Oh boy. Trigger warning indeed. Big bold trigger warnings. This is a book written from the authors experience of sexual abuse. It's graphic and challenging. I feel it should also be included in high school reading syllabuses. Not only for girls, but boys too. We spend time teaching our daughters about sexual relationships and being ready, but do our sons get as much information ? Are boys taught that no means no ? As a parent of boys I have instilled this, but it's not common.
As the publisher says , the book ‘contains descriptions of sexual violence and self-harm that some readers may find triggering’. It is, but for anyone who has never, fortunately, experienced sexual assault or rape it is thought-provoking and informative. It is disturbing and stays with you.The book is written from the three main characters points of view, their voices alternating chapters. They expose a culture of privilege, entitled status and toxic masculinity in an elite American private school. Any idea of challenging acceptable norms which had been accepted for generations, seem doomed to failure. The underlying hypocrisy in a school whose prospectus paid lip-service draws prospective pupils. Everything appears wonderful, current and celebrating diversity, whilst the reality faced by students (and members of staff) was that, in order to fit in, conformity and acceptance of well-established traditions were the status quo . Many of today's schools and even places of employment are exactly the same and have recognisable traits.
The main character is Quinn, whose voice and narrative thread was the most upsetting to follow (its poignant, heart-breaking authenticity a reflection of how effectively the author had used her personal experience of being sexually assaulted when she was sixteen). Max and Charlotte are Quinn's friends who struggle with protecting themselves and doing the right thing.The complexities of the friendship between these three characters, particularly how the author dealt so sensitively and compassionately with their very human personality flaws. Quinn’s struggles with her mental health following the assault are very emotional and raw. Quinn's feelings and thoughts as she struggled to find ways to both make sense of what was happening to her, and to ensure that her attacker was held to account for what he did are so accurate.
Spoiler alert. I was pleased Quinn did find ‘justice’. Unfortunately, not always what happens in the real world.
I liked the fact that the author showed Quinn finding understanding and support not only from her female friends, but also from some of her male friends who were prepared to challenge the ’boys will be boys’ culture and recognise that no one should be allowed to use this as an excuse to avoid being held accountable for their actions.
A tough but necessary read.
As the publisher says , the book ‘contains descriptions of sexual violence and self-harm that some readers may find triggering’. It is, but for anyone who has never, fortunately, experienced sexual assault or rape it is thought-provoking and informative. It is disturbing and stays with you.The book is written from the three main characters points of view, their voices alternating chapters. They expose a culture of privilege, entitled status and toxic masculinity in an elite American private school. Any idea of challenging acceptable norms which had been accepted for generations, seem doomed to failure. The underlying hypocrisy in a school whose prospectus paid lip-service draws prospective pupils. Everything appears wonderful, current and celebrating diversity, whilst the reality faced by students (and members of staff) was that, in order to fit in, conformity and acceptance of well-established traditions were the status quo . Many of today's schools and even places of employment are exactly the same and have recognisable traits.
The main character is Quinn, whose voice and narrative thread was the most upsetting to follow (its poignant, heart-breaking authenticity a reflection of how effectively the author had used her personal experience of being sexually assaulted when she was sixteen). Max and Charlotte are Quinn's friends who struggle with protecting themselves and doing the right thing.The complexities of the friendship between these three characters, particularly how the author dealt so sensitively and compassionately with their very human personality flaws. Quinn’s struggles with her mental health following the assault are very emotional and raw. Quinn's feelings and thoughts as she struggled to find ways to both make sense of what was happening to her, and to ensure that her attacker was held to account for what he did are so accurate.
Spoiler alert. I was pleased Quinn did find ‘justice’. Unfortunately, not always what happens in the real world.
I liked the fact that the author showed Quinn finding understanding and support not only from her female friends, but also from some of her male friends who were prepared to challenge the ’boys will be boys’ culture and recognise that no one should be allowed to use this as an excuse to avoid being held accountable for their actions.
A tough but necessary read.