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Didn’t Like It “Raiders football is the main event in Matt Rydek’s New Jersey town. Matt’s a senior and the co-captain; he has a beautiful cheerleader girlfriend and realistic hopes for landing a Division 1 scholarship. But at his pre-season football camp, a terrible hazing incident threatens to destroy his...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Raiders football is the main event in Matt Rydek’s New Jersey town. Matt’s a senior and the co-captain; he has a beautiful cheerleader girlfriend and realistic hopes for landing a Division 1 scholarship. But at his pre-season football camp, a terrible hazing incident threatens to destroy his season. Matt is also saddled with a steroid habit, an overbearing father and a mentally handicapped brother. All these elements combine with his attempts to reconcile his loyalty to the team with his need to make his own decisions about what kind of man he wants to become.
Susan H wrote this review 3 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Librarians should know that this is definitely a book designed for an older YA reader. The players on Matt’s team have casual sex, use recreational drugs, drink and drive and swear profusely. The sodomy that serves as the book’s centerpiece is described very graphically. Also, the main villain, Ramp, is a crude, homophobic misogynist with language to match. Lipsyte details the main character’s steroid use and its benefits; although the negative side effects are detailed, the reporting is a little subtle. Some teen readers may finish the book and feel the character’s steroid use was justified.
I found the book sensationalist and the characters shallow. The plot elements pile up, giving the characters’ too many distractions. Matt’s steroid use alone could have propelled the novel. Instead, after a gripping opening scene in which the character “shoots up”, Lipsyte reduces it to a sidebar. The author neglects the potentially rich situations he has created. Matt’s father and his coaches encourage steroid use without explicitly acknowledging it. Some players use “the juice”, while others do not. The negative side effects Matt experiences (occasional impotence, uncontrollable rage) are briefly noted and then dropped. Or the rape could have propelled the novel, especially (again) the contemptible efforts by adults to hush up the incident. Lipsky has this plotline end with a gun and a hostage situation right before the big game. Where IS this high school? If I lived there, I’d move!
All this plot leaves the characters ridiculously one-dimensional. Matt’s dad is pushy and obnoxious; we can’t imagine why the mother ever married him. Her maternal duties seem strictly limited to handing out cold chicken. The two girlfriends are reduced to Mary Anne and Ginger roles. Evil Ramp is strictly a plot device. The promising Back Pack (Matt’s friends) have no depth to their dialogue. Even football is given short shift. If a reader was interested in football or steroid use, I think he or she could find something better in non-fiction.
”“This book waz good”
diego g wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A good football book that shows exactly what a team shouldnt be.”
It's JG! wrote this review 4 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Raidiers Night by Hober Lipstyle
Arnold Z wrote this review Wednesday, October 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Genre: Realistic fiction
This story takes place in a town such as Faribault during post-football season and after home coming week. Matt Rydek, an athletic super star, is the co-captin of the Raiders football team. Lifes going well for him, he's got all the steriods he needs, he has all the girls wrapped around his fingers, and a shot at the pros.
But during training camp in the summer an inccident makes Matt rethink his goals and wonders if the team is really for him. Soon life in paradise starts turning for the worse when the team starts turning on one of the freshmen football players. Everyone is on edge because if anyone finds about what happend to him at camp the whole team and season could be dropped. The team's all in on the secret and they're not planning to tell anyone about it. Matts under preasure from his dad, the team, and even the town; All people that once idled him as a king.
I recomend this book to anyone interested in football or reading about steriods because even though this book is very graphic, it is very interesting and makes for a good read. I've rated this book a 4 out of 5 because even though the book was a page turner, the book did gross me out at some parts.”
“This book was decent. I thought it was just going to be about football but it ended up being about a lot of drama which I didn't really like.”
Jake P wrote this review Tuesday, October 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
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Federico C wrote this review Tuesday, September 29 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Well this book talks a lot about football and steroids and how they are use by all the football players. Also I think that this book tells about what players do to be successful in football.
I don't belive taking steroids will help me be successful, because it can give you a hard time in the future with your liver, so no I don't agree with this point of view with life.
I would read more books from this author because he got my attention with the way he put things so i can understand him and the point he is trying to get across.
I think only football players would understand this book because they know what it is like to play on a football field and why Matt does the things he does in this book.
Well I liked the ending were Matt stuck with his passion.”
“Very good, would recommend to anyone who enjoys football and highschool drama”
Jeremy R wrote this review Tuesday, March 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book was probably the best book I've ever read.”
Malachi M wrote this review Saturday, February 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Matt Rydek is a high school football star and the envy of every athlete. Yet when some of his team memebers cross the line and commit the unthinkable, Matt is forced to choose between a possible career as a football star, or "doing the right thing". Further, following his conscious will cost him a lot more than a scholarship, career or even his fathers respect and love. How will he decide? If you wre horrified by the events at Columbine High School that cost many student's their lives, you will find Raiders disturbing and a reminder of the potential toll that high school bullying can extract.”
Carolyn B wrote this review Tuesday, February 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This book really shows how hard it is to make a decision that can affect not only yourself but a whole team. Raiders Night shows the difficulties a leader can face, and he can overcome them. I like this book a lot probably because I like football. I would recomend this book to any football player or fan.”
Matt S wrote this review Sunday, December 14 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
