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No Virgin #1
Δε Θέλω
Το όνομά μου είναι Στέισι Γουντς και με έχουν βιάσει.
Η Στέισι έπεσε θύμα βιασμού. Δεν έχει, όμως, το κουράγιο να το καταγγείλει στην αστυνομία ή να μιλήσει γι’ αυτό σε κανέναν άλλο παρά μόνο στην κολλητή της, την Πατρίς.
Η Πατρίς, εξοργισμένη, εφόσον δεν μπορεί να την πείσει να πάει στην αστυνομία, την ενθαρρύνει να καταγράψει ό,τι της συνέβη.
Αυτό το βιβλίο είναι η ιστορία της Στέισι.
Η δυνατή, σκληρή και άκρως συγκινητική ιστορία ενός κοριτσιού που προσπαθεί να αντιμετωπίσει τις επιπτώσεις του βιασμού της.
Η Στέισι έπεσε θύμα βιασμού. Δεν έχει, όμως, το κουράγιο να το καταγγείλει στην αστυνομία ή να μιλήσει γι’ αυτό σε κανέναν άλλο παρά μόνο στην κολλητή της, την Πατρίς.
Η Πατρίς, εξοργισμένη, εφόσον δεν μπορεί να την πείσει να πάει στην αστυνομία, την ενθαρρύνει να καταγράψει ό,τι της συνέβη.
Αυτό το βιβλίο είναι η ιστορία της Στέισι.
Η δυνατή, σκληρή και άκρως συγκινητική ιστορία ενός κοριτσιού που προσπαθεί να αντιμετωπίσει τις επιπτώσεις του βιασμού της.
192 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2016
12 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
August 16, 2017
I'm was so excited to read this when I was that the sequel 'No Shame' was coming out and after reading this one, the duology feels like a novel of two parts. The first tells the story of Stacey Woods' rape - how different circumstances built to something unthinkable. It was definitely powerful and an important story to tell, particularly with its very positive stance towards seeking support and advice from charities and friends. (The phone call with the lady from Rape Crisis was the best part of the whole story.)
If you feel intimidated by darker and more harrowing tales that deal with similar themes, like the books of Louise O'Neill or 'The Handmaid's Tale', I'd definitely recommend this as a great first look, a stepping stone to more intense reads.
In 'No Shame', Stacey goes about seeking justice, and I don't think this could come at a better time, especially after Taylor Swift won her trial case against sexual assault that was a victory for women all over. I can't wait to see what the sequel does to my view of the series as a whole.
If you feel intimidated by darker and more harrowing tales that deal with similar themes, like the books of Louise O'Neill or 'The Handmaid's Tale', I'd definitely recommend this as a great first look, a stepping stone to more intense reads.
In 'No Shame', Stacey goes about seeking justice, and I don't think this could come at a better time, especially after Taylor Swift won her trial case against sexual assault that was a victory for women all over. I can't wait to see what the sequel does to my view of the series as a whole.
December 26, 2016
I really wanted to love this book, anything that discusses rape and rape culture is incredibly important and I definitely think we need more books like this out there aimed at the YA market. It's a topic we want to get teens (both girls and boys) talking and thinking about so I have to credit the author for trying but unfortunately this book just isn't working for me and I'm not going to push myself to finish it.
The fact that it's taken me a month to read 114 pages (when I normally get through about 20 books a month) shows just how much I was struggling with it. I don't like the main character's voice, she comes across as very naive and innocent but I'd put her at about 12 rather than 16 based on her actions. She's incredibly childish and it makes it very hard for me to connect with her and quite frankly it worries I'm going to have to read about this child getting raped.
I'm also a little concerned that I'm 114 pages in and the rape hasn't happened yet, that only gives the author 70 pages to cover the rape and the aftermath so I don't think we're going to get much of a satisfactory conclusion. Really I should be able to push through those 70 pages to find out (and I could probably do it in an hour!) so the fact that I'm quitting now shows just how little I care about the character or what will happen to her.
I wish I could write a more positive review but I just can't find anything redeeming in what I've read so far apart from the fact that the author has tried to tackle a difficult subject matter
The fact that it's taken me a month to read 114 pages (when I normally get through about 20 books a month) shows just how much I was struggling with it. I don't like the main character's voice, she comes across as very naive and innocent but I'd put her at about 12 rather than 16 based on her actions. She's incredibly childish and it makes it very hard for me to connect with her and quite frankly it worries I'm going to have to read about this child getting raped.
I'm also a little concerned that I'm 114 pages in and the rape hasn't happened yet, that only gives the author 70 pages to cover the rape and the aftermath so I don't think we're going to get much of a satisfactory conclusion. Really I should be able to push through those 70 pages to find out (and I could probably do it in an hour!) so the fact that I'm quitting now shows just how little I care about the character or what will happen to her.
I wish I could write a more positive review but I just can't find anything redeeming in what I've read so far apart from the fact that the author has tried to tackle a difficult subject matter
February 18, 2017
TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE
One has to appreciate what Anne Cassidy was trying to do in writing this book, in which a seventeen-year-old girl battles with herself as she tries to decide if she can bring herself to report her rape.
It’s an important, powerful, necessary conversation to have, but the execution in this instance left a lot to be desired.
We join Stacey hiding in the bathroom after she’s been raped. She eventually gets up, grabs her things, and leaves, her rapist smiling at her all the while and giving her money to catch a cab home. She goes home and argues with her mum who wants to know where she was the past couple days, and argues with her best friend who gives her the silent treatment for not answering her messages or calls. Then she sits down to write about what happened, starting with the fight she had with her sister which drove her away from the house in the first place.
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
One has to appreciate what Anne Cassidy was trying to do in writing this book, in which a seventeen-year-old girl battles with herself as she tries to decide if she can bring herself to report her rape.
It’s an important, powerful, necessary conversation to have, but the execution in this instance left a lot to be desired.
We join Stacey hiding in the bathroom after she’s been raped. She eventually gets up, grabs her things, and leaves, her rapist smiling at her all the while and giving her money to catch a cab home. She goes home and argues with her mum who wants to know where she was the past couple days, and argues with her best friend who gives her the silent treatment for not answering her messages or calls. Then she sits down to write about what happened, starting with the fight she had with her sister which drove her away from the house in the first place.
The rest of this review can be found HERE!
November 21, 2016
No virgin is heartbreaking but so wonderfully written. I couldn't stop turning the pages. This is a raw powerful novel that I very highly recommend. Stacey Woods was raped. It was a terrible sexual attack that she felt that she couldn't go to police or talk about to anyone. I think this a very important story that sends a strong message to any female that is raped, don't let the person get away with it, because that same person that rapes one young girl or a woman will rape again until he is caught. Hot Key books certainly unlock the power of reading and have a joy of stories waiting for readers to love. And I totally loved reading No Virgin.
December 2, 2017
This is a fairly short read with a lot jammed into it.
I reminded myself this was a YA book and to think like a young person. I found that helped me enormously to relate to Stacey and her mindset.
Stacey has a sister who got pregnant at a very young age, life isn’t always easy at home with her sister, her child and her mother.
One day things get tense and Stacey decides she needs some time out. Her plan of where she was heading was to her Fathers Home. She knew her father and stepmother wouldn’t be there, they were away on holiday. She could chill out.
The author gave us some good background and insight to Stacey which was good.
When Harry came into her day he presented a filler, a filler of gaps that Stacey needed at that time.
I’m not going to give away more, however, when Harry was making tentative moves to still remain friends with her, my adult mind was saying WHAT is wrong with you child in even contemplating it. Are you a fool.
But slipping into my young mind I could see how she was confused between him and his brother.
After all, she could possibly make excuses for Harry maybe?
That’s the bit I wish that the author cultivated more to help the reader understand more of what was going on inside Stacey’s Head. She did with her solid friend Patrice and the other characters but not the main one.
That doesn’t mean I won’t read book 2. I’m off to read it now.
I reminded myself this was a YA book and to think like a young person. I found that helped me enormously to relate to Stacey and her mindset.
Stacey has a sister who got pregnant at a very young age, life isn’t always easy at home with her sister, her child and her mother.
One day things get tense and Stacey decides she needs some time out. Her plan of where she was heading was to her Fathers Home. She knew her father and stepmother wouldn’t be there, they were away on holiday. She could chill out.
The author gave us some good background and insight to Stacey which was good.
When Harry came into her day he presented a filler, a filler of gaps that Stacey needed at that time.
I’m not going to give away more, however, when Harry was making tentative moves to still remain friends with her, my adult mind was saying WHAT is wrong with you child in even contemplating it. Are you a fool.
But slipping into my young mind I could see how she was confused between him and his brother.
After all, she could possibly make excuses for Harry maybe?
That’s the bit I wish that the author cultivated more to help the reader understand more of what was going on inside Stacey’s Head. She did with her solid friend Patrice and the other characters but not the main one.
That doesn’t mean I won’t read book 2. I’m off to read it now.
February 7, 2017
3.5 Stars.
TRIGGER WARNING. THIS BOOK CONTAINS A RAPE SCENE AND VICTIM INTIMIDATION.
No Virgin is the harrowing, traumatic and compelling narrative of seventeen year old Stacey, the victim of Rape.
The reader is introduced to Stacey as a frustrated seventeen year old, a young woman living in the shadow of friend Patrice and placated by her mother who rationalises her younger sibling's behaviour. Stacey is demoralised by her sister and her feelings disregarded, ultimately compelling her to seek solace by temporarily leaving home. Stacey is demure and quietly spoken, sitting in the small coffee house sketching patrons when she's approached by the charming and handsome Harry. Their attraction is undeniable, so when Harry offers Stacey refuge, she accepts. An act of defiance against her mother.
No Virgin isn't a contemporary romance, although Harry's charisma will lure readers into a false sense of security. Stacey's narrative is veracious and compelling. Preceding the sexual assault, Stacey feels a compulsion towards Harry as he's attractive, alluring and compassionate. He's also a predator. The impact of Stacey's sexual assault is profound and confronting. She's incapable of verbalising the trauma of rape and at Patrice's suggestion, documents her experience.
