Blog Post #4
The endings of Chinese Handcuffs, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, Running Loose, and Stotan! leave the reader with some unanswered questions. Chris Crutcher assumes the reader knows the ending, but he doesn't come out and say it. You take control and write the overview of one more chapter to these books. If there was one last chapter, what would it be about. How would you tie up loose ends, if you were the author?
The ending of Chinese Handcuffs leaves the reader somewhat with relief. Though the book we learned the troubles of two teens who were struggling with life. Jen's stepfather would rape her and threaten her family if she ever told. Her best friend Dillon was dealing with the suicide of his brother Preston, and the news of his new nephew. Dillon had a build up of a lot of stress with everything he was dealing with in his life. He felt somewhat responsible for Jen because he had feelings for her. And closer to the ending of the book Dillon decided to get involved in putting a stop to T.B's actions. We can assume that T.B moved away in fear of the tapes Dillon had against him. We can also assume that Jen's mother was in a state of disbelief over the whole situation, being pregnant with T.B's daughter put her in a state of denial. If I was the author I would make the last chapter about Jen growing up and her life a few years down the road. Her sister Dawn grown up and her mother moved on with a good man. I would also tie up lose ends about T.B and put his butt in jail so he can not hurt any other girl. We can not forget about Dillon either, I think his family getting back together would tie up the lose ends in his life. His family could finally let go like "Chinese handcuffs". And become a family again.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it was a relief to a point, and this ending would clear up the confusion with all of the main characters. I could also see Dillions family getting together at some point later on.
DeleteI feel that this would be a great ending for the book. It would give the reader a sense of happiness and relief. To see everything go right for once in Dillon and Jennifer's lives would be a great ending for this book.
DeleteLuckily the epilogue left me happy because in the last page T.B. was taken to jail all I hope is he stays there for a very very long forever kinda time. It made me smile to see the end kind of fall into place, Dillon even went back and apologized to the older neighbor for the murder of her cat. It's like he finally escaped the trap known as Chinese handcuffs by simply letting go and letting them loosen up instead of pulling on them and getting no where.
DeleteI was super happy when I read the epilogue because TB finally got what he deserved. I kinda wish it went on a little longer to add in more details, but i feel like the information we already know is significant enough. I think Dillon going back and apologizing was really sweet and mature, but she's in such a bad state it made me super sad.
DeleteAt the ending of Running loose we know from the ending that Louie is going to take the plaque back out of the cement again because he knows Jasper is not watching anymore to catch the person. We just don't know if Louie will be caught or he gets in trouble for it this time. I honestly feel like Louie will not get in trouble again and through out the book Louie took responsibility for his actions except when Jasper tried to accuse Louie with no evidence that he did it. Louie is very good at getting out of tough situations. If I were the author in this case I would hate for Louie to get is even more trouble than he already has been through out the book, so I think I would just have Jasper realize that the plaque should just say "In memory of Becky Sanders" and then the book will just move on from that and talk about what Louie will do now after high school.
ReplyDeleteGreat post i would love to read the book running loose all this Loui talk i mean the guy sounds like hes the king of the school.
DeleteI agree that the plague should say "in memory of Becky Sanders" and i wish it went more into detail about how his life after high school.
DeleteIt seems like you really enjoyed your book and the character Louie in your book kind of sounds like the main character in my book, Eric. Eric has to get Sarah Byrnes and him out of a really tough situation and actually helps give the book a happy ending.
DeleteI agree that it would suck if Louie got in even more trouble for doing the right thing.
DeleteI loved the ending to Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. It was a very happy ending and I couldn't be happier about how it ended. But, I do have some questions that the author never answered. I want to know if they all stay in touch. In the end Eric says they will try to stay in touch. But, he never says if they actually do. If there was one more chapter, I think it should include a 1 year later, and tell the audience what they are doing, how they are doing, and if they are all friends. I think it could even be a squeal to this book about how they are doing in college and stuff.
ReplyDeleteit sounds really interesting
DeleteFor Chinese handcuffs during our group discussion we had talked about how it would be super cool if a follow up book was written. And, instead of the letters being sent to a deceased brother, it would focus on letters sent back and fourth between the main
Deletecharacters. They would then discus how life is going in twenty years, and we would know that they actually kept in touch.
I totally agree with you. I wanted to know if everyone stayed in touch or not. If there was a squeal I would read it.
DeleteI wish there was a sequel too because I still have so many questions. We never get much on Dillon's mom or sister, Dawn's in like one chapter, and the author doesn't talk about what led up to Preston joining the Warlocks and making all the dumb decisions he did.
DeleteThat's exactly my same thoughts on the topic. I want to know about them all going to college.
DeleteI feel the same way about my book I would love there to be a follow up book.
