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Again and Again
If sexual shenanigans disqualified candidates for Congress, the U.S. would have no government. But what if the candidate was a pro-choice Republican supported by feminist groups―and a college rapist whose secret could be exposed by a leading women’s rights advocate? Again and Again tells the story of Deborah Borenstein―as an established women’s rights leader in 2010 Washington, DC, and as a college student, thirty years earlier, whose roommate is raped by a fellow student. The perpetrator is now a Senate candidate who has the backing of major feminist groups . . . which puts Deborah in a difficult position. Torn between her past and present, as the race goes on, Deborah finds herself tested as a wife, a mother, a feminist, and a friend.
- GenresFiction
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 22, 2015
Ellen Bravo is to be commended for this relevant work of feminist fiction. Three stars for an engrossing story in its own right, and a bonus one for shedding light on the thorny topic of campus date rape, to boot.
It’s tricky pulling off a work of fiction that tackles a difficult social issue. Again and Again deftly moves between the present day, more-troubled-than-it-appears relationship between protagonist Deborah Borenstein and her D.C. campaign consultant husband, Aaron; and her early relationship with her college roommate, Liddie Golmboch, at Danforth University. One evening in 1978, before we had a name for such things, Deborah walks in on her roommate being date-raped by a handsome, well-to-do frat boy. Without giving away too many spoilers, suffice it to say that neither a credible eye-witness nor the many Polaroids Deborah took of Liddie’s injuries would be sufficient to prove that this wasn’t a “classic case” of morning-after hook-up regret. After all, other frat brothers had seen Liddie drinking with Will Quincy and making out with him at a party earlier that evening. She’d even invited him back to her room—for a book, according to her (“Yeah, right”).
Now a top figure in “Breaking the Silence”—an organization dedicated to fighting sexual violence against women, Deborah finds herself at odds with hubby Aaron, who is campaign manager for the candidate running against—who else?—Will Quincy, campus rapist cum pro-choice supporter of women’s issues who is vying for the open Delaware senate seat. Although the college rape and lack of vindication had all but derailed Liddie (who as an adult is happily ensconced in Wisconsin with her veterinarian husband, leading a quiet life making quilts), Liddie’s refusal to “go public,” and Deborah’s support of that decision, is driving a wedge between the seemingly egalitarian D.C. couple.
While as a feminist and the mother of a teen daughter, I don’t doubt the legitimacy of Liddie being affected by PTSD after having been a victim of this insidious crime, as a reader of fiction, I couldn’t help wanting to root for an underdog-turned-pit bull out for vengeance, or—failing that—at least get inside the victim’s head. I found myself growing frustrated with Liddie’s diffidence throughout nearly the entire story, as well as the sometimes syrupy relationship between her and Deborah while Liddie remained consistently in the background. Though engaging, I think this book might have packed a bolder “punch” if told—at least in part—from Liddie’s point of view. Deborah as the lone (if plucky) heroine just slightly missed the mark for me; her marital, career and family issues and her husband’s conflicting career aspirations weakened and at times eclipsed the focal point of this story—i.e., stopping a known rapist from becoming a U.S. senator.
That said, this is a satisfying read by an author who obviously knows what she is talking about. Ellen Bravo is described as a “lifelong activist” who is currently the executive director for Family Values @ Work, a network of state coalitions working for family-friendly policies. Many thanks to Ms. Bravo for sending me a complimentary early release copy of Again and Again at my request after I learned about it through She Writes Press.
It’s tricky pulling off a work of fiction that tackles a difficult social issue. Again and Again deftly moves between the present day, more-troubled-than-it-appears relationship between protagonist Deborah Borenstein and her D.C. campaign consultant husband, Aaron; and her early relationship with her college roommate, Liddie Golmboch, at Danforth University. One evening in 1978, before we had a name for such things, Deborah walks in on her roommate being date-raped by a handsome, well-to-do frat boy. Without giving away too many spoilers, suffice it to say that neither a credible eye-witness nor the many Polaroids Deborah took of Liddie’s injuries would be sufficient to prove that this wasn’t a “classic case” of morning-after hook-up regret. After all, other frat brothers had seen Liddie drinking with Will Quincy and making out with him at a party earlier that evening. She’d even invited him back to her room—for a book, according to her (“Yeah, right”).
Now a top figure in “Breaking the Silence”—an organization dedicated to fighting sexual violence against women, Deborah finds herself at odds with hubby Aaron, who is campaign manager for the candidate running against—who else?—Will Quincy, campus rapist cum pro-choice supporter of women’s issues who is vying for the open Delaware senate seat. Although the college rape and lack of vindication had all but derailed Liddie (who as an adult is happily ensconced in Wisconsin with her veterinarian husband, leading a quiet life making quilts), Liddie’s refusal to “go public,” and Deborah’s support of that decision, is driving a wedge between the seemingly egalitarian D.C. couple.
