Irreversible

Keir Sarafian #2

by Chris Lynch

Keir Sarafian knows he is not a rapist and did nothing wrong. But no one will believe that he’s the good guy he knows he is—no one except his father, Ray. And Ray’s just the person Keir has to leave in order to have the fresh start he deserves.

In the follow-up to Inexcusable, Keir must confront the kind of person he really is and realize that though events may be in the past, they are as inescapable as they are irreversible.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Family, Realistic Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2016

About the author

Chris Lynch is the Printz Honor Award-winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including KILL SWITCH, ANGRY YOUNG MAN, and INEXCUSABLE, which was a National Book Award finalist and the recipient of six starred reviews. He is also the author of FREEWILL, GOLD DUST, ICEMAN, GYPSY DAVY, and SHADOWBOXER, all ALA Best Books for Young Adults; EXTREME ELVIN WHITECHURCH, and ALL THE OLD HAUNTS.

He holds an M.A. from the writing program at Emerson College. He mentors aspiring writers and continues to work on new literary projects. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.

Reviews

[PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 STARS

Everybody has a story, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we want to read about it. Reading a book from a rapist’s POV is clearly not for everyone. I rated INEXCUSABLE the first book in this series only one star, because of the poor execution, lack of character growth and non ending ending. When I saw that the sequel IRREVERSIBLE was just 99 cents, I figured I’d give it a try.

Raises and enabled by his single father, Kier still sees himself as a victim when he heads off to college to play football. Unfortunately Kier’s problems follow him 2000 miles when he encounters a former teammate.

IRREVERSIBLE may be one of the most boring books ever written. Chris Lynch had the opportunity to add depth to Kier’s character but instead bogged down the plot with minutia not central to the character or plot.

I really wanted IRREVERSIBLE to be an important read, to give insight into the development of a rapist’s sense of entitlement and his arc toward changing. As a psychologist, I could point to glaring obvious plot points (a father who always bails him out) which seemed to be a cop out to the complexity of the issue.

I can’t think of a reason to recommend IRREVERSIBLE, I really wish I could.

[Rachel Reeves · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I disliked this as much, maybe more, as the first book. Keir just continues to be insufferable and clueless about what a terrible person he really is. He has no growth as a character, and frankly his mind is not something I am interested in seeing inside of regardless. I hate that the author even wrote this or this first book honestly. It makes me angry that the purpose seems to be making the reader care about, or at minimum find interest in, the well being of the rapist. These books attempt to humanize him, and I just find that to be really irresponsible in light of the state of things. Rapist Brock Turner is a perfect example of the dangers of this, as the humanizing of him is what gave him only a slap on the wrist and his get out of prison early pass. I don't recommend this book unless you're looking for something to really anger and disgust you. And I don't say that lightly. I don't like writing mean reviews, but this book left me with nothing kinder to say about it.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Inexcusable (the precursor to this book). It's a tough thing to read and realize how the reader slowly comes to doubt the narrator Keir's own self-perception. It's masterful, even when it's hard to read. But Irreversible gets lost quickly and never recovers. It's an interesting premise: the many young men who "get away" with sexual assault--where do they go from there? But this premise does not develop satisfactorily--at least for me.

[Alisha Hein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book's layout was better than the first book's layout which is good because I hated the first book's layout. I thought that in the middle of the book there was too many details that weren't important. I didn't like how he was stupid enough to punch Kelly after the first time when they both almost got kicked off. I didn't like how at first Joyce was really nice to Keir but after he told her that he likes her, she tries to push him off. I hated the ending a lot. I hated how Ray died like that and I really wasn't expecting that. I didn't like how he got beat up. I don't like how when he says he's sorry and tries to explain himself, Gigi won't give him a chance. I don't like how he still likes Gigi even after he met Joyce. I don't like all the unneeded details about football tryouts and practice when he gets kicked off the team. I don't like how Kelly is mean to Keir for no reason. I just don't like Kelly in general.

