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flying_monkeys's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Deals with an important topic for all ages - guilt and shame after rape - but the delivery is too superficial. Definitely reads like a 70s / 80s young adult book. I appreciate the attempt to spotlight these crucial topics, including the fact that rapists still get away with their crime and victims are still the ones on trial, I just wish there'd been a bit more depth to certain scenes.
3 stars
3 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
britainmic's review against another edition
4.0
The first book in a while that’s made me cry; it took a lot to not let myself bawl. I did not like the ending because it’s not how it should’ve happened, but unfortunately that reality happens more frequently than it should. This book being written by a man makes me like it more. It’s not just as if a woman is fighting for her voice to be heard but a man sticking up for a woman and speaking for her as well. It can be depressing, the book, but it’s well written and grasps your attention. It feels controversial to say I enjoyed it, which you understand if you know what happens.
anjoupair's review against another edition
3.0
I was expecting a taut, teen thriller and—for the first half—that's what I got. The second half was spent coming to terms with the all-too-real horror. I was surprised at the adult subject matter broached in this "young adult" novel, especially given that it was published the mid-'70s. Overall, not too after-school special in tone, but a greater dose of reality than I had anticipated. Incidentally, it was made into a TV movie starring Blythe Danner, Dennis Quaid, and John's sister, Ellen Travolta. Has anyone seen it?
tomhill's review against another edition
4.0
While the novel succeeds as a thriller, the mystery at its center is solved about a hundred pages in. It is here the novel switches gears; the thriller elements mostly fade away and the focus
Spoiler
becomes on the aftermath of Gail’s rape. Peck’s purpose is not to unduly punish his protagonist, but to point to deeper societal flaws: the fact that rapists often get the benefit of the doubt, whereas victims are not given the same courtesy.caitlingb's review against another edition
4.0
Richard Peck was one of my favorites when I was in 6th grade. This is one of the first one of his that I read.
allysunsun's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in grade 8 and I am still traumatized by it. So I guess it was pretty good!
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
3.0
This book is quite a bit different than the Grandma Dowdel series that so enchanted me. Gail is 16, living in an old town in upstate New York, dating a young man her mother finds unsuitable. Well, dating in the "it's a good thing she's on the pill" sense. Then she begins getting disturbing notes and phone calls. She doesn't quite know to whom she can turn for help, and the few she does turn to are out of their depth.
This book asks more questions than it answers, and spells out quite clearly the frustrating idea that not all things can be made right, or even acceptable. I was surprised at how tense the story made me feel, drawing me into the Gail's fear and helplessness. At the end, Gail showed more strength and acceptance of reality than her parents did.
This book asks more questions than it answers, and spells out quite clearly the frustrating idea that not all things can be made right, or even acceptable. I was surprised at how tense the story made me feel, drawing me into the Gail's fear and helplessness. At the end, Gail showed more strength and acceptance of reality than her parents did.