While as a feminist and the mother of a teen daughter, I don’t doubt the legitimacy of Liddie being affected by PTSD after having been a victim of this insidious crime, as a reader of fiction, I couldn’t help wanting to root for an underdog-turned-pit bull out for vengeance, or—failing that—at least get inside the victim’s head. I found myself growing frustrated with Liddie’s diffidence throughout nearly the entire story, as well as the sometimes syrupy relationship between her and Deborah while Liddie remained consistently in the background. Though engaging, I think this book might have packed a bolder “punch” if told—at least in part—from Liddie’s point of view. Deborah as the lone (if plucky) heroine just slightly missed the mark for me; her marital, career and family issues and her husband’s conflicting career aspirations weakened and at times eclipsed the focal point of this story—i.e., stopping a known rapist from becoming a U.S. senator.
That said, this is a satisfying read by an author who obviously knows what she is talking about. Ellen Bravo is described as a “lifelong activist” who is currently the executive director for Family Values @ Work, a network of state coalitions working for family-friendly policies. Many thanks to Ms. Bravo for sending me a complimentary early release copy of Again and Again at my request after I learned about it through She Writes Press.
August 12, 2017
Deborah Borenstean is a Woman's rights leader in Washington D.C.,thirty years ago when she was a college student her roommate was raped by Will Quincy,a big man on campus from a very well do to family. Thirty years later Quincy is a Senate candidate and he has the backing of a major feminist group ( did I mention that he is very good looking?)
It becomes Deborah's job to keep Quincy off the Republican ticket.
This was a very good read that let's you know the lifelong impact that rape has on the victim as well as there friends and family.
I would urge anyone who is sending their daughter off to college to read this book.
It becomes Deborah's job to keep Quincy off the Republican ticket.
This was a very good read that let's you know the lifelong impact that rape has on the victim as well as there friends and family.
I would urge anyone who is sending their daughter off to college to read this book.
August 25, 2015
As seen on my blog:
An enormously important message, jumbled into a sub par storyline. I can appreciate the standalone force that Again and Again was in regards to raising awareness about a subject that still, in many cases, spends most of it's time in shades of grey. Date rape, (as per Wikipedia definition) "[...] specifically refers to a rape in which there has been some sort of romantic or potentially sexual relationship between the two parties," and was the catalyst for a narrative that tried to wrap a grenade in cashmere. To be completely non-metaphorical, I could have done without the outside dramatics.
It's 1978, and Deborah Borenstein has come home to what seemingly looks like a drunken teenage romp. What she mistakes for lust, is the exact moment in which her best friend, Liddie Golmbach, is irrevocably changed. Liddie is the victim of a crime so perpetually ignored, and so disgustingly dismissed. I felt my blood boil the second the scene was over, felt my heart hammering in my chest for the countless real-life victims that denied the importance of their voice. I immediately wanted the perspective to change to Liddie's, or even alternate between the two. I championed the hundreds of attempts on Deborah's part to bring justice where it was due, and could even imagine feeling the pain she must have endured to witness a close friend's decent into depression, but I couldn't hold on to those feelings for long. Somewhere along the halfway point of Again and Again , amidst heavy political jargon that went WAY over my head, and family drama that had my wanting to take someone by shoulder and shake some good sense into them, I lost my vote for Deborah. Ellen Bravo made a great attempt to make the smaller details into one cohesive whole, but I found that so many things became unnecessary filler.
On more than one occasion my eyes glazed over conference call dialogues, and campaign initiatives. I understand the author's background, and I can appreciate bringing your knowledge base into your writing, but I also believe that an individual's choice to pick up a piece of fiction should be rewarded with more emotion than solid, real-life, fact dropping. It was during these moments that Ellen Bravo lost me as a reader, but she swooped me back up with the moments of raw emotion she occasionally doled out.
But Again and Again is not a book that should be picked up based on personal reviews. Again and Again is a book that should be read by every young female, and male, as a beacon, as a megaphone, for the truths behind a very real issue that is faced by THOUSANDS every day, every hour, possibly even every minute. I don't know the exact stats on sexual harassment, but I don't need to, this book is not to be ignored, no matter your knowledge on the subject matter.
Recommended for Fans of: Jodi Picoult, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell, Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson, The Round House by Louise Erdrich, Controversial topics.
An enormously important message, jumbled into a sub par storyline. I can appreciate the standalone force that Again and Again was in regards to raising awareness about a subject that still, in many cases, spends most of it's time in shades of grey. Date rape, (as per Wikipedia definition) "[...] specifically refers to a rape in which there has been some sort of romantic or potentially sexual relationship between the two parties," and was the catalyst for a narrative that tried to wrap a grenade in cashmere. To be completely non-metaphorical, I could have done without the outside dramatics.
