Books and Writing - Rape: A Love Story [by Joyce Carol Oates]

Lennie1984 · 06-16-2009, 12:19 PM

Anybody read this book?

Teena Maguire should not have tried to shortcut her way home that Fourth of July. Not after midnight, not through Rocky Point Park. Not the way she was dressed in a tank top, denim cutoffs, and high-heeled sandals. Not with her twelve-year-old daughter Bethie. Not with packs of local guys running loose on hormones, rage, and alcohol. A victim of gang rape, left for dead in the park boathouse, the once vivacious Teena can now only regret that she has survived. At a relentlessly compelling pace punctuated by lonely cries in the night and the whisper of terror in the afternoon, Joyce Carol Oates unfolds the story of Teena and Bethie, their assailants, and their unexpected, silent champion, a man who knows the meaning of justice. And love.

Its being made into a movie IMDB - Rape: A Love Story (2009)

_Nyx_ · 06-16-2009, 12:34 PM

I did not read it but it sounds extremely interesting. Thanks for the info! Man... my list of must-read just gets longer every time I come into this forum

Lennie1984 · 06-17-2009, 10:58 AM

I am getting this soon, it does look interesing, esp since it being made into a movie, with Abigail Breslin who i like alot

lynnashley · 06-18-2009, 05:55 PM

I haven't read it yet, but now I plan on it

Looks very interesting.

Adding to my wishlist! Thanks!

Lennie1984 · 06-18-2009, 06:11 PM

I'm getting mine tomorrow, i reserved it at my local library - so i cant wait to read it

lynnashley · 06-18-2009, 06:20 PM

You should definitely tell me how it is Lennie

Lennie1984 · 08-11-2009, 08:47 AM

I read this about a month ago

Its a short book but very much straight to the point of the story and the aftermath journey of Bethie and her mother

Its heart-wrenching to see how they cope afterwards of a horrible attack that has happen to them, and how the law and ppl are around them etc

I am glad this book is being made into a movie which i am pretty sure is being called Vegeance - A Love Story (which sounds better), and Abigail Breslin is playing Bethie, she is gonna be awesome in here

Rukia · 08-11-2009, 11:43 AM

Someone recommended this book to me before, but somehow, I never looked up on it. It sounds really good, and I'm adding this to my must-read list.

She's written a lot, have you read any of her other books? If so, what else would you recommend?

Lennie1984 · 08-11-2009, 02:23 PM

No i havent read any of her others book, this was a first, - i will try and check out her other book

TheAngel · 08-18-2009, 07:25 AM

Eh, I have issues with the title of this book, and with the description of the book itself. Talking about how she shouldn't have done these things, walked through the woods, dressed in a certain way, almost makes it sound like it's the victim's fault that this rape happened. I don't know if I'd be able to get past that and really enjoy the book, so I probably won't be reading this anytime soon.

Gabriela · 08-21-2009, 08:28 AM

I haven't read it, but I get what you're saying Angel. I do want to read it but I really hope that the description is kind of part of the lesson, like the main character blames herself for it but then really learns nothing she did or wore warranted it.

Because I agree that I don't like the tone that it's somehow her fault...

Lennie1984 · 11-03-2009, 10:44 AM

See what happens is that ppl around her make her feel like its her fault esp the court, and the rapists, like she had it coming etc - its just so emotional and deep

Gabriela · 11-03-2009, 01:44 PM

oh wow - that does sound really interesting then. I'm so used to PSAs saying it's never the victim's fault, so hearing that the book is kind of the opposite is interesting

Lennie1984 · 11-03-2009, 01:55 PM

Its pretty heart-wrenching esp when you put yourself in her position and also the little girl, i say give the book ago

Soz · 11-09-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheAngel (View Post)

Eh, I have issues with the title of this book, and with the description of the book itself. Talking about how she shouldn't have done these things, walked through the woods, dressed in a certain way, almost makes it sound like it's the victim's fault that this rape happened. I don't know if I'd be able to get past that and really enjoy the book, so I probably won't be reading this anytime soon.

I totally agree, Angel. I'm glad to hear that the author isn't saying that the victim "asked for it" but I still think this book would be too harrowing for me to read.

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Fan Forum > General Discussion > Books and Writing > Rape: A Love Story [by Joyce Carol Oates]