Deadline

Dunning, author of the acclaimed BOOKMAN'S WAKE, here creates a novel of suspense and intrigue featuring a newspaper reporter. The supporting cast includes an Amish woman turned Rockette, a still-in-hiding 1960s radical, and various straight and crooked FBI agents. The plausibility of the plot may be questionable, but the pace of the action keeps the listener involved. Narrator Ed Sala has one voice for the protagonist, a second for most of the women, and a third for the rest of the males--though perhaps the FBI agents do sound alike. Sala's voice and pacing keep the listener involved in the story, and his reading maintains the suspense until the end. R.E.K. (c) AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine

Starred review from July 16, 2007
Ben Wolf, 18, goes in for a routine sports physical before his senior year and learns he has an aggressive form of leukemia and a year to live. In order to enjoy the rest of this witty and wise novel, readers will have to suspend disbelief at this point, because Ben decides to do nothing. (“I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone else, but I’m not going out bald and puking.”) He also chooses not to tell anyone and threatens legal action if his doctor breaches patient confidentiality. Readers will be treated to the thrilling last year of Ben’s life, in which the 123-pounder ditches track for football so he can play alongside his brother, Cody, the team’s star quarterback. Crutcher’s oeuvre is full of plot-heavy novels; the issues crammed into this one include alcoholism, child molestation, absent/abusive parents, bigotry, teenage motherhood and depression. But the narrative never drowns in a sea of woe. With the help of Hey-Soos, a laidback confidant who appears in Ben’s dreams, he parses the dilemmas his secret produces. Ben succeeds both on the gridiron and with the comely Dallas Suzuki. (“Submit this story to an editor and it’s returned as too much fantasy even for fantasy,” he says after she asks him to Homecoming.) Ben’s voice often sounds distinctly like the author’s, but here’s predicting readers will not care one whit. The message at the core of Crutcher’s latest—“Life’s short. Do what you love.”—is delivered inside an entertaining, thought-provoking tearjerker. Ages 14-up.

Chris Crutcher is known for his gritty, topical books for young adults. This one focuses on a sports theme, with therapy, coming-of-age, and sex also part of the story. Just before his senior year, Ben Wolf learns he has an aggressive, terminal blood disease. He's 18, so he convinces the doctor to keep his secret and sign off for him to play football. He wants to have a "normal" last year. Steven Boyer tells the story in Ben's voice, including an epilogue that allows Ben to speak "from the grave." He nails the teenager's smart-ass nothing-to-lose attitude. As the year progresses, his tone matures as Ben realizes relationships require honesty. The profanity, especially the frequent dropping of "f-bombs," obscures the preachiness of the story's message. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine