are other readers who loved those parts. If you're a climber you might even understand or be able to picture what's going on from them, but I found myself thinking only, "Ah, another complicated climbing thing is happening," and waiting to be told they had either succeeded or fallen.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a drama about friendship, coming of age, and families. There's a lot here and I found myself feeling very close to the main character's. They really are best friends. It's a great representation of what that means!

Dans description of his moms life

Characters were gritty and real. Tama pulls it together in the end to live her life her way and still care for those she loves. Inspirational!

This is a book about real life.

Loved the main character Tam. She overcame so many of life’s obstacles that we a face