DeleteSounds interesting, I know from experience how hard it is to stay in touch with people.
DeleteI agree with you. I want to know if they stay in touch, but I also want to know what happened to them during the trials for Mr. Brynes and Carver.
DeleteIf i could add one more chapter to Chinese Handcuffs I would write about how Jens family is coping with TB. In the end it is revealed TB was arrested but not if her mom went through with putting the baby up for adoption. Or how Jens basketball career turned out. I think it would wrap up the book nicely if this was included.
ReplyDeleteI would also enjoying knowing how Jen's family is. They were affected for so long that I feel we deserve to know how they are doing now.
DeleteI would also write about how they coped about TB. His character was the monster of the book and made a sad and huge impact on the book. Readers would probably enjoy having an ending like that also. Knowing how the family copes with domestic violence will add another focus other than sexual abuse and suicide.
DeleteWow that book leaves you hanging there. It would be good if it tells you how Jen's basketball career. Also it leaves you hanging whether or not the baby is put up for adoption or not. That really makes you think when someone is thinking about putting a baby up for adoption.
DeleteTowards the end of Running loose we that at the end of the book that Louie was planning to take the plaque back out of the cement again because he knows Jasper is not watching anymore to catch the person. We just don't know if Louie will be caught or he gets in trouble for it this time. I honestly feel like Louie will not get in trouble again and for the most part he has taken responsibility for what he has done except when Jasper tried to accuse Louie with no evidence that he did it.
ReplyDeleteI agree I think that Louie won't be caught again if he were to do it again because their isn't a lot of evidence
DeleteI agree with you on what would happen after the ending chapter. I'm pretty sure that Louie won't get caught.
DeleteLouie learned from his mistake of vandalizing Becky's memorial. There was no evidence even though he did do it the first time, so there should hopefully be no evidence if he does it the second time.
DeleteWhile reading Running Loose at the end of the last chapter it's Louie talking about the new plaque and that he is going to get the hammer again. If I had to write another chapter it would be Louie going to destroy/pull the new plaque out like the last one, but the only thing would be he got away with it the first time. Now I wonder if he would get away with it again or would he get caught. I believe that Louie won't get caught this time either. Then Jasper would be on the search for the person who wrecked this plaque and Louie could get blamed again possibly.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I would also write about Louie destroying the new plaque. I would also have him getting away with it to. I wonder if Jasper would accuse Louie again or if he would find someone else to accuse. I also wrote about what the futures would be like for Louie, Carter, Boomer, and Coach Madison and Lednecky.
DeleteI agree that they should add another chapter on if Louie will get caught again or not. If he did get caught I wonder what Jasper would do? Also because he just graduated. Also at first I thought Boomer broke the plaque and told Jasper that Louie did it. That way he could not participate in the track meet.
DeleteSeeing as how Mr. Jasper was camping out in front of Becky's tree, I wonder if maybe Louie would've gotten shot and I would've liked to see what would have happened as well
DeleteI would have liked to see Louie get Becky's Dad involved since Principal Jasper didn't have him approve the plaque. I don't think he would want someone who didn't know her very well making a plaque in her honor, let alone have his signature on it. I wouldn't be surprised if Becky's Dad sued Jasper for not letting him on the process of making the plaque.
DeleteI could see Louie smashing it again, but i dont think he would do it again. When I read the ending it seemed that he finally learned about letting go. It may make him mad that he has the quote there but I dont think that if he would break it again would prove or do anything.
DeleteI strongly agree with you. It leaves you hanging whether or not he's going to destroy it or not. If he didn't get caught Jasper would definitely blame it on Louie again instead of searching for someone else. If Louie did get caught I think Jasper would turn him into the law and make Louie apologize for it.
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DeleteFor my final chapter for Chinese Handcuffs would be about how everyone is doing after a year. I see Dillon becoming a professional athlete and is hoping to be in the Olympics. Jennifer would have a successful basketball career while her mother has her third baby and maybe looking for a better man. I feel that Stacy would be a great mother to Ryan and falls in love with a good man. I see T.B. getting arrested and charged with child abuse after his new family calls the police on him for it and his past assaults will be found out, putting him in jail for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI think this would be a great addition to the book, rather than ending it with a letter.
DeleteI like your thoughts on the futures of the characters. I feel the same way about Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes, i want to know what happens after the ending and know what everyone is doing a year later.
DeleteThe ending of Chinese handcuffs was about the only actual normal part of the book, where stuff was done the right way with the exception of how Dillion handle the situation with TB. TB moved away with no hesitation, and was later put into jail. Dillion finally faced the facts about Preston, and that there is nothing he can do to change it. If i could add another chapter to the book it would probably be in the beginning rather than the end and i would put it into Preston's point of view on life. The only thing that i would add to the end of the book is the true meaning of Chinese handcuffs, and not just assume all readers will get it.
