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Rape: A Love Story
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 tank top, denim cut-offs, high-heeled sandals. Not with her twelve-year-old daughter, Bethie. Not with packs of local guys running loose on hormones, rage, and alco
154 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
87 people are currently reading
8130 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Carol Oates
923 books9,367 followersJoyce Carol Oates is an American writer. Oates published her first book in 1963, and has since published 58 novels, a number of plays and novellas, and many volumes of short stories, poetry, and nonfiction. Her novels Black Water (1992), What I Lived For (1994), and Blonde (2000), and her short story collections The Wheel of Love (1970) and Lovely, Dark, Deep: Stories (2014) were each finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. She has won many awards for her writing, including the National Book Award, for her novel Them (1969), two O. Henry Awards, the National Humanities Medal, and the Jerusalem Prize (2019).
Oates taught at Princeton University from 1978 to 2014, and is the Roger S. Berlind '52 Professor Emerita in the Humanities with the Program in Creative Writing. From 2016 to 2020, she was a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught short fiction in the spring semesters. She now teaches at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Oates was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2016.
Pseudonyms: Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly.
Oates taught at Princeton University from 1978 to 2014, and is the Roger S. Berlind '52 Professor Emerita in the Humanities with the Program in Creative Writing. From 2016 to 2020, she was a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where she taught short fiction in the spring semesters. She now teaches at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Oates was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 2016.
Pseudonyms: Rosamond Smith and Lauren Kelly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 765 reviews
November 22, 2015
This is an ugly book, filled with nothing but filth and darkness. It takes your view of humanity, throws it to the ground and administers a few sound kicks to it, till it is bleeding and crying out.
Hate is a strong word, but I hated the story, the characters and practically the entire book. I hate the fact that I live in a world where this isn't fiction, but the true story of thousands of 'Teena's and 'Bethie's each day.
I hate the fact that people find it ok to label rape as 'unfortunate' or 'sad'. A slip on a staircase and breaking your fucking neck is unfortunate or sad. Rape is nothing but a depraved act of abject cowardice.
Joyce Carol Oates tells a deeply disturbing story that disgusts you but fascinates you nevertheless with its sheer brutality. There is no redemption, no magic wand that gets waved to 'put it past you and move on'. She narrates a story of despair, loss, and trauma. There is no escape.
The title is somewhat misleading and it would be a major spoiler to discuss why.
Brilliant book, by the way. Sounds contradictory, but loathsome story, brilliant book. This is a story that leaves a terrible taste in the mouth, and makes you wonder how some so-called humans can be so dehumanized. It makes you question the humanity of all those who ask questions like, "But what was she wearing?" or "Why was she out so late?"
It is brutal, horrifying and extremely well-written. Read it, but no guaranteeing if you'll be able to sleep well after that. Or keep your meal down. So, can't say I 'really liked it' but it definitely led to some strong emotions.
Hate is a strong word, but I hated the story, the characters and practically the entire book. I hate the fact that I live in a world where this isn't fiction, but the true story of thousands of 'Teena's and 'Bethie's each day.
I hate the fact that people find it ok to label rape as 'unfortunate' or 'sad'. A slip on a staircase and breaking your fucking neck is unfortunate or sad. Rape is nothing but a depraved act of abject cowardice.
Joyce Carol Oates tells a deeply disturbing story that disgusts you but fascinates you nevertheless with its sheer brutality. There is no redemption, no magic wand that gets waved to 'put it past you and move on'. She narrates a story of despair, loss, and trauma. There is no escape.
The title is somewhat misleading and it would be a major spoiler to discuss why.
Brilliant book, by the way. Sounds contradictory, but loathsome story, brilliant book. This is a story that leaves a terrible taste in the mouth, and makes you wonder how some so-called humans can be so dehumanized. It makes you question the humanity of all those who ask questions like, "But what was she wearing?" or "Why was she out so late?"
It is brutal, horrifying and extremely well-written. Read it, but no guaranteeing if you'll be able to sleep well after that. Or keep your meal down. So, can't say I 'really liked it' but it definitely led to some strong emotions.
January 1, 2025
"Esa mujer, pero ¿qué esperaba? Lo estaba pidiendo a gritos esa buscona.
Vestida como una guarra. Es su palabra contra la de ellos.
¡Vaya usted a saber lo que pasó en ese parque en plena noche!"
