There are thousands of books that I had to choose from for my final exam project. But I chose The Contender because I felt as if I had a connection with the book just from the cover. Through the course of a couple of weeks from reading this book I became more and more connected to this book each time it split the pages apart to read it. If there is a grade I would have to use to describe/evaluate this book, I would be force to give it an -A because it is such a great book. Reasons behind my grading is because the connection, the book itself, and set up throughout the book.

 

I believe that I connected to Alfred the main character, because there are some things that I have in similar with him, either if it is directly or indirectly. For instance, I wrestled and Alfred boxed, so I know the hard work it takes to like the training that it takes to prepare for matches. Also, the nervousness and feelings that people can get before a bout. In the book the main character Alfred is really trying to figure out his own self-worth. In the book, Alfred tries to fit in with others and just have a subsection with being cool and fitting in. Here at my own school I see this everyday people trying to act like people that they are not. Even though he lives in an urban area, and I live inside of a suburban/rural area there are a lot of environmental similarities. Like the culture similarities, there is a boxing center right up the streets and a church like every 1 mile radius.

 

Also, the book kept me interested the whole time from when Alfred was going to the clubhouse in the first chapter to, when Alfred was carrying James to the hospital in the last chapter. The book had points that stuck out to me that I will probably for the rest of my life, for example you self can be your biggest enemy if you let it. The whole-time Alfred was battling himself. Also, whenever you get knocked down just get back up. This book can teach and give lessons about loyalty also the pursuit of dreams. Also, I like that the book is spoken in third person, and that the tone of the book is very serious. So, it doesn’t get confusing and as I read the book it sometimes painted pictures and visuals in my head.

 

But I didn’t like how the book was setup. Like in the ending of the book it kind of left me confused. This is probably the only reason the book didn’t receive an +A. I wanted to know what was going to happened next in the book like James and Alfred future and if Alfred was going to continue boxing. Also, they should have gone into more detail about the incident that happened in Coney Island like it should have been a bigger role in the book. Like I believe that major should have gotten caught. Like from the cover I thought that Alfred would go on and be the boxing champion of the world or something.

 

Overall I really enjoyed this book one of the best books that I read in my life. In conclusion, I feel everything was good about this book except the setup of it. But I feel like I have a great connection to the book and I just absolutely loved the book itself like I stated once before.