ReplyDeleteI think that this would be a good addition to the book, but I feel that everything with T.B.s arrest should be talked about.
DeleteThis sounds like a really good ending where they just end the book in the middle of a really good part. Sounds more like a jaw dropping ending. I was wondering why they chose Chinese handcuffs for the name but it sounds like they don't really describe why they choose that name.
DeleteChinese handcuffs sounds really interesting! I'd really consider reading this book because of how much crazy stuff there is. It sounds really fun to read. And i never thought about putting a chapter just anywhere in the book but thats a good idea
DeleteAt the end of Chinese Handcuffs, Chris Crutcher leaves us with a few thoughts. One is that T.B., Jennifer's stepdad is arrested in Florida, another is that Dillon doesn't quite now which girl he likes, if either of them and we can't tell either. If I could add one more chapter, I would add a flash forward to T.B. trial and conviction, also see how Jennifer is dealing with things and how her relationship is with Dillon and mom are going, as well as a check up on Stacy and Ryan to see how that is all going. I would also look at Dillon's Iron man career and training.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a flash forward would be very interesting. Crutcher could very easily write another book strictly about T.B. trial. He could make it more from Jen and her family's point of view and I feel like that would be intriguing because of the way Jen's mom has reacted in the past.
DeleteThis sounds interesting and I feel that your extra chapter would fit well and be a good ending because it would reflect on what has happened.
DeleteThis book Chinese Handcuffs sounds really tremendous and sounds like I really would like this book. Your ending sounds really good, and Dillion sounds like a really cool guy and interest me to read this book sometime.
DeleteI enjoyed the ending of Chinese Handcuffs. It left enough questions to write a second book, if wanted. I really like when books leave me questioning things because typically when they give me answers, I'm not satisfied. But, to get the credit for this blog, if I were to add another chapter, I would make it of Stacy, Jen, and Dillon sitting somewhere talking about the events of he past few month. I think it would be interesting to see what each character would say and how everyone is coping
ReplyDeletesounds like the ending was really great
DeleteSounds like the ending of your book was interesting, but I kinda like it when books give me the answers at the end. that's my opinion though. Also sounds like the next chapter of your book would be interesting to and I would also like to see what the characters of your book would have to say. Sounds like your was a good read.
DeleteI think that is a great idea for an ending, we don't really hear much about Stacy in the end of the book, and I think it'd be nice to see where her, and the other characters end up.
DeleteI would have talked about the rest of his senior year but i really enjoyed the ending of Running Loose how Louie talks about what he has all learned
ReplyDeleteI agree I think it would be interesting to hear more about what happens after his senior year
Deletewhat would be some of the things you would add though? i said there should be another chapter on finding out if he got away with it.
DeleteThat could be good! Just a reply about his overall year, and how its affected him. And now what he has changed. I think that could be good also because at first in the book he kinda summed up his POV of what he was feeling with school, how he just wanted the year to fly by and he did not care what was gonna happen
DeleteThe last chapter ends with Louie hinting at he was going to wreck the plaque again by saying that he was going to grab the sledge hammer and the book just ends. If I wrote a new chapter I would write about Louie destroying the other plaque and that he would get away with it again. To tie up loose ends I would write about Louie getting out of Trout and going to college. I would also write about Carter getting a scholarship to play football and write about how Boomer would have probably ended staying in Trout the rest of his life. I would also have Coach Madison taking Coach Lednecky's job because Lednecky does not deserve to be the head coach of the football team.
ReplyDeleteI would finish off Chinese Handcuffs with explaining in more detail the events at the end. I would like to go into more detail on Dillon and Jen's relationship and how that plays out. I would also like to talk about how the rest of Dillon's senior year went and how he messed with the principle before he left. Also, I would like to go over Dillon's healing process and his training for his next triathlon.
ReplyDeleteI feel that Chris Crutcher did an interesting job of ending the book. Like Ms. Broadbent said, its like he just assumed that we knew how the book ended. I also am curious as to how Dillon's healing went for his triathlon, or him and Jen's relationship ended up.
DeleteI really like your ending and wouldn't change a thing. I like the part about Boomer staying in Trout, because people always say you deserve to get out of Trout and I don't think Boomer will either. I know Lednecky is a Hall of Fame coach but is a awful guy that think he runs the place they should fire him at the end.
DeleteI would also like to know what Dillon's training was for his next triathalon. I also wish Chris Crutcher went into more detail of Dillon's healing process. I would also add what Jen would go through after everything that had happened to her.