[Jai · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited when I saw this book on the shelf, I just wanted some sort of closure to a story that kinda hurt. I think most who read the first book just wanted answers and to see if life really does imitate art. But, sadly this book was at least 90% of a complete letdown. This book took me several months longer than it should have to finish simply because of how drawn out it is. It’s so long winded that I’m not sure most people would care about the answers they sought when they picked up the book in the first place. It’s just one big loop. Now if you’re determined like me to get the silly little answers to a fictional book you read several years ago, then totally give it a read. Just don’t be too disappointed when it doesn’t turn out like you had hoped.

*Message me for a link to my full review, if you're interested.*

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book read like the author was contractually obligated to turn it in. Did anyone edit it? Aside from not understanding character motivations, dialogue that was plot-advancing (ugh) and didn't sound like real-life, there were times I had a hard time understanding where the story was in place and time. It was also hard to understand what made the narrator change over time. Or did he change? I couldn't tell. This is a topic that deserves a way better treatment than this book gave it.

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

This follow up didn't need to be published because the first was provocative enough. Not that a sequel couldn't be a bad idea but this was too klunky, way too drawn out, and while important, didn't do enough to advance the main character.

[Kayla Dyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m really not sure how I feel about this one. I feel like it was kind of all over the place. Going into so much depth and storytelling about the bus ride to college was unnecessary to me.

[Kelly Sierra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I should mention that I read Lolita , a book that gives you the perspective of a pedophile. Let that sink in, in case you have never read that story... it's about child molestation and rape, told by the pedophile. Sure there were moments I despised the content, but overall the author wasn't trying to humanize the main character, but mostly letting the rest of the world into the mind of a pedophile. And yes, I know that rapists, murderers, etc are human too and they are complex, but this story doesn't do justice in that respect. Instead you have a criminal, who cannot take responsibility for their actions and blames everyone else, and those that do support him enable him to continue to perceive that he has done nothing wrong. Really? He found redemption and was able to finally make a grand gesture, like writing a letter to the girl he raped and telling her she was right all along and that she can bring him to jail. You know what would have showed that he actually understood the error of his actions... HIM TAKING HIMSELF TO JAIL. But no... Brock Turner #2 gets to go to college and maybe rape someone else, if they are not too careful, because in this day and age of course it's all on the victims/potential victims to not fall prey (this is said sarcastically.)

1 star

[Auburn Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I did not like this book as much as the first one (Inexcusable). Keir, accused of date-raping the only girl he has ever really loved, leaves everything he has ever known to make a fresh start.

I understand the author's desire to show the situation from Keir's perspective, and I thought Lynch did an amazing job with the first book. But this one just made me angry in a lot of places. While it seemed at the end that there was redemption for Keir, there was never any justice for his victim. And while it takes FOREVER for Keir to arrive at this conclusion, there is no doubt that she was a victim. He is constantly bailed out by everyone, and has no sense of personal responsibility. In the wake of the Brock Turner case, I find it hard to be objective about this book.

[Jamie Blanchard · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure what to say about this book. I was confused for 90% of the book because the kids rapes his childhood crush and then tries to pretend it didn't happen. Then all of a sudden, I understood what the author was doing. Keir (main character) never takes responsibility for his own actions. Everything that has happened in his life he blames on mean people trying to get him. He doesn't learn his lesson until the end of the book. That being said, I hate Keir because he raped someone.

[Read InAGarden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, disjointed, slow moving, and confusing. After reading the premise - I was really looking forward to reading Lynch's treatment of the subject matter. And then was thoroughly disappointed.

[Dale Nia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took sometimes to finish this book because it is quite depressing. Why was Keir labelled as a rapist? This scene lacks context particularly. Even Gigi’s point of view is very limited in the story.

Keir was just a sad, struggling character trying to make it in life. I can’t imagine trying to build a second life for myself away from my family. In the end, he lost his ‘best friend’, the only friend he ever had. Bad ending.

Even his siblings are keeping a distance from him. How depressing. I just wanted him to be happy in the end, but I guess that would never happen. I am glad tho to finish this book, as it has been a struggle.

The author’s way of writing is not necessarily the best and straightforward because I found myself having to re-read some parts over and over again. Nevertheless, I am glad that Keir found a friend like Fabian.

