4/5 stars.Teena Maguire is gang-raped after a 4th of July party. Her daughter, 12-year-old Berthie, hides while Teena is beaten and left for dead, and is the one asking policemen for help. The story addresses Berthie -"you see your monther..."- as we follow the aftermath of the rape and how it changed the lives of Teena, Berthie, and those close to the case -prosecurot, policeman, the accused.
The story is short -about 150 pages- and Oates does not waste any word on useless details. The title itself is proof of this, bringing together two opposite ideas -rape and love, central themes of this book- without a pause. She focuses on actions and thoughts, adeptlly describes people's feelings with a few words, from depression to despair to hope, and writes powerful dialogues. The reader is drawn to the characters and the outcome of the ordeal.
I finished the book quite depressed, recognizing all too well the dynamic between an abused and depressed mother and her teenage daughter, and amazed at Oates' talent.
No comments:
Post a Comment