DeleteDearest Ben, even though I haven't read the book, it seems like the ending was satisfying however there is still some things that left you wondering and I think that is a mark of a good book
DeleteIf I could write one more chapter to Chinese Handcuffs, I would write about how the situation with Jen's family and how they are dealing T.B. In the end it is talked about how T.B. got arrested for what he did to Jen, but not about her mom or if she did decide to go through with the pregnancy and end up keeping the baby, or putting it up for adoption. I also wish that he talked more about how Jen's basketball career ended up, because that also seemed to end abruptly, much like everything else. I feel that if Chris Crutcher talked more about these big topics, the book would have ended more like how I hoped it would.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your thoughts of the ending of this book. No one knows if Jen's mom will give up the baby for adoption or not. I would also talk about Jen's whole situation if I wrote the last chapter.
DeleteI agree that one final chapter should cover Jen's basketball career because she wouldn't just drop it so it would go on. i would have liked to read more about that.
DeleteThat is true, I completely forgot about Jen's basketball career. I wonder if she will continue playing in college or if she is too damaged to keep playing the sport she loves. Something dramatic like getting raped can really have an impact with your performance in a sport like that, especially since it is in a critical situation like state or even college ball.
DeleteIn Running Loose it seems like they where try to put a lot of things in the last chapter like Louie breaking the plaque, Louie's track meet and his graduation. I would break up all these main topics in to two chapters so the reader can know more. I would leave Louie getting in trouble for breaking the plaque, then I would also leave the track meet with Louie meeting up with the kid from Washington, then I would put how he was thinking he was going to break the plaque again. My next chapter would be the graduation because at the end of the book Louie said a lot of what he learned and didn't learn through out school and I really like that chapter and I'm sure there could have been more said.I also got the goose bumps when they described how Louie give Norm a hand shake and had to go back for a hug he started to cry and looked at Carter and he was standing up with a thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteI also feel like there was a lot that happened in the last chapter of "Chinese Handcuffs" that were not summed up and finished very well. I agree that in my book if they were going to add another chapter they would have to add two to break them up.
DeleteI also agree that Running loose ended in a weird spot. I feel like Chris Crutcher could have summed the last few chapters better and I also feel like Louie's graduation should have been included in the book.
DeleteThe book Running loose ended so fast and at a weird spot in my opinion. The last thing was Louie was going to get the hammer to destroy the plague again. I would of ended the book by talking about Louie realizing Becky is gone forever but the memories they had will last forever. I would also talking about the future and see if Louie gets out of Trout and becomes a successful man and has a family and still stays in touch with his friends like Carter who is on a scholarship playing the sport he loves. He still remains in touch with the three men that helped him get past Becky's death and those men ( Norm, Madison, Mr. Sanders) still call him every so often. Becky's death was awful but the town of Trout will always remember Becky. This is how I would of ended the book with people getting past the death of Becky.
ReplyDeleteFrom all the blogs I have read on this page it really does seem like your book just all up and ended. Personally that would have made me so aggravated. I hate cliff hangers, but at the same like them if that makes sense.
DeleteI really like the ideas you have for how the book should end. i agree that id be nice to know if the 3 men kept in touch with him and to see how he developed into a strong man.
DeleteI agree the book just stopped in a weird spot. I don't like when the ending of books leave you hanging. I agree a good ending would've been Louie talking about Becky's death.
DeleteIf I was able to add in another chapter into Chinese Handcuffs, that chapter would focus on the at home life for Jen, how her mom is and how Dawn is. What happened to the child in which was T.B.'s? I would continue to see what happened to Dillon if in a year they were still super close? And I would love to read more about Stacy because it felt as if after we learned about her child with Preston she disappeared from the main story.
ReplyDeleteYou're right I never really thought about the child that Jen's mom is suppose to have. I feel like there was so many things they were trying to tie up in the end you forget about some things.
Deletei agree all that would be very nice to have known
DeleteI was kind of upset with the ending of "Chinese Handcuffs" because the entire book was so good and then the ending does not really live up to the standards of the rest of the book. Yes Dillon makes T.B. leave but they never really say if he stays gone for sure. Also Jen decides to turn in the video of her stepdad T.B. raping her but they never say what happens in the end if he goes to jail or if he gets away. If there was one last chapter I would make it about what happened to T.B. and maybe make it about the trial between Jen and T.B. if there was one.
ReplyDeleteThe book running loose ended so fast. It was crazy how fast the book flew by. It was hard to believe i read that many pages in that little time. In the end it just talks about the end of the year for louie, when he graduates from high school. If i were to write another chapter I would talk about a few years down the road. And just explain what each person is doing with their life. I kinda think of it as the end of the movie sandlot. Just a funny chapter that explains what they are doing now, and how they have changed since their senior year in Trout. That is how I would write one more chapter.
ReplyDeleteit sounds like your book just suddenly ended
DeleteI agree with Garrett it seems as though your book abruptly just came to an end. But in some way I think my book Stotan did this as well. Leaving us with unanswered questions about Jeff and Marty.
