Are You In The House Alone?

by Richard Peck

Written by the author of "Through a Brief Darkness" and "Representing Super Doll", this is a story which describes the long-lasting effects of emotional scars. It is a novel about and the personal and public reaction to the victim.

Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Realistic Fiction, Teen

169 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Richard Peck was an American novelist known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He was awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001 for his novel A Year Down Yonder. For his cumulative contribution to young-adult literature, he received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1990.

Reviews

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, not because it was an especially easy or fun read but because books like this one discussing tough topics need to be written. So thank you, Richard Peck, for writing this book. This whole review is going to be a big spoiler because to talk about why it's awesome I kind of have to give away the big surprise. So, be forewarned.

Despite being filed often as mystery/suspense, this book is really only half mystery. In the 1970's in a small, conservative suburb in western Connecticut, Gail starts getting a lot of hang up phone calls while she's babysitting or home alone. Then, someone starts leaving obscene notes in her locker at school. Finally, about half way through the book, Gail is raped and beaten by her best friend's boyfriend and the town's golden boy, Phil. End of mystery.

The whole second half of the book is about Gail dealing with the aftermath. Many of those around Gail don't want to believe she was raped. The police officer who questions her insinuates that she deserved it. She's pretty, after all, she must have been teasing her boyfriend and he got a little riled up. You can't blame a guy. The lawyer Gail's family hires, who's awesome, basically says she'll probably lose if they go to court because a) Gail's taking birth control, b) she's having sex with her steady boyfriend, and c) she's pretty. Basically, she's a scheming, easy, delinquent youth trying to ruin the chances of an all start athlete and son of the richest family in town. I just about lost it at this point and sat silently fuming and muttering to myself for a while until I was calm enough to continue.

There are a lot of reviews of this book on Goodreads talking about how the subject matter is too adult for this story to be considered young adult. The book starts with Gail and her boyfriend skinny dipping, and there's a few discussions between Gail and her mother about how she's been to Planned Parenthood to get birth control and how Steve and her are sleeping together. And there is the rape scene. But Peck was obviously very careful to avoid anything that could be considered obscene or indecent. The contents of the notes left in Gail's locker are only alluded to. The rape scene ends before any actual rape begins. And not once is there an actual sex scene. This book is downright clean compared to some of the passionate scenes found in other YA novels. The only thing that this book has that others do not is frank discussion of a young woman's sexuality and her right to identify as a sexual being without being harangued for it.

Yes, it's difficult to read at times, especially during and after the rape scene. It's an intense experience, what Gail goes through. But it's so important to continue this and similar kinds of discussions with teen girls. This book made me want to get down on my knees and thank the women's rights activists who fought to change the perception of rape in this country since the 1970's. But girls still need to know that these things can happen, that it's often someone you know, that their silence will only further hurt themselves and maybe even others (as Gail's does when her silence leaves Phil free to strike again). Young adulthood is the perfect time to read this kind of story and begin discussing these issues.

End of rant.

[Jim Thomsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

No revenge fantasias here, just painful realities. A classic example of the marginalizing, gaslighting and brutal power dynamics for rape victims that continues, sadly to this day. Though I'd sure like to read a revenge-fantasia version of this story.

[Lisa Calvert]

in a sentence: it all starts when gail gets a very graphic and sexually violent note in her locker at school...and then the phone calls start, but only when she's all alone.

i must confess, this has been on my to-read list for awhile, but after a recent conversation with my friend elizabeth about goosebumps and fear street, i decided that now was the time to read it. i was hoping for something that would be so absorbingly scary that i could jump up in my seat as i was reading! high expectations, i know, but this book did a pretty darn good job of getting there.

you're introduced to a multitude of characters that could be the creep doing these things to gail, so you're guessing along with her to try and discover who the guy is.the first 2/3 of the book was what i expected - mysterious, creepy, scary, angsty. after the 'event' that shifts the story, i was not sure what to expect for the last 1/3 of it. however, this was a scary story, and if the scary part happens before the end, what are we to do with the rest? good thing richard peck had an idea of what to do, and executed it well.

at the same time viewing the entitlement issues of small town-high school dynamics and relationships paired with a suspensefully uncomfortable undertone, this book takes a hard look at some tough issues. as someone who is an avid Lifetime Movie Network fan and Law and Order: SVU, this book particularly spoke to me. happy endings are not a given. punishment isn't always just. victims sometimes make themselves more of a victim from their lack of action. if the first 2/3 of the book is the mystery, the last 1/3 is the genius of the author for taking that mystery and making it feel tangible and real.