It's 1978, and Deborah Borenstein has come home to what seemingly looks like a drunken teenage romp. What she mistakes for lust, is the exact moment in which her best friend, Liddie Golmbach, is irrevocably changed. Liddie is the victim of a crime so perpetually ignored, and so disgustingly dismissed. I felt my blood boil the second the scene was over, felt my heart hammering in my chest for the countless real-life victims that denied the importance of their voice. I immediately wanted the perspective to change to Liddie's, or even alternate between the two. I championed the hundreds of attempts on Deborah's part to bring justice where it was due, and could even imagine feeling the pain she must have endured to witness a close friend's decent into depression, but I couldn't hold on to those feelings for long. Somewhere along the halfway point of Again and Again , amidst heavy political jargon that went WAY over my head, and family drama that had my wanting to take someone by shoulder and shake some good sense into them, I lost my vote for Deborah. Ellen Bravo made a great attempt to make the smaller details into one cohesive whole, but I found that so many things became unnecessary filler.
On more than one occasion my eyes glazed over conference call dialogues, and campaign initiatives. I understand the author's background, and I can appreciate bringing your knowledge base into your writing, but I also believe that an individual's choice to pick up a piece of fiction should be rewarded with more emotion than solid, real-life, fact dropping. It was during these moments that Ellen Bravo lost me as a reader, but she swooped me back up with the moments of raw emotion she occasionally doled out.
But Again and Again is not a book that should be picked up based on personal reviews. Again and Again is a book that should be read by every young female, and male, as a beacon, as a megaphone, for the truths behind a very real issue that is faced by THOUSANDS every day, every hour, possibly even every minute. I don't know the exact stats on sexual harassment, but I don't need to, this book is not to be ignored, no matter your knowledge on the subject matter.
Recommended for Fans of: Jodi Picoult, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell, Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson, The Round House by Louise Erdrich, Controversial topics.
Read
August 3, 2016I must begin by saying this book should be read by ALL. Including males. Bravo does a wonderful job of discussing rape, in particular date rape. Long ago date rape didn't have a name, sadly now we know what to call it. Times have changed, yet today rape still carries the negative assumptions besieging the survivor - such as the victim is responsible in some form, social/financial position of attacker using this as leverage towards survivor, also the absence of sensitivity towards the rape survivor. We have a long way to go in changing society's mentality and definition of rape. Let's focus on STOP doubting, blaming or assuming the survivor played a role, rather, focus attention and pressure on the accused.
Bravo addresses female empowerment, reinforcing the fact the rape survivor has the right and power to decide what is best for her in the handling of her attacker and of her person.
Another point Bravo examines is the social and financial position of the offender, generally he who possesses money and/or prominence has the means to hire a stellar legal team, often allowing the attacker to avoid conviction by being creative with the law and system overall.
This is a VERY intricate and complex realistic look at rape, rape survivors and attackers. Handling rape is not always fair and balanced as this particulate story reveals. No such thing as cut and dry as the system allows for loopholes, and there is the verdict of public opinion, need we forget.
A book serving as a tool demonstrating the damages of rape/date rape - emotionally, psychologically, physically, the difficulties legally through compelling and empathetic characters. A book exposing the rape survivor in a raw and compassionate manner.
With school resuming this is MUST to share in family dialog. Highly recommend.
Visit Raven Haired Girl for more reviews and giveawaysl
Bravo addresses female empowerment, reinforcing the fact the rape survivor has the right and power to decide what is best for her in the handling of her attacker and of her person.
Another point Bravo examines is the social and financial position of the offender, generally he who possesses money and/or prominence has the means to hire a stellar legal team, often allowing the attacker to avoid conviction by being creative with the law and system overall.
This is a VERY intricate and complex realistic look at rape, rape survivors and attackers. Handling rape is not always fair and balanced as this particulate story reveals. No such thing as cut and dry as the system allows for loopholes, and there is the verdict of public opinion, need we forget.
A book serving as a tool demonstrating the damages of rape/date rape - emotionally, psychologically, physically, the difficulties legally through compelling and empathetic characters. A book exposing the rape survivor in a raw and compassionate manner.
With school resuming this is MUST to share in family dialog. Highly recommend.
Visit Raven Haired Girl for more reviews and giveawaysl
November 25, 2015
This book is a page-turner. Bravo deftly weaves her characters' personal experiences with campus sexual assault with a larger story of political intrigue, bringing new meaning to "the personal is political." A great read for a book club or campus group, especially those concerned with beginning a dialogue about sexual assault and how to stop its "normalization" on university campuses.
December 5, 2019
Good book, good subject. Bought a couple years ago at a PBWC conference and am very glad I did. Topic and parallels to the past couple years are uncanny and do make the ending feel less realistic, sadly. But do not diminish the book, even looking at the dates (written and read) this made me even more thoughtful. Also I sort of wish the thread within the story of the main character’s marriage wasn’t a little distracting (I would have preferred that to be different, more examples of very good men as they are out there), but this is a minor quibble). The alternating chapters, past and present juxtaposition, the past sequences progressing to the present, was well done and added to the story.
