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A review by chuskeyreads
Some Boys by Patty Blount
5.0
This is not an easy book to read, but the story needs to be told.
”Giving up is easy, not right.”
A riveting tale about the aftermath of rape - not only how it affects Grace, but the reactions of her family, friends, classmates, and teachers - This book is captivating and hard to put down. Grace’s fear, anxiety, and pain gripped my heart and made my stomach lurch at times. I get it. I totally get it. Pain like that doesn’t easily go away, and reading stories like this one have a way of dredging up the past. I should know.
Told in alternating chapters, the story unfolds from Grace’s perspective and that of her attacker’s best friend, Ian. The most powerful part of the story is the way in which Grace’s words and actions are misinterpreted by Ian in his chapters and later clarified in the chapters Grace narrates. The honest voices of these two characters is enough to make others think, reflect, and (hopefully) reach that pivotal “ah-ha” moment.
At first, it seems as if the entire school is against Grace for accusing golden boy lacrosse star Zac of rape. She becomes a social pariah, ostracized and demeaned by everyone, including teachers and administrators. Some may say it’s unrealistic, but how many high school kids are actually willing to go against the popular, charming star athlete? Many times, students keep their mouths shut and their heads down for fear of being ostracized themselves. It’s easier to say nothing than to open their mouths and do what’s right.
Ian’s struggle between his best friend and Grace is honest and moving. The fact that he wrestles with what he thinks versus what he sees creates the complicated internal struggle he has with his own identity and culpability in the way he treats girls.
“It’s not about Grace, not really. It’s all about Zac. He leads, and we follow. Why? I don’t know. Nobody’s ever not followed.”
This is such a true statement. We see this sort of injustice everywhere. Smartphones and the Internet just make it all that much worse. When I was in high school, nasty, anonymous phone calls were the punishment. You can unplug the phone and erase the answering machine; but you can’t erase the Internet.
I hate to be a spoiler but,
Very well done.
And to Patty Blount: thank you.
”Giving up is easy, not right.”
A riveting tale about the aftermath of rape - not only how it affects Grace, but the reactions of her family, friends, classmates, and teachers - This book is captivating and hard to put down. Grace’s fear, anxiety, and pain gripped my heart and made my stomach lurch at times. I get it. I totally get it. Pain like that doesn’t easily go away, and reading stories like this one have a way of dredging up the past. I should know.
Told in alternating chapters, the story unfolds from Grace’s perspective and that of her attacker’s best friend, Ian. The most powerful part of the story is the way in which Grace’s words and actions are misinterpreted by Ian in his chapters and later clarified in the chapters Grace narrates. The honest voices of these two characters is enough to make others think, reflect, and (hopefully) reach that pivotal “ah-ha” moment.
At first, it seems as if the entire school is against Grace for accusing golden boy lacrosse star Zac of rape. She becomes a social pariah, ostracized and demeaned by everyone, including teachers and administrators. Some may say it’s unrealistic, but how many high school kids are actually willing to go against the popular, charming star athlete? Many times, students keep their mouths shut and their heads down for fear of being ostracized themselves. It’s easier to say nothing than to open their mouths and do what’s right.
Ian’s struggle between his best friend and Grace is honest and moving. The fact that he wrestles with what he thinks versus what he sees creates the complicated internal struggle he has with his own identity and culpability in the way he treats girls.
“It’s not about Grace, not really. It’s all about Zac. He leads, and we follow. Why? I don’t know. Nobody’s ever not followed.”
This is such a true statement. We see this sort of injustice everywhere. Smartphones and the Internet just make it all that much worse. When I was in high school, nasty, anonymous phone calls were the punishment. You can unplug the phone and erase the answering machine; but you can’t erase the Internet.
I hate to be a spoiler but,
Spoiler
I’m a sucker for a happy ending - blame it on Disney, fairy tales, what have you. Reading is an escape, and who doesn’t want the bad guy to get caught and the girl to get her happily ever after? It may be a little unrealistic, but I like it.Very well done.
And to Patty Blount: thank you.