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The Little Brother
Life is pretty sweet for Even Hyde. Despite his parents’ divorce in 2001, he’s doing just fine, having chosen to live with his richly successful father in Newport Beach, California. When not spending ‘bonding’ time with his partially absent father, he has his run of the house, where he more or less comes and goes as he pleases.
Even’s older brother Gabe continues to live in Cucamonga with their emotionally unstable mother. Though he feels discarded and left behind, Gabe visits Even and their father on the weekends.
Even doesn’t seem too worried about Gabe’s quick-to-ignite temper or his evolving addiction to skipping school and smoking weed.
But then Gabe commits a crime so unbelievably heinous that Even can’t forgive his own flesh and blood for it. In his personal recounting for THE LITTLE BROTHER, Even shares the events immediately following his brother and two of his friends savagely gang raping (while videotaping) an unconscious girl. When Gabe somehow ends up losing the video tape (which ends up in Even’s hand) it is up to Even to make the life-changing decision: does he do the right thing and turn his own brother in to the police or does family come first?
Even’s older brother Gabe continues to live in Cucamonga with their emotionally unstable mother. Though he feels discarded and left behind, Gabe visits Even and their father on the weekends.
Even doesn’t seem too worried about Gabe’s quick-to-ignite temper or his evolving addiction to skipping school and smoking weed.
But then Gabe commits a crime so unbelievably heinous that Even can’t forgive his own flesh and blood for it. In his personal recounting for THE LITTLE BROTHER, Even shares the events immediately following his brother and two of his friends savagely gang raping (while videotaping) an unconscious girl. When Gabe somehow ends up losing the video tape (which ends up in Even’s hand) it is up to Even to make the life-changing decision: does he do the right thing and turn his own brother in to the police or does family come first?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2015
10 people are currently reading
1089 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Patterson
19 books97 followersVictoria Patterson’s latest story collection, The Secret Habit of Sorrow, was published in 2018. The critic Michael Schaub wrote: “There’s not a story in the book that’s less than great; it’s a stunningly beautiful collection by a writer working at the top of her game.” Her novel The Little Brother, which Vanity Fair called “a brutal, deeply empathetic, and emotionally wrenching examination of American male privilege and rape culture,” was published in 2015. She is also the author of the novels The Peerless Four and This Vacant Paradise, a 2011 New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice. Her story collection, Drift, was a finalist for the California Book Award and the Story Prize and was selected as one of the best books of 2009 by the San Francisco Chronicle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
November 20, 2015
WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE NOT READING THIS BOOK???!!!! Go get it now. It deserves the hype and so much more.
Even Hyde is the little brother. He loses part of his connection with his older brother Gabe when his parents divorce and Even goes to live with his dad. Gabe stays with their emotionally unstable mom.
Dad is super rich and very much in control. He has connections with the police and the boys know that they have a "get out of jail free" card when they mention their father's name.
(These boys characters come to life in this book. I wanted to just snatch up Even and let him live with us to get him away from the whole mess and Gabe? I wanted to stomp a mudhole in his ass.)
Gabe starts hanging out more at his dad's house. Because that's where the money is and there is very little supervision.
Gabe had received a video camera from his dad for a birthday and he uses it to make skateboarding videos of himself and his friends. But that's not the only thing that Gabe is interested in making films of.
Because on the few days surrounding the fourth of July these boys lives will change forever.
Gabe and his friends commit a horrible crime. The video tape they make of them committing the crime ends up in Even's hands. Does he go against his family and turn it in? Or do as he thinks his powerful dad would do and just destroy it?
Living and breathing and existing as a part of this crazy world, not understanding what anything meant. Trying to make sense, struggling. It felt as if I could shatter, and that then I'd be nothing.
This book puts you through every emotion known to man. You feel for Even as he struggles with guilt and that gut turning rage that I felt for what his brother did.
It makes you question yourself...
People love to be indignant. "If it had been me," they like to say, if they suspect that an acquaintance or family member might be a rapist, molester, drug dealer, thief, et cetera, I would've turned him or her in right away."
But they don't know what it's like. Or they're lying. It's far more comfortable and easy to remain stupid and silent. Like I would have.
This author gives you a glimpse of what it's like. And it's one of the most emotionally tormenting books that I've read. Could you turn in a family member? Think hard before you answer that question.
There is rape in this book for all of you that can't deal with that trigger and it's pretty graphic. But it's needed for this story..in which you see the guilt of the brother who believes himself as a Judas, traitor, jackass, rat, backstabber, double-crosser, tattletale, squealer, snitch.
It's needed to see how this poor girl is turned on by the very friends that she relied on to help her. Sixteen year old girls can be just as much the devil as the boys can.
It's needed to see how someone can be "tried in the court of public opinion."
It's needed to see how money can influence the law and the court system.
You will rage.
So go read this book and decide for yourselves..it's not always so easy.
Booksource: I did receive a copy of this book from the author. She did not ask for a review. I'm furnishing that because I want too. With an overall average rating of the books I've read at 3.15 stars..it's pretty safe to say that I'm not influenced by that in the least. These are my true feelings for this book.
This book came to my attention when my friend Deanna reviewed it. Then my friend Jennifer reviewed it and helped put the author in touch with me. Thank you ladies for turning me on to this wonderfully written book!
Even Hyde is the little brother. He loses part of his connection with his older brother Gabe when his parents divorce and Even goes to live with his dad. Gabe stays with their emotionally unstable mom.
Dad is super rich and very much in control. He has connections with the police and the boys know that they have a "get out of jail free" card when they mention their father's name.
(These boys characters come to life in this book. I wanted to just snatch up Even and let him live with us to get him away from the whole mess and Gabe? I wanted to stomp a mudhole in his ass.)
Gabe starts hanging out more at his dad's house. Because that's where the money is and there is very little supervision.
Gabe had received a video camera from his dad for a birthday and he uses it to make skateboarding videos of himself and his friends. But that's not the only thing that Gabe is interested in making films of.
Because on the few days surrounding the fourth of July these boys lives will change forever.
Gabe and his friends commit a horrible crime. The video tape they make of them committing the crime ends up in Even's hands. Does he go against his family and turn it in? Or do as he thinks his powerful dad would do and just destroy it?
Living and breathing and existing as a part of this crazy world, not understanding what anything meant. Trying to make sense, struggling. It felt as if I could shatter, and that then I'd be nothing.
This book puts you through every emotion known to man. You feel for Even as he struggles with guilt and that gut turning rage that I felt for what his brother did.
It makes you question yourself...
People love to be indignant. "If it had been me," they like to say, if they suspect that an acquaintance or family member might be a rapist, molester, drug dealer, thief, et cetera, I would've turned him or her in right away."