March 2, 2016
Over thirty years ago, when she was a student at Danforth University, Deborah Borenstein came back to her dorm room to find her roommate, Liddie Golmbach, being assaulted and raped by the campus dream boat, Will Quincy the III. But even though Deborah is a credible witness and Liddie’s injuries do not deny the facts, these two young ladies aren’t believed by campus authorities. And why would a rich, handsome and popular frat boy like Will have to rape someone? He can get sex from any girl on campus. Besides, everyone saw Liddie drinking with Will and flirting with him. She wanted it; she was asking for it. Liddie Golmbach is just a loser slut who should thank her lucky stars Will deigned to even talk to her.
At the time there was no term “date rape.” Rape was something that was done by shadowy strangers jumping out of alley ways at unsuspecting women (and even then these unsuspecting women might “asking for it” because they were drunk, wearing a short skirt or walking around in a dangerous neighborhood).
Fast forward to 2010, Deborah is at the helm of Breaking the Silence, a Washington, DC-based advocacy group for victims of rape and other sexual violence. She is married to a Democratic political consultant named Aaron, and together they are raising a daughter named Becca. Liddie is living a quiet life in Wisconsin with her husband and she has gained some success as a weaver and quilter.
And Will Quincy the III? He is running for a Senate seat as a pro-choice, pro-women’s rights Republican (yes, obviously Again and Again is a work of fiction). His opponent is a very conservative Democrat who is pro-life and not exactly a supporter of women’s rights.
Soon Deborah soon finds herself in a bit of a quandary. She is being hounded by a take-no-prisoners investigative journalist to spill the dirt on Will Quincy the III after rumors begin to surface about his collegiate past (Liddie, it turns out, wasn’t his only victim). And Aaron is slated to work on behalf of Will’s opponent (who as I explained, is not exactly a friend to women’s issues).
As for Liddie? She wants the past to be the past and is not exactly comfortable with re-living the horrible night. And her long-time friend, Deborah, understands and supports her much to Aaron’s chagrin. This causes problems in what seems like an ideal marriage between two equals.
Again and Again flips between the Deborah and Liddie’s collegiate past and the roadblocks they faced as they tried in vain to bring Will and his crime to justice, and to the modern day of this issue causing conflict in Deborah and Aaron’s marriage and their career aspirations, the PTSD Liddie still suffers from and how rape is now more or less understood as a truly detestable crime.
And this is where Again and Again stumbled a wee bit for me. Though I admired Deborah for her commitment to women’s causes and her friendship with Liddie, I found her to be a bit of a Mary Sue. Liddie, at times, seemed to be a mirror, shining brightly on Deborah’s qualities and not so much of a compelling character whose PTSD and the decades since her years at Danforth I desired to see more of a focus on her. And I also found myself not caring that much about Aaron or Becca.
As for Will, well, you can read the book to see what his reaction is to being outed as a serial rapist back during his college years and if he truly feels contrite or not.
However, I do want to commend Bravo for having the balls (or should I say ovaries) for taking on a subject-rape-where the victim is often put more on trial than the actual criminal. Again and Again is a book that would make a strong book club selection and one that will inspire much needed discussion about a crime that is still not understood.
Originally published at The Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
At the time there was no term “date rape.” Rape was something that was done by shadowy strangers jumping out of alley ways at unsuspecting women (and even then these unsuspecting women might “asking for it” because they were drunk, wearing a short skirt or walking around in a dangerous neighborhood).
Fast forward to 2010, Deborah is at the helm of Breaking the Silence, a Washington, DC-based advocacy group for victims of rape and other sexual violence. She is married to a Democratic political consultant named Aaron, and together they are raising a daughter named Becca. Liddie is living a quiet life in Wisconsin with her husband and she has gained some success as a weaver and quilter.
And Will Quincy the III? He is running for a Senate seat as a pro-choice, pro-women’s rights Republican (yes, obviously Again and Again is a work of fiction). His opponent is a very conservative Democrat who is pro-life and not exactly a supporter of women’s rights.
Soon Deborah soon finds herself in a bit of a quandary. She is being hounded by a take-no-prisoners investigative journalist to spill the dirt on Will Quincy the III after rumors begin to surface about his collegiate past (Liddie, it turns out, wasn’t his only victim). And Aaron is slated to work on behalf of Will’s opponent (who as I explained, is not exactly a friend to women’s issues).
As for Liddie? She wants the past to be the past and is not exactly comfortable with re-living the horrible night. And her long-time friend, Deborah, understands and supports her much to Aaron’s chagrin. This causes problems in what seems like an ideal marriage between two equals.
Again and Again flips between the Deborah and Liddie’s collegiate past and the roadblocks they faced as they tried in vain to bring Will and his crime to justice, and to the modern day of this issue causing conflict in Deborah and Aaron’s marriage and their career aspirations, the PTSD Liddie still suffers from and how rape is now more or less understood as a truly detestable crime.
And this is where Again and Again stumbled a wee bit for me. Though I admired Deborah for her commitment to women’s causes and her friendship with Liddie, I found her to be a bit of a Mary Sue. Liddie, at times, seemed to be a mirror, shining brightly on Deborah’s qualities and not so much of a compelling character whose PTSD and the decades since her years at Danforth I desired to see more of a focus on her. And I also found myself not caring that much about Aaron or Becca.