The trauma Stacey experiences is palatable. As a victim of sexual assault, Stacey internalises her trauma and only confides in Patrice about the incident, leading to writing down the precursor that lead to that moment. Experiencing remorse, despondency and insecurity, Stacey reflects on her brief relationship with Harry and impact of the assault isn't truly realised until she begins to revisit the incident through her written words. I was enraged how the perpetrator normalised the sexual assault, maintaining she was an active participant. Much in the same way rape culture perpetuates that the victim is at fault, rather than placing the blame upon the predator.
Patrice was an incredible support for Stacey, persevering with gentle suggestions to speak to a crisis councilor and report the assault.
Although No Virgin is an incredibly poignant and crucial narrative, I couldn't understand Stacey's attraction to Harry after the assault and unfortunately, those psychological elements were not explored. The event progression before the assault felt inconsequential, compared to the sexual assault and emotional impact. I would have preferred to have the emotional turmoil and justice explored for not only Stacey's character, but teens who may have experienced sexual assault themselves.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2017/01/n...
TRIGGER WARNING. THIS BOOK CONTAINS A RAPE SCENE AND VICTIM INTIMIDATION.
No Virgin is the harrowing, traumatic and compelling narrative of seventeen year old Stacey, the victim of Rape.
The reader is introduced to Stacey as a frustrated seventeen year old, a young woman living in the shadow of friend Patrice and placated by her mother who rationalises her younger sibling's behaviour. Stacey is demoralised by her sister and her feelings disregarded, ultimately compelling her to seek solace by temporarily leaving home. Stacey is demure and quietly spoken, sitting in the small coffee house sketching patrons when she's approached by the charming and handsome Harry. Their attraction is undeniable, so when Harry offers Stacey refuge, she accepts. An act of defiance against her mother.
No Virgin isn't a contemporary romance, although Harry's charisma will lure readers into a false sense of security. Stacey's narrative is veracious and compelling. Preceding the sexual assault, Stacey feels a compulsion towards Harry as he's attractive, alluring and compassionate. He's also a predator. The impact of Stacey's sexual assault is profound and confronting. She's incapable of verbalising the trauma of rape and at Patrice's suggestion, documents her experience.
After the rape I didn't leave straight away. I was so shocked. I stayed in the bathroom with the door locked. I sat on the floor beside the toilet and felt the cold tiles against my legs, my toes curled on the ceramic floor.
The trauma Stacey experiences is palatable. As a victim of sexual assault, Stacey internalises her trauma and only confides in Patrice about the incident, leading to writing down the precursor that lead to that moment. Experiencing remorse, despondency and insecurity, Stacey reflects on her brief relationship with Harry and impact of the assault isn't truly realised until she begins to revisit the incident through her written words. I was enraged how the perpetrator normalised the sexual assault, maintaining she was an active participant. Much in the same way rape culture perpetuates that the victim is at fault, rather than placing the blame upon the predator.
The story, once I'd written it and read it over a few times, was like a testament to my own stupidity. How could I have been so naive, so swept up in my own romantic daydreams, not to realise that there was a subtext to what was happening?
Patrice was an incredible support for Stacey, persevering with gentle suggestions to speak to a crisis councilor and report the assault.
Although No Virgin is an incredibly poignant and crucial narrative, I couldn't understand Stacey's attraction to Harry after the assault and unfortunately, those psychological elements were not explored. The event progression before the assault felt inconsequential, compared to the sexual assault and emotional impact. I would have preferred to have the emotional turmoil and justice explored for not only Stacey's character, but teens who may have experienced sexual assault themselves.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2017/01/n...
November 7, 2017
Κάθε φορά που ετοιμάζομαι να καταγράψω την άποψή μου για ένα μυθιστόρημα, σκέφτομαι τι εισαγωγή θα μπορούσα να κάνω, ποια θα μπορούσε να είναι η πιο ταιριαστή στο εκάστοτε θέμα ή υπόθεση, μα και ποια θα έπρεπε να είναι η προσέγγισή μου απέναντι σε αυτό. Σε βιβλία όπως το "Δε θέλω" της Anne Cassidy, οι προβληματισμοί και οι σκέψεις μου αυτές γίνονται ακόμα πιο περίπλοκες, αφού ο κεντρικός τους άξονας είναι πολύ ευαίσθητος και απαιτεί ανάλογη ευαισθησία στην αποτύπωση των συναισθημάτων και των σκέψεων που αυτά προκαλούν. Πόσο μάλλον σε μία εποχή όπου το θέμα ενός τέτοιου βιβλίου δεν αποτελεί απεικόνιση μιας πραγματικότητας που αφορά ένα πολύ μικρό μέρος του ανθρώπινου συνόλου, αλλά μιας σύγχρονης πραγματικότητας που όλο και διογκώνονται και που τα φαινόμενα αυτής όλο και αυξάνονται.
Η Στέισι Γουντς πέφτει θύμα βιασμού και όλος της ο κόσμος καταρρέει. Αν και βαθιά μέσα της θέλει να μιλήσει γι' αυτό που της συνέβη, ο φόβος και η ανασφάλεια που της προκαλεί τόσο το ίδιο το συμβάν όσο και η κοινωνική κατακραυγή που μπορεί να φέρει η αποκάλυψη αυτού, δεν την βοηθούν στο να πάει στην αστυνομία και να καταγγείλει το περιστατικό. Η καλύτερή της φίλη, η Πατρίς, προσπαθεί να την πείσει να κάνει αυτό που πρέπει, και εξοργίζεται με την άρνηση της φίλης της, χωρίς όμως να χάνει τη διάθεσή της να την βοηθήσει. Έτσι, της προτείνει να καταγράψει σε μια μορφή ημερολογίου αυτό που της συνέβη, έτσι ώστε να το βγάλει από μέσα της και, ίσως, να βρει το κουράγιο που χρειάζεται για να το αντιμετωπίσει. Και η Στέισι, ακολουθώντας τη συμβουλή της φίλης της, εξιστορεί όσα της συνέβησαν και εκφράζει τις πιο κρυφές της σκέψεις σε μια προσπάθεια να μαζέψει τα κομμάτια της, ν' αντιμετωπίσει το προσωπικό της δράμα και να βρει το κουράγιο και τη δύναμη να προχωρήσει με τη ζωή της.
Πριν πω οτιδήποτε άλλο, θα ήθελα να τονίσω πως το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο χρειάζεται αρκετά γερά νεύρα για να το διαβάσει κανείς. Δεδομένου ότι υπάρχουν αρκετά λεπτομερείς αναφορές και περιγραφές του βιασμού της Στέισι, αντιλαμβανόμαστε πως η Cassidy δεν έχει καμία απολύτως πρόθεση να μας κάνει να νιώσουμε άνετα με την ιστορία της. Βέβαια, αν θέλουμε να είμαστε αντικειμενικοί, δεν είναι αυτός ο σκοπός του εν λόγω βιβλίου και, πραγματικά, δεν χρειάζεται να προσπαθήσει η συγγραφέας να πετύχει κάτι που δεν θα οδηγούσε πουθενά. Είναι ξεκάθαρο πως αυτό που θέλει να κάνει είναι να μας φέρει αντιμέτωπους με μία συνθήκη, την οποία ο καθένας από εμάς θα μπορούσε να βιώσει, αφού σε μια σύγχρονη, σάπια κοινωνία είμαστε όλοι μας εν δυνάμει θύματα, αλλά και ν' αφυπνίσει, ίσως και να δώσει δύναμη κι έμπνευση σε όσους έχουν βιώσει ανάλογες καταστάσεις και δεν είχαν κάποιον να τους στηρίξει, ή που δεν βρήκαν τον σωστό τρόπο να διαχειριστούν αυτό που βίωσαν.
Ο βιασμός της Στέισι χαρακτηρίζεται από μια ωμή βιαιότητα που προκαλεί ρίγη ανατριχίλας, όμως, αποτυπώνει την σκληρή αλήθεια χωρίς φόβο και με πολύ πάθος. Και αυτό, φίλοι μου, ονομάζεται ρεαλισμός, ένα στοιχείο που αν απουσίαζε από ένα βιβλίο με τέτοιο θέμα, σίγουρα θα το έκανε να μοιάζει φτηνό και ηθικοπλαστικό. Όμως, τίποτα ηθικοπλαστικό δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει σε μία υπόθεση βιασμού, καμία δικαιολογία, κανένα ελαφρυντικό. Σίγουρα, μετά το πέρας της ανάγνωσης, έστω της σκηνής του βιασμού, θα νιώσετε βαθιά οργή μέσα σας και την ανάγκη να τιμωρήσετε εσείς οι ίδιοι κάποιον. Όχι απαραίτητα τον θύτη, ή μόνο αυτόν, αφού πολλές φορές δεν χρειάζεται να έχεις πράξει κάτι για να είσαι ένοχος. Αρκεί να έχεις συμμετάσχει σε ένα συμβάν επιτρέποντάς το να συμβεί, ή βοηθώντας με όποιον τρόπο, που απ' όποια οπτική γωνία κι αν τον εξετάσεις θα είναι λάθος.