[Marsha Raasch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self knowledge is painful and hard to come by. Especially when your family and sports culture have helped obscure the truth and created an alternative narrative. This theme is exemplified by the Burns' quote " O wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
From "To a Louse".
I enjoyed this book, difficult though it was to tread through an adolescent male's painful maturity. Plan to check out more of this author.

[Trina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read just over 100 pages then quit. I thought the first book was very important because it gave me an idea of what SOME perpetrators may have been thinking. I disliked the main character, but appreciated that his family (in particular his sisters) provided insight into his behaviour. The sequel is all of the things wrong with the first book made even worse. I couldn't handle one page more.

[Tori Berndt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a 2/5 though. It was not my favorite by any means. The way it ended made me mad, actually the entire book made me mad. Why did they have end without Ray? Keir really needs to learn how to grow up.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

So much better than the first book. Way more detailed and heartfelt. Really enjoyed reading this

[♡occhilism♡]

Dand it got boring 

[Said Abdirahim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring, disjointed, slow moving, and confusing. After reading the premise - I was really looking forward to reading Lynch's treatment of the subject matter. And then was thoroughly disappointed.

[Shafinah J · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that finally addresses the age-old question: If you did it but you didn’t mean it, did you actually do it?

I’m not going to beat around the bush with this one (I’ve already left it idling in my drafts for more than 18 months): It’s about rape. Inexcusable and Irreversible is about rape. A high school guy takes the girl he likes out on a date – and, against his own intentions and to his own horror, rapes her. But just because it turned out that way doesn’t make him a… rapist, right? He’s a good guy. And he really is – he’s a talented football player (and not even the obnoxious kind), a loyal friend, a devoted son, a good brother, and definitely not the kind of guy that rapes a girl.

And so he convinces himself that he didn’t – and Gigi (his girlfriend?/date?/crush?) must have misunderstood the situation. At one point, he apologizes to her because he didn’t like that she wasn’t speaking to him anymore; but when she presses him to answer what he was sorry for, he truly didn’t know. Because he really didn’t do anything wrong; and now, he needs to convince her that she’s made a mistake.

My memory is a little fuzzy about the details because it’s been 18 months since I last finished this dilogy; but I distinctly remember the entire span of both books being so extremely frustrating to read – in that it was so achingly real that, so many times, I wanted to reach into the pages and slap this boy around. More importantly, I thought the author really crafted a portrait of “the person who accidentally rapes” with such a deft touch that it opens up a lot of hard truths to consider. Many hold the opinion that this project proves the author as a rape apologist; personally, I felt he was simply just writing from the perspective of a rapist – an undertaking rarely executed in the literary world – and by doing so, landed in A WHOLE LOT OF GREY AREA. Of course it’s discomforting. We always want to see the transgressor being written as a clear-cut bad person and the rapist as the obvious villain; and when it’s not presented to us as such, when it’s a normal eighteen-year-old boy at the cusp of greatness with friends and family and a bright college football future ahead of him, we cannot accept the melding of realities and so we take out our sticks and stones and decry the messenger foul. A rape apologist. Because bad is bad and good is good and bad cannot stem from good and therefore if this author makes the basis of the bad character good, then he is making excuses for him.

I think the only thing that enrages me more than the guy in this story (because he is two books’ worth of mindnumbingly dumb and self-centered), is the people who completely and utterly missed the point of this narrative. Life is not black-and-white. It’s not always just horrible people who do horrible things. Sometimes, the bad guy IS the nice guy. Sometimes, the villain turns out to be the nice Catholic boy who just so happened to rape a girl when he was in college. He’s not a bad guy; how could he be? He’s now a Supreme Court Justice of the United States.

The question here shouldn’t be about the goodness or the badness of a single character; but rather, how we should respond as a society, when a non-bad person does a bad thing. Because not everyone walks around with a pitchfork in their hands and their horns showing out of their heads- so unless we get comfortable with the premise that “nice people are capable of bad things” too, it will continue to be very hard for us as human beings, to understand when a transgression is made; and to truly recognize when real harm is being done against us.