Esta es la historia de una violación en grupo. De una mujer guapa en la mitad de la treintena y de su hija de doce años, asaltadas por un grupo de degenerados de noche, cuando volvían a su casa tras una fiesta del cuatro de julio. Una agresión brutal que dejó a la madre, Teena, en coma y con graves secuelas. Una agresión, que acabó con la infancia de Bethel, su hija.
Es la historia de los "y si". ¿Y si nos hubiéramos marchado antes de la fiesta? ¿Y si nos hubiésemos quedado allí a dormir? ¿Y si no hubiéramos cruzado por el parque? ¿Y si Teena se hubiera vestido de otra manera? ¿Y si hubiésemos aceptado que nos llevaran en coche a casa?
Es la historia del juicio paralelo de los vecinos de Niágara Falls. Porque Teena, con esa actitud, se lo estaba buscando. "¿Qué coño hace ella sola, con una niña de doce años, por el parque de Rocky Point a media noche? ¿Poner en peligro a una menor? ¿Poner en peligro la moral de una menor?". Seguro que había bebido y estaba drogada. Seguro que su hija también había bebido "De tal palo, tal astilla".
Es la historia de un grupo de agresores violentos, borrachos, drogadictos, con antecedentes y a los que no se cuestiona por ello. La culpa es de "esa zorra". Todo fue consentido. Casi la matan, pero fue consentido. Lo único que lamentan es no haberlas rematado a las dos.
Es la historia de una vista preliminar que victimiza doblemente a Teena, que la rompe y la destroza aún más que la violación en sí. La de una fiscal ingenua, la de un juez que cuestiona a la víctima y la de un abogado defensor que retuerce la verdad, con la anuencia y el aplauso del público asistente. "La verdad no es la única atracción ni tampoco la más poderosa".
Es la historia de un joven policía en tonos de gris, que cree en la justicia, pero no en el sistema que la surte.
Y es la historia de un antes y un después. El "antes" el que marca la infancia de Bethel hasta el día de la agresión. El "después" en el que viven ambas desde entonces. Una agresión que fue algo más que un desgraciado acontecimiento aleatorio, que se convirtió en la identidad que las definió de por vida. Madre e hija pasaron a ser, la mujer que violaron en grupo y la hija de Teena Maguire.
¿Y qué más puedo decir?
Que Joyce Carol Oates nos lo cuenta con la maestría que la caracteriza. Que es una delicia leerla. Que el ritmo es ágil y los capítulos cortos. Que usa la cursiva como nadie. Que convierte la apuesta, siempre arriesgada, de escribir en segunda persona, en una narración potente, que te atrapa y no te suelta. Que todos los personajes, víctimas y villanos, están bien trazados, pese a la corta extensión de la novela.
Si con todo lo anterior aún no os he convencido para leerla, poco más puedo añadir. ¿Recomendable? Un imperdible y el mejor libro para iniciarse con la autora si aún no se ha leído nada suyo.
Un último apunte para felicitar a la editorial Contraseña por lo cuidado de la edición, por la portada ilustrada por Elisa Arguilé, y por la traducción de Pepa Linares.
Vestida como una guarra. Es su palabra contra la de ellos.
¡Vaya usted a saber lo que pasó en ese parque en plena noche!"
Esta es la historia de una violación en grupo. De una mujer guapa en la mitad de la treintena y de su hija de doce años, asaltadas por un grupo de degenerados de noche, cuando volvían a su casa tras una fiesta del cuatro de julio. Una agresión brutal que dejó a la madre, Teena, en coma y con graves secuelas. Una agresión, que acabó con la infancia de Bethel, su hija.
Es la historia de los "y si". ¿Y si nos hubiéramos marchado antes de la fiesta? ¿Y si nos hubiésemos quedado allí a dormir? ¿Y si no hubiéramos cruzado por el parque? ¿Y si Teena se hubiera vestido de otra manera? ¿Y si hubiésemos aceptado que nos llevaran en coche a casa?
Es la historia del juicio paralelo de los vecinos de Niágara Falls. Porque Teena, con esa actitud, se lo estaba buscando. "¿Qué coño hace ella sola, con una niña de doce años, por el parque de Rocky Point a media noche? ¿Poner en peligro a una menor? ¿Poner en peligro la moral de una menor?". Seguro que había bebido y estaba drogada. Seguro que su hija también había bebido "De tal palo, tal astilla".