though a bit clumsy in parts, especially with the veiled conclusion at the end, are you in the house alone was a thrill ride for the first part and a thoughtful pondering for the last part which made for a unique and relevant book. in particular, the last conversation between the mother and daughter about the overall conclusion. that gave me the heebie jeebies. i was hoping for something better than Fear Street (my memory of Fear Street rather as i have not read them since i was about 10), and i was not disappointed.

fave quotes: "When you've got a problem your friends can't face, you become a...leper" (87)
"I felt drunk with all the knowledge. I knew hew was missing an important, human part. Call it insanity if you feel like making excuses for him. He thought everything belonged to him and that he could do no wrong. Nobody had ever told him otherwise. At that moment it didn't even chill me to realize how many people there are like that in this world." (147)

fix er up: there were some loose ties i was not down with. the family's lawyer after the incident just sorts of fades into the background for example.

[Mindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am shocked that this book is considered a young adult book. If I had children, I wouldn't want them to read this book, even if they were in high school. The synopsis on the back said it was about a sixteen year old girl who receives strange notes and phone calls. She feels she is always being watched. I thought this would be a normal young adult mystery where the characters get scared and try to solve the mystery. In the end, they catch the person, and everyone is saved. However, this book is much different. First of all, they talk a lot about Gail, the main character, having sex with her boyfriend Steve. Then the notes and phone calls that Gail receives are very vulgar. The stalker tells her what he plans to do with her. Half-way through the book, Gail is beaten and raped by Phil Lawver, her best friend's boyfriend and the son of the most powerful family in town. His family is so powerful that they have complete control of the police, the school board, etc. No one wants to persecute him because all authority figures are where they are today because of the Lawver family. The police try to make Gail seem like a slut and Phil seem like the victim. Gail decides not to go for an arrest because if the case even makes it to trial, which is highly unlikely, she will have to relive the event and undergo harsh questioning on the witness stand. Even after that, Phil will probably not be persecuted. The rest of the book is about her trying to cope with this tragedy, which is even harder when Phil roams the streets. Phil even sent her flowers. Gail tries to warn her best friend, Allison, but Allison just gets furious and refuses to believe it. Gail eventually goes back to school, but Phil harasses her on her walk home. Before the end of the book, Phil attacks again. He almost kills a girl who was wearing the same coat as Gail. Phil is finally taken away somewhere, but no one knows where. Then the book ends with everyone in an uproar. Gail can't stand men, Steve is mad at Gail for not taking action against Phil, Allison is depressed because her boyfriend is mentally sick, the other girl is almost dead, everyone in town is scared, etc.
This book might be a good book for a rape victim to read because it might help the victim cope everything. However, it is a really intense book. The rape scene is especially intense. Therefore, I do not think children should read this book. It should be an adult book. It definitely should not be placed in school libraries.

[Paula Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gail Osburne is at a crossroads with her boyfriend Steve when she starts receiving notes threatening violence and rape, and hang-up phone calls. Everybody just wants her to ignore it and get on with her life, but then Gail is raped while babysitting, and enters a whole new nightmare.

This has not aged well. The attitudes displayed here were obviously very much of the time, and this was published in 1976. Although, admittedly, some things have not changed all that much in the nearly 50 years since this came out! Also, you have to stretch your disbelief over the fact that Gail is powerless to do anything about her rapist, even though she knows who it is, left sperm behind and whacked her on the head with a fire poker! I understand DNA wasn't a thing back then, so it is once again a matter of trying to put yourself in a 1976 frame of mind. The book did have some interesting things to say about victims being required to reassure those around them who feel helpless in the face of being unable to help.

The book's biggest problem is boredom. It is slow-paced with a lot of extraneous material that doesn't serve the plot or take it anywhere. No, I don't need a page long description of what a minor character is wearing! The subplot involving the drama teacher and her silent movie film career was mostly pointless. It ends without much resolution to Gail's plight or what became of the other characters.

More interesting perhaps as a reflection of society's attitude towards sexual assault in the 1970s, but that's about it. Mostly it's just dull and depressing.

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book..review to follow.

[Lanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a really good idea. Creepy and scary in a fucked up "this is way to real for my tastes" kinda way. (I prefer my horror more haunted housey less slashed manic. And I felt it was an important book. Scary mostly because shit like this happens more often then we want to admit, and nothing is done about it. But the writing simply wasn't good enough to make it truly scary or suspenseful for me. :/ it was ok... But definitely not great.

[GalicianFee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4'5/5 🌟
En "¿Estás sola en casa?" se nos cuenta la historia de Gail Osburne una adolescente que se mudó con su familia hace años a un pueblo en las afueras de Nueva York llamado Oldfield Village. Gail lleva la vida de una adolescente normal, tiene una mejor amiga, Alison, que se mudó al pueblo antes que ella y un novio, Steve, con el que mantiene relaciones.
El libro fue escrito en 1976,creo que es importante mencionarlo para tener en cuenta en que época transcurre la historia.
Oldfield Village es un pequeño suburbio donde la diferencia de clases se tiene bastante en cuenta y se respira cierto aire de puritanismo.
En la obra de describe así :
"Había algo feudal en Oldfield Village con toda su presunción. Con todas aquellas familias de New England viviendo bajo códigos antiguos como peregrinos, antes de que llegáramos nosotros, los neoyorquinos, y lo convirtiéramos en un suburbio".

Un día, Gail,recibe una amenazadora e inquietante nota en su taquilla claramente escrita por alguien trastornado en la que le dicen que la vigilan (entre más cosas).Coincidiendo con la nota, también empieza a recibir extrañas llamadas telefónicas cuando hace de niñera para la señora Montgomery.

Esta es la base de esta corta novela (140 páginas) que se lee del tirón.

Para ser un libro corto creo que la historia está muy bien estructurada y los personajes muy bien construidos aunque a mí me hubiese gustado un poco más de extensión.
En esta novela tienen cabida temas como:las relaciones paterno-filiales,la diferencia de clases, la amistad, el primer amor, el acoso y la violación.

Creo que el autor ha reflejado muy bien el sentimiento de angustia e inquietud que las mujeres sienten al verse solas y en muchas ocasiones indefensas... Caminando denoche por la calle, solas en casa, etc.

También se toca un tema muy interesante y que parece que nunca pasa de actualidad y es la culpabilización de las víctimas de violación o de acoso.El que las mujeres, hagamos lo que hagamos, siempre seremos vistas bajo el escrutinio de una sociedad mayoritariamente machista.

Que alguien te acose/viole resulta raro porque "Tú no eres una de esas" o sea, que si eres "una de esas" se te puede acosar/violar a discreción...(el ser una de esas por supuesto bajo su criterio, que a saber cuál es!) Vamos, que se tolera porque lo van "buscando ".

⚠️⚠️⚠️Spoiler alert!! ⚠ ⚠️⚠️

El que habiendo un informe médico de una agresión se consideren condicionantes:
-Que la mujer sea virgen
-Que esté o no tomando la píldora
-Que el violador no haya sido un extraño.
Me parece tercermundista, ridículo e injusto que se siga justificando/defendiendo una agresión sexual.

⚠️⚠️⚠️Fin del spoiler ⚠️⚠️⚠️

📍¿La recomendaría? Si, totalmente.
Es una lectura breve, sencilla, interesante, ágil y con un tema de fondo que tras más de 40 años tristemente sigue de actualidad.

[Circa Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't your Lifetime Channel rapist/stalker-on-the-prowl movie of the week where the shaken victim gets in a couple of girl power moments and has the community or court room on her side by the end. Are You in the House Alone takes the rare observation of the internal psychological trauma of stalking and rape and their aftermath, with very little if any room given for survivor sentimentality, forced hope, or shallow resolutions.

Gail, the victim in question in the book, doesn't even take the popular recourse of a survivor of rape in pop culture media and take the issue to court or file a lawsuit. Faced with stupefied parents, alienating friends, a town that operates on superficiality and old money in a way that already discount her "townie" family, laws that side more with the rapist than the victim, contextual sexism, and false ideas about a young woman's sexuality, it's just easier for her to choose to slip under the radar and carry on as best she can.

Gail also doesn't have any tearjerker crying in the shower lulls, powerful speeches or try to actively fight the systematic privilege that protects the monster that puts her through hell the entire book. The damage has been done - a good part of her is dead inside and filled with a cynicism for men, wealthy and influential people, the justice system, and the illusion of safety for a modern woman. The greatest battle she stands up to fight is the one against hiding away at home. Just her re-entering the routine of daily life is seen as courageous by multiple characters in the book, because apparently a woman is better off moving and hiding away herself like damaged goods, and, yeah, it's really fucked up.