But they don't know what it's like. Or they're lying. It's far more comfortable and easy to remain stupid and silent. Like I would have.
This author gives you a glimpse of what it's like. And it's one of the most emotionally tormenting books that I've read. Could you turn in a family member? Think hard before you answer that question.
There is rape in this book for all of you that can't deal with that trigger and it's pretty graphic. But it's needed for this story..in which you see the guilt of the brother who believes himself as a Judas, traitor, jackass, rat, backstabber, double-crosser, tattletale, squealer, snitch.
It's needed to see how this poor girl is turned on by the very friends that she relied on to help her. Sixteen year old girls can be just as much the devil as the boys can.
It's needed to see how someone can be "tried in the court of public opinion."
It's needed to see how money can influence the law and the court system.
You will rage.
So go read this book and decide for yourselves..it's not always so easy.
Booksource: I did receive a copy of this book from the author. She did not ask for a review. I'm furnishing that because I want too. With an overall average rating of the books I've read at 3.15 stars..it's pretty safe to say that I'm not influenced by that in the least. These are my true feelings for this book.
This book came to my attention when my friend Deanna reviewed it. Then my friend Jennifer reviewed it and helped put the author in touch with me. Thank you ladies for turning me on to this wonderfully written book!
June 6, 2016
Even Hyde feels that despite his parents divorce in 2001, he's doing fine. The only thing that does bother him is that he is separated from his older brother, Gabe. Even chose to live with his successful father in California while his brother continues to live with their highly emotional mother in Cucamonga.
When Gabe visits Even and their father on the weekend Even can sense that his brother is angry and seems to feel like he has been left behind. But both boys enjoy the freedom to come and go as they please as there is little to no supervision.
Although Even starts to notice Gabe's behavior grow increasingly worse he prefers to concentrate on the brother he knows well. Gabe can be funny, charming, sensitive and very funny. He doesn't want to think about the ugly side of his brother, the horrible things he can say to his friends and when he uses his intelligence in such a bullying manner. He prefers to blame his brothers friends for their bad influence. Although he wants to ignore it when Gabe starts to skip school more and is smoking weed daily, there comes the day when he can't rationalize Gabe's behavior any longer.
When Gabe commits a crime so horrible and sickening Even doesn't know if he will ever be able to forgive him.
*****I don't feel like any of this is spoiler material as most of it is mentioned in the book description but I still tried to be as careful as possible with what I wrote*****
Even has a hard time recounting what happened on the Fourth of July weekend. A jumble of images in his head it's nearly impossible for him to put into words. This novel is Even's point of view as he recounts the events that occurred after his older brother, Gabe and two friends videotape themselves brutally raping an unconscious girl. When the video ends up in Even's possession he struggles with the decision of what to do with the tape.
I could feel Even's anxiety and how overwhelmed he was with the what he knew. He truly wanted to do what was right but he wasn't exactly sure what that meant. You could just sense the inner struggle back-and-forth of what to do. The author outlined his thought process so well. For example when he realized that what he saw could never be unseen. That he was now in a place where he didn't entirely trust his father to do the right thing if he went to him with the information.
It was mentioned how people often say that if their loved one committed crimes they would be quick to turn them in no matter what. Until you're in that position in my opinion how could you possibly know what you would do? Can family loyalty persuade us to make the wrong decision? As I continued to read I wasn't sure what Even was going to do.
I am sure a lot of people have a time in their life where they wish they could unsee or unknow something but at the same time realizing that is not possible. Knowing you have a responsibility to do something, to do what's right even if it means your life is irrevocably changed as well.
Though this book was sometimes difficult to read I feel that it's a very important book that helps bring attention to many important issues. I didn't know when I first started to read that the book IS actually based on a real crime that occurred in Orange County California about 10 years ago. Disgusting how in many cases wealth can affect proper justice from happening. Some of the descriptions of the trial, the lawyers, the media and victim blaming enraged and horrified me.
I really like Victoria Patterson's style of writing. The book is well written, easy to keep up with, and the story flows along smoothly.
A dark and emotional read but one that I would still highly recommend.
When Gabe visits Even and their father on the weekend Even can sense that his brother is angry and seems to feel like he has been left behind. But both boys enjoy the freedom to come and go as they please as there is little to no supervision.
Although Even starts to notice Gabe's behavior grow increasingly worse he prefers to concentrate on the brother he knows well. Gabe can be funny, charming, sensitive and very funny. He doesn't want to think about the ugly side of his brother, the horrible things he can say to his friends and when he uses his intelligence in such a bullying manner. He prefers to blame his brothers friends for their bad influence. Although he wants to ignore it when Gabe starts to skip school more and is smoking weed daily, there comes the day when he can't rationalize Gabe's behavior any longer.
When Gabe commits a crime so horrible and sickening Even doesn't know if he will ever be able to forgive him.
*****I don't feel like any of this is spoiler material as most of it is mentioned in the book description but I still tried to be as careful as possible with what I wrote*****
Even has a hard time recounting what happened on the Fourth of July weekend. A jumble of images in his head it's nearly impossible for him to put into words. This novel is Even's point of view as he recounts the events that occurred after his older brother, Gabe and two friends videotape themselves brutally raping an unconscious girl. When the video ends up in Even's possession he struggles with the decision of what to do with the tape.
I could feel Even's anxiety and how overwhelmed he was with the what he knew. He truly wanted to do what was right but he wasn't exactly sure what that meant. You could just sense the inner struggle back-and-forth of what to do. The author outlined his thought process so well. For example when he realized that what he saw could never be unseen. That he was now in a place where he didn't entirely trust his father to do the right thing if he went to him with the information.
It was mentioned how people often say that if their loved one committed crimes they would be quick to turn them in no matter what. Until you're in that position in my opinion how could you possibly know what you would do? Can family loyalty persuade us to make the wrong decision? As I continued to read I wasn't sure what Even was going to do.
I am sure a lot of people have a time in their life where they wish they could unsee or unknow something but at the same time realizing that is not possible. Knowing you have a responsibility to do something, to do what's right even if it means your life is irrevocably changed as well.
Though this book was sometimes difficult to read I feel that it's a very important book that helps bring attention to many important issues. I didn't know when I first started to read that the book IS actually based on a real crime that occurred in Orange County California about 10 years ago. Disgusting how in many cases wealth can affect proper justice from happening. Some of the descriptions of the trial, the lawyers, the media and victim blaming enraged and horrified me.
I really like Victoria Patterson's style of writing. The book is well written, easy to keep up with, and the story flows along smoothly.
A dark and emotional read but one that I would still highly recommend.
