sports
February 4, 2026
Crux by Gabriel Tallent review
The follow-up to My Absolute Darling, this tale of best friends who dream of a better life features exquisite sports writing and a lovable heroine – but the plotting is unconvincing
TL;DR
- The novel 'Crux' by Gabriel Tallent features Tamma and Dan, best friends united by their passion for trad rock climbing.
- Tallent's prose is praised for its precision, especially in describing climbing movements and the desert landscape.
- Tamma is presented as a vibrant, witty, and unconventional character, a highlight of the novel.
- Dan's character and his central conflict between climbing and college are found to be unconvincing and lacking emotional depth.
- Alexandra, Dan's mother, is depicted as an unsatisfying character with an implausible backstory.
- The novel's strengths lie in its sports writing and Tamma's character, but its plot weaknesses may deter some readers.
Continue reading the original article