DeleteI agree that it would be interesting to see what everyone is doing a few years later. Especially to see how Louie is doing after losing Becky
DeleteChinese Handcuffs leaves you with questions such as "Is TB left to rot in jail?", "Does Dillon ever get a girl?", "What happens to Jennifer and Stacy in the future?", "Does Jennifer's mom actually put the baby up for adoption?", and now that they are done with high school, "Where do all the characters go now?". The story just kinda leaves you hanging, I think that is a cruel thing to do. If I was writing the last part of this book, i would settle those issues. I would make the epilogue another chapter and add an epilogue about the future. It would include TB getting the death sentence, Jen getting resolution and a relationship, Dawn included, the baby off to a good home, and Dillon starting to talk to his mom and sister again, but i would keep how Dillon released Preston from those Chinese Handcuffs, Chris Chrutcher did good with that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! It left you hanging at the big turning point of the book. We don't get to see what happens next.I don't think the ending was that good because Chris Crutcher didn't really put in any detail about TB getting arrested. He made the ending sound like sort of a "fantasy" where everything was perfect again. We all know that doesn't always happen in real life so I would like to see how the rest of their lives unfold. TB was positive he could get out of any situation, so I could see him getting released and coming back. This is a more realistic ending. It's real life and not such a fantasy.
DeleteThe ending of Chinese Handcuffs was somewhat easy to understand. Dillon deals with TB in a good and easy way to get him out of town. Although it kind of leaves you in suspense about what is going to happen next after everything that has happened. If I was writing the end to this book I would make it about Jen's family getting back on track. Also what Jen's mom would do to try and make everything right again. Also in that chapter I would have the development of Dillon's family getting closer and talking through their problems now. It would have Dillon reuniting with his mom and sister again because now he can deal with his brother's death. He would probably help them get past that obstacle in their life also. Chris Crutcher did a good job in his ending, but I wish he tied up the loose ends.
ReplyDeleteThat ending sounds like the perfect ending, unfortunately this book id so dark i dont think that the book could end right as rain, i dont feel like that is chris crutchers style, but we can wish
DeleteIf i was the author i would finish explaining what happened to tb because it left it all just out in the open. Also i would have explained also what happened to dillon and jen
ReplyDeleteI agree, I would like to have read more about TB and his trial and sentence.
DeleteAt the end of Running Loose, Chris Crutcher leaves us with Louie being a changed person. Going from the naive and childish boy that he was in the beginning to the wise and insightful young man with a moral compass that is rock solid. I think that if there had been one more final chapter, we would have seen more of Louie's transitional period between college and high school and would have given just a little more insight into the final product of all of Louie's hardships that he had gone through in Trout
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, but I think their should be a final confrontation with Louie and Lednecky. Besides his gym collapsing on him, their isn't any ending between him and Louie. Same thing with Boomer, he was nice to him at the funeral, but they don't talk or anything after that, the book just says that Boomer doesn't want to kill Louie anymore.
DeleteWhen Running Loose ended, Chris Crutcher left Louie as a more mature person. Louie first went from being an immature kid at the beginning of the book to a wise and mature young adult with good morals and good intentions. If there was a final chapter of running loose, the audience would like to see a transition for Louie from high school to college. Would also want to be about if Louie had found another girl either during or after college to see if he fully moved on from loosing Becky.
ReplyDeleteI agree with wanting to know if he finds a new relationship. but i think he still has some maturing to do seeing as the book ends with him going to vandalize the school. regardless its hilarious.
DeleteAt the end of Stotan Walker talks about stuff being fair and says why does Jeff have to go? Because he just has to. The he says first things first i have to go pick up Devnee to set her straight, i would not add anything else to this book is perfect the way it is and i think they tied up all the strings. if he did make a last chapter it would just be hurtful because it would be jeff on his death bed.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with the book having all of the strings tied up but I do agree with the last chapter being sad if Jeff actually did die and that would just turn a happy ending into a sad one.
Deletei agree with sam. it didnt seem to me all strings were tied up but i would agree with you about the last chapter being a sad one if we know if jeff dies, it would turn a good ending into a really sad one.
DeleteAfter TB was arrested, I knew the struggles with Jennifer weren't over. There are long term effects that rape has on you. If there were another story, I would love to hear about how Jennifer's doing and how everyone's feeling. I would also love to know if TB got released because not everything turns out perfectly for damaged people. He's still out there and can easily be released and come back and hurt Jennifer's family. You learn that not everything is perfect when you've had things like that happen. You lost your sense of safety. I would love if he made another book about Jennifer and how shes doing and coping with everything.
ReplyDeleteI agree, if he made a book about 20 years into the future where we knew how she and her family was doing, if tb is rotting in jail, loose, or on death row, and how Dillons family was doing, that would really settle everything, and would be a book i would want to read.
DeleteI would also like to know if Jen will ever get over the fact that she was raped and maybe even catch some feelings for Dillon after she feels safe. That is true also, if T.B. gets out of jail he might want some revenge on Jen or even her family.
DeleteIn the end it really kind of makes me angry that we don't get to figure out what all happened with Jeff, also what happened with the whole Marty situation. Like does Jeff end up dying or living? I don't know. So if I were to have to write another chapter for this book I would write more about what is all going on with Jeff. How is he doing two years later? I would also maybe write a chapter about Marty's past and what made him to become such a rotten human being. Like maybe he, just like Nortie, got abused as a child and that's why he is so rude and violent.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Danny because to me it did not make sense for Marty to just be rude to people for no reason especially to Nortie because Nortie has never done anything negative to Marty
DeleteThis sounds like it would be an interesting book. It seems like one of those books that is pretty confusing though.
Deletei also agree i really want to know what drove marty to be so negative
DeleteAt the end of running loose Louie was planning on taking the plaque out of the cement again. I feel like he could do it and not get caught this time. Another thing Chris should have done was have Louie remember all the good times him and Becky have had and should have him relize that Becky is gone and what life was going to be like with out her.
ReplyDeletei still dont think he could get away with it because people would look at him first for stealing it.
DeleteBut Louie is smart and he would not keep it he would dispose of it. Maybe the river again? this book took place back in 1970-80 I do not think they have enough info to prove it was Louie
DeleteThe ending of my book was not good at all because it left a lot of unfinished stories about the characters so I would write a few more chapters explaining what was going on with Norties dad through out the book or did Jeff actually die or live and if he lived what was his life like now and what was Marties past like why is he the way he is now.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your book was very confusing and did not go into detail very much. I do not like when books do that because it makes me want to stop reading it.
Deletei completely agree with you it made me really mad when all of these questions were unanswered
DeleteI read Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. If I had one more chapter in the book I would want to know about the future. Would all of the kids stay in touch in college or would they just stay friendly strangers? In the Epilogue, it talks about how everyone is getting together for a friendly gathering at Jody’s houseboat. I would write another chapter explaining what they did and what it was like. Another thing I wanted to know was what did Jody did after she followed Mark Brittain out the door? Maybe a flashback explaining what happened. Mark confessed all the lies he made including the one about Jody. He did a sincere apology to her and walked out of the classroom and jody followed. After that it just continued with the story. I wanted to know why Jody followed Mark Brittain.
ReplyDeleteI think this would be a great addition to the book. It would've been nice to know why Jody followed him.
DeleteIf I were in charge of writing the ending for Chinese Handcuffs, I'd go more into depth about what happened after Stacy told the whole school about Ryan being Preston's son. Like we know that people in the school were supportive after she announced it, but what were the reactions of everyone else in the town? Another possibility I would have put in is a look at Jen's life after TB left. Her life was a living hell for so long, I'd kinda like to have known how she was after it was all over. I'd also like to have known if her mom cleaned herself up and actually started caring about her daughters instead worrying about having a boyfriend all the time
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I would love to hear about how Jennifer's doing now that TB's gone, and even if TB happened to be released. In a perfect story, Jennifer would never see TB again, but not everyone gets that lucky. TB took away her sense of safety and I would love to hear about how she's coping now!
DeleteI can totally agree with your statement abo t Stacy! She wasn't really a huge character in the novel, but only in Dillon' s thoughts. Chris Cutcher could have brought her up more because of her role in Dillion and Preston's lives. The town's reactions definitely should have been a part of the book.
DeleteIf I was the author for running loose and had to write another chapter for the book it would be. I would include a little more about what happens to Louie in the years to come. including what he goes to college for what his job is and if he ever finds love again. i would also include that jasper and lednekey lose there jobs. I would also touch briefly on boomers life and how he turned out right after all.
ReplyDeleteI think the only unanswered question in Running Loose is will Louie get caught when he breaks the plaque again. Since Jasper isn't watching it anymore I don't think that he will. If there was one last chapter I think it would go into Louie destroying the plaque until Jasper takes his signature off of it. This was definitely one f the best books I've ever read, with a really great twist as well.
ReplyDeleteI might have to read this book, just because you said it was the best book you ever read and you read a lot of books. And a lot of people said they have enjoyed it as well.
