3/5 stars
Simon Pulse, 2013
226 pages
YA Contemporary
Source: Received an e-ARC from the publisher through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I think I picked this one up after noting that it was a contemporary but without really reading the summary as this is definitely on the darker, heavier side of contemporary. In comparison, my tastes tend to lean toward the lighter comedic side though I venture over from time to time. It raises questions around rape, responsibility, and healing, showing that there are no easy answers in such a situation.
The book opens with a provocative scene, only to flash back to the first days of Ben and Ani's relationship and trace up to a party where Ben stays home and something happens with Ani that sends their relationship off the rails. Ani is no longer the girl Ben knew and loved though he struggles to hold on and to help heal her.
I thought it was an interesting choice to narrate from the perspective of the boy whose girlfriend was raped. Mostly I see novels from the girl herself (see Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson or that Sarah Dessen book whose name is escaping me.) I wish we could have seen more of their relationship in good times but, as you can see, the book is pretty short so everything moves at a good clip. I really struggled with Ben's insistence on trying to "fix" Ani because, from my perspective, it is not. He kept claiming it as his responsibility, letting his scholarship, friendships, and family fall by the wayside. Because it's really not-he does not possess the ability to heal her, only she can do that at her own speed, following her own healing process that may lead to a lot of hurt before anything redemptive can come out of this.
As I mentioned some of the big questions revolve around culpability:
- Is Ani responsible for consuming alcohol while underage in an unfamiliar environment? For not stopping what happened?
- Is Kate responsible for also consuming alcohol while underage and not sticking with Ani, to step in when things took a turn for the different?
- Are the boys (we're pretty sure it's multiple) who had also consumed an unknown quantity of alcohol responsible for not taking advantage of Ani? Did they in fact take advantage or was it all entirely of her own free will?
- Is Ben responsible because he decided to skip the party and wasn't there to protect her?
Overall: An intense read that will definitely not be for everyone but I appreciated its unique perspective and the realistic depiction of a volunteer advocate to provide information in the aftermath.
Other Opinions: I strongly encourage you to check out some other reviews as people have written from a lot of different perspectives; here are a few but more are on goodreads and other blogs.
A Good Addiction
Good Books and Good Wine
In Bed With Books
Stacked
Oof. This is tough. The writer is pretty sure it was rape, is a thing I will tell you. And she wrote it this way because society too often puts the blame on women who were raped.
ReplyDeleteI'm not reading this book because it hits too close to to home, and I just can't look at this subject matter objectively. I admire you for being able to do so.
Kate @ The Midnight Garden
I definitely thought it was rape-I just read some reviews where they said they didn't read it like that and I wanted to share that opinion. I didn't actually realize there was a rape when I first started reading though I was prepared for an intense read.
DeleteI think the "fixing" insistence was important, because Ben's journey is about realizing that no, he can't fix her and that's not his job.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that input-I guess it seemed self-evident to me so I wasn't sure why it wasn't also for Ben?
DeleteWe haven't read it (yet) but what we've gathered from blogs is that the fact that FAULT LINE is so ambiguous may be off-putting or confusing, but it's also key. Because it's an unfortunate mirror of how people look at rape cases today -- even in situations where things are NOT as ambiguous as they are presented in this book. That's an important service this story is doing: Make us all question how we react to real-life incidents like this.
ReplyDeleteLovely comment! The ambiguity is probably not my favorite element and yet it is reflective of our society's reaction to rape so it is appropriate for the book.
DeleteWOW. I appreciate that this author tries to display what happened to this girl as complex, and deals with emotions from lots of people. I agree that the idea of her boyfriend trying to "fix" his girlfriend, is rather naive, but I could see how just wanting her to be better could lead to that. Does this book at least acknowledge the fact that he can't heal her? Only she can take the steps for herself? This one is probably a bit too heavy for me. BUT I appreciate that you read it. Have you heard of/read ALMOST by Anne Eliot? It's a more clear cut situation, and a bit different. But the book is narrated by a a girl who was almost raped at a party - alcohol played into it - as well as a boy at the party who feels guilt b/c he didn't do enough to help. Although it's heavy at times, that was includes a lot of humor, which works in the book, and I felt like in the end it was redeeming. Perhaps more than this one?
ReplyDeleteAt the end, Ben realizes he can't fix her and it's just heartbreaking because you want everyone to get help and be healed and yet the ending is messy just like real life.
DeleteI have never heard of ALMOST; I will put it on my list for when I have the emotional fortitude to tackle it.
I love this review and the questions you pose in it! I became interested in this book early on as well (and I think that is a fabulous book cover especially in regard to the topic at hand.) I like light contemporary but I don't shy away from the darker, heavier subjects either so I'm definitely going to pick this one up at some point:)
ReplyDeleteI hope you appreciate the various elements looked at in this book-it's definitely darker so not quite a me book but worthy of discussion.
DeleteI've heard pretty much mixed things across the board on this one, it's a shame--but I am still intrigued by the concept anyway! Appreciate the honest review, I will have to check out the book sometime because the cryptic reviews have me very curious!
ReplyDeleteI love all the different opinions being shared-it's exciting when a book can provoke such discussion though I'm disappointed in the reviewers who seem to blame the victim (in my reading of their review.)
DeleteI definitely don't shy away from dark books or issue books but a few things mentioned in your reviews and others make me hesitant to try this. I think it's very, very hard to navigate all the possible minefields when you are writing a book like this.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful review, as always!
Jen @ YA Romantics
I don't think I'd recommend this to you necessarily because it didn't wow me as much as some other dark gritty books. I appreciate that it was written but it's not one I'll be pushing.
DeleteThe unique perspective is def a plus!
ReplyDeleteI was surprised that it was from his perspective-I would have expected it from hers.
DeleteI have this one, but I keep putting it off. I think I will give a try here soon. But I will have to go in with my eyes open.
ReplyDeleteI'll be on the lookout for a review from you-you'll need to make sure you're in the right frame of mind.
DeleteGreat review. <3 I don't think this would be for me, but I like looking at the cover :D Pretty. <3 glad you mostly enjoyed it :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover certainly sparks-I like one brighter but that wouldn't gel with the tone.
DeleteI'm so curious about this one - and will definitely be reading it sometime soon - so I'm glad you enjoyed it. And the Sarah Dessen book you're thinking of is Just Listen. :)
ReplyDeleteI thought it might be that one but couldn't remember and didn't have time to look it up; I figured Dessen fans would know which one I meant!
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