As for Will, well, you can read the book to see what his reaction is to being outed as a serial rapist back during his college years and if he truly feels contrite or not.
However, I do want to commend Bravo for having the balls (or should I say ovaries) for taking on a subject-rape-where the victim is often put more on trial than the actual criminal. Again and Again is a book that would make a strong book club selection and one that will inspire much needed discussion about a crime that is still not understood.
Originally published at The Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
September 3, 2015
Again and Again is a powerful book with an interesting story and a moral dilemma with no easy answers for the main character. Deborah is in the middle of a tangled web with the people and things she holds dear surrounding her--Liddie and their friendship, her husband and family life, her job and her feminist ideals, her own emotional state and the after-effects of the trauma and guilt she has from her friend's rape and how it was dealt with. Any direction she turns Deborah, or someone she loves, loses something. The intense pressure placed on her by her husband and colleagues doesn't help. I was so disappointed in her husband Aaron, who pushed his own agenda (while claiming it was mostly for the common good) to the detriment of his wife and especially to Liddie. His jealousy, negativity and unsympathetic view of Liddie throughout the years and especially each time he asked Deborah when Liddie "was going to get over it" made me truly want to throat punch him.
One only has to turn on the television or read the news to see that there has not been much evolution regarding how rape is handled and how rape victims are treated, especially on college campuses. I never really thought about the term "date rape" not being part of the vernacular until into the 1980s which was interesting to contemplate. (Although the fact that it got a name and the acknowledgment that it is just as much of a crime as being assaulted by a stranger has not drastically impacted how it is dealt with.) The author knows her activism and politics and it shows in the details of the book. The story goes back and forth in time from when Deborah and Liddie meet at college and the rape and it's aftermath in 1978, to the present day (2010), and the years in between with glimpses at Deborah's career and her relationships with Liddie and her husband. At 256 pages, it's a fairly short book and I would have enjoyed more pages with a deeper dig into the other characters (particularly Liddie and Deborah's daughter Becca), but the author still managed to cover a lot of ground and detail that made the story ring true.
Again and Again will definitely make you angry, it will make you think about what you would do if you were in Deborah's place and there was not a clear "right" answer, and it will make you want to hand it to every college-bound young woman (or man) you know. Finally, it will make you turn the pages--eager to get to the end to learn the resolution, and you will still be thinking about it long after the last page is turned.
You can see my review and a recipe (Crab Cakes with Red Sauce) inspired by the book on my Kahakai Kitchen blog post here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of "Again and Again" was provided to me by the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review and as always my thoughts and opinions are my own.
One only has to turn on the television or read the news to see that there has not been much evolution regarding how rape is handled and how rape victims are treated, especially on college campuses. I never really thought about the term "date rape" not being part of the vernacular until into the 1980s which was interesting to contemplate. (Although the fact that it got a name and the acknowledgment that it is just as much of a crime as being assaulted by a stranger has not drastically impacted how it is dealt with.) The author knows her activism and politics and it shows in the details of the book. The story goes back and forth in time from when Deborah and Liddie meet at college and the rape and it's aftermath in 1978, to the present day (2010), and the years in between with glimpses at Deborah's career and her relationships with Liddie and her husband. At 256 pages, it's a fairly short book and I would have enjoyed more pages with a deeper dig into the other characters (particularly Liddie and Deborah's daughter Becca), but the author still managed to cover a lot of ground and detail that made the story ring true.
Again and Again will definitely make you angry, it will make you think about what you would do if you were in Deborah's place and there was not a clear "right" answer, and it will make you want to hand it to every college-bound young woman (or man) you know. Finally, it will make you turn the pages--eager to get to the end to learn the resolution, and you will still be thinking about it long after the last page is turned.
You can see my review and a recipe (Crab Cakes with Red Sauce) inspired by the book on my Kahakai Kitchen blog post here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...
Note: A review copy of "Again and Again" was provided to me by the publisher and TLC Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for this review and as always my thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 21, 2015
I was thrilled to receive this book as gift from a dear friend. The friend had attended a book talk and signing by the author, Ellen Bravo, in Washington, D.C. The dear friend got me a copy of the book and got it signed for me by the author. What joy! I adore such gifts.
I admit I had never heard of the book before it showed up in my mailbox. Yet, no book shall go unread in my home. Looking for something to replace the rattle of dissertation-driven journal articles, interviews, transcripts, and data analysis running through my head, I picked up Bravo's book. Then, I could not put Bravo's book down. The book isn't particularly deeply written. The vocabulary and thoughts are straight forward and no nonsense. Someone who saw me reading the book, and said she had heard of it, asked if it was a YA book - just to give you an indication of the reading level. Yet, the book is not YA; it's public service announcement weaved through a fictional narrative as a means to begin a conversation about campus rape, regardless of age.
