Chinese Handcuffs concerns the serious issues which trouble teens: pregnancy, suicide, depression, and sexual abuse. Of these, sexual matters seem particularly important.

Dillon writes: "I can't tell the difference between being horny and being in love."

The book also explores how sexual drive can be an agent of destruction. Unchecked sexual desire is directly responsible for almost every tragic outcome in the book.

Preston's suicide seems directly related to his shame over watching and then participating in a graphically described gang rape.

Later, readers learn that Stacy's pregnancy was a contributing factor in his death. The other attempted suicide in the book is related to pregnancy, when Jennifer learns her mother is pregnant and she fears, no doubt, that her stepfather may terrorize her yet-to-be-born sister.

Dillon, Jennifer, and Dr. Newcomb discuss the effects of sexual abuse. Early in the book Dillon questions why Jennifer does...