The Evolution of Chrissie Perretti

Following the journey of Chrissie Perretti is a captivating endeavor. Witness her metamorphosis from the sweet, innocent Chrissie to the audacious Punk Queen, and finally to Chrysta, the runaway. Her tumultuous interactions with her eccentric parents, daring escapades on the road, and eventual connections in Excelsior Springs, Arkansas, are depicted with vivid detail and dynamic energy. Yet, the tale is not merely a series of thrilling adventures; Chrysta grapples with the heartache of losing her closest friend, navigates the complexities of love, endures separation from her parents, and confronts the heart-wrenching reality that a past encounter with gonorrhea has stripped away her ability to have children. Reflecting the novel's intricate themes, the ending eschews a fairy tale resolution, yet it remains a journey worth taking from Benton, Illinois, to the place Chrysta ultimately calls home.

Setting the Scene

To capture the essence and mood of this narrative, consider a glimpse into its opening chapters: At twelve and a half, Christine Perretti endures a joyless existence with her corpulent mother and zealously religious father in Benton, Illinois. Standing out as the only girl in middle school with a 36C bra, her parents choose to overlook her precocious maturity. Her mother’s awkward attempt to explain the "facts of life" to her "little girl" is emblematic of their disconnect. Chrissie recounts a transformative day: "On my thirteenth birthday my father called me a slut once too often, my dog was hit by a car, and I lost my virginity—what was left of it." From that point, meaningful communication with her parents deteriorates, leaving only her father’s relentless accusations.

On the Run

While Chrissie becomes sexually active, she feels no genuine affection for the boys she encounters. This leads to an encounter with gonorrhea. In a desperate bid to treat the infection, she deceives her way through a medical examination to obtain medication, only for her father to seize the pills and ration them to coerce her into enduring his daily verbal assaults. Unable to bear the abuse after three days, she escapes, leaving her treatment incomplete, embarking on a transient existence that spans various towns until she lands in Excelsior Springs, Arkansas, at sixteen. Here, she seizes a chance at a new beginning, adopting the name Chrysta and embracing a fresh identity.

A Realistic Tapestry

This novel, a stalwart example of "realistic" literature, unflinchingly explores life’s potential for ugliness. Despite a daunting array of challenges that could dishearten the most optimistic among us, the story ultimately conveys a message of hope and resilience amidst solitude and despair. While Chrysta's challenges are daunting, her indomitable spirit and determination to secure the elusive peace she craves are what truly stand out. She resolutely rejects the notion of being a "bad" person, attributing many of her struggles to her parents. This mindset propels her through the darkest moments, allowing her to maintain a shred of faith in humanity.

A Resonant Journey

While few readers may directly relate to Chrysta's specific predicaments, her emotional responses and mindset strike a familiar chord. The narrative offers no "easy outs," presenting a world filled with both triumphs and setbacks. Chrysta's inability to reform Dare, a defiant twelve-year-old, casts a shadow over the novel’s conclusion. Despite its often somber tone, To Take a Dare impels readers to seize control of their destinies, encouraging them to rise above less-than-ideal pasts.