May 11, 2019
this is definitely on the high-end of my three star ratings, and i wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to other readers. patterson's writing is strong, she approaches a difficult subject matter from a number of angles and she doesn't shy away from the raw details of a horrific crime and its ripple-effect aftermath. those of you with rape-triggers - this book gets very detailed, very descriptive, to the point where even i was occasionally uncomfortable. i personally count this as a success on the part of the writer, but readers who do not like to feel uncomfortable may wanna know that. having said that, i think this would be an excellent choice for book clubs who can handle it, because it will certainly elicit strong reactions and there are several clear jumping-off points for discussion.
it's a story of a family divided by divorce and custody, which is then further divided by a conflict between loyalty and morality. unsupervised teenagers and alcohol lead to the commission of a brutal crime, while a video camera records its every shocking moment. and although even has always felt protective of his older brother gabe, when he sees the contents of the video, he's forced to decide whether his allegiance has limits as he weighs the costs of turning his brother in or keeping silent. in the wake of the crime, many lives are destroyed, and spiraling out of the ugliness of the crime is just more unpleasantness - the ravenous media, defensive parents, insensitive lawyers, political gladhanding, slut-shaming hypocrites; horror begets horror as sides are taken and a girl's life is scrutinized and torn apart as gossip and her worst experience preserved forever in transcripts.
it's bold, well-written, and important, but for me it just didn't have that thing that pushes a book from "i liked it" into "i loved it" territory. it could simply be down to the time/place/mood in which i read it, and i wish i could pinpoint my obstacle, because rereading it today in order to write this review, i'm only seeing its positive qualities. i think it has to do with the tone - there's something almost surgical about it. or mathematical. something cold, like "here's the moral dilemma. solve for x." does this make sense? and that coldness may have been a tactical decision by the author to offset any emotional reaction the reader may have to the horrors on the page - some kind of distancing technique, but i think since i already read with my emotions disengaged, it was probably pushing me too far away.
however, there was a part that made me very uncomfortable. the book is "based on real-life events," and i'm not sure how much has been fictionalized, but holy hell - that courtroom scene - cavari is the worst. there is not a single line that comes out of his mouth, whether it be in court or in private, that doesn't make me want to punch him in the face. it's a little strange that a successful lawyer wouldn't be able to read a room better - to realize that he is frequently upsetting his own clients, or he may just not care. i wanna say that the courtroom scene is unrealistic and that no judge or prosecutor would allow for such blatant bullying, but it could be one of those "stranger more horrible than fiction" situations that goes on all the time.
i mean doesn't that lose you half the jury right there? and as much as i have been tainted by television and movies into accepting completely unrealistic depictions of how a courtroom operates, that scene seemed mindblowingly cruel. which means it probably happened exactly like that.
so, not a book i loved with the parts of me that loves books, but one that i respect and appreciate for existing. tougher and grittier "ripped from the headlines" books are important because there are too many books that tiptoe around serious topics and water down and trivialize these situations into easily-digested pap without managing to inspire outrage in their readers, when outrage is exactly what's called for. gentling serious issues just desensitizes the reader and sometimes we need a stronger dose of horrifying reality. this one delivers.
come to my blog!
it's a story of a family divided by divorce and custody, which is then further divided by a conflict between loyalty and morality. unsupervised teenagers and alcohol lead to the commission of a brutal crime, while a video camera records its every shocking moment. and although even has always felt protective of his older brother gabe, when he sees the contents of the video, he's forced to decide whether his allegiance has limits as he weighs the costs of turning his brother in or keeping silent. in the wake of the crime, many lives are destroyed, and spiraling out of the ugliness of the crime is just more unpleasantness - the ravenous media, defensive parents, insensitive lawyers, political gladhanding, slut-shaming hypocrites; horror begets horror as sides are taken and a girl's life is scrutinized and torn apart as gossip and her worst experience preserved forever in transcripts.
it's bold, well-written, and important, but for me it just didn't have that thing that pushes a book from "i liked it" into "i loved it" territory. it could simply be down to the time/place/mood in which i read it, and i wish i could pinpoint my obstacle, because rereading it today in order to write this review, i'm only seeing its positive qualities. i think it has to do with the tone - there's something almost surgical about it. or mathematical. something cold, like "here's the moral dilemma. solve for x." does this make sense? and that coldness may have been a tactical decision by the author to offset any emotional reaction the reader may have to the horrors on the page - some kind of distancing technique, but i think since i already read with my emotions disengaged, it was probably pushing me too far away.
however, there was a part that made me very uncomfortable. the book is "based on real-life events," and i'm not sure how much has been fictionalized, but holy hell - that courtroom scene - cavari is the worst. there is not a single line that comes out of his mouth, whether it be in court or in private, that doesn't make me want to punch him in the face. it's a little strange that a successful lawyer wouldn't be able to read a room better - to realize that he is frequently upsetting his own clients, or he may just not care. i wanna say that the courtroom scene is unrealistic and that no judge or prosecutor would allow for such blatant bullying, but it could be one of those "
i mean doesn't that lose you half the jury right there? and as much as i have been tainted by television and movies into accepting completely unrealistic depictions of how a courtroom operates, that scene seemed mindblowingly cruel. which means it probably happened exactly like that.
so, not a book i loved with the parts of me that loves books, but one that i respect and appreciate for existing. tougher and grittier "ripped from the headlines" books are important because there are too many books that tiptoe around serious topics and water down and trivialize these situations into easily-digested pap without managing to inspire outrage in their readers, when outrage is exactly what's called for. gentling serious issues just desensitizes the reader and sometimes we need a stronger dose of horrifying reality. this one delivers.
come to my blog!
September 2, 2016
An unsparingly, bold take on a true to life crime, the story follows Daniel’s life, particularly his nightmarish experience when one day, his easy, luxurious existence was forever shaken after seeing a video of a terrible crime involving a group of teenagers. I highly discourage you to read the blurb though because it will ultimately spoil the story for you. Let me just say that when you read the book, you’ll find the title most fitting.
After seeing the most horrible things a person could see by reading this book, I think reading Stephen King novels would be like light, fluffy readings. Gahd, I swear! I am literally shaking and trembling even now while writing this review just thinking about the most horribly sickening rape scene which HAD to be graphically presented in order that what exactly happened that led to the crime be divulged, in order that more people be aware of when a display of power and ego turns to abuse and exploitation and in order to show how kids who seem to have everything except parent’s close supervision (the most important of all) usually mess up their lives. It was utterly disheartening. :’(
I’m telling you, my heart and chest exploded into bits and I felt like a part of my soul died. It was sorrowfully demoralizing and yet I strongly recommend this book even though I know it will surely break your heart too because it tackles a societal issue with equality and open-mindedness, expertly wrapped up in a complex plot with dynamic characters and told in a unique voice- that of a witness (notably of a young man) which made the narrative not only thought provoking but very meaningful as well because the reader is immersed in the inner battles of a young man trapped in the worst possible situation while trying to make guaranteed life changing choices. The story also voices out an outright revolution against rape culture which gives me more reason to encourage people to read this.
