Jong Won Lee on Eight Seconds

First time I opened the book Eight Seconds, I thought it is about rodeo. I expected about what is rodeo and how to do it, but it was not telling the story which I expected. The story of the book ‘eight seconds’ is normal boy’s short moment of life. The boy’s name was John Richie. He was a fine boy and grew up from fine family. Anyways his family does ranch for living. One day John’s dad told John to go to the rodeo school. From rodeo school, John met Kit and Matt. John learned many things about rodeo and got many friends. Especially, John talked with Kit many times. During the rodeo school, John thought he had a good friendship with Kit. However, after finish rodeo school, John founds out Kit was gay. I was also surprised and shocked. After John knew about what Kit is, John started looking at the Kit differently. John tried many things and thinking to avoid Kit to prevent himself to become gay. However, end of the story, John found out that he was gay.
Strengths of the story are many. First, author chose fresh subject to make a story. Gay and rodeo are not a common subject to write about. Second, story developed interestingly. Story flow through life of John, rodeo, and Kit. Third, author assimilated difficult subject well. Gay is a fresh subject, but also it is very delicate subject.
Weaknesses of the story are also many. First, the story had very little background. The story shows only about John’s house, some fairs, rodeo school, and Kit’s house. Second, there was too much thinking of main character. Most of chapter fill with John’s thought. Third, the story’s ending was very weak. Ending of story is kind like absurd end.