Sports

Crux by Gabriel Tallent (released January 20, 2026) is the highly anticipated second novel from the author of the bestseller My Absolute Darling. It is a visceral, high-stakes coming-of-age story that explores the intense bond between two teenagers through the lens of extreme rock climbing.

The Plot

Set in the rugged landscape of the southern Mojave Desert, the story follows high school seniors Dan Redburn and Tamma Callahan. Dan is a “gifted golden child” under immense pressure to attend college, while Tamma is a “mouthy burnout” and social outcast who dreams of escaping her bleak reality by becoming a professional climber.

Bonded by their shared obsession with climbing, they spend their nights summiting boulders and cliffs, finding a sense of freedom and purpose that their home lives lack. As they face the looming reality of adulthood, their dreams are tested by class differences, family obligations, and the inherent risks of their sport. The “crux”—the most difficult part of a climb—becomes a metaphor for the pivotal moments in their lives where they must decide how much they are willing to risk for their future and each other.

Key Appeal Notes

• Immersive Climbing Culture: The book is noted for its “lingo-heavy” and technical descriptions of rock climbing, making the sport feel both thrilling and terrifyingly real.


• Profound Themes: Tallent explores the complexities of platonic friendship, the impact of class on ambition, and the struggle to maintain one’s identity against the weight of family trauma.


• “Monster-Audacious” Writing: Reviews highlight Tallent’s vivid nature writing and his ability to create deeply felt, authentic characters who navigate a “merciless” world.


• Emotional Intensity: Like his previous work, this novel is described as “heart-stopping” and “stomach-lurching,” taking characters to dark places to find moments of genuine hope and aliveness.

Critical Reception

The book has received widespread acclaim, with Stephen King calling it “one of the best novels I’ve ever read about friendship.” It has been praised by authors like Gabrielle Zevin and Elizabeth Gilbert for its “electric” prose and its ability to turn a niche subculture into a universal story of grit and resilience.