You see, not a lot of people have read this important novel and I hope somehow, by writing this review, more would pay attention to this book. I think this is one of those books that will save lives. Just please read the book with caution and if possible, with an adult supervision.
Thank you to my wonderful friends, (Ate) Deanna and (Ate) Shelby for bringing this book to my attention. You can see their brilliant reviews by clicking their names.
*To snuff out your curiosity, "Ate" is a Filipino term which means "big sister", an expression of respect to a woman older than you are (not that the wonderful ladies mentioned are old, just older than I am.^^)
April 11, 2016
Help! Pet peeve getting worse! I'm sick sick sick of blurbs that tell the whole damn story--or even part of it. So I'll try like hell to avoid giving spoilers and to be as vague as a loyal secret keeper. I just hope I'm not too cryptic.
I've read too many damn spoilers lately, though I'm getting better at closing my eyes fast. I crave suspense. I crave surprise. I really really don't want to know the plot. I want to merrily read the book and be constantly and excitedly wondering what's next.
So here, I wore a blindfold before I opened the book, so I had no idea who did what—and I didn't even know the what. Super fun to take the plunge without knowing whether the water is too cold or super hot, whether there’s a shallow end and a deep end, whether I want to swim with the plot or the tone or the characters, or get out of the pool fast.
All I will say is that there are two brothers, Even and Gabe. Even how Even became Even is cool. (Don't call me a hypocrite--this bit is revealed in the first few pages.) Gabe named his brother Even because he wants everything to be even, to be fair. How true it is that siblings often demand equality. I think it's brilliant that the writer came up with this. It so epitomizes and shines a light on an aspect of childhood rivalry that I've never thought of. Yes, I and my four siblings were acutely aware of what was fair, and we campaigned for it rigorously and without hesitation, with an openness that closed up once we hit adulthood.
Man this is a good book. The writer puts you right in the head of a brother who faces a moral quandary, and the path he may choose could turn everyone’s life upside-down. You feel the pain of his discovery, his choice of action, and the after burn. Also, you feel the struggle of the brothers' connection as well as their disconnection, the push and pull of sibling love and loyalty. The jealousies, the judgments, the staring, the bid for the most attention, look at ME, look at ME.
Things get gnarly and the poor guy is a ball of hot suffering. I couldn't help but wonder what I would do in his situation. And would I really have the guts to do what I tell myself I’d do? Man am I grateful I’ve never had to find out.
There's a big-time social issue here, and what happened infuriated me. It will enrage everyone else too. Often social-issue books turn me off--sometimes the author is jumping on the bandwagon just to be current or to send a message. I don't think that's what's happening here. I think the author wanted to make us think about a sibling's reaction to a brother's dramatic action, a stance that one never ever hears about or thinks about. In real life, the attention is always on the event and the doers, not on a sibling, a witness. The sibling suffers silently, writhes in psychological pain, and hurts from neglect as everyone gets busy with the disastrous event they have to deal with.
The book is well-written. It moved along at a quick pace, and I was always hot to get back to the story. The language is simple, seamless, invisible, and efficient--it's not lyrical or jazzy, but it's also not obtrusive or flowery or too elementary. And the flavor isn't sentimental, hallelujah.
The author didn’t dwell on the graphics, but there are a couple of disturbing scenes. This book did not make me cry, but it did make me at times sad, at times angry, and forever anxious as things unfolded. I liked the ending. The book's strengths lie in how well-drawn (and likable) the brother is, how skillfully the complex sibling relationship is revealed, and how realistic the story is. A big thumbs up.
I've read too many damn spoilers lately, though I'm getting better at closing my eyes fast. I crave suspense. I crave surprise. I really really don't want to know the plot. I want to merrily read the book and be constantly and excitedly wondering what's next.
So here, I wore a blindfold before I opened the book, so I had no idea who did what—and I didn't even know the what. Super fun to take the plunge without knowing whether the water is too cold or super hot, whether there’s a shallow end and a deep end, whether I want to swim with the plot or the tone or the characters, or get out of the pool fast.
All I will say is that there are two brothers, Even and Gabe. Even how Even became Even is cool. (Don't call me a hypocrite--this bit is revealed in the first few pages.) Gabe named his brother Even because he wants everything to be even, to be fair. How true it is that siblings often demand equality. I think it's brilliant that the writer came up with this. It so epitomizes and shines a light on an aspect of childhood rivalry that I've never thought of. Yes, I and my four siblings were acutely aware of what was fair, and we campaigned for it rigorously and without hesitation, with an openness that closed up once we hit adulthood.
Man this is a good book. The writer puts you right in the head of a brother who faces a moral quandary, and the path he may choose could turn everyone’s life upside-down. You feel the pain of his discovery, his choice of action, and the after burn. Also, you feel the struggle of the brothers' connection as well as their disconnection, the push and pull of sibling love and loyalty. The jealousies, the judgments, the staring, the bid for the most attention, look at ME, look at ME.
Things get gnarly and the poor guy is a ball of hot suffering. I couldn't help but wonder what I would do in his situation. And would I really have the guts to do what I tell myself I’d do? Man am I grateful I’ve never had to find out.
There's a big-time social issue here, and what happened infuriated me. It will enrage everyone else too. Often social-issue books turn me off--sometimes the author is jumping on the bandwagon just to be current or to send a message. I don't think that's what's happening here. I think the author wanted to make us think about a sibling's reaction to a brother's dramatic action, a stance that one never ever hears about or thinks about. In real life, the attention is always on the event and the doers, not on a sibling, a witness. The sibling suffers silently, writhes in psychological pain, and hurts from neglect as everyone gets busy with the disastrous event they have to deal with.
The book is well-written. It moved along at a quick pace, and I was always hot to get back to the story. The language is simple, seamless, invisible, and efficient--it's not lyrical or jazzy, but it's also not obtrusive or flowery or too elementary. And the flavor isn't sentimental, hallelujah.
The author didn’t dwell on the graphics, but there are a couple of disturbing scenes. This book did not make me cry, but it did make me at times sad, at times angry, and forever anxious as things unfolded. I liked the ending. The book's strengths lie in how well-drawn (and likable) the brother is, how skillfully the complex sibling relationship is revealed, and how realistic the story is. A big thumbs up.