Αυτό που εγώ εισέπραξα διαβάζοντας το "Δε θέλω", είναι η βαθιά και ειλικρινής προσπάθεια της Cassidy, μιλώντας με τη φωνή της Στέισι, να φωνάξει σε όλα τα σεξουαλικά θύματα εκεί έξω πως δεν φταίνε γι' αυτό που τους συνέβη, πως δεν θα έπρεπε να βασανίζονται από ενοχές και πως πρέπει να βρουν τη δύναμη να μιλήσουν γι' αυτό, σώζοντας πιθανότατα κάποιον άλλον στο μέλλον. Η παρουσία της Πατρίς, στη ζωή της Στέισι, και η συμμετοχή της στην εξέλιξη της ιστορίας είναι καταλυτική, γιατί, ακόμα κι αν φαίνεται να είναι σκληρή με την στάση της κάποιες φορές, είναι η φωνή της λογικής που χρειάζεται να υψωθεί και ν' ακουστεί, πάνω από τις φωνές του τρομαγμένου υποσυνείδητου, ταρακουνώντας το θύμα να πράξει αυτό που πρέπει, τόσο για να σώσει τον εαυτό του από ένα κατεστραμμένο μέλλον που δεν του αξίζει, όσο και για να σώσει κάποιους άλλους, ακόμα κι αν δεν είναι σε θέση να τ' αντιληφθεί σε μια δεδομένη στιγμή. Αναμφίβολα πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο που με ταρακούνησε, και του οποίου τη συνέχεια περιμένω με μεγάλη αγωνία.
Η Στέισι Γουντς πέφτει θύμα βιασμού και όλος της ο κόσμος καταρρέει. Αν και βαθιά μέσα της θέλει να μιλήσει γι' αυτό που της συνέβη, ο φόβος και η ανασφάλεια που της προκαλεί τόσο το ίδιο το συμβάν όσο και η κοινωνική κατακραυγή που μπορεί να φέρει η αποκάλυψη αυτού, δεν την βοηθούν στο να πάει στην αστυνομία και να καταγγείλει το περιστατικό. Η καλύτερή της φίλη, η Πατρίς, προσπαθεί να την πείσει να κάνει αυτό που πρέπει, και εξοργίζεται με την άρνηση της φίλης της, χωρίς όμως να χάνει τη διάθεσή της να την βοηθήσει. Έτσι, της προτείνει να καταγράψει σε μια μορφή ημερολογίου αυτό που της συνέβη, έτσι ώστε να το βγάλει από μέσα της και, ίσως, να βρει το κουράγιο που χρειάζεται για να το αντιμετωπίσει. Και η Στέισι, ακολουθώντας τη συμβουλή της φίλης της, εξιστορεί όσα της συνέβησαν και εκφράζει τις πιο κρυφές της σκέψεις σε μια προσπάθεια να μαζέψει τα κομμάτια της, ν' αντιμετωπίσει το προσωπικό της δράμα και να βρει το κουράγιο και τη δύναμη να προχωρήσει με τη ζωή της.
Πριν πω οτιδήποτε άλλο, θα ήθελα να τονίσω πως το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο χρειάζεται αρκετά γερά νεύρα για να το διαβάσει κανείς. Δεδομένου ότι υπάρχουν αρκετά λεπτομερείς αναφορές και περιγραφές του βιασμού της Στέισι, αντιλαμβανόμαστε πως η Cassidy δεν έχει καμία απολύτως πρόθεση να μας κάνει να νιώσουμε άνετα με την ιστορία της. Βέβαια, αν θέλουμε να είμαστε αντικειμενικοί, δεν είναι αυτός ο σκοπός του εν λόγω βιβλίου και, πραγματικά, δεν χρειάζεται να προσπαθήσει η συγγραφέας να πετύχει κάτι που δεν θα οδηγούσε πουθενά. Είναι ξεκάθαρο πως αυτό που θέλει να κάνει είναι να μας φέρει αντιμέτωπους με μία συνθήκη, την οποία ο καθένας από εμάς θα μπορούσε να βιώσει, αφού σε μια σύγχρονη, σάπια κοινωνία είμαστε όλοι μας εν δυνάμει θύματα, αλλά και ν' αφυπνίσει, ίσως και να δώσει δύναμη κι έμπνευση σε όσους έχουν βιώσει ανάλογες καταστάσεις και δεν είχαν κάποιον να τους στηρίξει, ή που δεν βρήκαν τον σωστό τρόπο να διαχειριστούν αυτό που βίωσαν.
Ο βιασμός της Στέισι χαρακτηρίζεται από μια ωμή βιαιότητα που προκαλεί ρίγη ανατριχίλας, όμως, αποτυπώνει την σκληρή αλήθεια χωρίς φόβο και με πολύ πάθος. Και αυτό, φίλοι μου, ονομάζεται ρεαλισμός, ένα στοιχείο που αν απουσίαζε από ένα βιβλίο με τέτοιο θέμα, σίγουρα θα το έκανε να μοιάζει φτηνό και ηθικοπλαστικό. Όμως, τίποτα ηθικοπλαστικό δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει σε μία υπόθεση βιασμού, καμία δικαιολογία, κανένα ελαφρυντικό. Σίγουρα, μετά το πέρας της ανάγνωσης, έστω της σκηνής του βιασμού, θα νιώσετε βαθιά οργή μέσα σας και την ανάγκη να τιμωρήσετε εσείς οι ίδιοι κάποιον. Όχι απαραίτητα τον θύτη, ή μόνο αυτόν, αφού πολλές φορές δεν χρειάζεται να έχεις πράξει κάτι για να είσαι ένοχος. Αρκεί να έχεις συμμετάσχει σε ένα συμβάν επιτρέποντάς το να συμβεί, ή βοηθώντας με όποιον τρόπο, που απ' όποια οπτική γωνία κι αν τον εξετάσεις θα είναι λάθος.
Αυτό που εγώ εισέπραξα διαβάζοντας το "Δε θέλω", είναι η βαθιά και ειλικρινής προσπάθεια της Cassidy, μιλώντας με τη φωνή της Στέισι, να φωνάξει σε όλα τα σεξουαλικά θύματα εκεί έξω πως δεν φταίνε γι' αυτό που τους συνέβη, πως δεν θα έπρεπε να βασανίζονται από ενοχές και πως πρέπει να βρουν τη δύναμη να μιλήσουν γι' αυτό, σώζοντας πιθανότατα κάποιον άλλον στο μέλλον. Η παρουσία της Πατρίς, στη ζωή της Στέισι, και η συμμετοχή της στην εξέλιξη της ιστορίας είναι καταλυτική, γιατί, ακόμα κι αν φαίνεται να είναι σκληρή με την στάση της κάποιες φορές, είναι η φωνή της λογικής που χρειάζεται να υψωθεί και ν' ακουστεί, πάνω από τις φωνές του τρομαγμένου υποσυνείδητου, ταρακουνώντας το θύμα να πράξει αυτό που πρέπει, τόσο για να σώσει τον εαυτό του από ένα κατεστραμμένο μέλλον που δεν του αξίζει, όσο και για να σώσει κάποιους άλλους, ακόμα κι αν δεν είναι σε θέση να τ' αντιληφθεί σε μια δεδομένη στιγμή. Αναμφίβολα πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο που με ταρακούνησε, και του οποίου τη συνέχεια περιμένω με μεγάλη αγωνία.
August 15, 2017
I feel like I need to start this review with a trigger warning for the rape scene. If you've picked up this book and read the blurb you know it's coming and if you haven't read the blurb the first sentence of the book tells you it's coming. Still, if this is a trigger for you please be safe while reading this book. If you don't read any further and you've experience sexual assault, please know you are not alone and it was not your fault!
This is such an important book. Anne Cassidy has written a book about a serious topic but I enjoyed reading it, except for the rape scene but that's a no brainer. Of course I wasn't going to enjoy that bit. Anne made me care about Stacey, her main character, and I felt like I was being let in on Stacey's private thoughts and experiences. Stacey wasn't a cardboard cutout character. She had depth. She was real. I could imagine being friends with her if I went to her school.
SPOILER WARNING + maybe just the slightest chance of a therapy session worthy rant to follow
I'm absolutely incensed with the rape in this book, and that's a good thing. Why? I wouldn't want to be able to read a book written this well about such a painful subject and not feel, not cry, not want to punch at least one person. It made me want to vomit and I wanted to physically attack both Marty and Harry. Because Anne Cassidy has done a brilliant job with this book and with this subject matter you should have a visceral reaction reading it. Anne's definitely done something right to get me this riled up.
I don't know who I hated more, Marty for raping Stacey or Harry for grooming Stacey for his brother. I don't know. Maybe let's call it a tie and say they deserve equal amounts of venom.
I appreciated that the set up for this rape wasn't cut and dry. Stacey had said yes to Harry, but not to Marty. She'd willingly gone alone to a stranger's apartment with a stranger. She'd been drinking earlier in the day. The reason why I'm glad this was the scenario? So I could say that regardless of every single one of these factors, nothing Stacey did or didn't do causes any blame to fall on her. She did not give consent so not one of those other details count. She was raped, no ifs, ands or buts. No matter what the circumstance, sexual assault is never the victim's fault. 100% of the responsibility lies with the perpetrator.
This will sound so weird but hold on; I'll clarify. I was so glad that Harry's character was just another school kid, although a rich one, that he had personality plus, he was interested in Stacey's designs, he offered to help make her dream of being a fashion designer come one step closer ... He was a nice guy!
That's important because despite what the media tells us and what is easier to believe, the majority of sex offenders aren't dirty old men with trench coats. Sex offenders are peoples' family, friends, neighbours, workmates, male and female - ordinary people who you would probably like if you had a conversation with them and didn't know their history. It's important for young people reading this book to know this!
This book was realistic. Stacey's dissociation during the rape, her response afterward, her hesitancy at telling anyone, especially the Police ... all normal reactions to a horrific experience.
I was so sad that Stacey didn't feel she could go to her family with this but loved that Stacey had a friend who supported her after she found out about the rape. I love that Patrice recommended Stacey talk to someone at a Rape Crisis Centre. Rape Crisis Centre workers are by and large the most empathetic, understanding, supportive, caring individuals you will ever come across. Nothing you say will shock them as they've heard it all before and they will believe you.
I'm a bit ambivalent about Patrice using the "If you don't report him to the Police, how will you feel if he does it to someone else?" argument, but totally understand why she did it. It's a difficult thing as a support person to not want to say that sentence because you care about your friend/loved one and you don't want anyone else to experience what they're going through. It's a really tough one, whether to report or not to report, and it's an individual choice.
The person who has experienced sexual assault often feels more than enough self blame and shame (although they're not to blame and have done nothing worthy of shame) in the aftermath of their assault without having the guilt of not protecting innumerable other potential victims on their conscience. I'm all for getting offenders off the streets but with such low conviction rates, even reporting a sexual assault to try to protect future victims may not even work because in reality there's the chance charges may not even be laid. Having said that, if they've assaulted you chances are they've already done it to at least one other person and they're likely to continue assaulting more people after you.
Please hear that I'm not saying you should or shouldn't report to the Police but pressure from other people one way or another adds to an already seemingly unbearable weight. There is no one size fits all answer. I've done both (reported to the Police and not reported to the Police) but I still couldn't begin to tell you what you should do in this situation. I know the benefits and pitfalls of both choices.
I want all young people to read this book. It's an important educational tool for those who haven't experience sexual assault. It's also important for those who have because it says, "You are not alone", "It was not your fault", that talking about what happened can help. I loved that this book ends with Stacey taking the first steps toward healing. I was cheering her on the whole time. Well done, Anne! You've taken such a difficult topic to talk and write about and left the reader with hope.
So, after this rant, do I want to read the sequel? You bet I do! I can't wait to read about how Stacey takes her power back and I look forward to seeing those brothers get what's coming to them. Oh, I hope they get what's coming to them! I'm emotionally invested in Stacey and I need to travel the next part of her story with her. If I had the sequel with me I'd be starting it immediately but since it hasn't been released yet (come on, September!!) I think I'll relax with a nice, calming, sweet children's book instead.
This is such an important book. Anne Cassidy has written a book about a serious topic but I enjoyed reading it, except for the rape scene but that's a no brainer. Of course I wasn't going to enjoy that bit. Anne made me care about Stacey, her main character, and I felt like I was being let in on Stacey's private thoughts and experiences. Stacey wasn't a cardboard cutout character. She had depth. She was real. I could imagine being friends with her if I went to her school.
SPOILER WARNING + maybe just the slightest chance of a therapy session worthy rant to follow
I'm absolutely incensed with the rape in this book, and that's a good thing. Why? I wouldn't want to be able to read a book written this well about such a painful subject and not feel, not cry, not want to punch at least one person. It made me want to vomit and I wanted to physically attack both Marty and Harry. Because Anne Cassidy has done a brilliant job with this book and with this subject matter you should have a visceral reaction reading it. Anne's definitely done something right to get me this riled up.
I don't know who I hated more, Marty for raping Stacey or Harry for grooming Stacey for his brother. I don't know. Maybe let's call it a tie and say they deserve equal amounts of venom.
I appreciated that the set up for this rape wasn't cut and dry. Stacey had said yes to Harry, but not to Marty. She'd willingly gone alone to a stranger's apartment with a stranger. She'd been drinking earlier in the day. The reason why I'm glad this was the scenario? So I could say that regardless of every single one of these factors, nothing Stacey did or didn't do causes any blame to fall on her. She did not give consent so not one of those other details count. She was raped, no ifs, ands or buts. No matter what the circumstance, sexual assault is never the victim's fault. 100% of the responsibility lies with the perpetrator.
This will sound so weird but hold on; I'll clarify. I was so glad that Harry's character was just another school kid, although a rich one, that he had personality plus, he was interested in Stacey's designs, he offered to help make her dream of being a fashion designer come one step closer ... He was a nice guy!
That's important because despite what the media tells us and what is easier to believe, the majority of sex offenders aren't dirty old men with trench coats. Sex offenders are peoples' family, friends, neighbours, workmates, male and female - ordinary people who you would probably like if you had a conversation with them and didn't know their history. It's important for young people reading this book to know this!
This book was realistic. Stacey's dissociation during the rape, her response afterward, her hesitancy at telling anyone, especially the Police ... all normal reactions to a horrific experience.
I was so sad that Stacey didn't feel she could go to her family with this but loved that Stacey had a friend who supported her after she found out about the rape. I love that Patrice recommended Stacey talk to someone at a Rape Crisis Centre. Rape Crisis Centre workers are by and large the most empathetic, understanding, supportive, caring individuals you will ever come across. Nothing you say will shock them as they've heard it all before and they will believe you.
I'm a bit ambivalent about Patrice using the "If you don't report him to the Police, how will you feel if he does it to someone else?" argument, but totally understand why she did it. It's a difficult thing as a support person to not want to say that sentence because you care about your friend/loved one and you don't want anyone else to experience what they're going through. It's a really tough one, whether to report or not to report, and it's an individual choice.
The person who has experienced sexual assault often feels more than enough self blame and shame (although they're not to blame and have done nothing worthy of shame) in the aftermath of their assault without having the guilt of not protecting innumerable other potential victims on their conscience. I'm all for getting offenders off the streets but with such low conviction rates, even reporting a sexual assault to try to protect future victims may not even work because in reality there's the chance charges may not even be laid. Having said that, if they've assaulted you chances are they've already done it to at least one other person and they're likely to continue assaulting more people after you.
Please hear that I'm not saying you should or shouldn't report to the Police but pressure from other people one way or another adds to an already seemingly unbearable weight. There is no one size fits all answer. I've done both (reported to the Police and not reported to the Police) but I still couldn't begin to tell you what you should do in this situation. I know the benefits and pitfalls of both choices.
I want all young people to read this book. It's an important educational tool for those who haven't experience sexual assault. It's also important for those who have because it says, "You are not alone", "It was not your fault", that talking about what happened can help. I loved that this book ends with Stacey taking the first steps toward healing. I was cheering her on the whole time. Well done, Anne! You've taken such a difficult topic to talk and write about and left the reader with hope.
So, after this rant, do I want to read the sequel? You bet I do! I can't wait to read about how Stacey takes her power back and I look forward to seeing those brothers get what's coming to them. Oh, I hope they get what's coming to them! I'm emotionally invested in Stacey and I need to travel the next part of her story with her. If I had the sequel with me I'd be starting it immediately but since it hasn't been released yet (come on, September!!) I think I'll relax with a nice, calming, sweet children's book instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2016
Think it's a case of not being the book for me. Particularly found the ending quite unsatisfying
October 12, 2016
Thanks to NetGalley and Hot Key Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Stacey Woods is not the popular girl. She has big dreams but doesn't even have enough confidence to share them with anyone but her best friend Patrice. Her younger sister just had a baby and her mom is always on her side. Her dad just started dating and its getting serious. When Stacey has a really rough day and runs from her house, she tries her best friend first who is running around with another girl. A chance run in with a posh boy who actually seems interested in her turns into a nightmare...
I loved Stacey. This isn't your typical hot girl with too much humility. No this is your regular, dime a dozen girl who has the same needs and desires as all other 17 year old girls. She wants to find a career she's passionate about and meet a guy who treats her like a princess. She's not very experienced beyond what peer pressure and availability has caused her to experiment in. And because she felt dissatisfied with that experience she was able to be terribly manipulated. I think many girls find themselves in this situation, perhaps not as naively as Stacey, but they tell themselves this is part of college life. I didn't really want to sleep with that drunk creep but it was expected of me. Then when a true predator comes around they are one step closer to being taken advantage of. I liked that she had crazy huge dreams but was trying to look at them with realistic eyes. She looked into the school, the courses, and what she needed to do. She practiced some skills that would be useful in her chosen trade.
I also loved Stacey's realistic life situation.* Most people don't have an idealistic family. They aren't always the ones with tons of friends. Their parents are divorced and their dads remarry. She felt insecure. She felt taken advantage of. She didn't like being lied to. She was also dreamy and bold. She was sensible at times. She was rash. I just so related to Stacey. Sure not everyone feels the extent of her insecurities but we all understand those feelings. We all get into pressure filled situations that are bursting with emotions and we just want to lash out and react. We want anything to take us from these feelings...
I also love British and London based stories so I loved the setting. Brits don't go to school in the same way Americans do so it was neat reading about A levels and what you do for uni. I loved the subtle British lilt to her words like using posh and mad. It wasn't overboard but made me feel like I walked with Stacey.
Harry was the perfect predator. I thought it would be very easy to be taken in by the situation and by the fact that he relates to your tough home life. I understand that this rape was a particular situation that not all girls will have to deal with, that's why I really appreciated how it was used to show what the predator will say and do to try to convince you that what happened was either not as you imagined it was or worse, your fault. I really appreciated how Stacey handled the situation after... I thought she was smart and was trying to not be as rash as she was when she was having a bad day and feeling all sorry for herself. It made me feel like this was her first situation as an adult and that come what may in the future I could imagine she gets past this and goes on to work in the design field like she dreams.
I also really appreciated Patrice. She did genuinely like Stacey even though they were so different. She didn't try to push Stacey but she did keep persisting in suggesting what she thought would help Stacey. As a future barrister this is exactly the tact she would have taken. She has no case to prosecute at this point so pressure isn't needed, she would promote the steps she would tell any other victim in the future. I think though that Patrice also balanced this nicely with just plain being Stacey's friend. She tried to do the things they did in the past, the things they both liked doing together.
BOTTOM LINE: Every girl needs to read this one!
*There are sex and rape scenes. It's not gratuitous and is definitely necessary to the story so you understand why Stacey felt it was her fault.
Stacey Woods is not the popular girl. She has big dreams but doesn't even have enough confidence to share them with anyone but her best friend Patrice. Her younger sister just had a baby and her mom is always on her side. Her dad just started dating and its getting serious. When Stacey has a really rough day and runs from her house, she tries her best friend first who is running around with another girl. A chance run in with a posh boy who actually seems interested in her turns into a nightmare...
I loved Stacey. This isn't your typical hot girl with too much humility. No this is your regular, dime a dozen girl who has the same needs and desires as all other 17 year old girls. She wants to find a career she's passionate about and meet a guy who treats her like a princess. She's not very experienced beyond what peer pressure and availability has caused her to experiment in. And because she felt dissatisfied with that experience she was able to be terribly manipulated. I think many girls find themselves in this situation, perhaps not as naively as Stacey, but they tell themselves this is part of college life. I didn't really want to sleep with that drunk creep but it was expected of me. Then when a true predator comes around they are one step closer to being taken advantage of. I liked that she had crazy huge dreams but was trying to look at them with realistic eyes. She looked into the school, the courses, and what she needed to do. She practiced some skills that would be useful in her chosen trade.
I also loved Stacey's realistic life situation.* Most people don't have an idealistic family. They aren't always the ones with tons of friends. Their parents are divorced and their dads remarry. She felt insecure. She felt taken advantage of. She didn't like being lied to. She was also dreamy and bold. She was sensible at times. She was rash. I just so related to Stacey. Sure not everyone feels the extent of her insecurities but we all understand those feelings. We all get into pressure filled situations that are bursting with emotions and we just want to lash out and react. We want anything to take us from these feelings...
"Harry just talked to me. He seemed interested in me, keen to see my sketches. He told me something very personal. I thought I was in love with this girl . . . I had to see her . . . No boy, not even Benji, had said anything that personal to me before."
I also love British and London based stories so I loved the setting. Brits don't go to school in the same way Americans do so it was neat reading about A levels and what you do for uni. I loved the subtle British lilt to her words like using posh and mad. It wasn't overboard but made me feel like I walked with Stacey.
Harry was the perfect predator. I thought it would be very easy to be taken in by the situation and by the fact that he relates to your tough home life. I understand that this rape was a particular situation that not all girls will have to deal with, that's why I really appreciated how it was used to show what the predator will say and do to try to convince you that what happened was either not as you imagined it was or worse, your fault. I really appreciated how Stacey handled the situation after... I thought she was smart and was trying to not be as rash as she was when she was having a bad day and feeling all sorry for herself. It made me feel like this was her first situation as an adult and that come what may in the future I could imagine she gets past this and goes on to work in the design field like she dreams.
"Why not? It’s raw now. I think about it a lot, but over time I will forget. This time next year it will just be a distant memory."
I also really appreciated Patrice. She did genuinely like Stacey even though they were so different. She didn't try to push Stacey but she did keep persisting in suggesting what she thought would help Stacey. As a future barrister this is exactly the tact she would have taken. She has no case to prosecute at this point so pressure isn't needed, she would promote the steps she would tell any other victim in the future. I think though that Patrice also balanced this nicely with just plain being Stacey's friend. She tried to do the things they did in the past, the things they both liked doing together.
BOTTOM LINE: Every girl needs to read this one!
*There are sex and rape scenes. It's not gratuitous and is definitely necessary to the story so you understand why Stacey felt it was her fault.
April 20, 2019
Content Note: Vergewaltigung, emotionale Manipulation
No Virgin ist die Geschichte von Stacey Woods, die vergewaltigt wurde. Der Titel ist stark gewählt, spielt er in ihrer Erzählung eine wichtige Rolle. Der erste Teil des Buches ist ihr Report über die vergangenen Tage. Wie sie die Menschen kennenlernte, wegen denen es überhaupt zu der Vergewaltigung kam. Im zweiten Part erfahren wir, wie sie damit umgeht und wie sie zu einer Entscheidung findet.
Ein ganz normales Mädchen, voller Träume
Was die Geschichte so eindringlich macht ist unter anderem die Tatsache, dass man der Erzählstimme abnimmt, dass sie gerade einmal 17 Jahre alt ist. Ihre Familienverhältnisse sind schwierig: eine kleine Schwester, die mit 14 unvorsichtigen Sex mit ihrem Freund hat und jetzt eine Teenage-Mutter, aber vollkommen überfordert ist und sich meistens vor ihrer Verantwortung drückt. Geschiedene Eltern, der Vater immer eine Stütze in Stacey Leben, aber jetzt mit neuer Freundin. Eine Mutter, die wieder in Vollzeit arbeitet, um ihre Töchter zu ernähren und sich zusätzlich noch um ihren Enkel kümmert. Doch Stacey versucht, sich ihre Träume zu erhalten. Sie möchte Modedesignerin werden und ist immer auf der Suche nach ausgefallenen Schnitten und Mixen. Selten findet sie dabei etwas für sich, ist sie doch klein, androgyn und sieht noch lange nicht wie 17 aus. Dieser Mix aus Hoffnungen, Wünschen, Ängsten und Wut macht sie greifbar und lässt Leserinnen wie Leser sich mit ihr identifizieren.
Wie Begegnungen einen verändern können
Stacey ist geduldig. Sie hasst zwar das Benehmen ihrer Schwester, aber ihren Neffen liebt sie. Sie stellt sich selbst zurück für andere. Als sie ihre beste Freundin aber an ihrem Geburtstag, nach einem Streit mit ihrer Familie (Thema Privatsphäre, die nicht eingehalten wird) bei einer Lüge erwischt, ist das Fass endgültig übergelaufen und sie flieht. Nach einer Nacht in der Wohnung ihres verreisten Vaters frühstückt sie in einem Café ... Und trifft Harry. Der Junge scheint sich ernsthaft für sie zu interessieren, obwohl er weit über ihr steht: reiches Elternhaus, reiche Schule, abenteuerliches Leben. Sofort ist sie zu ihm hingezogen und gibt ihre Pläne auf. Einen Tag Fehlzeit in der Schule wird niemanden umbringen. Außerdem lernt sie dank Harry eine Modeeinkäuferin bei "Selfridge" kennen, die ihr viel über die Industrie und ihren Traum erzählen kann. Alles also ein Traum, oder?
Subtile Manipulation
Immer wieder fragt sich Stacey, womit sie diese neue Bekanntschaft verdient hat. Regelmäßig überlegt sie, sich wieder ihrem normalen Leben zuzuwenden. Aber während dort alles in Scherben zu liegen scheint, ist hier ein Junge, den sie begehrt. Und es sind zwei spannende Tage, die sie mit ihm erlebt. Einladungen zu Getränken, teure Geschenke, Unterkommen in einer Luxuswohnung. Stacey kann dankbar sein, Harry kennengelernt zu haben, der ihr eine Fluchtmöglichkeit bietet, um ihre Gedanken zu ordnen. Doch genau dieser unsichtbare Druck des Jungen, ihr dankbar sein zu können, wird ihr Verhängnis. Ohne es zu merken wird sie immer weiter gedrängt ... Bis es passiert.
Unerwartete Wendung
Geschickt platziert Anne Cassidy die Hinweise auf den Kern des Buches: Die Vergewaltigung. Doch dabei schafft sie es, einen immer wieder auf falsche Spuren zu führen. Als Leser*in weiß man, was passieren wird, nur nicht wann. Eine Ahnung hat man dank des ersten Kapitels, in der Stacey die Flucht aus dem Zimmer, in dem es passiert ist, beschreibt. Man bekommt man aber auch abseits der Katastrophe Hinweise auf frühere Vergehen. Diese Bemerkungen ignoriert Stacey aber bewusst, weil sie sich nicht vorstellen kann, dass Harry einem Mädchen etwas antun kann.
Starke Stimme
Anne Cassidy zeigt einem Normalität. Normalität, die von großen Träumen durchwoben ist. Als Stacey die Chance bekommt, sich etwas zu trauen, ergreift sie sie zum ersten Mal. Viele Faktoren spielen dabei eine Rolle und dadurch schafft es die Autorin, Staceys Wahl glaubhaft zu machen. Zusätzlich zeigt Anne Cassidy, aus wie alltäglichen Situationen heraus man vergewaltigt werden kann. Die Faktoren werden nicht nur durch freizügige Outfits gesetzt (was die krasseste Form von Victim Blaming ist. Denn bitte, anstatt zu sagen, sie hat es herausgefordert, könnte man sich auch fragen, warum ein Mann sich nicht unter Kontrolle hat). Sondern durch eine zufällige Begegnung, die sich in alle Richtungen, auch die von Stacey erhoffte, hätte entwickeln können. Die Protagonistin gerät in einen Strudel aus Ereignissen, verliert sich im Schein, dass nicht ausreichend Sein beinhaltet und als Leser*in möchte man ihr helfen, sie auf Ungereimtheiten hinweisen, auf all die subtilen Dinge, die einem beim Lesen gar nicht so auffallen, die aber im Nachhinein offensichtlich sind. Und genau das ist es, was eine Vergewaltigung so schlimm macht: Im Nachhinein fragen sich die meisten Opfer, warum sie es nicht kommen sahen. Sie fragen sich, was sie hätten anders machen sollen, wann sie sich Hilfe hätten holen sollen. Sie geben sich selbst die Schuld, hoffen, dass sie es einfach vergessen und geben so ihren Tätern die Macht, weiterzumachen.
No Virgin kam nur durch Zufall in meine Hände. Und es stand auch erst einmal ein paar Monate ungelesen in meinem Regal. Ich wusste, dass ich in der richtigen Stimmung für diesen Titel sein muss und vor allem emotional gefestigt. Durch die vielen Facetten, die Anne Cassidy in die Handlung einbringt, ist die Geschichte realistisch, greifbar ... Und gibt einem ein ganz mieses Gefühl. Stacey denkt im letzten Teil des Buches darüber nach, dass sie durch diese Erfahrung ihr Vertrauen in Menschen verloren hat. Und als Leserin ruft man sich in Erinnerung, dass man immer aufmerksam sein muss. Und solange dieser Zustand bleibt, ist die Gesellschaft kaputt.
No Virgin ist die Geschichte von Stacey Woods, die vergewaltigt wurde. Der Titel ist stark gewählt, spielt er in ihrer Erzählung eine wichtige Rolle. Der erste Teil des Buches ist ihr Report über die vergangenen Tage. Wie sie die Menschen kennenlernte, wegen denen es überhaupt zu der Vergewaltigung kam. Im zweiten Part erfahren wir, wie sie damit umgeht und wie sie zu einer Entscheidung findet.