It's even more messed up that according to the about the author in the old edition I read, Richard Peck was inspired to write this in the early seventies because rape was on the rise in young adults, but really this issue is still being silenced and the reality of protection for the rape perpetrators, particularly when they are accomplished, well off white boys, is still going strong now. Just see the case of Brock Turner.

[Kelly Daubek · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many reasons I enjoy this book. First, it deals with a real-world threat that many people confront on a daily basis. Second, it gives voice to the age-old belief that women “ask for it” when they are raped. Third, it shows the process of what happens after a girl has been raped (during the hospital proceedings), and finally, it offers the perspective that some will fight for justice (Gail knows the realities of the situation – that Phillip will probably escape prosecution). As in Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, there is no real punishment for Phil, so there is still a resounding lack of justice. However, there’s a process of healing for Gail, which is a strong message for other adolescents who may be victims.

I would probably teach this novel over Speak in a high school classroom. I like that the hospital experience is involved, and I like that Gail stands up to her attacker despite the small chance that it will actually receive the fairness it deserves. As for actual themes I would develop, I would ask students to consider prejudices against females (the concept of a girl deserving or asking to be raped and the comment that Gail is a slut for not wearing a bra). I would also have them consider the power that is in a letter – in a good letter like the love letters of Jane Austen’s characters or in a bad letter, such as the stalker notes Gail receives.

[Mrs.Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are You in the House Alone was published in 1976, before caller id and cell phones, back in the day when phones were attached to the wall and prank calls were not easily traced (and when people used words like "sweathog"). Gail, the narrator, is a high school junior who is harrassed, first with prank calls while she is babysitting, then with creepy notes in her locker, and finally with a violent attack. I enjoyed the story, but it was especially interesting to see how things have changed since 1976.
The book is shocking to read now, not because it is graphic - the disturbing elements of the book are not described in detail - but because of the characters' attitudes towards class and especially rape. Gail's parents do not trust her boyfriend because his parents are working class. Gail's best friend's only ambition is to marry well. There is a definite line drawn between rich and poor in Gail's town, and the two do not intermingle. Gail's stalker is able to get away with his crimes because he comes from the richest and most powerful family in town. But even if he didn't, the police probably would not have taken Gail seriously. When the policeman interviews Gail, his tone is appalling, implying that there is no such thing as rape, only girls who tease and change their minds. And he kept calling her "honey" - so sexist and condescending.

[Madison Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up…but only barely.

Richard Peck is a good writer, and this young adult novel about rape is honestly pretty progressive by 1970s standards, but it doesn’t hold up so well, and not just because of the content.

The first half or so of this book is pretty good, even if it’s mostly set-up. I liked Gail, the protagonist, and the supporting characters were more interesting than they needed to be. For example, Gail’s boyfriend Steve could have easily been a nice-guy stand-in, but making him an academic whiz from a working class Italian family gave their story a lot more nuance. (Side note, this is now the second book I’ve read about East Coast teenagers from the 1970s that discusses anti-Italian attitudes, the other being “The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane” by Laird Koenig. Perhaps it’s a sign that I need to study this issue more, because I’m honestly shocked that that was still happening only fifty years ago!)

However, the last third of this book is a mess. I feel like Peck was trying too hard to cram in the after-school-special aspect of the story that he doesn’t give the characters any room to breathe. There is way, way too much repetitive dialogue, and Gail’s sudden coolheaded resolve after her assault is admirable, but comes off very unrealistic. I do like how much awareness this book brings to the issue of rape, primarily, how the system was (still is) completely stacked against the victim, especially when the perpetrator is a rich, powerful white guy. It feels a little trite nowadays, but considering this was published 50 years ago, I’m impressed. Still, a good message doesn’t save a messy book.