September 24, 2015
5 HUGE Stars!
I have no idea why "The Little Brother" is not getting more attention. It's a phenomenal read! Not only is it based on an actual crime that took place in Orange County, California, but Victoria Patterson is a gifted writer, and it is a very important book about a difficult subject. I was sucked in from the very beginning and as I went to bed and as I woke up for the past few days I couldn't stop thinking about this story!
Even and Gabe are brothers. When their parents divorce in 2001 they get to choose which parent they will live with. Even chooses his rich and powerful father while his older brother chooses his depressed mother. Does this have anything to do with one brother being totally different from the other? I'm not sure.
Gabe visits his father's house on the weekend and as the story unfolds and the two brothers are in high school, Gabe goes down a very dark path. He gets involved in drinking and drugs and that is when something horrible in the book happens.
This book is told years after a crime is committed in first person by the younger brother, Even. Though he is not perfect, and his friends, Sara and Mike are not perfect, it's hard not to like them. This was a very emotional read. The novel is written so well that it played out like a movie and it probably should be made into a movie.
I don't want to give away too much, but the story deals with rape, and there are very graphic scenes so be forewarned. There is also lots and lots of drugs. What this book does do is bring up a lot of questions, especially about parenting and lack there of, family loyalty, morality, and the judicial system and how it treats rape victims.
The book makes you question parenting and finances. If you have all the money in the World but you do not bring your children up correctly, and without enough supervision, can there be horrible consequences or are your children already predisposed to committing horrible crimes? This is a very thought provoking novel! One that would make for a great book group discussion.
Read it!
I have no idea why "The Little Brother" is not getting more attention. It's a phenomenal read! Not only is it based on an actual crime that took place in Orange County, California, but Victoria Patterson is a gifted writer, and it is a very important book about a difficult subject. I was sucked in from the very beginning and as I went to bed and as I woke up for the past few days I couldn't stop thinking about this story!
Even and Gabe are brothers. When their parents divorce in 2001 they get to choose which parent they will live with. Even chooses his rich and powerful father while his older brother chooses his depressed mother. Does this have anything to do with one brother being totally different from the other? I'm not sure.
Gabe visits his father's house on the weekend and as the story unfolds and the two brothers are in high school, Gabe goes down a very dark path. He gets involved in drinking and drugs and that is when something horrible in the book happens.
This book is told years after a crime is committed in first person by the younger brother, Even. Though he is not perfect, and his friends, Sara and Mike are not perfect, it's hard not to like them. This was a very emotional read. The novel is written so well that it played out like a movie and it probably should be made into a movie.
I don't want to give away too much, but the story deals with rape, and there are very graphic scenes so be forewarned. There is also lots and lots of drugs. What this book does do is bring up a lot of questions, especially about parenting and lack there of, family loyalty, morality, and the judicial system and how it treats rape victims.
The book makes you question parenting and finances. If you have all the money in the World but you do not bring your children up correctly, and without enough supervision, can there be horrible consequences or are your children already predisposed to committing horrible crimes? This is a very thought provoking novel! One that would make for a great book group discussion.
Read it!
November 5, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
“Picture something so terrible that for the rest of your life you don't know how to deal with it."
He ain’t playin’ around, Doc. The Little Brother is the story of brothers Even and Gabe. Separated by divorce, Even chose to live with their father – Gabe stayed with their mother. Even remained . . . fairly even. Gabe? Notsomuch. The main plotline centers around a homemade porno featuring Gabe, a couple of buddies and the girl who was once Even’s first kiss, but . . .
It’s about what happens when you choose to do the right thing – while watching the indefensible attempt to be defended. It’s about what happens to a “slut” who had sex with at least two of the three boys the day before claiming she didn’t want it the next night. It’s about consent and what happens when the person who is supposed to be consenting isn’t in control of her faculties enough to do so. It’s violent and graphic and nauseating and brutal and REAL.
It seems like stories of rape have recently replaced “orange as the new black” – but right when I want to say enough is enough I read something like The Little Brother. Books like this need to continue to be written. It wasn’t cliché. It didn’t sugarcoat something horrifying in an attempt to make it “beautiful” or romantic and sell copies. In fact, there are a whopping 100 ratings on Goodreads for this book so it’s probably not flying off the shelves. But it should be.
“Picture something so terrible that for the rest of your life you don't know how to deal with it."
He ain’t playin’ around, Doc. The Little Brother is the story of brothers Even and Gabe. Separated by divorce, Even chose to live with their father – Gabe stayed with their mother. Even remained . . . fairly even. Gabe? Notsomuch. The main plotline centers around a homemade porno featuring Gabe, a couple of buddies and the girl who was once Even’s first kiss, but . . .
It’s about what happens when you choose to do the right thing – while watching the indefensible attempt to be defended. It’s about what happens to a “slut” who had sex with at least two of the three boys the day before claiming she didn’t want it the next night. It’s about consent and what happens when the person who is supposed to be consenting isn’t in control of her faculties enough to do so. It’s violent and graphic and nauseating and brutal and REAL.
It seems like stories of rape have recently replaced “orange as the new black” – but right when I want to say enough is enough I read something like The Little Brother. Books like this need to continue to be written. It wasn’t cliché. It didn’t sugarcoat something horrifying in an attempt to make it “beautiful” or romantic and sell copies. In fact, there are a whopping 100 ratings on Goodreads for this book so it’s probably not flying off the shelves. But it should be.
July 28, 2015
This is an unforgettable story.... emotionally charged....
Disturbing...(painful topic & graphic scene),
This story goes straight for the heart, impossible to put down...
Easily read and one seating...
A surprise near the end that I didn't see coming...
I was in tears by the end of the novel, as this is a terribly sad story.
Yet... an important book...
Readers who were engaged
deeply thinking about issues in "The Dinner", by Herman Koch...
will do that type of thinking
with this story.
An important book!
Thank You - and many congrats to the brave author, Victoria Patterson,
Counterpoint publishing, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read this book.
Disturbing...(painful topic & graphic scene),
This story goes straight for the heart, impossible to put down...
Easily read and one seating...
A surprise near the end that I didn't see coming...
I was in tears by the end of the novel, as this is a terribly sad story.
Yet... an important book...
Readers who were engaged
deeply thinking about issues in "The Dinner", by Herman Koch...
will do that type of thinking
with this story.
An important book!
Thank You - and many congrats to the brave author, Victoria Patterson,
Counterpoint publishing, and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read this book.
October 24, 2015
"Picture something so terrible that for the rest of your life you don't know how to deal with it."