Ein ganz normales Mädchen, voller Träume
Was die Geschichte so eindringlich macht ist unter anderem die Tatsache, dass man der Erzählstimme abnimmt, dass sie gerade einmal 17 Jahre alt ist. Ihre Familienverhältnisse sind schwierig: eine kleine Schwester, die mit 14 unvorsichtigen Sex mit ihrem Freund hat und jetzt eine Teenage-Mutter, aber vollkommen überfordert ist und sich meistens vor ihrer Verantwortung drückt. Geschiedene Eltern, der Vater immer eine Stütze in Stacey Leben, aber jetzt mit neuer Freundin. Eine Mutter, die wieder in Vollzeit arbeitet, um ihre Töchter zu ernähren und sich zusätzlich noch um ihren Enkel kümmert. Doch Stacey versucht, sich ihre Träume zu erhalten. Sie möchte Modedesignerin werden und ist immer auf der Suche nach ausgefallenen Schnitten und Mixen. Selten findet sie dabei etwas für sich, ist sie doch klein, androgyn und sieht noch lange nicht wie 17 aus. Dieser Mix aus Hoffnungen, Wünschen, Ängsten und Wut macht sie greifbar und lässt Leserinnen wie Leser sich mit ihr identifizieren.
Wie Begegnungen einen verändern können
Stacey ist geduldig. Sie hasst zwar das Benehmen ihrer Schwester, aber ihren Neffen liebt sie. Sie stellt sich selbst zurück für andere. Als sie ihre beste Freundin aber an ihrem Geburtstag, nach einem Streit mit ihrer Familie (Thema Privatsphäre, die nicht eingehalten wird) bei einer Lüge erwischt, ist das Fass endgültig übergelaufen und sie flieht. Nach einer Nacht in der Wohnung ihres verreisten Vaters frühstückt sie in einem Café ... Und trifft Harry. Der Junge scheint sich ernsthaft für sie zu interessieren, obwohl er weit über ihr steht: reiches Elternhaus, reiche Schule, abenteuerliches Leben. Sofort ist sie zu ihm hingezogen und gibt ihre Pläne auf. Einen Tag Fehlzeit in der Schule wird niemanden umbringen. Außerdem lernt sie dank Harry eine Modeeinkäuferin bei "Selfridge" kennen, die ihr viel über die Industrie und ihren Traum erzählen kann. Alles also ein Traum, oder?
Subtile Manipulation
Immer wieder fragt sich Stacey, womit sie diese neue Bekanntschaft verdient hat. Regelmäßig überlegt sie, sich wieder ihrem normalen Leben zuzuwenden. Aber während dort alles in Scherben zu liegen scheint, ist hier ein Junge, den sie begehrt. Und es sind zwei spannende Tage, die sie mit ihm erlebt. Einladungen zu Getränken, teure Geschenke, Unterkommen in einer Luxuswohnung. Stacey kann dankbar sein, Harry kennengelernt zu haben, der ihr eine Fluchtmöglichkeit bietet, um ihre Gedanken zu ordnen. Doch genau dieser unsichtbare Druck des Jungen, ihr dankbar sein zu können, wird ihr Verhängnis. Ohne es zu merken wird sie immer weiter gedrängt ... Bis es passiert.
Unerwartete Wendung
Geschickt platziert Anne Cassidy die Hinweise auf den Kern des Buches: Die Vergewaltigung. Doch dabei schafft sie es, einen immer wieder auf falsche Spuren zu führen. Als Leser*in weiß man, was passieren wird, nur nicht wann. Eine Ahnung hat man dank des ersten Kapitels, in der Stacey die Flucht aus dem Zimmer, in dem es passiert ist, beschreibt. Man bekommt man aber auch abseits der Katastrophe Hinweise auf frühere Vergehen. Diese Bemerkungen ignoriert Stacey aber bewusst, weil sie sich nicht vorstellen kann, dass Harry einem Mädchen etwas antun kann.
Starke Stimme
Anne Cassidy zeigt einem Normalität. Normalität, die von großen Träumen durchwoben ist. Als Stacey die Chance bekommt, sich etwas zu trauen, ergreift sie sie zum ersten Mal. Viele Faktoren spielen dabei eine Rolle und dadurch schafft es die Autorin, Staceys Wahl glaubhaft zu machen. Zusätzlich zeigt Anne Cassidy, aus wie alltäglichen Situationen heraus man vergewaltigt werden kann. Die Faktoren werden nicht nur durch freizügige Outfits gesetzt (was die krasseste Form von Victim Blaming ist. Denn bitte, anstatt zu sagen, sie hat es herausgefordert, könnte man sich auch fragen, warum ein Mann sich nicht unter Kontrolle hat). Sondern durch eine zufällige Begegnung, die sich in alle Richtungen, auch die von Stacey erhoffte, hätte entwickeln können. Die Protagonistin gerät in einen Strudel aus Ereignissen, verliert sich im Schein, dass nicht ausreichend Sein beinhaltet und als Leser*in möchte man ihr helfen, sie auf Ungereimtheiten hinweisen, auf all die subtilen Dinge, die einem beim Lesen gar nicht so auffallen, die aber im Nachhinein offensichtlich sind. Und genau das ist es, was eine Vergewaltigung so schlimm macht: Im Nachhinein fragen sich die meisten Opfer, warum sie es nicht kommen sahen. Sie fragen sich, was sie hätten anders machen sollen, wann sie sich Hilfe hätten holen sollen. Sie geben sich selbst die Schuld, hoffen, dass sie es einfach vergessen und geben so ihren Tätern die Macht, weiterzumachen.
No Virgin kam nur durch Zufall in meine Hände. Und es stand auch erst einmal ein paar Monate ungelesen in meinem Regal. Ich wusste, dass ich in der richtigen Stimmung für diesen Titel sein muss und vor allem emotional gefestigt. Durch die vielen Facetten, die Anne Cassidy in die Handlung einbringt, ist die Geschichte realistisch, greifbar ... Und gibt einem ein ganz mieses Gefühl. Stacey denkt im letzten Teil des Buches darüber nach, dass sie durch diese Erfahrung ihr Vertrauen in Menschen verloren hat. Und als Leserin ruft man sich in Erinnerung, dass man immer aufmerksam sein muss. Und solange dieser Zustand bleibt, ist die Gesellschaft kaputt.
November 30, 2020
Abgebrochen nach 30%.
Auch wenn ich Bücher die sich mit dem Thema Vergewaltigung auseinandersetzen extrem wichtig finde, merke ich doch, dass No Virgin für mich nicht funktioniert. Ich mag den Stil der Autorin hier überhaupt nicht und die Protagonistin lässt mich aus nicht erklärbaren Gründen leider vollkommen kalt. Erschwerend kommt dann noch hinzu, dass ich vor Kurzem erst Girl Made of Stars gelesen habe und mich das auf ganzer Linie überzeugen konnte.
Auch wenn ich Bücher die sich mit dem Thema Vergewaltigung auseinandersetzen extrem wichtig finde, merke ich doch, dass No Virgin für mich nicht funktioniert. Ich mag den Stil der Autorin hier überhaupt nicht und die Protagonistin lässt mich aus nicht erklärbaren Gründen leider vollkommen kalt. Erschwerend kommt dann noch hinzu, dass ich vor Kurzem erst Girl Made of Stars gelesen habe und mich das auf ganzer Linie überzeugen konnte.
March 23, 2019
This is book focuses on such an important topic; rape, especially among teens/young people. We definitely need more books that discuss consent, rape, sexual abuse and the emotions involved and the aftermath.
I thought the way this book was told from the perspective of the main character, starting from an argument with family and leading up to about a week after the rape, was written quite well. I would have preferred to find out more about what Stacey hopes to do next, but I have noticed a sequel titled No Shame and I'm hoping that will continue to show Stacey's journey and progression.
I thought the way this book was told from the perspective of the main character, starting from an argument with family and leading up to about a week after the rape, was written quite well. I would have preferred to find out more about what Stacey hopes to do next, but I have noticed a sequel titled No Shame and I'm hoping that will continue to show Stacey's journey and progression.
April 14, 2023
Ένα βιβλίο με απλή και ρεαλιστική γραφή που καταφέρνει με εύστοχο τρόπο να περάσει σημαντικά μηνύματα στον αναγνώστη.
November 16, 2017
Actual rating 4.5 stars
Rape isn't a place or situation for anyone to be. Therefore I feel sorry for Stacey.
This is a short book telling The story of Stacey and how she met her rapist, how she revealed to her friends, and how she's going to open up.
It was a very brave ending and I wish to know what will happen next!
Rape isn't a place or situation for anyone to be. Therefore I feel sorry for Stacey.
This is a short book telling The story of Stacey and how she met her rapist, how she revealed to her friends, and how she's going to open up.
It was a very brave ending and I wish to know what will happen next!
December 2, 2021
I read this particular book because I was taken in by the Finding Jennifer Jones book. These are books written for adolescents but I must say I quite enjoyed this one. It is a stark warning for female and male teenagers alike. Be on your guard in this world of moral challenges. Cassidy paints a raw picture of rape. Again this is a huge warning for youngsters. And I’m so glad Cassidy does not use the term ‘ sexual assault’ In place of rape which the media are so prone to do around the world. Let’s call it for what it is – rape.
October 3, 2017
Such a powerfully written novel. This book addresses such important issues in such a way that I feel that this book should be a compulsory read for everyone. Five stars!
December 29, 2016
This book tells the story of how seventeen-year-old Stacey Woods was raped. After she has an argument with her mother and sister, Stacey goes to spend the night at her dad's place, and the next day she heads to a cafe before going home. Whilst there she meets Henry, a boy who has a lifestyle completely opposite to her own. He's rich, has connections, and goes to a private school. Stacey is whisked away by his charm and attention. That chance meeting leads to a chain of events that spiral into a horribly life-changing situation.
