Journal Entry 1 by calvarez4 from Oakland, California USA on Thursday, March 03, 2005

A powerful description by an Amazon.com reviewer:

"Joyce Carol Oates, the master of tales about hapless women victimized by men, has written a brilliant novella that brings this theme to a terrifying pinnacle in a story about rape, revenge, and love. Teena Maguire and her 12-year-old daughter Bethie are assaulted while walking home through a deserted park at night. Teena is brutally gang-raped and severely beaten while Bethie hides within hearing range of the violence. Bethie is able to identify several of the assailants. At the preliminary hearing, the defense attorney makes a fool of the deputy prosecutor and humiliates Teena on the witness stand. John Dromoor, the policeman who first arrived at the scene of the violence, takes a liking to Teena and Bethie and vows to help in any way he can to right the wrongs against them. Yes, this book is also a love story, but certainly not in the more conventional sense.
The story paints a powerful picture of the lingering after-effects of a horrible and violent crime. The friends and relatives of the rapists cast Teena as the instigator rather than the victim, and Teena becomes an outcast in her own town. She is so devastated that she wishes she had died instead of surviving the attack. Bethie finds that her identity has been irrevocably altered to that of the daughter of the woman who was gang-raped. She is now her mother's caretaker. The perpetrators are out on bail, and they continue to menace the victims. Bethie fears for her life since she was the person to identify the rapists.

This book is well written and the characters convincingly portrayed. The narration switches between the point of view of several of the main characters. The voice of Bethie is implemented in an unusual second person narrative. What makes this story most frightening is that rape victims can be, and often are, tormented by these same scenarios. In Oates' skillful hands, the psychological impacts are brought home in a frightening way. I recommend this story whether or not you are an Oates fan. It will haunt you long after you turn the final page."

 

Journal Entry 2 by calvarez4 at on Monday, April 04, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (4/4/2005 UTC) at

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

This is my first book by Oates, and although I have heard wonderful things about her, I was still surprised at what a powerful writer she is. The content of this book, as you can read in the blurb above, will certainly be triggering for some, and so I recommend it with that grain of salt. That being said, my partner read it in one sitting, and was intensely moved by the entire novel. I broke my reading into smaller segments, because I found the plotline difficult to digest, and very moving. I work with sexual assault victims, and I was thankful to see that Oates' portrayal of this reality was rather accurate. However, I am still a bit...thrown off? ... by the idea of a "love story" emerging from this plot. I don't want to leave any spoilers here :), but I would be interested in discussing this book with future readers.

I will definitely be reading more by Oates in the future.

This book is now ready to travel, and is off to cheesygiraffe as part of the relay site! 

Journal Entry 3 by cheesygiraffe from Florence, Alabama USA on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Received in the mail today. Thanks for offering it on the relays.
This looks like another great book by this author. 

Journal Entry 4 by cheesygiraffe from Florence, Alabama USA on Thursday, March 16, 2006

Wow! This book hooked me in and didn't let go till I finished it. Very raw indeed.

Saving for Giz-Angel. It's on her wish list and she's Miss April in our Book-A-Holics group. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 5 by Giz-angel from Greenwich, Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, May 05, 2006

YES! Thanks so much Cheesy you are the bestest fromage in the world! Looking forward to reading this - I think I saw it in a swap an age ago and I wanted it.... xxxxx 

Journal Entry 6 by Giz-angel from Greenwich, Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Well I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this, but I did - I just read it all the way through in 2 sittings. It was pretty gripping stuff.

Next this is going to kzel81 who chose it in the TBR relay - thanks K for making me finally read it! 

Journal Entry 7 by kzel from Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Friday, August 07, 2009

Book arrived safely - sorry for the delay in journalling! 

Journal Entry 8 by kzel at Walters Wine Bar in Melbourne, Victoria Australia on Saturday, October 16, 2010

Released 1 yr ago (10/17/2010 UTC) at Walters Wine Bar in Melbourne, Victoria Australia

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Taking along to the brunch meet up tomorrow 

Journal Entry 9 by cathyinoz at Melbourne CBD, Victoria Australia on Sunday, October 17, 2010

Picked this up at BC Brunch in the city. I've read other novels by Oates including one for teens and enjoyed her writing. Looking forward to reading this.