Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Asking For It

“I would lie awake in the same single bed that I had slept in since I was a child, staring at the blank ceiling, wondering where the stars had gone.”

I sped through this in roughly 48 hours. It managed to suck me in instantly and the emotionally shattering second half had me absolutely enthralled. Readers should certainly be aware of the trigger warnings (including transphobic slurs and mentions of eating disorders); I was also about to cry while reading this which is notable because I’m emotionally numb (✌🏻🤠) and rarely cry when appropriate. I really appreciate the author’s approach of making the protagonist “unlikeable” as it raised considerations about what we expect from victims. I think anyone who really liked My Dark Vanessa would really like Asking For It.

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ceci_cc's review

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challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was very difficult to read but it was well done and I think it was accurate, unfortunately.

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venice_bitch's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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kasey_reads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Obviously, this is a very difficult review to write, because I didn't enjoy this book, nor do I necessarily recommend it, but I think it's incredibly important and stunningly written.

Louise O'Neill tackles an extremely difficult subject, and uses first person narration to fully immerse the reader in Emma's thoughts and feelings. I think it's also really important that O'Neill wrote characters who are not inherently likeable. Emma is vain, petty, and selfish. Her mother is self-centered, rigid, and mean. Her father is cold, weak, and frankly, a bit of an idiot. These characters are frustrating, but they're also raw and real. Even her own family and friends don't rally around Emma after her assault. She feels and is very much alone. This choice makes the story even more harrowing.

Louise O'Neill's writing is visceral, and pulls the reader in to the deepest thoughts of Emma.

Overall, this is a frustrating story. Something terrible happens and O'Neill outlines the terrible aftermath.

I think that this is a really important story for young people to read. I think it's important to read a first-person narrative of an imperfect young woman who victimized in the most atrocious way. It's important for young people to learn that no one, ever, is asking for it.

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kamilla_murphy's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book really took me on quite an emotional journey - wow. It was so impactful and eye opening, encouraging a much needed discussion on the subject of sexual assault and consent. I really respect this book for how shocking and awful it is as it is so realistic. As a result of this, it makes it even more sad for me. Knowing that the first half of the novel, and the tragic events that form the basis of the plot, took place in a small town in Ireland to a fifth year student made it feel too close to home. It was frightening but in a way that I have the upmost respect for the author and the messages she touched on. The aftermath of the events, the interactions with the parents, and that ending (!!) was all too shockingly real. O’Neill is an amazing author with incredibly attention to detail and particularly vivid characters. She transports the reader to the heart of the drama and engraves the story and characters in one’s mind for a long time after finishing the novel.

Although the ending might be disappointing to some, as Emma never seeks justice for what happened to her in hopes that dropping the law suit will mend her family, it was heartbreakingly realistic. It shows the extent of the conflicting feelings one would have after such trauma. The sheer impact those events had on her family was awful to imagine but unfortunately quite expected.

Truthfully, everyone should read this book in order to shed light on the often avoided topic of consent and the standards for young men and women. It challenges the opinions of readers in an especially thought provoking manner, including questions we should all be asking ourselves. Undoubtedly, The Ballinatoom Girl will remain in my mind.

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