Journal Entry 1 by tangledthreads from Derby, Derbyshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Proof paperback edition. Jacket blurb: "It's the Fourth of July, a hot and heady time. Fireworks spark as a town celebrates the bloody fight for Independence. Teena Maguire and her daughter Bethie decide to leave the heat of the crowd and head home from the party. As they take the cooling walk home through the park, Teena feels uneasy. A group of boys catch sight of the pair from across the lake. The boys scent blood. They tease Teena, chase her and corner her in front of her daughter. Rape begins with what is almost unsayable, and tells of the brutality and cowardice that overtakes a small town in the aftermath of the attack. A diamond-hard dissection of modern mores, Rape is not only the story of Teena and Bethie and their insolent assailants but also the tale of their silent champion, a man who knows the meaning of justice. And love."

I know it's about more than the title, but I just can't bring myself to want to read this.

Sending to cats-eye in postal trade. 

Journal Entry 2 by cats-eye from Bishop Auckland, County Durham United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Arrived safely with it's travelling companions :) Thanks for the trade(s), tangledthreads! This one has been on my wishlist for some time - I'll give it a try and see if I can read it. 

Journal Entry 3 by cats-eye from Bishop Auckland, County Durham United Kingdom on Wednesday, December 20, 2006

This is a very strange little book. The style of writing is quite odd, but suits the story...and I haven't read anything else by Oats, so it may be her usual style. The focus of the book is the rape, but there are several other storylines running beneath it, one featuring the cop John Dromoor whose motives and idea of justice leaves you wondering. I was a bit puzzled by the way the story ended - it kind of made me angry at Teena, where before I felt sorry for her. Certainly not a "light read", this one! Thanks for sharing, tangledthreads - I'll move it on as soon as I can :o) 

Journal Entry 4 by cats-eye from Bishop Auckland, County Durham United Kingdom on Tuesday, January 02, 2007

on it's way shortly to wormyone as a RABCK - I'll be curious to see what you think!

ETA: 12/02/07
After a bit of a delay, this one is finally in the post!! 

Journal Entry 5 by WormyOne from Brighton & Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Many thanks to cats-eye for this RABCK from my wish list.

The cover art is different from that shown here. 

Journal Entry 6 by WormyOne from Brighton & Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 05, 2008

This tale of a brutal gang-rape and its aftermath is shocking, distressing and disturbing. Joyce Carole Oates pulls no punches in her indictment of small-town America and the US justice system. 

Journal Entry 7 by WormyOne from Brighton & Hove, East Sussex United Kingdom on Saturday, October 18, 2008

Lent to TheNobleCove.