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curatoriallyyours's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A heavy topic but such a compelling read. Kate Elizabeth Russell has opened a window into the mind of a teenage girl who has been groomed into a sexual relationship with her teacher. This book does not shy away from showing all the ways this relationship irrevocably changes her, and continues to confuse and follow her over more than a decade. I felt, at times, that some of the side characters were somewhat flat - the government school kids, for example, who seemed like caricatures of what the author imagines government school kids to be like, and consequently the dialogue and actions of these characters tends toward the predictable. Over all, though, this book was a worthwhile read and it has left me with lots of things to ponder about the state of society and how it shapes girls and women, as well as how it positions boys and men to take advantage of that. It also made me question my own boundaries and reflect on my life experiences so far, questioning what I've accepted as "normal" that really shouldn't be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Death of parent, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
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