FireHouse Review

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FireHouse ReviewAfter reading and for the most part enjoying Snodgrass Vacation by the same author, I thought I'd give another of his books a try. It took a bit to settle into the story (going from slapdash comedy to serious attempt at portraying teenage life in high school is sort of a big switch on my end).
The story focuses on Zach, a former druggie who sings lead for a small-time band while also wrestling. Both groups apply pressure for their activity to be the main focus in Zach's life. The band treats him like friends, but their lifestyle is ragged, nights full of partying, grungy hair, and a total disregard for school and safety. With wrestling, he has no friends, but enjoys the same thrill stepping onto the mat as he does standing before a crowd with a microphone.
The first problem of the story is that much of Zach's change, from grunge to wrestler, has already happened by the time we meet him. He's quit smoking and drinking to make sure he meets his weigh-ins and doesn't "gas out" in the middle of matches. I would have liked to have been there when the clash between Wrestling and Rock weren't just about time schedules and dual-booking, but actual, physical decisions carrying far greater consequences for his health and life.
It also doesn't help that Zach comes across as a jerk. Yes, he's a loaner, and lacks self-esteem, and the author portrays him as a jerk on purpose...but that still means he's a jerk. It takes a bit to warm up to him. The wrestling matches help with that.
I was unsure just how much I'd enjoy this book for the first quarter or so. After a few of the meets, however, I was hooked. I found myself caring how well Zach did with every match. He never acted like his life depended on the win, but his opinion of himself, and the effort he was putting into the sport, did. Even better, the author rarely made the outcome of the event clear prior to the wrestle, having Zach lose as much as he won. By halfway through, I was enthralled with each meet, cheering him on in my head. It is very much a redemptive story in this matter, and I found myself flying through the story.
The wrestling matches are full of technical detail, any wrestling aficionados should find this both comfortable and familiar, but those who don't know the difference between a firehouse carry and a full nelson might be left scratching their heads.
The worst problem, though, was in the final fourth of the book. Both Zach's performances in singing and wrestling were always in doubt before every gig and match, but by the end, that uncertainty was gone. The feel-good-ending was kicking in, and it seemed the author didn't have the guts, or the desire, to have it break away into something more. His reliance on friends was touching, but it also seemed to overwhelm any real need to choose between his two loves.
Overall, I'd give this 3 and 1/2 stars. Since I can't rate it that here on Amazon, tie goes to the author, hence the 4. I will add that while nothing in the story ever reached a sense of urgency or worry, I flew through this book far faster than I normally read. I sat down at 50% and read all the way to the end in one sitting. The author's writing style is rather plain, but at the same time, this leads to a very smooth, uninterrupted reading. There's no ego or self-indulgence, just a tale told earnestly and truthfully as possible.FireHouse Overview

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