Chrissy Tulake Character Analysis in The Story of Tom Brennan

Chrissy is Jonny's sister and Tom's love interest. When Tom first meets her, she's dating a former Bennie's rugby player, Davin. Tom is initially attracted to her because Chrissy is extremely beautiful; he ignores the fact that she's also genuinely interested in him and his emotional wellbeing. She checks and makes sure he's okay after Kylie gives her speech about what happened in Mumbilli, for example, and she also checks in on Tom's (nonexistent) granddad after she gives him a box of sheepskin things that are, unbeknownst to her, actually for Fin. Chrissy and Tom finally connect when she shares that her father died a few years ago after a massive stroke. They talk about how difficult it was for her to visit him and how difficult Tom finds it to visit Fin in the hospital. Their physical relationship begins when Chrissy helps Tom escape after the rugby match with St. John's, and they finally have sex for the first time at the end of the novel. Tom credits Chrissy with helping him rediscover himself after the accident and reframe his experiences in terms of their relationship milestones, not in terms of negative and accident-related instances.

Chrissy Tulake Character Timeline in The Story of Tom Brennan

The timeline below shows where the character Chrissy Tulake appears in The Story of Tom Brennan. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...the door. Tom laughs at her Bart Simpson slippers and the girl introduces herself as Chrissy, Jonny's sister. She invites him in while she finds the box "for his granddad." (full context)

When Tom returns to the car with the box, he remarks to Brendan that Chrissy thinks the box is for their granddad. Brendan explains that Chrissy and Jonny's mother is... (full context)

...the start of an erection and is totally caught off guard when she turns around—it's Chrissy. She asks after Tom's granddad, and Tom feels the black tunnel engulfing him. (full context)

...singing a hymn by herself in the choir. Tom looks up and sees that it's Chrissy, and he doesn't want her to stop singing. He watches her wave at a guy... (full context)

...sheds. He jogs over to open the gate and is shocked to see that it's Chrissy. Tom feels stupid in his boxers, tries to control an erection, and thinks his chest... (full context)

...during practice. Brad joins Rory, Jimmy, and Tom and laughs about Davin. Rory points to Chrissy walking by and implies that she's Davin's girlfriend. Brad moans that he wants Chrissy and... (full context)

Brendan says that Chrissy heard about the speech and came looking for Tom earlier. Tom moans that everyone will... (full context)

...about them. Rory checks and makes sure that Tom is okay, and, on the stairs, Chrissy tries to catch up with Tom. When she finally does, Tom insists that he's fine.... (full context)

...before, Tom goes out to see a movie with Rory, Jimmy, and Brad. They see Chrissy there with Davin, and Brad explains that Davin can have any girl he likes and... (full context)

...bad. Then, Kylie starts to giggle again and says she overheard Brendan on the phone—apparently, Chrissy thinks Tom is cute. (full context)

...coming too, and the plan is that Tom will shower at Jonny's. Tom asks if Chrissy will be there. He tries to act nonchalant, but he starts to panic when he... (full context)

...and the sink, the water spraying all over the bathroom. Brendan and Jonny race in, Chrissy right behind them. (full context)

...the water off and hands Tom a towel, and then he and Brendan start laughing. Chrissy tries not to laugh and compliments Tom on his nice butt. Later, Tom thinks that... (full context)

...doesn't know enough to make an informed bet. On the plus side, Tom learns that Chrissy dumped Davin over the weekend. Dad and Harvey meet the bus at camp and Harvey... (full context)

At dinner with Brendan, Jonny, and Chrissy later, Chrissy wishes she'd been there to watch the match. Brendan asks Chrissy if she's... (full context)

Later, Tom reflects that he's totally in love with Chrissy. He hears Kylie still awake and knocks on her door. He pushes it open and... (full context)

...can barely believe he's going and is getting more excited by the day. Some days Chrissy comes by to drop things off for Jonny and then she and Tom talk. Tom... (full context)

Brendan says he wants to talk about what Chrissy said at dinner the other week. Tom thinks this conversation will absolutely be a warning... (full context)

As Tom and Brendan run, Brendan asks Tom if he's aware that Chrissy really likes him. Tom immediately is doubtful, but Brendan tells Tom to ask her out... (full context)

...friendship up when they're done with school. As Tom gets ready to leave, he spots Chrissy driving up. They sit together and talk about rugby. Tom explains that St. John's getting... (full context)

...everything. Tom says it's stupid that he's so upset about the match in these circumstances. Chrissy says that after her dad's last stroke, she didn't want to see him much because... (full context)

...like they won. Tom walks away, ignoring Matt as Matt tries to follow and apologize. Chrissy grabs Tom and steers him to her car. (full context)

Chrissy drives for hours and near dusk, turns off the highway onto an empty dirt road.... (full context)

Chrissy agrees with Dad that Tom has to go see Fin. She encourages Tom to actually... (full context)

...three of them were. He thinks that this is why he wants to be with Chrissy—she's an escape from the pain Tom feels with his family. When Tom is with her,... (full context)

...the last week of the holiday blissful. He loves working on the chicken coop with Chrissy and Brendan. One afternoon Chrissy and Tom discuss being monogamous, but Mum interrupts them with... (full context)

Chrissy suggests that that's a good thing, but Tom admits he didn't see Mum as a... (full context)

Chrissy asks Tom to talk about the accident. Tom says he remembers a disgusting taste in... (full context)

...morning, Brendan and Tom run to the river and jump in. Tom thinks about bringing Chrissy to the river and tells Brendan that he won't have to go to the overly... (full context)

...Tom run back, they discuss their Everest climb. Brendan says that Tom will surely miss Chrissy, but Tom says that he knows she'll be waiting for him when he gets back. (full context)

...visit with Daniel while Mum talks to the social worker. Daniel wants to know about Chrissy and jokes that they've brought in strippers and alcohol for the prisoners. Taking a more... (full context)

Gran makes roast pork for Tom's birthday dinner and cooks it perfectly. Chrissy makes a cake and Jonny brings party hats. Tom thinks that Gran's saints seem to... (full context)

As Chrissy studies for her finals, Tom does his best to stay out of her way. He... (full context)

...and Brendan, it's 6:50. Tom races down the track to the river. He can't see Chrissy, but he's sure she's there and yells for her. Finally, he hears her giggling. She... (full context)

Chrissy swims to Tom and he takes her in his arms. They tell each other that... (full context)