Scan barcode
steph01924's review against another edition
3.0
A powerful and timely story about speaking up for yourself, finding justice, and finding strength in the truth. Check out my full review over at Forever Young Adult.
nikki1211's review against another edition
4.0
Before we start, can we talk about this cover? It’s eye catching and elegant. Definitely attracts a reader to want to read the synopsis, IMO.
This story couldn’t be more relevant to what we have been experiencing as a society. In the wake of the increasingly alarming stories of sexual assault being shared this book provides perspective from the victims; it will make you pause and evaluate how you, and others around you, support victims – or lack thereof.
The story follows 3 women who have been taken advantage of by their adult teacher: a family man who preys on 15 year-old students. They did not know each other then, but one’s story brings the unlikely group of friends together to expose a school’s beloved teacher and said school’s negligence in investigating previous complaints. It is such an important story, and the author did a great job of creating 3 different characters who experienced similar abuse but each were affected in different ways.
“Furious about a society that so easily casts doubt and blame on women as though we have nothing better to do than make up stories.” In reality most victims prefer to not speak out in fear of being shamed. Author, [a:Victoria Namkung|7064714|Victoria Namkung|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1504290393p2/7064714.jpg], takes you on a journey that will make you question what you would do, or how you would judge, in a similar situation.
The book is a quick read, and one I highly recommend to all.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
This was my first experience with a NetGalley book and I am very impressed.
This story couldn’t be more relevant to what we have been experiencing as a society. In the wake of the increasingly alarming stories of sexual assault being shared this book provides perspective from the victims; it will make you pause and evaluate how you, and others around you, support victims – or lack thereof.
The story follows 3 women who have been taken advantage of by their adult teacher: a family man who preys on 15 year-old students. They did not know each other then, but one’s story brings the unlikely group of friends together to expose a school’s beloved teacher and said school’s negligence in investigating previous complaints. It is such an important story, and the author did a great job of creating 3 different characters who experienced similar abuse but each were affected in different ways.
“Furious about a society that so easily casts doubt and blame on women as though we have nothing better to do than make up stories.” In reality most victims prefer to not speak out in fear of being shamed. Author, [a:Victoria Namkung|7064714|Victoria Namkung|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1504290393p2/7064714.jpg], takes you on a journey that will make you question what you would do, or how you would judge, in a similar situation.
The book is a quick read, and one I highly recommend to all.
I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
This was my first experience with a NetGalley book and I am very impressed.
sarahlopod's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when going into this book. I loved the cover and when I skimmed the blurb, it definitely seemed like something up my alley. While the book had several positive points, it was overall underwhelming for me and kind of fell in the middle of the road as far as enjoyment went.
Overall, the message in the book was great. It was extremely supportive of survivors from all over the spectrum. I also like how all of the survivors were their own people, they had different experiences, different histories, and different reactions. I felt like the writing itself could have used some more work. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to any of the characters, and so the book wasn’t as hard-hitting for me as it should have been.
I wouldn’t steer anyone away from this book if they’re interested, but I also don’t see myself recommending it to anyone. I feel like there are better portrayals of assault survivors out there to read.
Overall, the message in the book was great. It was extremely supportive of survivors from all over the spectrum. I also like how all of the survivors were their own people, they had different experiences, different histories, and different reactions. I felt like the writing itself could have used some more work. I didn’t feel emotionally connected to any of the characters, and so the book wasn’t as hard-hitting for me as it should have been.
I wouldn’t steer anyone away from this book if they’re interested, but I also don’t see myself recommending it to anyone. I feel like there are better portrayals of assault survivors out there to read.
soupwitch86's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Was not very impressed. It touched upon heavy topics, mainly statutory rape, older men having relationships with underage girls, men using their power over girls/women to get away with whatever they want. All very relevant.
My two main issues with the novel for me was
1. One of the characters in the novel were half-Korean, but other than that, I think everyone was white. Would have loved to see more WOC characters, especially since they are impacted the hardest in situations likes this.
2. There was no real character development, no real investment in the characters. It read more like an article/essay rather than a story. Not the worst, and actually what I needed at the moment, but definitely not soul shattering.
My two main issues with the novel for me was
1. One of the characters in the novel were half-Korean, but other than that, I think everyone was white. Would have loved to see more WOC characters, especially since they are impacted the hardest in situations likes this.
2. There was no real character development, no real investment in the characters. It read more like an article/essay rather than a story. Not the worst, and actually what I needed at the moment, but definitely not soul shattering.
sofia_casanova's review against another edition
3.0
It has been a while since I have read women’s fiction or anything in the literary fiction genre, but These Violent Delights by Victoria Namkung intrigued me. While the title, from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, was interesting, it was the novel’s exploration of the struggles of women, the pressures of society and how women are treated in the face of adversity that really made me pick this up.
These Violent Delights is a compelling read, packed with information and thorough research on sexual assault victims and trauma. The story is narrated by four women, one being a prominent journalist and the other three are victims of assault by an English high school teacher at Windemere School for Girls. Through these multiple perspectives, the novel offers a greater exploration of sexuality, victimisation and what it means to be a woman in modern day society.
The novel takes a strong stance on the rights of women and young girls, making a point about children needing to feel safe and secure in their school environment. The core of the novel shines through as we dive deeper into the investigation, unearthing the stereotypes and societal expectations of women. The novel reads like a court case; it commences with journalistic approach to set alight the investigation from the initial inklings of denial to the sentencing of the perpetrator. It is also drenched in facts and knowledge about rape culture and the credibility of women.