All that to say, I saw the TV movie adaptation of this book last year, and I honestly preferred it. It trimmed a lot of unnecessary fat from the story and kept the message much more focused, and plus, it has a ton of fantastic 1970s fashion and interior design. So, as much as I like Richard Peck, I’d say skip this book and just watch the movie.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reread for me, but it has been over 40 years since I read it the first time. I didn't even remember that I owned it. I was going through an old box of my childhood belongings and came across it. As soon as I saw the cover I remembered I had read it but couldn't quite remember the contents. Then I saw Richard Peck as the author and told my husband, "hey, I didn't know I owned a book by Richard Peck since my teens". In my adult years I listened to his Chicago series and just fell in love with his books and have since been collecting them when I come across one. This book is very powerful and a reminder on how far we have come when it comes to rape cases and also how much times haven't changed, since the book was written in 1976. This is far from the light hearted and happy books of the Long way to Chicago series, but a very important book for YA.

[Britain Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixteen-year-old Gail is living the upper-class suburban life when she begins receiving terrifying phone calls and notes in her locker. And the calls keep coming. When she's attacked by the town's golden boy everyone refuses to take action against him and his powerful family. A frightening drama that deals with heavy teen issues and the idea of justice (or lack thereof) from bestselling author Richard Peck

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I went into this expecting it to be like every other late 20th century YA book. I was expecting it to be pretty cheesy, I was expecting it to be overdramatic, and, if you go back and look at my first update for this book, I was expecting it to be a straight-up Issue Book.

Yeah, so I was wrong about that.

This was surprisingly well-written, surprisingly well-developed, and, to be honest, I loved it. To be fair to me, though, the cover and tagline do not really do it any favors, and I don't think you can blame me for thinking that this was going to be dumb. But it wasn't. So. Check it out if you find it in Goodwill, I guess.

[D B · Rating 4 out of 5]

*some spoilers* This book was an easy, fast read. It, though short, accomplished a lot in a few short pages. I am what I like to call, an empathic reader. I love books were I feel as if I am in the character's shoes. I like to be the character. So upon reading this, I was impressed with how much I could empathize. Gail the main character is an HS student from the mighty NYC. She's lived in the small connecticut town for inly a few years. She was a normal teen with a normal life. She has a boyfriend and of course, her parents are a little skepical of him. *Spoiler* But anyway, everything comes to a fast and terrible halt when her best friend's boyfriend rapes her. He had threatened her for a few weeks with raunchy and disturbing notes, phone calls. She was found bruised and battered on the floor of the woman she babysat for. Once she has recovered a bit, she proceeds to tell the police who raped her. As in most cases, they don't believe her and think she bought this all on herself.

I have a strong dislike against people who think that rape is "made up". Or my favorite, "You invited him over for some fun. It wasn't what you wanted and now you crying wolf." That statement is pure bullshit but that is a conversation for another time. Anyway, this book was able to provoke my empathy. I could feel the pain she felt when she was hit in the head, the distress of the situation and the feeling of terror. Many times I caught myself freezing when my house phone rang. Or when there was an knock at the door. Peck did a great job of delivering the emotions. He painted a picture that was easy to see and understand. He created very believable characters. For example, the new girl. She was fresh from NYC. I could vividly see her colorful attire and the great love she had for the theater. For her, her clothing choice was normal. But the native were not used to such gear. The struggle to hold onto yourself and fit was real. Her carefree attitude towards their reactions, were indeed the true attitude of a NYC native. After all, you can see her style imtitidated in Times Square or in SoHo.On to the next character. Gail's best friend (cant remember the little conformist name at the moment), is a true definition of trying to fit in. She forgo all that she came from and under goes an transition into an identity crisis. She is willing to become a house wife and an snobby rich person, just so her "future" will be secure. She so into this life style that she dreams of that she forgets to be a best friend. All she cares about, is making sure she is eating tea and crumpets. I just for one want to call her a b**ch. She pissed me off so much, that I found myself trying to punch an fictional character. What happened to loyality to your friends? But anyway, she tells Gail to ignore all the letters stuck in her locker. The friend doesn't believe anybody really going to hurt Gail. How wrong was she. Freaking idiot. Gail's boyfriend was a little boring. I mean, I feel like I didn't know him too well. He just didn't stand out as a person. I'm not sure if she went with him because her mother didn't like him (I don't know why, it wasn't like he was an exciting person. He was def a home body type), or because she known him forever. Not sure. Now the little snob who raped Gail, was a little more interesting. He was everything the "golden" boy in town should be. He was rich, into snobby people sports and was on his way to Harvard. Nobody would expect that kind of behavior was him. Judging by everyone's reaction, nobody really wanted to believe Gail.

