Boy 21 Book Review by Malcolm Chorao

 

Boy 21 was a compelling story about a kid called Finley who goes through some hardships as any kid who lives in Bellmont.  Bellmont is a town that has been ruled by the Irish mob drug dealers and many more crime filled people of that sorts. Finley is an only child who lives with his dad who has to work non-stop and his grandpa who lives in the past by drinking and consuming a ton of alcohol. The only way Finley can escape from his drug ridden town is by playing basketball and hanging out and sometimes talking with his best friend/girlfriend. 

Finley is a silent kid whose whole life revolves around his girlfriend, Erin and playing basketball. Let me may add that besides Erin, Finley has no friends. Senior year is about to start for Finley and his future is starting to look great because he’s the starting point guard for his high school basketball team.  At this point he has a very unexpected visit from his coach. His coach takes him out to dinner and tells Finley there is this boy that goes by the name of Boy 21 and his parents just died. He wants Finley to help him recover because Russ, that goes by the name Boy 21 is a star basketball player that they need on their team. As the book goes on, Boy 21 and Finley become true friends. Although you might think the book is about basketball, it’s really about friendships and what friendships can do for you in the end. 

Both Finley and Boy 21 go through struggles throughout their last year of high-school. The ending of this book really means something. It’s a very sad and depressing ending, but at the same time it sparks a new future for all the main characters in the book. Just like frosting on a cake, the ending to this book really ties it all together. Without the ending the book wouldn’t be powerful. Thankfully this book went out in a slow and sad but pretty great bam.

Boy 21 meant a ton to me as a reader. I am not the biggest reader and I don’t think I ever will be, but this book really made me enjoy reading again. It is a struggle for me to really find a book I’m interested in. This book is filled with emotions and the author, Matthew Quick does a tremendous job of making you understand what the characters feel and what they want to do by writing in a slow but progressive way. Mathew Quick also wrote novels like “The Silver Linings Playbook.” Now this book is recommended for high- school students but don't let that take you off guard. The only reason it is recommend for 9th graders is because it makes you think a ton about each and every character. I would recommend this book to anybody. Honestly what is so truly amazing about this book is that I think Boy 21 will affect each and every person differently.