DeleteMy book, Running Loose, I thought overall was a very good read. For the first time in a long time, I was happy to read a book. The character's and the story that unfolded kept me wanting to read. But I think I know how I would have ended it. If their was one last chapter, I would have Louie, before taking out the second plaque, drive over to Mr. Sanders, Becky's Dad, house and drive him over to the plaque. I would have them talk about how Principal Jasper would just get another plaque. I would then have Mr. Sanders threaten to sue Jasper for not allowing him in on the process of picking what the plaque had written on it if he doesn't change it. I would then go on to have Louie have a final discussion with Lednecky on what is right and wrong, ending with Louie walking away from Lednecky when he tells Louie that he wants to fight him. I would have the final scene be Louie standing in front of Becky's new plaque, approved by Mr. Sanders, and have Louie thank Becky for all the good times they had together, says his goodbye's, and drives off to college for the next stage of his life.
ReplyDeleteI assume that jasper would try to get louie arrested for breaking the plaque, Louie would again denies the accusations and continue living his life for becky never marrying and dying a happy death and meeting becky all over again.
ReplyDeletei agree with the getting the cops involved but there is no way to prove it was Louie. However i think he will look for a girl that reminds him of Becky.
Delete"Chinese Handcuffs" like most Chris Crutcher books leave you wounder what happens next. I personally liked how it ended. I feel like Jen would make up with Dillon, but they will always remain close friends. Because of the things they been through I don't think that Jen will want a relationship with him. I also think T.B. will end up in jail because he will lose his case. I also feel Jen will mend his relationship with her mother but I do feel like she will never see her as a mother figure. I hope Jen seeks therapy so she can possibly be in a relationship in the future. Dillon and his Dad will become closer after this as well.
ReplyDeleteThe ending of Running Loose led you on thinking Louie is going to take the plaque back. He knows nobody will be watching anymore to catch him. Louie is very good at running from his problems in most of the book. The author thinks we know the ending but I only feel like we know some. Is he going to get in trouble or not isn’t really said anywhere. If I were him I would talk about him maybe getting in trouble with the plaque and end the book with him and his parents talking again at the dinner table on saying it was the right thing to do.
DeleteAt the end of Running Loose, Louie is taking the hammer from the station and going to break the plaque once again. I think Louie will not get caught this time because Jasper isn't watching for Louie to come with a gun anymore. If Louie breaks the plaque I feel like he will not get caught because they have no proof it was him. They know it was him but they have no proof it was him because they don't have cameras. After Louie breaks the plaque again I think they will ask Louie for his input on the plaque and design the plaque the way Louie wants it so he won't break it again. Louie will be happy with the plaque so he will not break it again and he will continue to run all the time to stay in shape. Life will go on and Louie will be happy.
ReplyDeleteI loved the ending to Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. If there was one more chapter I would want to know if they all stay in touch and how life is for each of them now. At the ending of the book, Eric says they will try to stay in touch, he never says if they actually do though. I want to know if they still talk and are still friends. It would be nice if they was a chapter that talked about their lives a year after all this happened.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, it would be nice knowing what their lives are like after this whole situation and if they stay in touch.
DeleteI agree with you. I would enjoy to know what all happens to them when they go off on their own.
DeleteThe ending of Chinese Handcuffs leaves the reader glad that TB has finally gotten what he deserved. His angry rein thankfully came to an end. If i were to add a chapter I would add the coping of Jen and her family now that the monster is out of their lives for good. Jen will still have the trauma from sexual abuse and her mother will have trauma from domestic violence, so Jen's family has a lot going on. I would love to know how they get along with their lives now. Chris Cutcher left the readers kind of at a cliffhanger as well on leaving them relieved TB can't hurt another person again.
ReplyDeleteIn the book stotan there was a lot of unanswered questions that weren't answered. If i were able to make another chapter i would have answered questions such as how are nortie and his mom going to move on in their lives, what kind of disease did max actually have, does max actually end up dieing, and it would have been better if we knew more about the coaches family. I think all of these things would have made the book a lot better.
ReplyDeletein the end of Running loose Louie says "Now I am going to grab my hammer." this is assuming that he is gonna go knock the plaque out of the rock again. He is going to do this because he felt that what it said was not what Becky stood for or wanted to be remembered. Also coach jasper was trying to set Louie up and Louie was smart. Coach jasper asked Louie what it should say? and Louie said just put in Memory of Becky Sanders. Jasper said ya that sounds like a great idea. When the plaque was in the rock it said the same thing as before and Jasper waited by the plaque for nights with a 22 waiting for Louie to show. He never did. The first night that jasper gave up on it is the night "He grabbed his Hammer." If the book had another chapter it would be about jasper getting very mad and Louie still acing like he had nothing to do with it and i feel like by this point jasper would try to get the cops involved even tho there is no way to prove it was Louie.
ReplyDeletei agree jack that would be interesting to see what would come to bee after he gets his hammer. if he gets caught and kicked out or what could happen.
DeleteSounds to me like Louie really liked Becky and would do anything to make her happy. the coach kinda sounds like an ahole for trying to set him up even tho he did actually do it.
