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A review by kkyulkive
Bitter End by Jennifer Brown
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I appreciate and admire Jennifer Brown’s choice of a topic which generally is shied away from, but on the other, in terms of reading and literary enjoyment, I had a few problems with ‘Bitter End’.
Character wise, Brown aced it. Having never experienced an abusive relationship before, Alex provided insight into the reason why someone would stay in an abusive relationship - she made the excuses, she felt the guilt, she tried to blame herself. All things I suspect an abused person would do. Likewise, Cole displayed many traits of, at least what I imagine to be, an abuser. He was hot and cold, possessive and aggressive, capable of being sweet one minute and terrifying the next.
In as sensitive a way as possible, Alex was an everyday girl. And Brown’s depiction of her as such resonated, in that, anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse. Typically, many people figure victims of domestic abuse are weak and incapable of defending themselves, but as shown in ‘Bitter End’, there’s a lot more going on in the relationship. There’s the fear. The love. The helplessness.
Zack and Bethany were perfect examples of people who don’t understand. I loved them at the beginning, but when it really mattered, they didn’t understand, and because of that, I was just really disappointed. I understand that they represent the people in victim’s lives who don’t understand the situation, having never been victims of domestic abuse themselves, but I had hoped, for Alex’s sake, that they would have played a more active role in helping her, as opposed to letting their own anger result in her feeling even more alone and helpless.
So, like I said. Characterisation in this book was perfect. It was realistic and powerful. And, I particularly liked the ongoing issue of Colorado and Alex’s mum - it not only added a layer to Alex’s character and her relationships with her friends and family, but it also provided a potential reason for her being drawn to Cole, and persisting with their relationship.
But, from a purely reading point-of-view, it was hard to be surprised, and to an extent, connect. From the beginning, just by reading the blurb, I knew it was going to be about domestic abuse. And so, the whole beginning of the book; when Alex fell in love with Cole, and everything appeared to be wonderful, I was just waiting. Waiting for everything to stop being so wonderful, and for Cole to become the monster.
As such, I couldn’t fall in love with Cole as Alex did, and I couldn’t understand her reasoning, because I knew, as an outsider, and someone who understood what their relationship was going to become from the start, that he was going to be abusive, and she was going to be hurt.
Despite all this, I want people to read this book. Maybe the plot and the events aren’t surprising, but Alex’s commentary, and seeing things unravel through her eyes, helped me to, at least to a certain extent, understand and I think, the ability to empathise and understand is so so important.
Character wise, Brown aced it. Having never experienced an abusive relationship before, Alex provided insight into the reason why someone would stay in an abusive relationship - she made the excuses, she felt the guilt, she tried to blame herself. All things I suspect an abused person would do. Likewise, Cole displayed many traits of, at least what I imagine to be, an abuser. He was hot and cold, possessive and aggressive, capable of being sweet one minute and terrifying the next.
In as sensitive a way as possible, Alex was an everyday girl. And Brown’s depiction of her as such resonated, in that, anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse. Typically, many people figure victims of domestic abuse are weak and incapable of defending themselves, but as shown in ‘Bitter End’, there’s a lot more going on in the relationship. There’s the fear. The love. The helplessness.
Zack and Bethany were perfect examples of people who don’t understand. I loved them at the beginning, but when it really mattered, they didn’t understand, and because of that, I was just really disappointed. I understand that they represent the people in victim’s lives who don’t understand the situation, having never been victims of domestic abuse themselves, but I had hoped, for Alex’s sake, that they would have played a more active role in helping her, as opposed to letting their own anger result in her feeling even more alone and helpless.
So, like I said. Characterisation in this book was perfect. It was realistic and powerful. And, I particularly liked the ongoing issue of Colorado and Alex’s mum - it not only added a layer to Alex’s character and her relationships with her friends and family, but it also provided a potential reason for her being drawn to Cole, and persisting with their relationship.
But, from a purely reading point-of-view, it was hard to be surprised, and to an extent, connect. From the beginning, just by reading the blurb, I knew it was going to be about domestic abuse. And so, the whole beginning of the book; when Alex fell in love with Cole, and everything appeared to be wonderful, I was just waiting. Waiting for everything to stop being so wonderful, and for Cole to become the monster.
As such, I couldn’t fall in love with Cole as Alex did, and I couldn’t understand her reasoning, because I knew, as an outsider, and someone who understood what their relationship was going to become from the start, that he was going to be abusive, and she was going to be hurt.
Despite all this, I want people to read this book. Maybe the plot and the events aren’t surprising, but Alex’s commentary, and seeing things unravel through her eyes, helped me to, at least to a certain extent, understand and I think, the ability to empathise and understand is so so important.