Getting down to the action of the book, the rape scene was the most exciting thing in the book. Although the character were described pretty well, they still remained a bit lifeless. The most reaction or feeling I got from Gail was the rape scene and the after the rape. It like the town sucked the life out of everyone. Except for the new girl. It's like she was a distant memory instead an actual in the flesh person. The drama teacher even stayed distant.Maybe that was Peck's whole point. I'm not sure, so don't take my word for it. Once Gail decided not to go ahead with the trial, the story went right back to being dry and boring. Almost like it never happened. Even when the new girl got raped too by the same person, it's like they didn't care. The new girl packed p and was never heard from again. I still don't understand why the people acted like it never happened. Same thing happened when the golden boy came up missing. They acted like he went to college early. Like come on , the sick dog got sent to somewhere he needed to be.

It still was a bit of a dry read with the dry characters. I didn't particiularly like the teenage dialouge. I feel like it too boring and not young enough. Again,it was pretty dry. Like the words seem leaf like in the fall.

But all in all, the book kept you interested until the end. There wasn't any beating around the brush and wasn't weighted down with stuff that wasn't relevant. It got straight to the point and described the teenagers pretty well.The characters were well developed.

Check the book out for yourself.

[Franziska Self Fisken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping book about an American schoolgirl who is stalked then raped by a schoolboy in her class.

[Madame Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was more of a Peyton Place melodrama than a Poe mystery.

[Chris Sherger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first one I've read from my "nostalgia-books-to-read" list (which are books I read in the mid-70's when I was 10-12ish). While it's been fun to try and recall titles, and I've been looking forward to revisiting books I loved when I was growing up, I have to say my expectations haven't been very high - did any of them stand the test of time? I can say I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this one definitely has. The writing is impressive, the characters have depth, and the plot is well-crafted and takes a number of unexpected turns.

[BRNTerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

PUBLISHING INFO: Viking Juvenile, 11/1976
REISSUED: 2000, Puffin Books
GENRE: YA Contemporary Suspense
SETTING: Connecticut, USA
MY GRADE: B

MY THOUGHTS/SPOILERS : I'd never heard of this book before, not until last year when I watched the 9/1978 CBS made for television movie on Youtube. I finally bought the book and received it a few days ago. It's only 160 pages long and needed to be at least 100 pages longer.

The book didn't really seem dated at all. The plotline was almost completely believable. Some of the dialogue from the school's guidance counselors wasn't believable, with them not believing her and also some of the comments the police officer made to her.

The notes that Phil sent Gail were explicit but they weren't detailed in the book.

Near the end there was an incident where a female student was raped and beaten one night and Gail believes Phil did it. No reasons were given for that and no proof was brought forth.

How the film differs from the book: I think in the film they made her seventeen years old. There was no mention of her being on birth control pills. They also changed her last name from Osburne to Osborne. The woman Gail babysat for, her last name was changed from Montgomery to Hirsch. They changed her boyfriend Steve Pastorini's last name slightly to Pastorinis. She met him in the film but when the book began she'd already been dating him awhile. The movie takes place in California, not Connecticut.

I think Kathleen Beller did a pretty good acting job and didn't look too old for the part at twenty-two years old. She's now married to musician/professor Thomas Dolby (She Blinded Me With Science). Her friend Alison's acting was believable too though she didn't speak too much. Dennis Quaid, twenty-four at the time, clearly looked too old for the part. Steve was played by Scott Colomby, who was a younger-looking twenty-six at the time.

The part I mentioned earlier where a girl was raped and beaten, in the film they showed a girl getting the same anonymous note saying that she's being watched. Gail, who's into photography at school, sets up a hidden camera that's pointing to that girls locker. It snaps a photo every two seconds. Sure enough, the camera captures Phil putting another note on the same girls locker. The girl reads the note, balls it up and throws it away but there's no mention of her being raped later. I like that that was expanded on in the movie.

Near the end of the movie Phil beats up Gail in one of the empty rooms at school and is caught for it, but that doesn't happen at all in the book.

In ways each one was better than the other so I don't prefer book over movie or vice versa.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely interesting Y/A book about rape and attitudes toward the victim prevalent as late as the 1970's, and important issues we need to remember about women's rights. Although it's only 40 years old, perhaps it could be looked at as historical fiction. The book was written in 1976 and reissued in 2000.