Rape is not an easy topic to broach in public. It remains stigmatized. Survivors are still blamed for their own actions, dress, alcohol/drug consumption that preceded the rape. The way a person copes, or isn't able to cope, with the violence of rape is deeply personal and often fraught with successes, setbacks, and seeming contradictions epitomizing the struggle to become somewhat whole again. And, most recently, our society is increasingly aware of the prevalence of rape on college campuses, which has, and continues to be, ignored or hidden by college administrations in an effort to keep money rolling in. Bravo bravely broaches this topic because, I believe from reading her bio, she knows the conversation must take place.
I enjoyed the read - if one can enjoy being confronted, disgusted, and angry. The book is part history lesson on rape on college campuses by using alternating chapters of present and past. The book is part dissection of policy questioning who holds or should hold the power of judgment and punishment when rape occurs on college campuses. The book is also a confrontation of power and hierarchy that is characteristic of American society. Finally, the book is part political commentary, as we are lead to question how sexual violence is fodder for political strategy rather than a quest for justice. PLUS, there is the backdrop of a nonprofit - my area of scholarship and study - working for rape justice and how nonprofit boards can (questionably) impede an organization's social justice mission.
Bravo did a keen job with this, her first work of fiction. I intend to recommend the book to my university women's center to move forward a conversation about rape on my own campus. Campus rape happens. Campus administration should be held accountable for cover ups and hush ups.
I join Bravo in saying it's time to have a real conversation about the prevalence of rape on our college and university campuses.
I admit I had never heard of the book before it showed up in my mailbox. Yet, no book shall go unread in my home. Looking for something to replace the rattle of dissertation-driven journal articles, interviews, transcripts, and data analysis running through my head, I picked up Bravo's book. Then, I could not put Bravo's book down. The book isn't particularly deeply written. The vocabulary and thoughts are straight forward and no nonsense. Someone who saw me reading the book, and said she had heard of it, asked if it was a YA book - just to give you an indication of the reading level. Yet, the book is not YA; it's public service announcement weaved through a fictional narrative as a means to begin a conversation about campus rape, regardless of age.
Rape is not an easy topic to broach in public. It remains stigmatized. Survivors are still blamed for their own actions, dress, alcohol/drug consumption that preceded the rape. The way a person copes, or isn't able to cope, with the violence of rape is deeply personal and often fraught with successes, setbacks, and seeming contradictions epitomizing the struggle to become somewhat whole again. And, most recently, our society is increasingly aware of the prevalence of rape on college campuses, which has, and continues to be, ignored or hidden by college administrations in an effort to keep money rolling in. Bravo bravely broaches this topic because, I believe from reading her bio, she knows the conversation must take place.
I enjoyed the read - if one can enjoy being confronted, disgusted, and angry. The book is part history lesson on rape on college campuses by using alternating chapters of present and past. The book is part dissection of policy questioning who holds or should hold the power of judgment and punishment when rape occurs on college campuses. The book is also a confrontation of power and hierarchy that is characteristic of American society. Finally, the book is part political commentary, as we are lead to question how sexual violence is fodder for political strategy rather than a quest for justice. PLUS, there is the backdrop of a nonprofit - my area of scholarship and study - working for rape justice and how nonprofit boards can (questionably) impede an organization's social justice mission.
Bravo did a keen job with this, her first work of fiction. I intend to recommend the book to my university women's center to move forward a conversation about rape on my own campus. Campus rape happens. Campus administration should be held accountable for cover ups and hush ups.
I join Bravo in saying it's time to have a real conversation about the prevalence of rape on our college and university campuses.
August 25, 2015
It's not quite a Sophie's Choice situation, but it really is a catch 22 for Deborah who has much to lose with either decision. There won't be any real winners no matter what she decides and it seems like she's the only one who can see both sides of the coin.
First up, I picked this book because it covers the topic of college rape. No parent wants to send their daughter away to college and worry that she's going to get raped and that a college would basically do nothing for her and essentially stand by the guy. Yet we hear about this in the news all of the time, Dateline has had several specials on it, and it's just a really scary situation. But let's say you were raped in college, and that scenario happened, and your friend knew. You grew up, things happen, and that friend ends up being a go-to person at the forefront of women's rights. The perpetrator is now running for Congress and everyone likes him. He's a favorite, he's pro-choice, feminists think he's just this great guy, totally on their side. Deborah has an arsenal of things that could expose him for the dirt bag he actually is, but if she does that, it's a huge wound to the greater good of women's rights. They lose a huge ally that they basically need. What do you do?
The victim, Liddie, was Deborah's first real life long friend and college room mate. Deborah obviously has to tell Liddie that not only could the rape become public fodder but also that her identity could be revealed. Liddie spent years trying to recover and heal from her attack and clearly does not want to be the poster child of rape and asks Deborah to stand by her on this. But it isn't cut and dry on this because Deborah's husband, who is a total asshole and reminds me of Cyrus Beene on Scandal, is the campaign manager of the guy running against the rapist. So he obviously wants Deborah to expose what a dirtbag Will (the rapist) is because that means his candidate will likely win and he's very much anti-women's rights.
