twosunflowers 's review for:

Mysterious Skin by Scott Heim

4.75

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what a gut-wrenching story. i don't know how the author managed to write about a topic this disturbing in such a captivating manner. i could barely keep reading but at the same time i couldn't look away. this book is about many different things, but first and foremost about the insidious and often illogical way in which abuse works (CSA in particular). it's also a big fuck-you to anyone who has opinions on what a "perfect victim" should behave like. i feel like the multiple POV narration really served the story and helped create fully realised, fleshed-out characters such as Neil, Brian and Eric. i also can't help but compare the original novel to the phenomenal movie by Gregg Araki, who now i can confidently say did a wonderful job adapting it. both the book and the movie are amazing in their own way and to say that they broke my heart would be a gross understatement.