The story...Gail, a high school junior, is being stalked by an unknown person, presumably male. She gets multiple phone calls with no talking, although in at least one, her stalker says a filthy word. She gets notes left on her locker at school. Her best friend tells her to forget the whole thing; the guidance counselor can't handle the problem and refers it to the coach who is also Dean of Boys and he ignores it; and family problems make it impossible for her to talk with her parents (her dad has been let go of his job and her mother doesn't like to discuss unpleasant topics unless specifically of her own choosing). Gail gets more and more scared and finally she's attacked and raped by a boy from a very prominent family in town. The police are sure she's "asked for it" if she's not outright telling lies even though she was found unconscious from the attack and has to be hospitalized for several days. The lawyer her parents hire tells her that because she wasn't a virgin when she was attacked, she'll basically be crucified in court if she tries to bring the rapist to justice. It isn't until another girl is attacked and nearly killed that anything is done, and that only because there were identifiable tire tracks left on the side of the road where the girl was left. Even then, the boy's family is left to deal with their problem privately and it's not at all clear what they've done with him--various rumors say he's in a private clinic, he's in a private school where he's the star squash player, etc.

Anyone reading this book today would come up with obvious questions--why wasn't a DNA test done being foremost. Well, they didn't do DNA samples in 1976. Why wasn't Gail believed? There was a prevalent attitude that women/girls might think they didn't "want it" but clearly they really did and if it got a little rough, well, so be it. Women were still treated as chattel property well into the 70's and were frequently considered temptresses spinning their webs around unsuspecting men/boys who couldn't help themselves.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had the misfortune of reading this book in middle school. I picked it up in the school's library I think, and I was way too young to be reading this book. This is too mature a subject for a YA novel. I know kids and young teenagers are raped too, but it's a horrible subject and I don't think kids should be exposed to this kind of topic. I'm not sure why someone would choose to write about rape for a young audience, I think it's really inappropriate. I remember reading this and being confused and just really turned off by it. If I remember correctly she's in her house and the guy hits her with an object and she's trying to get away or maybe fight back but he knocks her unconscious. Afterwards she is advised not to shower while they check her for semen, not sure how far they went into that but just the idea of it was way too much for a teenager to be reading. This is a gruesome topic fit for adults who are mature enough to handle it and understand it.
The topic sounds like a mystery and I forget every time I see this book and catch myself, because it sounds interesting. I always liked mysteries and intrigue; this is neither. This is a rape story plain and simple. Then there's the difficulty of who raped her, that he comes from such an influential family that no one believes her and won't prosecute him. It's only when he attacks another girl that was dressed like the main girl that people believe it. It wasn't really the victory that rape victims deserve, it's such a dark topic. Sex, rape, attack, police, trials and facing down the town who won't believe the truth. It's all way over a kid's head and they shouldn't be confronted with such a bad story. There was nothing good about this book and children shouldn't be reading this.

[Suzana Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this after the Blossom Culp books and being surprised by how different the tone was. It was so blunt and real. I'm thinking now that the author must have heard of something like this happening or even known the person. I know of this exact thing happening in the small town my mom grew up in. The guy was rich, and money allowed him to get away with it, even though he actually cut the girl with a knife during the struggle.

This book is an unflinching look at an ugly truth about society. I thought the author was brave to take on this subject in such a way. It was something that wasn't talked about much in YA books at the time, and certainly not with this big of a spotlight on the brutality of the perpetrator. I liked how the victim was shown to get angry and disgusted with the lack of justice. I also remember how getting away with one violent crime led to him attempting murder. This happens even today. The main suspect in the Natalee Holloway disappearance was convicted of another girl's murder.

This is not an easy book to read because it's so realistic. There is no satisfying conclusion in which justice prevails. This author has my respect for tackling this in the days when it used to get swept under the rug. If you've read the Blossom books, you know that he writes smart, strong female characters who prevail over men who try to keep them down. Unfortunately, that's not always the way it happens in real life, and that's not the way it happens in this book. The protagonist still perseveres though, and I remember being impressed by her strength in the aftermath when I read this as a teen.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took this book out of the library thinking it was a horror / suspense
novel, but then realized it was more. Rated as a “young adult” book I felt
the subject was violent, but could open discussion on a difficult topic.