No Virgin is without a doubt a very important story and Anne Cassidy tells it powerfully. This book shows that horrible things like this can happen to anyone, and that the attacker doesn't always fit the stereotypical image of what you'd expect. It also reminds us all that the victim is never to blame in this situation. After the attack, Stacey questions the decisions she made, scolds herself for being foolish, but no matter how naive she might have been, getting raped was not her fault.
The final few chapters of this book, when Stacey begins to face up to what has happened and take control, make for a powerful ending. But the end itself was quite abrupt. I wanted to read about the aftermath of Stacey deciding to speak about her attack. Whilst I've read YA stories that have dealt with rape before, I very rarely get to read books that deal with the fall out, including court cases. I wanted to see if justice was brought because the harsh reality is that there are attackers who don't face punishment for their crime, and this can discourage a lot of victims from coming forward. I was keen to see how the story progressed, so I was a little disappointed in the way it ended. But what I didn't know at the time was that there is going to be a sequel, so I'm interested to see how that second book deals with everything.
No Virgin is a very short read that can be finished within a few hours, getting straight to the point of what's happening, and the second half of the story compels you to keep reading. Whilst the attack itself was haunting and a huge reality check, the first half of the book failed to pull me in as much as the later chapters did. But it was still an impactful read and I think it's hugely important to have stories like this one in the YA genre to send a message to young people that attacks like this do happen, and that it can happen to anyone.
No Virgin is without a doubt a very important story and Anne Cassidy tells it powerfully. This book shows that horrible things like this can happen to anyone, and that the attacker doesn't always fit the stereotypical image of what you'd expect. It also reminds us all that the victim is never to blame in this situation. After the attack, Stacey questions the decisions she made, scolds herself for being foolish, but no matter how naive she might have been, getting raped was not her fault.
The final few chapters of this book, when Stacey begins to face up to what has happened and take control, make for a powerful ending. But the end itself was quite abrupt. I wanted to read about the aftermath of Stacey deciding to speak about her attack. Whilst I've read YA stories that have dealt with rape before, I very rarely get to read books that deal with the fall out, including court cases. I wanted to see if justice was brought because the harsh reality is that there are attackers who don't face punishment for their crime, and this can discourage a lot of victims from coming forward. I was keen to see how the story progressed, so I was a little disappointed in the way it ended. But what I didn't know at the time was that there is going to be a sequel, so I'm interested to see how that second book deals with everything.
No Virgin is a very short read that can be finished within a few hours, getting straight to the point of what's happening, and the second half of the story compels you to keep reading. Whilst the attack itself was haunting and a huge reality check, the first half of the book failed to pull me in as much as the later chapters did. But it was still an impactful read and I think it's hugely important to have stories like this one in the YA genre to send a message to young people that attacks like this do happen, and that it can happen to anyone.
April 10, 2017
Stacey has had an argument with her mum and sister and she needs some space and time to herself. Even her best friend Patrice has lied to her and she needs to escape them all.
When a handsome guy sits down next to her in a cafe and strikes up a conversation she suddenly feels better about herself. He offers her a place to stay and she can't believe what she's doing, but enjoys the distraction from her normal life.
But within 24 hours, normal life is all she craves. To go home and back to school and back to what she knows. When she admits to Patrice what happened in the two days she was gone, her friend is shocked and hardly leaves her side. She tells Stacey to write everything down, and so Stacey tells her story from the very beginning.
This is a gritty, no-punches-pulled story of a girl who is raped. She feels like some of it was her fault, that she was foolish and gullible and can't bring herself to tell anyone but her friend. But if she says nothing it could happen to someone else, or is she already too late?
When a handsome guy sits down next to her in a cafe and strikes up a conversation she suddenly feels better about herself. He offers her a place to stay and she can't believe what she's doing, but enjoys the distraction from her normal life.
But within 24 hours, normal life is all she craves. To go home and back to school and back to what she knows. When she admits to Patrice what happened in the two days she was gone, her friend is shocked and hardly leaves her side. She tells Stacey to write everything down, and so Stacey tells her story from the very beginning.
This is a gritty, no-punches-pulled story of a girl who is raped. She feels like some of it was her fault, that she was foolish and gullible and can't bring herself to tell anyone but her friend. But if she says nothing it could happen to someone else, or is she already too late?
October 8, 2016
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC.
This novel, which unflinchingly tells the story of Stacey's rape, is not a comfortable read but like Louise O'Neill's Asking for It we see a young girl put in an awful situation and working out how to come to terms with what happened to her.
We are immediately told what has happened to Stacey, and that her best friend has asked her to write an account of events. This means that, initially, though we feel sympathy for the situation Stacey is in, we don't necessarily see her portrayed sympathetically as she holds herself responsible for what happened to her.
The details are unflinching, though not gratuitous. As we read we come to see just how Stacey has been manipulated and this is what is so upsetting.
It's a necessarily one-sided view and a quick read, though it will certainly have an impact on teenage readers.
This novel, which unflinchingly tells the story of Stacey's rape, is not a comfortable read but like Louise O'Neill's Asking for It we see a young girl put in an awful situation and working out how to come to terms with what happened to her.
We are immediately told what has happened to Stacey, and that her best friend has asked her to write an account of events. This means that, initially, though we feel sympathy for the situation Stacey is in, we don't necessarily see her portrayed sympathetically as she holds herself responsible for what happened to her.
The details are unflinching, though not gratuitous. As we read we come to see just how Stacey has been manipulated and this is what is so upsetting.
It's a necessarily one-sided view and a quick read, though it will certainly have an impact on teenage readers.
November 9, 2021
Such a small book can have a huge impact.
When I first started reading this, I was prepared to read some horrible things but when the start went out and said it, I thought that was it. But after that second time, I knew something was coming but I didn't realise how jarring it would be.
I should have expected it to be like that. But when I red it, I was so repulsed I was mad. I didn't want to author to write about it like this. I felt like it was a violation of my trust, thinking the start had been when was going to be discussed. But I guess this sort of brings home how rape and be like that. Unexpected and like a betrayal. I didn't know if this was intentionally done or not, but it felt like how it should have.
When I first started reading this, I was prepared to read some horrible things but when the start went out and said it, I thought that was it. But after that second time, I knew something was coming but I didn't realise how jarring it would be.
I should have expected it to be like that. But when I red it, I was so repulsed I was mad. I didn't want to author to write about it like this. I felt like it was a violation of my trust, thinking the start had been when was going to be discussed. But I guess this sort of brings home how rape and be like that. Unexpected and like a betrayal. I didn't know if this was intentionally done or not, but it felt like how it should have.
November 5, 2016
I received a free copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this book was overall a very powerful read, if only for the topic of rape it deals with. However, I would have liked for it to go into more depth with the characters, who sometimes felt a little flat to me. Overall, I definitely recommend it, although it comes with a trigger warning for a - in my opinion quite graphic - rape scene.
I thought this book was overall a very powerful read, if only for the topic of rape it deals with. However, I would have liked for it to go into more depth with the characters, who sometimes felt a little flat to me. Overall, I definitely recommend it, although it comes with a trigger warning for a - in my opinion quite graphic - rape scene.
September 11, 2022
The book covered really important subject matter in a very good way for a younger audience however i feel it fell a little flat. Didn’t take me very long to read and I will be reading the second book too.
December 20, 2021
3.5 ⭐
Το βιβλίο αυτό μου θύμισε τον Δέκατο Κύκλο. Επίσης εφηβικό και είχε ως θέμα του τον βιασμό. Τότε ήμουν στις αρχές της εφηβείας μου και με σημάδεψε η ιστορία που είχα διαβάσει. Ακόμα και 10 χρόνια μετά, έχει μείνει χαραγμένο.
Το "No Virgin", τίτλος που καταλαβαίνεις προς το τέλος της ιστορίας, δε με συγκίνησε όσο το άλλο, ίσως επειδή εξ αρχής οι απαιτήσεις μου ήταν πολύ υψηλές. Αρχικά, πίστευα πως πρόκειται για αληθινή ιστορία. Βέβαια, δυστυχώς, υπάρχουν σίγουρα παρόμοια αληθινά γεγονότα που συμβαίνουν καθημερινά.
Στα πρώτα δύο τρίτα του βιβλίου, δεν μπόρεσα να συμπαθήσω την κεντρική ηρωίδα ούτε να ταυτιστώ μαζί της. Εντυπωσιάστηκα με τον δεξιοτεχνή τρόπο της Αν Κάσιντι να γράψει σε πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση σαν έφηβη τόσο πιστευτά! Απλά η Στέισι μου φαινόταν κάπως ανώριμη σε κάποια θέματα, αν και αρκετά ώριμη σε άλλα. Κάποια σημεία με εκνεύρισαν ή με ενόχλησαν και στο τέλις κατάλαβα πως αυτός ήταν ο στόχος!
Αλλά ας μιλήσω για το τελευταίο μέρος του βιβλίου, εκεί όπου γίνεται η ανατροπή και περιγράφεται η κακοποίηση της Στέισι. Ο βιασμός. Από αυτό το σημείο κι έπειτα γίνεσαι η Στέισι και η κολλητή της και νιώθεις πως πρέπει αν την προστατέψεις. Όλα αλλάζουν μέσα σου. Καταλαβαίνεις πόσο εύκολο είναι να συμβεί κάτι τέτοιο και τι σημαίνει όμυως για ένα θύμα. Θέτονται μερικά δύσκολα ερωτήματα. Όπως, τι κάνεις σε τέτοιες περιπτώσεις; Ποιες είναι οι συνέπειες; Ποιον μπορείς να εμπιστευτείς;
Δυστυχώς, κάτι τέτοιο δεν το ξεχνάς ποτέ. Κάθε φορά που ακούς τη λέξη βιασμός, επανέρχεται η δυσάρεστη ανάμνηση. Και ποτέ δεν είσαι η ίδια. Η εμπιστοσύνη που είχες στους ανθρώπους έχει κλονιστεί ανεπανόρθωτα και δεν μπορεί να αποκατασταθεί. Αλλά είσαι ηρωίδα. Και μόνο που συνεχίζεις. Είναι εξαιρετικά ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΌ τα θύματα κακοποίησης να ζητάνε βοήθεια!!! Και είναι ζωτικής σημασίας ως άνθρωποι να ενημερωνόμαστε για αυτά τα ζητήματα και για το πώς μπορούμε να βοηθήσουμε. Να ανατρέφουμε τα παιδιά με αξίες, ώστε να μη γίνονται ούτε τέρατα ούτε συνεργάτες. Να μην είναι θεατές. Ειδικά όταν μετράμε τόσες απώλειες. Human traffiking, revenge porn, γυναικοκτονίες, βιασμοί, κακοποίηση. Ας βάλουμε ένα τέλος.