However, I found some aspects of the novel to be almost too informative in the way it was presented. I felt the novel dragged when the women’s stories are told in long rambling paragraphs, in newspaper articles, letters and social media. I simply didn’t enjoy the long chunks of dialogue and italicised text, especially during group discussions where I felt the dialogue was too formal and structured.
I also found I couldn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. While they were distinct in characteristics and personality – I liked reading about Caryn and Sasha in particular – I only cared about them in regards to their strength in facing their trauma together.
Overall, These Violent Delights is a novel relevant to our time, especially with the circulation of the hashtag #MeToo and the fight for women’s rights against rape culture. It is an insightful and sober tale that deals with the hardships of trauma, sexual abuse and how to come to terms with it.
These Violent Delights is a compelling read, packed with information and thorough research on sexual assault victims and trauma. The story is narrated by four women, one being a prominent journalist and the other three are victims of assault by an English high school teacher at Windemere School for Girls. Through these multiple perspectives, the novel offers a greater exploration of sexuality, victimisation and what it means to be a woman in modern day society.
The novel takes a strong stance on the rights of women and young girls, making a point about children needing to feel safe and secure in their school environment. The core of the novel shines through as we dive deeper into the investigation, unearthing the stereotypes and societal expectations of women. The novel reads like a court case; it commences with journalistic approach to set alight the investigation from the initial inklings of denial to the sentencing of the perpetrator. It is also drenched in facts and knowledge about rape culture and the credibility of women.
However, I found some aspects of the novel to be almost too informative in the way it was presented. I felt the novel dragged when the women’s stories are told in long rambling paragraphs, in newspaper articles, letters and social media. I simply didn’t enjoy the long chunks of dialogue and italicised text, especially during group discussions where I felt the dialogue was too formal and structured.
I also found I couldn’t connect with the characters as much as I wanted to. While they were distinct in characteristics and personality – I liked reading about Caryn and Sasha in particular – I only cared about them in regards to their strength in facing their trauma together.
Overall, These Violent Delights is a novel relevant to our time, especially with the circulation of the hashtag #MeToo and the fight for women’s rights against rape culture. It is an insightful and sober tale that deals with the hardships of trauma, sexual abuse and how to come to terms with it.
powersureater's review against another edition
3.0
“He loved to tell me I was an old soul, but I had just gotten my braces off the year prior.”
I think this book was good (Sasha’s victim statement was phenomenal) but there were definitely quite a few things that I think it could have gone harder at. The idea of institutional corruption was meant to be one of the main themes, but I feel we kept coming close to the veil without ever taking it off. It just needed more - and I do feel like the opportunity was there for even a heavy handed attempt but it was not taken.
Some other interesting things that it floated but never addressed was Eva’s husband when he said that he felt betrayed that she never told him. I think this definitely could have been the focus of her perspectives - challenging the ideas of her husband that she kept secrets, might be keeping other secrets, etc. when really she never owed it to him to tell her story and there he should be the one offering her reassurance, not the other way around.
I also feel like Ann Erickson as a whole was such an under-utilised device for discussion when she’s 1. a woman complicit in abuse by men (which they name but never explore further) and 2. a victim of her own having married her professor?
It’s a shame to me that even with four perspectives, the book wasn’t as well rounded as it could be with its exploration of these themes - and it didn’t even become apparent until Jane’s final POV chapter why she even had one.
I think this book was good (Sasha’s victim statement was phenomenal) but there were definitely quite a few things that I think it could have gone harder at. The idea of institutional corruption was meant to be one of the main themes, but I feel we kept coming close to the veil without ever taking it off. It just needed more - and I do feel like the opportunity was there for even a heavy handed attempt but it was not taken.
Some other interesting things that it floated but never addressed was Eva’s husband when he said that he felt betrayed that she never told him. I think this definitely could have been the focus of her perspectives - challenging the ideas of her husband that she kept secrets, might be keeping other secrets, etc. when really she never owed it to him to tell her story and there he should be the one offering her reassurance, not the other way around.
I also feel like Ann Erickson as a whole was such an under-utilised device for discussion when she’s 1. a woman complicit in abuse by men (which they name but never explore further) and 2. a victim of her own having married her professor?
It’s a shame to me that even with four perspectives, the book wasn’t as well rounded as it could be with its exploration of these themes - and it didn’t even become apparent until Jane’s final POV chapter why she even had one.
mmingie's review against another edition
2.0
It is a book that takes a difficult subject (rape in general and child molestation particularly) and presents clearly all of the ways society makes it hard on victims who come forward.
That said, I expected a novel and got a sermon. This is not a book you need to read if you already have any understanding of how rape culture works. The author does not show, she tells. Repeatedly. It felt like she was really afraid we might miss the point if she wasn't extra explicit in giving ways that every female character in the book had faced sexism and rape culture and said something witty about why it was bad.
That said, I do appreciate that she let her characters be different from each other and didn't force us to see them as angels throughout.
That said, I expected a novel and got a sermon. This is not a book you need to read if you already have any understanding of how rape culture works. The author does not show, she tells. Repeatedly. It felt like she was really afraid we might miss the point if she wasn't extra explicit in giving ways that every female character in the book had faced sexism and rape culture and said something witty about why it was bad.
That said, I do appreciate that she let her characters be different from each other and didn't force us to see them as angels throughout.
cokechukwu's review against another edition
2.0
This book is not well-written. There is lots of dialogue that sounds nothing like how normal humans talk, and every character sounds the same. The romance between Ben and Jane was also unnecessary and distracting in what was otherwise a pretty tightly plotted story. I would actually like to see the author write a long-form investigative journalism piece about institutional coverups of sexual misconduct, but as a novel this book does not work. On the plus side though, I have to give it points for being timely and a page-turner, and for being another voice for survivors.