Victoria Patterson sure can write a story that keeps the reader glued to their seat, but unfortunately gives away too much of the plot in the book synopsis (IMHO) that ruins the mystery of the unknown. Although you can see what's probably coming early on, I was one of the lucky ones who only read GR Friend Debbie's review before beginning so the truth of the horror committed was, for a time, left to my imagination. (Thanks Debbie!)
Anyway, without giving away any spoilers, I'll just say the story is about the relationship of two brothers, Gabe and Even (unusual name will be explained) who are separated by divorce for some time, but reunite at their fathers luxurious home where an unbelievable savage act is committed.
From there, the story moves on to the issues of why it happened, parental responsibility, who provided the incriminating evidence and how to come to terms with doing the right thing. (big bank accounts also come into play)
This dark and unsettling read is one of those stories that make me mad as morality should have played a more significant part.
October 17, 2015
A high 4 stars for readability and "unputdownability". I was reading another book that wasn't keeping my attention, and happened to read GR friend Debbie's review of this book, and 36 hours later -- with two severely shortened nights and a busy day in the middle -- I've popped out at the other end. The Little Brother took me into Even's teenage world, his dysfunctional family -- including a checked out mother, an egotistical megalomaniac father and messed up brother Gabe -- and the event that fractured Even's life and sense of who he and his family are. It's an event that leads Even to make an excruciating choice and to live with the consequences. I really can't say much more about The Little Brother without giving away any spoilers -- and it is a book ideally to be read compulsively as you seek to find out what happens next. Suffice it to say that it's worth reading because it's a great story, the characters are intense and interesting, the prose is fluid, the pace is perfect and it raises real issues about family and loyalty. And Even's first person narration is really what makes the book. He has precisely the right balance between self-knowledge, self doubt, raw moral good sense and naïveté to be believable and sympathetic. It's a great read. Highly recommended if you can afford to sleep less or to slack off on your regular life's demands. Thank you to Debbie and a few other GR friends for bringing this one to my attention. Again, it's this kind of exchange that makes this a great community.
October 24, 2015
2.5 Stars
A distubing and in places very graphic read.
While I found the writing and execution of the story was good and compelling I just couldn't get past the graphic content and felt it overshadowed the power of the story for me.
I found the fiirst half of the Novel unputdownable and really enjoyed the way the author set the scene for the actions that took place, I believe the story is
based on actural events and I really found the whole story sad and disturbing. I much perferred Defending Jacob but cant deny this writer sure can
write.
Not a book I would recommend but readers need to judge for themselves by reading 5 and 4 star reviews.
May 14, 2016
Really well done (poignant but grim) story about two brothers and their complicated relationship after the older brother commits a horrific crime. The thing I liked best about this novel is how Patterson shows there are no easy answers here - I felt some empathy for almost everyone in the story (well, not the lawyer or the sheriff). These brothers had choices and made some really bad ones, yes, but they were doomed from the start. Very sad.
I'm surprised I don't see more people reading this book - don't let the dark subject matter scare you off, this would be an excellent choice for a book club read. Very thought provoking, especially if you are a woman. The lawyer for the older brother and the case he makes for the defense will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Appalling.
I'm surprised I don't see more people reading this book - don't let the dark subject matter scare you off, this would be an excellent choice for a book club read. Very thought provoking, especially if you are a woman. The lawyer for the older brother and the case he makes for the defense will make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Appalling.
November 5, 2017
5 Stars. Disturbing subject matter but extremely well written. Love this author.
August 26, 2015
This book is about morality, or lack thereof, family allegiance, the absence of parental guidance, corruption, sibling and family love and trust, drug and alcoholic abuse, family relationships, abuse of women, gang rape, and the justice system and its treatment of rape victims. It's not an easy book to read particularly because of the gang rape, but also because of all the other subjects in this book. It is a most unfortunate coming of age story.
What would you do if you child was accused of a horrible crime, would you turn your child in to the authorities, or would you do everything in your power to make sure he never spent a day in jail? Would you blame others for the event to deflect responsibility away from your child? This book reminds me of, "The Dinner," by Herman Koch, it deals with a lot of the same issues. It also reminds me just a bit of, "The Luckiest Girl Alive," by Jessica Knoll.
The story is told in the first person by Even who is 15, many years after the event, he is recounting his past and the events that created his life. He has a brother, Gabe, age 16, he is 18 months older than Even, an absentee father who Even lives with full time, and his absentee mother who his brother Gabe lives with full time. They all abuse drugs and alcohol to the extremes. One night Gabe has a party while spending the weekend with his father and there is a horrible, horrendous gang rape, which he records, and then loses the recorder, which his brother Even finds and is disgusted by what he sees. There is emotional turmoil as to what Even should do with the tape, and the story continues from there.
There is a disturbing event at the end of the book, which to me was just as devastating as the rape itself. There are consequences to everyone's behaviors. How does a young man become so depraved to treat another human being so horrendously? Although this is a difficult book I would recommend it to be read by young people, better to read this than to let yourself do or be compromised to have anything similar happen to you.
The book is based on the real life crime committed in Orange County, California, which you can read about here: http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing...
What would you do if you child was accused of a horrible crime, would you turn your child in to the authorities, or would you do everything in your power to make sure he never spent a day in jail? Would you blame others for the event to deflect responsibility away from your child? This book reminds me of, "The Dinner," by Herman Koch, it deals with a lot of the same issues. It also reminds me just a bit of, "The Luckiest Girl Alive," by Jessica Knoll.
The story is told in the first person by Even who is 15, many years after the event, he is recounting his past and the events that created his life. He has a brother, Gabe, age 16, he is 18 months older than Even, an absentee father who Even lives with full time, and his absentee mother who his brother Gabe lives with full time. They all abuse drugs and alcohol to the extremes. One night Gabe has a party while spending the weekend with his father and there is a horrible, horrendous gang rape, which he records, and then loses the recorder, which his brother Even finds and is disgusted by what he sees. There is emotional turmoil as to what Even should do with the tape, and the story continues from there.
There is a disturbing event at the end of the book, which to me was just as devastating as the rape itself. There are consequences to everyone's behaviors. How does a young man become so depraved to treat another human being so horrendously? Although this is a difficult book I would recommend it to be read by young people, better to read this than to let yourself do or be compromised to have anything similar happen to you.
The book is based on the real life crime committed in Orange County, California, which you can read about here: http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing...
July 31, 2017
3 stars, but a high 3, almost a 4. A challenging and painful read. It made me viscerally angry and now I have a stomach ache from this fucking book.
October 28, 2015
Review to follow...