DeleteI read Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes and if the author were to make one more chapter of the book, I would definitely want it to be about what their lives were like after the story. The author kind of leaves you hanging and says that Eric hopes they all stay friends and stay in touch but does not say anything after that. He ends the book with them all hanging out on a houseboat. I would want to know how Sarah's life is with her new adoptive family, I would also like to know what Mr. Byrnes thinks about his daughter being adopted. It would be nice if there was another chapter explaining how college is for them and if they try to all stay in touch. I would also like know how Eric's swimming career is in college.
ReplyDeleteIn the end of Chinese handcuffs the story ends with T.B. getting arrested and Jen still being angry at Dillon. if i could add another chapter to the book i would add T.B. trial and Jen and Dillon starting a relationship.
ReplyDeleteI wish Dillon would have gone on with the murder he plotted because that would have made for an interesting read.
DeleteIn the ending of Staying fat for Sarah Brynes, it talks about Carver breaking and entering Mr. Brynes house and how Mr. Brynes ends up in the hospital. If I could add another chapter to the book, I would write about what happens to Mr. Brynes. What was the process of him getting locked away after he recovered in the hospital. I would also include what happened to Sarah and what led to Mrs. Lemry adopting her.
ReplyDeleteThat would have been nice to know what happened to Mr. Brynes. And how he got locked away after words.
DeleteIf I could continue the book and change the ending and answer the unanswered questions I would definitely change a few things. In the end I would have Jen and Dillon be together and take Jen's moms baby and live far away from all their worries and finally be happy. I would also have Stacy go with them so Dillon could have a part of his brother, Preston, with him since his brother committed suicide. Even though Jen's mom is her mom, I would have her go away so when she starts dating bad guys again,Jen is far away from him so he can't hurt her. I would want Dawn to also go live with Jen and Dillon so she can have a good life away from her crazy mom so the same thing that happened to Jen doesn't happen to Dawn. I would have T.B. be shot in a street shooting or something bad where he suffers, that sounds very sinister of me, but he needs to be punished for what he did.
ReplyDeleteI think Jennifer should be the one to shoot T.B. because that would give her the sense of revenge and possibly help her get over the stuff he did.
DeleteThe ending of Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is happy but kind of frustrating. It skips over a lot. Like i dont know or understand how Mr. brynes got into erics car but he was in there. I feel like if there was one more chaper it would be all about Sarah getting adopted or about her going to that safe house.
ReplyDeleteThe end of Running Loose leaves you hanging. It doesn't tell you if Louie receives a scholarship for running. It doesn't even tell you what he does after high school. Last off it doesn't tell you if he goes back and destroys the memorial plaque of Becky. If I was the author I would tie up the lose ends. I would first have whether or not Louie destroys the new plaque. Next I would have Louie receive a scholarship for running and have what he plans on going to school for. Overall Running Loose was a good book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I think that he should not have left so many things open at the end of the book.
DeleteI agree Ben running loose does leave you hanging and i think your ending would have been interesting to read
DeleteI agree that it leaves you wondering what happened
DeleteI would add what Louie ended up doing after high school was over. If he actually went to the college that he was thinking about going to. Or if he just went right into the work force. Also if Carter got to go and play in college. Or if Carter and Washington got to play on the same college team. What happened to Boomer and if he got into anymore fights with people. And if Louie got away with everything that he did.
ReplyDeletein running loose i would guess that it would end something like he went on to be good at track and graduate and go on to me a nice successful guy
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that he goes on to be successful
DeleteIn Chinese handcuffs I believe that it always left closure in each chapter near the end because it closed up Stacy's story after she announced that Ryan was her child. You also saw growth between Dillon and his father, but I enjoyed the overall outcome of the book because Jen and her family were finally safe from T.B. I also believe that Dillon did the right thing by not killing T.B. (even though he most certainly deserved it) because he saw how it effected his father after Vietnam and how he was never the same afterwards.
ReplyDeleteIf Chinese Handcuffs were to have one more chapter it would be about how Jennifer and Dillon ended up, if their relationship succeeded and if they are going to grow old together, or if their relationship failed and they parted ways, it will also show how Jennifer got over her secret and learned how to deal with it.
ReplyDeleteif i could add one more chapter to stotan it would go more in depth with the characters lives. For example what does Max do after the Jeff, Walker, Lion and Nortie leave? Does he keep coaching swimming? Does Walker ever tell Devenee that he had feelings for elaine? if i added a chapter i would go into much more detail about everyones lives after the swimming was over.
ReplyDeleteAt the end of Running Loose it doesn't tie up all the loose ends. if I was the author the next chapter would tie up all the loose ends and go more into detail of what Louie is going to do after high school or if he goes to college or if he gets some scholarships. I would also add if he destroys the new plaque.
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