Es la historia de un grupo de agresores violentos, borrachos, drogadictos, con antecedentes y a los que no se cuestiona por ello. La culpa es de "esa zorra". Todo fue consentido. Casi la matan, pero fue consentido. Lo único que lamentan es no haberlas rematado a las dos.
Es la historia de una vista preliminar que victimiza doblemente a Teena, que la rompe y la destroza aún más que la violación en sí. La de una fiscal ingenua, la de un juez que cuestiona a la víctima y la de un abogado defensor que retuerce la verdad, con la anuencia y el aplauso del público asistente. "La verdad no es la única atracción ni tampoco la más poderosa".
Es la historia de un joven policía en tonos de gris, que cree en la justicia, pero no en el sistema que la surte.
Y es la historia de un antes y un después. El "antes" el que marca la infancia de Bethel hasta el día de la agresión. El "después" en el que viven ambas desde entonces. Una agresión que fue algo más que un desgraciado acontecimiento aleatorio, que se convirtió en la identidad que las definió de por vida. Madre e hija pasaron a ser, la mujer que violaron en grupo y la hija de Teena Maguire.
¿Y qué más puedo decir?
Que Joyce Carol Oates nos lo cuenta con la maestría que la caracteriza. Que es una delicia leerla. Que el ritmo es ágil y los capítulos cortos. Que usa la cursiva como nadie. Que convierte la apuesta, siempre arriesgada, de escribir en segunda persona, en una narración potente, que te atrapa y no te suelta. Que todos los personajes, víctimas y villanos, están bien trazados, pese a la corta extensión de la novela.
Si con todo lo anterior aún no os he convencido para leerla, poco más puedo añadir. ¿Recomendable? Un imperdible y el mejor libro para iniciarse con la autora si aún no se ha leído nada suyo.
Un último apunte para felicitar a la editorial Contraseña por lo cuidado de la edición, por la portada ilustrada por Elisa Arguilé, y por la traducción de Pepa Linares.
March 5, 2009
It's shocking and almost unforgiving that I have been on this earth for 30 years and have never read Joyce Carol Oates. Reading her entire cannon will soon become my latest addiction in 2009. So how do I review this novel? (note : I am writing this review after already having read 'Zombie' a few days ago). First of all, Joyce C Oates, where have you been all my life? And to my literary friends : Why did nobody tell me about the lyricism, harshness, brilliant POV changes, and upsetting yet beautiful prose? How dare you make me wait so long to discover this author!!!
It seems almost uncouth that I am saying these things while reviewing a novel titled 'Rape : A Love Story'. But that is exactly what it is. A brutal, disgusting, nauseating, angering crime, followed by a non existent trial (as Oates makes clear -- why bother). But yet -- in a disturbing but also innocent way (only could this have worked from Oates' second person POV of the young Bethie) -- it's a love story. Maybe a love story that should send second person narrative Bethie to therapy for the rest of her life. But the way Oates has concisely and sharply pointed her narrative like a sharp dagger (or worse) and then mixed the story with illegal justice and innocent motives, makes this novel disturbing, stunning and bitter sweet.
It seems almost uncouth that I am saying these things while reviewing a novel titled 'Rape : A Love Story'. But that is exactly what it is. A brutal, disgusting, nauseating, angering crime, followed by a non existent trial (as Oates makes clear -- why bother). But yet -- in a disturbing but also innocent way (only could this have worked from Oates' second person POV of the young Bethie) -- it's a love story. Maybe a love story that should send second person narrative Bethie to therapy for the rest of her life. But the way Oates has concisely and sharply pointed her narrative like a sharp dagger (or worse) and then mixed the story with illegal justice and innocent motives, makes this novel disturbing, stunning and bitter sweet.
