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A review by madisbookshelf
Tampa by Alissa Nutting
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Growing up I loved watching and learning about true crime. So much so that I am now perusing a psychology degree in the hopes of one day becoming a criminal psychologist. So when I first heard about this book on TikTok, I knew I needed to read it immediately.
"Tampa" by Alissa Nutting centers around Celeste, a 26-year-old middle school teacher, and one of her 14-year-old students, Jack. The story is told through the point of view of Celeste as she tries and successfully grooms the young boy into a sexual relationship with her.
After completing this read, I can see why some people don't like it and find it to be extremely uncomfortable. However, I feel that this book is one that every adult should read, and for good reason. In our society, teenage boys are often looked at as overly sexual beings and because of this, their assaults and sexual abuse stories are heavily downplayed and are often disregarded as "Oh, he's a teenage boy. He definitely wanted it", especially when their abuser is a woman. In "Tampa", these societal themes are on full display for readers to witness firsthand. Through the inner monologue of Celeste and the trial at the end of the novel, readers are able to see how these stereotypes surrounding teen boys help predators gain leverage against them and enviably help them get away with the crime if it was ever brought to light. I also feel that this novel helps to bring attention to the lack of empathy often given to male victims in situations where they were taken advantage of by an older woman. Many characters in this story, male and female, took place in victim-blaming tactics that ultimately did nothing but encourage the victims to stay silent or in a way, take pride in the fact that they were assaulted by an attractive older woman.
I love Alissa for taking on the challenge of writing the story of such a horrid and disturbing woman and applaud her for bringing attention to a problem that occurs way too often in society.
"Tampa" by Alissa Nutting centers around Celeste, a 26-year-old middle school teacher, and one of her 14-year-old students, Jack. The story is told through the point of view of Celeste as she tries and successfully grooms the young boy into a sexual relationship with her.
After completing this read, I can see why some people don't like it and find it to be extremely uncomfortable. However, I feel that this book is one that every adult should read, and for good reason. In our society, teenage boys are often looked at as overly sexual beings and because of this, their assaults and sexual abuse stories are heavily downplayed and are often disregarded as "Oh, he's a teenage boy. He definitely wanted it", especially when their abuser is a woman. In "Tampa", these societal themes are on full display for readers to witness firsthand. Through the inner monologue of Celeste and the trial at the end of the novel, readers are able to see how these stereotypes surrounding teen boys help predators gain leverage against them and enviably help them get away with the crime if it was ever brought to light. I also feel that this novel helps to bring attention to the lack of empathy often given to male victims in situations where they were taken advantage of by an older woman. Many characters in this story, male and female, took place in victim-blaming tactics that ultimately did nothing but encourage the victims to stay silent or in a way, take pride in the fact that they were assaulted by an attractive older woman.
I love Alissa for taking on the challenge of writing the story of such a horrid and disturbing woman and applaud her for bringing attention to a problem that occurs way too often in society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity