the quitters

Reviewed by Brian Burmeister, Iowa State University

8 march 2018 archive

"Though we are told otherwise, there is also a price to pay when we don't know when to quit." – Carlo Matos

In his new book The Quitters, author, teacher, and former fighter Carlo Matos shares an insightful collection of essays thematically linked around the concept of quitting. Matos explores these ideas in a fascinating array of contexts: mixed martial arts, roller derby, archery, music, and teaching. This eclectic mix reinforces the broader point that to quit or not to quit? is a question we will be forced to grapple with time and time again in our lives. And often unexpectedly.

The true stories Matos shares are entertaining, enlightening, and beautifully written. He writes of the bond of athletes—the comradery and profound respect for each other's sacrifices. He invites the reader into the private world of the gym, of being backstage before fights, to know not just the work that is put in, but also the culture. The friendships. The nicknames. The unspoken bonds. We see, for instance, a police officer—writing a ticket to a fighter—rip up that ticket out of admiration once he learns the man's cauliflower ears are the result of years of jiu-jitsu.

But we also see the dark side of competition. The Quitters balances the scales with heartbreaking tales of athletes whose quests for greatness are cut short. Sometimes because of something brutal, something that can't be undone. That's the unfortunate part of quitting sometimes: it's not even a choice.

Through each of the collection's essays, Matos provides unforgettable anecdotes, genuine wisdom, and a healthy dose of poetic language. He writes in his essays on MMA: "The truth is sometimes we hide much in our hands: our heads in trouble, our faces in shame, our chins when punches fly free. A hand in a glove can do what the naked hand won't. It can clutch cold without freezing, cure without weakening, and, yes, strike without breaking." In his reflections upon teaching, he makes the impossible ring overwhelmingly true: "Adult time, unlike childhood time, is long in minutes and short in years. Hours last for years, but years go by in seconds."

Matos' skill as a writer shines in The Quitters. Whether you are a fan of sport, or just a fan of good writing, his essays invite you into unique worlds and experiences. To deep thoughts. And fun ones, too. You'll find yourself rooting for the narrator and the entire cast of characters whose challenges have brought them to the question: quit or try harder? It is a relatable collection not just worth reading, but of taking the time to pause, absorb, reflect.

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