You see the catch 22? No matter what she does, someone is unhappy and/or angry with her. There is a line in the book where Andrew asks Deborah why she's letting Liddie act like a victim and be weak, when Liddie very much has PTSD from the attack. Deborah fires back about would you say that about a war veteran with PTSD? Of course not, but there is the double standard.
Without saying more and potentially ruining the outcome for you, excellent book. I've been on a kick with books revolving around the political and justice system and I'm always left feeling a little bit jaded. Like maybe none of our voice actually matters because it's really behind doors deals and conversations that make this country go round. *sigh*
But I highly recommend this. I think you'll really enjoy it, and when you read it, let me know your thoughts!
First up, I picked this book because it covers the topic of college rape. No parent wants to send their daughter away to college and worry that she's going to get raped and that a college would basically do nothing for her and essentially stand by the guy. Yet we hear about this in the news all of the time, Dateline has had several specials on it, and it's just a really scary situation. But let's say you were raped in college, and that scenario happened, and your friend knew. You grew up, things happen, and that friend ends up being a go-to person at the forefront of women's rights. The perpetrator is now running for Congress and everyone likes him. He's a favorite, he's pro-choice, feminists think he's just this great guy, totally on their side. Deborah has an arsenal of things that could expose him for the dirt bag he actually is, but if she does that, it's a huge wound to the greater good of women's rights. They lose a huge ally that they basically need. What do you do?
The victim, Liddie, was Deborah's first real life long friend and college room mate. Deborah obviously has to tell Liddie that not only could the rape become public fodder but also that her identity could be revealed. Liddie spent years trying to recover and heal from her attack and clearly does not want to be the poster child of rape and asks Deborah to stand by her on this. But it isn't cut and dry on this because Deborah's husband, who is a total asshole and reminds me of Cyrus Beene on Scandal, is the campaign manager of the guy running against the rapist. So he obviously wants Deborah to expose what a dirtbag Will (the rapist) is because that means his candidate will likely win and he's very much anti-women's rights.
You see the catch 22? No matter what she does, someone is unhappy and/or angry with her. There is a line in the book where Andrew asks Deborah why she's letting Liddie act like a victim and be weak, when Liddie very much has PTSD from the attack. Deborah fires back about would you say that about a war veteran with PTSD? Of course not, but there is the double standard.
Without saying more and potentially ruining the outcome for you, excellent book. I've been on a kick with books revolving around the political and justice system and I'm always left feeling a little bit jaded. Like maybe none of our voice actually matters because it's really behind doors deals and conversations that make this country go round. *sigh*
But I highly recommend this. I think you'll really enjoy it, and when you read it, let me know your thoughts!
September 17, 2015
I won this book on Goodreads. I think it is an important book for everyone to read. It is about date rape on college campus, and the mentality of the men that commit this terrible crime, how it affects women the rest of their lives and some ways to take their power back. Deborah comes into her dorm room and finds her friend Libby being raped by a rich, popular boy. They try to get the college to do something about it but the college dismisses the claim. Years later the boy is now grown and a politician and is running for the senate. Deborah now works in politics and wants to stop him but not at the expense of Libby. Deborah has a husband that is on the opponent's campaign and he leaks the story to a reporter. Luckily some other women come forward and with them and Libby they tell him to resign from the race or they will go to the press. They confront him on Skype and record it, and he says some pretty damning stuff the worst of it being how it could never happen to his daughter because "she'd never be one of those nobody girls who'd be targeted".
September 14, 2015
I stayed up long past my bedtime for several nights to finish 'Again and Again,' and having now read it twice, I believe it is not only a riveting novel, but more importantly, it is a wonderful catalyst for discussion of many societal issues - rape, violence, power, friendship, parenting, marriage, and ethics. Although it would be hard to imagine how a short book could address of all of these topics thoughtfully, Ellen Bravo did a marvelous job of raising all of these subjects, teaching without preaching, and encouraging readers to think about our own values and how we would/could/should behave when confronted with some of the dilemmas of these characters. Through her work, Ellen Bravo has always been a role model as a strong, courageous, and compassionate voice for equality and fairness, and this book is another example of her insight and leadership. Read this book and discuss it with your friends, coworkers, and family.
December 19, 2015
After meeting Ellen Bravo at the Southeast Festival of Books and hearing her read from this book, her first novel (usually she writers important non-fiction on family-friendly policies at work), my expectations were high. The subject is interesting--a student who was never convicted of date rape in college goes on to become a Senator and the woman who saw her former roommate being attacked must decide whether to come forward with this information against the roommate-friend's desire to be silent. At first I was worried that the plot seemed a little too much like something out of Law and Order, but Bravo gives her characters some depth and humor, which makes for an engaging read. The chapters going back and forth in time also build suspense and add layers to our understanding of the characters' motivations. Maybe not too many memorable literary passages, but an important book and one that I am glad that I read.
