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wrengates's review
4.0
Up to now I have read a fair number of books about teenage crisis, rape, tragedy, etc. Not because the subject matter is enjoyable, but because as a teacher of teenagers, I find the YA perspectives in these books to be eye-opening and insightful.
I was thrilled to find this one on a shelf at a local store, and it struck me that it is one of the few in this genre that are both set in Canada and written by a Canadian author. I am not one who typically gravitates toward a book abut cheerleaders, coming from a small island where only one high school actually has a cheer team and no one has ever heard of cheer competitions outside of reality tv, but I was interested and decided to give it a shot.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
I will try to keep too many spoilers out of my review, but there will be a few.
One of my favourite things about this book was that the adults in it were not useless. It has been a common critique in TV shows and books that the adults seen through the eyes of teen protagonists are useless or incompetent, especially parents or those involved through school and law enforcement. However, Exit Pursued by a Bear has one of the best views of the adults involved that I have ever read. Maybe it is because I am in an education roll, but so often when these adults are portrayed as not reliable or not sure of where to go/what to do, I think it shakes the confidence of those teens reading the novels to confide in adults in their own lives. So the portrayal of adults as knowing what they can do, actually being helpful, and contributing to the resolution of crisis is so refreshing.
I also appreciated Hermione's outlook as a teen who has been raped. This was one of the first novels of this type that I have read that downplayed the teenage angst without downplaying the event. That isn't to say that Hermione did not appear to have very real reactions, but for once it was not a mental breakdown every chapter and a tearful encounter every other page. Rather, Hermione navigates the ups and downs, the mental cracks and the return from tragedy with a grace and strength and a support network that beautifully reflects the other half of trauma-survivor perspectives.
This isn't a book for everyone, and it is definitely a quicker read, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who teaches teens. Both students and adults will find this to be a refreshing local perspective on the ways in which trauma can impact and shape a life.
I was thrilled to find this one on a shelf at a local store, and it struck me that it is one of the few in this genre that are both set in Canada and written by a Canadian author. I am not one who typically gravitates toward a book abut cheerleaders, coming from a small island where only one high school actually has a cheer team and no one has ever heard of cheer competitions outside of reality tv, but I was interested and decided to give it a shot.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
I will try to keep too many spoilers out of my review, but there will be a few.
One of my favourite things about this book was that the adults in it were not useless. It has been a common critique in TV shows and books that the adults seen through the eyes of teen protagonists are useless or incompetent, especially parents or those involved through school and law enforcement. However, Exit Pursued by a Bear has one of the best views of the adults involved that I have ever read. Maybe it is because I am in an education roll, but so often when these adults are portrayed as not reliable or not sure of where to go/what to do, I think it shakes the confidence of those teens reading the novels to confide in adults in their own lives. So the portrayal of adults as knowing what they can do, actually being helpful, and contributing to the resolution of crisis is so refreshing.
I also appreciated Hermione's outlook as a teen who has been raped. This was one of the first novels of this type that I have read that downplayed the teenage angst without downplaying the event. That isn't to say that Hermione did not appear to have very real reactions, but for once it was not a mental breakdown every chapter and a tearful encounter every other page. Rather, Hermione navigates the ups and downs, the mental cracks and the return from tragedy with a grace and strength and a support network that beautifully reflects the other half of trauma-survivor perspectives.
This isn't a book for everyone, and it is definitely a quicker read, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who teaches teens. Both students and adults will find this to be a refreshing local perspective on the ways in which trauma can impact and shape a life.
hntodd's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this book was absolutely amazing and deserves a way higher rating.
petrock28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
karissachaput's review against another edition
5.0
There are so many things that I loved about this book, it was honestly so well written. The characters are phenomenal especially Hermione and Polly. They seemed so real to me, like they were actual living and breathing people.
My emotions ran wild, my heart pounded, and I felt everything they felt.
It was truly an epic read.
My emotions ran wild, my heart pounded, and I felt everything they felt.
It was truly an epic read.
snaillydia's review against another edition
2.0
Despite having a premise that promises anguish and a heartbreaking, or at least sad, story, somehow this book manages to be mediocre. Remarkably mediocre.
I cannot say that any of the issues weren't handled well by the author. It's obvious that a lot of thought was put into giving this story the respect it deserves. And yet that's not enough for this book to be anything other than painfully meh.
The characters were fine. The setting was standard. The writing was fine, despite how annoying it was at times. The author decided it was best if our narrator never described anything. So I had to fill in the gaps and make up everything in order to be able to picture this story as I read. No effort was put into giving this setting any sort of depth.
I did like how realistic our narrator was. Hermione is in a tragic situation and following her through her healing felt very real. That's very hard to pull off in a story like this and mad props to the author for doing it.
Oh, by the way, I might be dumb, but how was Shakespeare involved in this? What's Shakespearean about this novel other than the title?
I cannot say that any of the issues weren't handled well by the author. It's obvious that a lot of thought was put into giving this story the respect it deserves. And yet that's not enough for this book to be anything other than painfully meh.
The characters were fine. The setting was standard. The writing was fine, despite how annoying it was at times. The author decided it was best if our narrator never described anything. So I had to fill in the gaps and make up everything in order to be able to picture this story as I read. No effort was put into giving this setting any sort of depth.
I did like how realistic our narrator was. Hermione is in a tragic situation and following her through her healing felt very real. That's very hard to pull off in a story like this and mad props to the author for doing it.
Oh, by the way, I might be dumb, but how was Shakespeare involved in this? What's Shakespearean about this novel other than the title?
indigoivee's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Amazing.
Hermione was a victim and a survivor, but she would not let those things define her. She was string and brave but this was a result of her extremely supportive team, her coach, her best friend and even the officer of her case. I loved the way Hermoine handled it with Grace, how she allowed herself to feel the pain of what she was going through but also allowed herself to ask for help and depend on those around her who she knew she could trust. Polly, Coach Caledon, her team and her family were perfect examples of what to do when someone you’ve known your entire life goes through an assault like this, they were supportive, they defended her, the protected her and gave her space when she needed it most. Hermoine was never alone, someone held her hand through it all, and best of all, they believed her.
This was not a cautionary tale, but it was fucking brilliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Rape
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
1.5/5
I enjoy E.K. Johnston's books but with this one I felt like there was only three main points to the plot and some of it wasn't laid out as well as the other. I felt like there was more on the incident then the rumors and school having a field day with it.
I enjoy E.K. Johnston's books but with this one I felt like there was only three main points to the plot and some of it wasn't laid out as well as the other. I felt like there was more on the incident then the rumors and school having a field day with it.
rainbowbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
I love YA. Oftentimes I am disappointed by how the genre is romance-centered. This novel gives us all the ingredients for a stereotypical YA romance: popular head cheerleader with a boyfriend about to start her Senior year in high school. However, just before school starts, she is slipped a roofie and raped. In one moment her entire future changes. What follows is a realistic portrayal of the conflicts she faces along the way, but also the support team that helps her come to terms with what happens.
kvreadsandrecs's review against another edition
4.0
Certainly idealistic, but perhaps more for people who are close to somebody who has been sexually assaulted. This is what a good support network looks like.