December 1, 2017
The Little Brother is a kind of adolescent tale of crime. By that I mean that the first-person narrator and characters are adolescent and sometimes the writing is as well; it alternates between fairly sophisticated retrospective writing (which is what kept me reading through the beginning) and dialogue that sounds like a kid trying to write what grownups say:
The times that the first-person narrator refers to his experience in retrospect—from an age distance—made me think he was much older (which turned out to be the case), but the dialogue felt awkward and mostly unbelievable to my ear, and although the overall plot was compelling, the plot points felt almost cut and pasted, as if the author thought a sudden revelation of a bad experience would fit well here, so let’s paste it in—with no emotional foundation or artistry of setup, undercurrent, and eventual exposure. Nevertheless, I kept reading to find out how the crime played out and who did what. Eventually the crime made me sick through repetition of it, and the researched messages integrated into the drama again felt cut and pasted. But I kept reading because by this time, I’d invested a lot of time in the book and really did want to know the conclusion.
I find myself thinking about another book with a parallel stilted style to this one: The Postman Always Rings Twice . Why did that one transcend the style and this one didn't for me? Better writing. I believed it, and something felt false here. Goodreaders who I respect like this book a lot. I wish I could agree with them.
Dad suggested that he and Jimenez talk in private in the kitchen, but the idea was promptly squelched by the lieutenant—“No way, nu-unh, not okay.”
The times that the first-person narrator refers to his experience in retrospect—from an age distance—made me think he was much older (which turned out to be the case), but the dialogue felt awkward and mostly unbelievable to my ear, and although the overall plot was compelling, the plot points felt almost cut and pasted, as if the author thought a sudden revelation of a bad experience would fit well here, so let’s paste it in—with no emotional foundation or artistry of setup, undercurrent, and eventual exposure. Nevertheless, I kept reading to find out how the crime played out and who did what. Eventually the crime made me sick through repetition of it, and the researched messages integrated into the drama again felt cut and pasted. But I kept reading because by this time, I’d invested a lot of time in the book and really did want to know the conclusion.
I find myself thinking about another book with a parallel stilted style to this one: The Postman Always Rings Twice . Why did that one transcend the style and this one didn't for me? Better writing. I believed it, and something felt false here. Goodreaders who I respect like this book a lot. I wish I could agree with them.
August 4, 2015
I highly recommend this dark story about an awful incident that occurs on July 4th. There are rich character details describing events that lead to the incident and events that took place as a result of the incident. The detailed writing actually enables you to feel you are in the scenes. Very realistic. Albeit very disturbing. Excellent book. Thank you Edelweiss and Counterpoint publishers for the ARC!
August 2, 2015
Based on a real-life crime that shocked Orange County, "The Little Brother" takes the complex strands of family loyalty, wealth and privilege, and police corruption, and weaves it into fictional gold. This is not any easy read, emotionally, anyway - think Dostoyevsky and "Crime and Punishment" - and yet, thanks to Patterson's sparing, deft prose, it is as much a page turner as it is a modern mortality tale. One of the best books of the year, "The Little Brother" is a daring, high wire act that succeeds on every front. A must-read.
July 31, 2015
I love Victoria Patterson. Her voice is so uniquely hers. She lays bare the lie that privilege and wealth make lives better and shows that in specific ways. The little brother in this story is torn between his parents, his brother and an old friend, his heart and his conscience. What a story!
October 22, 2015
I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars. The writing and the story are both just shy of 5 stars, but there's so much to be gotten from this book that I have to give it 5. And why quibble?
It's one of those books best read blind, which I was lucky enough to do, but it's also a tough book to review without giving anything away.
It's about a boy's love for his family no matter how imperfect. It's a wonderful example of friendships and betrayed friendships and regrets. It's a sad look into the lives of those "lost" kids who seem to have been given everything yet are screwing up their lives. It's a terrible portrayal of our court system and how we treat sex crimes. And it's a whole lot more.
Don't read anything else about this book, just read the book.
It's one of those books best read blind, which I was lucky enough to do, but it's also a tough book to review without giving anything away.
It's about a boy's love for his family no matter how imperfect. It's a wonderful example of friendships and betrayed friendships and regrets. It's a sad look into the lives of those "lost" kids who seem to have been given everything yet are screwing up their lives. It's a terrible portrayal of our court system and how we treat sex crimes. And it's a whole lot more.
Don't read anything else about this book, just read the book.
August 31, 2015
Sex, lies and videotapes
It is difficult to write that I liked a story of a horrific gang rape, especially when the fictionalized book is a thinly veiled version of the truth. The case made national headlines, and to this day, is the subject of theories, accusations and argument. Living in Newport Beach at the time, I became swept up in the story of money, power, corruption, entitlement and the ultimate destruction of several lives.
Victoria Patterson did her research well. Gabe and Even Hyde are the sons of an unstable mother and a self-made millionaire father, who live in comparatively lower to middle class Rancho Cucamonga. After their parents divorce, Gabe remains with his mother, while Even moves to wealthy Newport Beach with his father. Gabe, the older brother, visits his father and brother on weekends. While his younger brother is living the high life in Newport, Gabe seems to feel marginalized stuck out in the desert. Without knowing the story, I would still predict that he is looking for trouble.
He and his friends find themselves in major trouble after brutally gang raping a girl and videotaping the crime. Somehow they lose the camcorder, which ultimately ends up in Even's hands. Thus comes Even's moral dilemma. Does he rat out his brother, and if so, does he do it anonymously? Half-cowardly, in my opinion, he leaves the camera at the police station while wearing a poor disguise.
Mr. Hyde, with his money and close connections to the sheriff's department, swings into action. The despicable lawyer he retains does everything possible to discredit the victim. He minces no words and pulls out all the stops during a trial that turns my stomach.
This story almost warrants a sequel because of what occurs after the trial because The Little Brother tells half the tale. A Google search proves interesting! This is a book for readers who are interested in highly dysfunctional families and true, albeit nauseating, crime. I like Ms. Patterson's writing style. The book is immensely readable, and the story moves along smoothly.
It is difficult to write that I liked a story of a horrific gang rape, especially when the fictionalized book is a thinly veiled version of the truth. The case made national headlines, and to this day, is the subject of theories, accusations and argument. Living in Newport Beach at the time, I became swept up in the story of money, power, corruption, entitlement and the ultimate destruction of several lives.
Victoria Patterson did her research well. Gabe and Even Hyde are the sons of an unstable mother and a self-made millionaire father, who live in comparatively lower to middle class Rancho Cucamonga. After their parents divorce, Gabe remains with his mother, while Even moves to wealthy Newport Beach with his father. Gabe, the older brother, visits his father and brother on weekends. While his younger brother is living the high life in Newport, Gabe seems to feel marginalized stuck out in the desert. Without knowing the story, I would still predict that he is looking for trouble.