August 25, 2015
I loved this book. Ellen Bravo manages to take the campus date rape headlines and make you feel like you personally know someone this happened to (as many of us unfortunately do). She skillfully weaves together the stories of a terrible injustice from 30+ years ago and its sequelae, the arc of a first hopeful, then troubled marriage, and the present reality in Washington that it is not always so easy to tell the good guys from the bad guys. I agree with another reviewer who said this should be required reading for every college freshman—male and female. I would go farther and say it should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand the complexities, both personal and political, of this crucial issue (or anyone who just wants an engaging, enjoyable read about friendship, motherhood, marriage and politics).
October 17, 2015
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A political drama that had an interesting twist. Two storylines - one from the past as Deborah is in college and she becomes the activist that you see in the other storyline which is Deborah in the current time as she is the head of an organization that is bringing women's issues to the forefront in the political atmosphere in DC.
I live in DC, but don't read or know a ton about the influence of organizations and how they really work with politics. I loved seeing the inside of the organization and how they influence politicians to make their issues a priority. I appreciated that the author put in the struggle with her husband and his job and how sometimes your home life can affect your work life and the balance can be hard, not just time management.
A political drama that had an interesting twist. Two storylines - one from the past as Deborah is in college and she becomes the activist that you see in the other storyline which is Deborah in the current time as she is the head of an organization that is bringing women's issues to the forefront in the political atmosphere in DC.
I live in DC, but don't read or know a ton about the influence of organizations and how they really work with politics. I loved seeing the inside of the organization and how they influence politicians to make their issues a priority. I appreciated that the author put in the struggle with her husband and his job and how sometimes your home life can affect your work life and the balance can be hard, not just time management.
September 8, 2015
Well crafted story, thought-provoking exploration of an important issue of our time. Deborah runs a national organization working to break the silence about violence against women. But when an investigative reporter confronts her about a rape that happened long ago to a friend of hers, Deborah needs to confront thorny questions about loyalty, responsibility and the right of the survivor to control her own experience.
I loved the character of Liddie, the rape survivor. Ellen Bravo also deals carefully with issues of racism, classism and generational divides in the women's movement. This book is a great addition to the national conversation about date rape on college campuses and beyond.
I loved the character of Liddie, the rape survivor. Ellen Bravo also deals carefully with issues of racism, classism and generational divides in the women's movement. This book is a great addition to the national conversation about date rape on college campuses and beyond.
August 26, 2015
My favorite read of 2015. Could not put it down, not only because it is funny and engrossing and fast-paced, or because the author explores the consequences of and attitudes toward long-term posttraumatic stress from rape, or because the delicious details of motherhood, marriage, and friendship are so richly explored, but also because it is an imaginative and timely contribution to the current, urgent discussion of date and acquaintance rape. Finished it weeks ago, but it's still with me.
October 21, 2016
Very compelling book book on the subject of date rape on college campuses. Made me think back over my college experience and wonder if this happened to anyone I knew. Thankfully, I don't think so, but there are times when I now can that see we could have been in vulnerable situations.
What also became clear is the lifelong impact the rapes have on the victims and their friends. Nothing is ever the same.
What also became clear is the lifelong impact the rapes have on the victims and their friends. Nothing is ever the same.
September 17, 2015
This book is fictions and a political thriller. If sexual misconduct disqualified candidates for Congress, the US would have no government. But what if the candidate is also a college rapist and his supporters are feminist groups. This book is about avtivism, friendship and the difficult choices all the characters have to make.
October 27, 2015
I took longer than usual to finish this book. I think due to the subject matter, it was harder to forge ahead at times. That said, I loved the book and thought the topics and characters were important and genuine. I thought the writer did an excellent job conveying all points on both sides.
September 5, 2015
I loved this book. A completely engrossing story that effectively tackles a widespread experience - date rape - that is still to this day rampant and under addressed. Ellen Bravo is a feminist leader to be admired and cheered, and here she uses the venue of fiction to move the needle in a new way.
May 31, 2016
This might fall in the genre of "feminist fiction". It is an engrossing story weaving a date rape that happened thirty years ago through to current washington politics on sexual violence. I couldn't put it down.
July 18, 2016
Again and again took me back again
This book forced me to relive the late 60's and the impact of the times on young, naive women, away from home for the first time thrust into a sexual revolution, unable to know who was to blame.
This book forced me to relive the late 60's and the impact of the times on young, naive women, away from home for the first time thrust into a sexual revolution, unable to know who was to blame.
July 31, 2015
So grateful for this book, and the questions it raises
August 8, 2015
Extremely compelling and well-written cautionary tale that all universities should incorporate into their first-year curriculum.
October 26, 2015
A different kind of book, I read it in 2 days. Kept me interested to the last page.
December 6, 2015
Right on book about date rape, the aftermath and the ripples of this throughout the lives of both the survivor, the perpetrator and family and friends.
January 18, 2016
This ended up being a very good book, but very difficult to read. Every woman should read this.
March 30, 2016
Excellent book..highly recommend for college students and parents! Ties in with Lady Gagas Oscar performance from a movie on the same topic.
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