Απαραίτητο τέτοια βιβλία να φδιαβάζονται από νεαρούς έφηβους, και κορίτσια και αγόρια!
Το βιβλίο αυτό μου θύμισε τον Δέκατο Κύκλο. Επίσης εφηβικό και είχε ως θέμα του τον βιασμό. Τότε ήμουν στις αρχές της εφηβείας μου και με σημάδεψε η ιστορία που είχα διαβάσει. Ακόμα και 10 χρόνια μετά, έχει μείνει χαραγμένο.
Το "No Virgin", τίτλος που καταλαβαίνεις προς το τέλος της ιστορίας, δε με συγκίνησε όσο το άλλο, ίσως επειδή εξ αρχής οι απαιτήσεις μου ήταν πολύ υψηλές. Αρχικά, πίστευα πως πρόκειται για αληθινή ιστορία. Βέβαια, δυστυχώς, υπάρχουν σίγουρα παρόμοια αληθινά γεγονότα που συμβαίνουν καθημερινά.
Στα πρώτα δύο τρίτα του βιβλίου, δεν μπόρεσα να συμπαθήσω την κεντρική ηρωίδα ούτε να ταυτιστώ μαζί της. Εντυπωσιάστηκα με τον δεξιοτεχνή τρόπο της Αν Κάσιντι να γράψει σε πρωτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση σαν έφηβη τόσο πιστευτά! Απλά η Στέισι μου φαινόταν κάπως ανώριμη σε κάποια θέματα, αν και αρκετά ώριμη σε άλλα. Κάποια σημεία με εκνεύρισαν ή με ενόχλησαν και στο τέλις κατάλαβα πως αυτός ήταν ο στόχος!
Αλλά ας μιλήσω για το τελευταίο μέρος του βιβλίου, εκεί όπου γίνεται η ανατροπή και περιγράφεται η κακοποίηση της Στέισι. Ο βιασμός. Από αυτό το σημείο κι έπειτα γίνεσαι η Στέισι και η κολλητή της και νιώθεις πως πρέπει αν την προστατέψεις. Όλα αλλάζουν μέσα σου. Καταλαβαίνεις πόσο εύκολο είναι να συμβεί κάτι τέτοιο και τι σημαίνει όμυως για ένα θύμα. Θέτονται μερικά δύσκολα ερωτήματα. Όπως, τι κάνεις σε τέτοιες περιπτώσεις; Ποιες είναι οι συνέπειες; Ποιον μπορείς να εμπιστευτείς;
Δυστυχώς, κάτι τέτοιο δεν το ξεχνάς ποτέ. Κάθε φορά που ακούς τη λέξη βιασμός, επανέρχεται η δυσάρεστη ανάμνηση. Και ποτέ δεν είσαι η ίδια. Η εμπιστοσύνη που είχες στους ανθρώπους έχει κλονιστεί ανεπανόρθωτα και δεν μπορεί να αποκατασταθεί. Αλλά είσαι ηρωίδα. Και μόνο που συνεχίζεις. Είναι εξαιρετικά ΣΗΜΑΝΤΙΚΌ τα θύματα κακοποίησης να ζητάνε βοήθεια!!! Και είναι ζωτικής σημασίας ως άνθρωποι να ενημερωνόμαστε για αυτά τα ζητήματα και για το πώς μπορούμε να βοηθήσουμε. Να ανατρέφουμε τα παιδιά με αξίες, ώστε να μη γίνονται ούτε τέρατα ούτε συνεργάτες. Να μην είναι θεατές. Ειδικά όταν μετράμε τόσες απώλειες. Human traffiking, revenge porn, γυναικοκτονίες, βιασμοί, κακοποίηση. Ας βάλουμε ένα τέλος.
Απαραίτητο τέτοια βιβλία να φδιαβάζονται από νεαρούς έφηβους, και κορίτσια και αγόρια!
October 27, 2022
3.5 stars
This was a good story, but it also made for uncomfortable reading at times.
This was a good story, but it also made for uncomfortable reading at times.
December 28, 2017
3.5 stars
No Virgin has an important story to tell: that of Stacey Woods and her rape.
It’s crystal clear on how it wasn’t her fault – at all – even if she had been previously willing to have sex, said she was ‘no virgin’, and undressed with someone she liked in the build up to a consensual act. There are strong themes of girl power throughout, with Stacey’s best friend, Patrice, never once doubting her or trying to excuse it, girls Stacey has never met before giving her warnings and opening up to her, sharing stories rather than tearing her down, and even her sister with whom she squabbles instantly realises there’s something serious going on and offers to help.
It’s perhaps not the best written book out there – the writing style is very simple and typical of British young adult fiction, which is hard to explain unless you’ve read previously from that niche. However, this doesn’t detract from the meat of the story. In fact, it perhaps makes it all the more effective as the stark reality of what happened to Stacey contrasts the easy reading. There are no flowery adjectives attempting to dress the situation up, either – things are said as they’re found, and this makes me particularly hopeful for the sequel that deals with a court trial.
There also isn’t too much about the characters, but then the book is under 200 pages, so maybe that’s a given. Harry and Stacey are definitely the most fleshed out, with Harry being a complete creep yet exuding charm at their first meeting, and Stacey coming across as both mature and naïve. Other characters, such as Jodie and Dom, appear as stereotypes, which while a lazy thing to do, makes some sense when you remember No Virgin is written from Stacey’s perspective.
Overall, I found this to be more of a gateway into the more taboo topics found in young adult books. There’s grit and harshness to the story, but there’s nothing gruesome about it and it doesn’t feel too extreme so is accessible to those who are more sensitive, or perhaps newer to reading.
No Virgin has an important story to tell: that of Stacey Woods and her rape.
It’s crystal clear on how it wasn’t her fault – at all – even if she had been previously willing to have sex, said she was ‘no virgin’, and undressed with someone she liked in the build up to a consensual act. There are strong themes of girl power throughout, with Stacey’s best friend, Patrice, never once doubting her or trying to excuse it, girls Stacey has never met before giving her warnings and opening up to her, sharing stories rather than tearing her down, and even her sister with whom she squabbles instantly realises there’s something serious going on and offers to help.
It’s perhaps not the best written book out there – the writing style is very simple and typical of British young adult fiction, which is hard to explain unless you’ve read previously from that niche. However, this doesn’t detract from the meat of the story. In fact, it perhaps makes it all the more effective as the stark reality of what happened to Stacey contrasts the easy reading. There are no flowery adjectives attempting to dress the situation up, either – things are said as they’re found, and this makes me particularly hopeful for the sequel that deals with a court trial.
There also isn’t too much about the characters, but then the book is under 200 pages, so maybe that’s a given. Harry and Stacey are definitely the most fleshed out, with Harry being a complete creep yet exuding charm at their first meeting, and Stacey coming across as both mature and naïve. Other characters, such as Jodie and Dom, appear as stereotypes, which while a lazy thing to do, makes some sense when you remember No Virgin is written from Stacey’s perspective.
Overall, I found this to be more of a gateway into the more taboo topics found in young adult books. There’s grit and harshness to the story, but there’s nothing gruesome about it and it doesn’t feel too extreme so is accessible to those who are more sensitive, or perhaps newer to reading.
May 27, 2018
“My name is Stacy Woods and I was raped”
This is one of those books which is difficult to read because of the main topic of its plot. It’s a very detailed account of how this girl called Stacy who is 17 tells you the story of her family life, friends, school and her dreams for her future. It focuses on a series of days that lead up to her rape and how she deals with the aftermath.
I’ll admit I found this quite difficult at many occasions because I could foresee the torment that was going to hit Stacy. The author has written a clear and thought provoking account in this book in a way that gives voice to the subject matter of teenage rape but also grooming and how important it is to speak out if you know anybody that has been through the same thing. It highlights problems within our society of troubled family lives, complicated relationships and how brave and strong a victim has to be in order to speak out.
A quick one sitting controversial read with a strong message.
This is one of those books which is difficult to read because of the main topic of its plot. It’s a very detailed account of how this girl called Stacy who is 17 tells you the story of her family life, friends, school and her dreams for her future. It focuses on a series of days that lead up to her rape and how she deals with the aftermath.
I’ll admit I found this quite difficult at many occasions because I could foresee the torment that was going to hit Stacy. The author has written a clear and thought provoking account in this book in a way that gives voice to the subject matter of teenage rape but also grooming and how important it is to speak out if you know anybody that has been through the same thing. It highlights problems within our society of troubled family lives, complicated relationships and how brave and strong a victim has to be in order to speak out.
A quick one sitting controversial read with a strong message.
March 14, 2020
Sarebbe un po' più di 4 stelle!
In italiano i due romanzi della duologia sono uniti in un unico volume.
Presto la recensione!
In italiano i due romanzi della duologia sono uniti in un unico volume.
Presto la recensione!
March 7, 2024
It was a lot... I don't have words to describe it... I feel like there are no words to describe this. It's awful. It's real. And it's.... Aaah I need a moment to recover from this.
April 28, 2024
Non c'è l'ho fatta a finirlo. Contenuto forte
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