He and his friends find themselves in major trouble after brutally gang raping a girl and videotaping the crime. Somehow they lose the camcorder, which ultimately ends up in Even's hands. Thus comes Even's moral dilemma. Does he rat out his brother, and if so, does he do it anonymously? Half-cowardly, in my opinion, he leaves the camera at the police station while wearing a poor disguise.
Mr. Hyde, with his money and close connections to the sheriff's department, swings into action. The despicable lawyer he retains does everything possible to discredit the victim. He minces no words and pulls out all the stops during a trial that turns my stomach.
This story almost warrants a sequel because of what occurs after the trial because The Little Brother tells half the tale. A Google search proves interesting! This is a book for readers who are interested in highly dysfunctional families and true, albeit nauseating, crime. I like Ms. Patterson's writing style. The book is immensely readable, and the story moves along smoothly.
November 20, 2015
"The Little Brother" is a page-turner, which I read in a day, and have recommended to all my friends. Other reviewer have aptly described this true and disturbing story. It is seemingly well researched—a tale of moral dilemma, which will keep you entertained with its insights into a troubled family and community.
My only issue (-star) is in Patterson’s writing style. Her overly detailed sentences are distracting, seem more important than necessary, and stop the action. Too often her descriptions and gestures seem unnecessary. Unfortunately, once I noticed this, it was difficult to disregard.
—He lifted a roll from the basket, split it with his thumbs, and inserted a knifed hunk of butter.
—He’d signal that he was going to bed by taking off his glasses, folding them, putting them in their case, and setting them on the table next to the remote.
—I went to my room and slipped on my Vans, and then I went to the closet in the kitchen, gathered a broom, a dustpan, and a Dustbuster, and closed the door behind me. Before going back into the living room, I put the items down and filled a glass with water from the sink. By the miniclock on the oven, I saw that it was 10:13 PM. I drank two glasses of water standing at the sink.
That said, I highly recommend “The Little Brother,” and unless you find the subject matter distasteful, I believe you won’t put it down until the very last page.
Was bothered to read yesterday that Victoria Patterson has been dubbed “the Edith Wharton of Orange County.” I suppose I shouldn't complain. My publisher wrote that I write like Elizabeth Strout (Olive Kitteridge)! These publisher comparisons tend to come back and bite the author in the butt.
My only issue (-star) is in Patterson’s writing style. Her overly detailed sentences are distracting, seem more important than necessary, and stop the action. Too often her descriptions and gestures seem unnecessary. Unfortunately, once I noticed this, it was difficult to disregard.
—He lifted a roll from the basket, split it with his thumbs, and inserted a knifed hunk of butter.
—He’d signal that he was going to bed by taking off his glasses, folding them, putting them in their case, and setting them on the table next to the remote.
—I went to my room and slipped on my Vans, and then I went to the closet in the kitchen, gathered a broom, a dustpan, and a Dustbuster, and closed the door behind me. Before going back into the living room, I put the items down and filled a glass with water from the sink. By the miniclock on the oven, I saw that it was 10:13 PM. I drank two glasses of water standing at the sink.
That said, I highly recommend “The Little Brother,” and unless you find the subject matter distasteful, I believe you won’t put it down until the very last page.
Was bothered to read yesterday that Victoria Patterson has been dubbed “the Edith Wharton of Orange County.” I suppose I shouldn't complain. My publisher wrote that I write like Elizabeth Strout (Olive Kitteridge)! These publisher comparisons tend to come back and bite the author in the butt.
August 14, 2015
The topic of sexual assaults and the rape culture is very prevalent in Victoria Patterson's debut novel The Little Brother. Seen through the perspective of the youngest son of a well-to-do attorney, our protagonist is challenged by his personal ethics and family loyalties when his older teen brother becomes involved in a crime against a female classmate.
Again, this brings us back to the real life case studies of the University of Montana rape reports as featured in John Krakauer's Missoula and the Stubenville sexual assaults. As in both scenarios, the typical "blame the victim" mentality is shown and Patterson touches upon that as the opinions of this situation divides everyone in the community as well as the characters involved.
Little Brother is a quick read. I got through it within a day but it left me feeling upset and angry at the players concerning this horrifying event. However in retrospect, I knew the author wanted to make a statement about the issues of rape in society and how it affects everyone.
To her I say bravo. She really hit her point home.
Again, this brings us back to the real life case studies of the University of Montana rape reports as featured in John Krakauer's Missoula and the Stubenville sexual assaults. As in both scenarios, the typical "blame the victim" mentality is shown and Patterson touches upon that as the opinions of this situation divides everyone in the community as well as the characters involved.
Little Brother is a quick read. I got through it within a day but it left me feeling upset and angry at the players concerning this horrifying event. However in retrospect, I knew the author wanted to make a statement about the issues of rape in society and how it affects everyone.
To her I say bravo. She really hit her point home.
September 25, 2015
I could NOT put this book down. I'm not the kind of person that reads regularly, I go off and on on my reading so it says a lot that I read this so quickly. As riveting and important as this story is, I had some major issues with it. The telling of the story from a male perspective bothers me, we live in a culture where rape is accepted and not considered a crime and the only way to get people to pay attention to it is to show how it affects a MALE life. I recommend everyone read this book, but that does not mean that I did not come away reading it even more angry and disappointed.
August 27, 2015
Very upsetting. It's short and moves quickly. A couple tiny weak spots but overall stomach-churning and totally current. I'm not sure I'd recommend it, but it was worthwhile. Actually, you know who I'd recommend it to? Anyone who hasn't experienced traumatic sexual violence. I didn't need to relive it. I didn't need to see the effects of the fallout on innocent, implicated parties. But lots of other people do.
August 17, 2015
Disturbing. Captures the entitlement of males (especially rich white males) perfectly. The author has an excellent voice in this book, and her settings are crystal clear and on point. Easy and fast to read, leaves you feeling gross and slimy at times.
August 20, 2015
I could not put this one down - I had to know what was going to happen with each turn of the page. Recommend everyone checks this out when it is released later this year.
September 19, 2015
The writing is just so stilted.
October 29, 2015
This book was good but it is no walk in the park. It is heavy. One can tell by the description of the book. The story is about a family torn apart by divorce. One brother the younger brother chooses to move with his father to Newport Beach, while the older brother stays with the Mother who has depression. They are both essentially brought up by parents who really are not present for them. The brothers do get together on certain weekends at their father's home. Partying and drug use goes on. But one troubling weekend, a crime takes place. A very graphic crime that may make this book difficult for some readers to read. The little brother has to make a choice of how to act when he sees disturbing footage of a crime that was videotaped. The books goes on from there. We see how lives are affected and the lasting effects of doing the right thing can haunt a person.
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