Taking place in the mid 70’s in a small quiet CT town, 16 year old Gail is
threatened with sexually explicit notes in her school locker and mysterious
hang ups when she answers the phone (she is always along in the house or
babysitting when they happen). Despite trying to discuss the situation with
her BFF Alison and school staff that will look into it, Gail’s fate ends on
Saturday while she is babysitting – she is raped.

The twist is she knows her assailant and when she names him, town officials
suggest she not pursue conviction. Gail had a boyfriend and was sexually
active with conscientious visits to Planned Parenthood for birth
control pills. Police and officials believe: she must have asked for it.
While this was a common thought of rape victims before “date rape” became
commonplace,the books dwells on silence/avoidance as a means to forget what
happened. Hard for Gail!

Being a child of the 70’s I can understand the reasoning of keeping
secrets. Believe it or not years ago everything wasn’t broadcast and always
common knowledge. Also, there were some similarities to a real life story of
Martha Moxley from around that time. Although Martha's full story did not come
to justice until many years later the theme of privilege and prominence was
similar.

[Sandra Strange]

This isn’t really a mystery. The narrator is living a rather mundane life, with steady boyfriend, until she finds a series of obscene notes in her locker. The threats escalate until her best friend’s steady boyfriend, son of the most prestigious folks in town, stalks her and ultimately rapes her and beats her brutally. No one in town will acknowledge this young man’s horrific behavior because there is no proof, and her father loses his job. There is pressure for the family to move away to hush up the incident. Instead, the girl goes back to high school, but is shunned, even when another is similarly attacked and left to die at the side of the road. The most objectionable part of this book is the ending: the obviously mentally unbalanced young man sees what he does as not being wrong at all. Isn’t he entitled to anything he wants? At the end, after the second attack, he is whisked away to a private boarding school. He pays no consequences. The girl pays all: she loses her boyfriend, her best friend, all popularity and acceptance at school. Her dad loses his job. Her mother loses self respect and her friends. I’m sure Peck thought he was portraying a bitter reality, but I hope he is wrong. I definitely DO NOT want kids thinking this is what “justice” is like.

[Jesse E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how the author portrayed rape and its effects in this book. And for those who are saying they had no idea the book was about rape, you need to look closer. I don't know if there are multiple covers, but my book says clearly on the FRONT cover that it is "a frank novel about the nightmare of rape and its aftermath." And if you open the front cover, the first page, full of others praising recommending the book, says things about how this book makes a powerful statement about the problems rape victims face. If the book is too graphic for young ones, check it out thoroughly, don't blame the book for your mistake. Yes, it was intense, and horrifying. So is rape. And we live in a world full of information, so even if you didn't check the book itself out thoroughly, a few keystrokes on Google will give you hundreds of full synopses and subject clarifications for this novel. An author is not to blame for a book being in the wrong section of a library. It happened with Orwell's "Animal Farm." And middle schoolers are required to read "Lord of the Flies", which is much more brutal. I recommend this book, its insightful and refreshingly honest.

[Joey Farmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

i think this book was pritty good it is about this girl her name is Gail Osburne she is a high school student in Oldfield Village she has a best friend whos name is Alison she has a boy friend whos name is Phil Lawver he is the son of the most powerful family in town the Lawvers Gail start receving strange notes and letter saying weird sexual things like what the stalker will do to her and finaly she finds out that the stalker is Alisons boy friend Phil and then Gail is raped by Phil and Gail cant really do anything about it because Phils parents are the most powerful family in town but it ends by Phil geting punished for what he did and it was a short book and a good read so i liked it

[Kate Shanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Are you in the House Alone?" is so well written. Richard Peck is a talented author who eliminates any unnecessary words and uses phrases that flow so well. I was immediately drawn into this horrifying story and couldn't even put the book down. Gail is the target of a psychotic rapist who is following her every move. He watches her with her boyfriend, Steve and calls her when she is babysitting. When she starts finding threatening notes in her locker, Gail is at a loss about what to do. There is mature content in this book, but adolescents can learn so much about what to do or not to do if found in a similar situation.

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised at the grimness of this book’s message. The inability of adults and the legal system to assist Gail is quite disturbing. Peck pacts a brutal message into such a short little story.

As in many older YA novels the slang is quite dated, although my main complaint with the novel was the final message. It seemed that Peck advocated not fighting back when sexually assaulted. While I appreciated his attempt to warn teenagers about what may happen to victims in this situation, I was rather annoyed that Gail’s attacker suffered no consequences.