October 23, 2023
La cosa ya empezó regulera. Cada página parecía querer ir denunciando todos los clichés casposos que existen acerca de la “responsabilidad” que tienen las mujeres en su propia violación. Ya saben:
“Esa mujer, pero ¿qué esperaba? Lo estaba pidiendo a gritos, esa buscona. Vestida como una guarra. Es su palabra contra la de ellos. ¡Vaya usted a saber lo que pasó en ese parque en plena noche!”Después me reconcilié algo con la autora cuando empecé a ver que no se centraba morbosamente en el acto de la violación y sí en las consecuencias, en la angustia de las víctimas y el ambiente que se crea alrededor de ellas en una población pequeña en la que todos se conocen y donde tienen que seguir viviendo topándose a cada paso con amigos, vecinos, primos o hermanos de los violadores, donde la prensa se ceba en el escándalo y en infundir sospechas manipulando a la opinión pública, donde la justicia puede depender de la habilidad de un abogado sin escrúpulos y la ideología trasnochada de un juez. En este momento la narración te atrapa por la rabia, por la indignación, por la incertidumbre en el resultado de la justicia, aunque en ningún caso pueda ya compensar el daño hecho a las víctimas.
La narración es muy corta, muy telegráfica, no entra en el análisis de caracteres, de circunstancias, de motivos, aunque sí es muy eficaz en provocar la irritación del lector para, y esto es lo que me ha indignado y la razón de que solo le dé un par de estrellas, darle a continuación la peor de las satisfacciones, justificando lo injustificable, por muy deseable que sea a nivel individual.
March 22, 2023
4,75/5
He dudado mucho entre las 4 o las 5 estrellas, ya que se trata de un tema muy repetido. Pero me ha convencido finalmente la prosa de la autora y la novedosa (al menos para mí) visión poliédrica que desarrolla sobre las consecuencias generadas en todas las instancias implicadas por el deleznable comportamiento de un grupo de descerebrados: no sólo narra a las víctimas, sino también a las familias de los victimarios, a ellos mismos, así como las personas más cercanas e incluso la sociedad en que viven.
Sé que hay una película de 2017, basada en la novela, que protagonizaron Nicholas Cage y Don Johnson. Así que intentaré verla también, antes de afrontar la reseña final.
Si crees que van a abundar las escenas escabrosas y morbosas, te equivocas. Mientras preparo una reseña más amplia, la recomiendo sin dudar.
He dudado mucho entre las 4 o las 5 estrellas, ya que se trata de un tema muy repetido. Pero me ha convencido finalmente la prosa de la autora y la novedosa (al menos para mí) visión poliédrica que desarrolla sobre las consecuencias generadas en todas las instancias implicadas por el deleznable comportamiento de un grupo de descerebrados: no sólo narra a las víctimas, sino también a las familias de los victimarios, a ellos mismos, así como las personas más cercanas e incluso la sociedad en que viven.
Sé que hay una película de 2017, basada en la novela, que protagonizaron Nicholas Cage y Don Johnson. Así que intentaré verla también, antes de afrontar la reseña final.
Si crees que van a abundar las escenas escabrosas y morbosas, te equivocas. Mientras preparo una reseña más amplia, la recomiendo sin dudar.
August 8, 2022
Recunosc, fac parte dintre acele femei pe care, cel mai probabil, mulți le consideră lipsite de solidaritate și empatie. De ce?! Pentru că sunt cazuri în care cred că sintagma ,,și-a căutat-o" e adevărată. Nu că a meritat. Nu! Nimeni, în afară de cei care rănesc alte ființe, nu merită să îi fie folosit trupul fără voia sa. Dar cred că, tot mai des, libertatea și feminismul sunt confundate cu vulgaritatea și ideea că ar trebui să putem fi orice ne trece prin cap, doar pentru că ne face să ne simțim în largul nostru. Și aici nu mă refer la o rochie mai scurtă sau la a ieși seara cu prietenii, ci la promiscuitate. Știți voi la ce mă gândesc, chiar dacă poate mă judecați chiar acum!
Să ne gândim altfel, măcar o clipă! Nu ne place când un bărbat își apucă organele genitale pe stradă și se scarpină, nu? Nu ne place nici să îi vedem transpirați și la bustul gol în mijloacele de transport în comun. Deși ei se simt în largul lor și am putea doar să nu îi privim și să ne dăm mai încolo, pretindem eleganță din partea lor. Atunci de ce ni se pare tot mai normal să ne credem independente și puternice doar pentru că mergem în club, bem, plecăm singure noaptea și ne expunem în toate felurile? Trăim într-o lume plină de pericole. Drogurile și alcoolul sunt la îndemâna oricui, oameni cu probleme mintale sunt peste tot și, să nu uităm, că suntem animale în care instinctele se pot dezlănțui oricând. Deci, da, atunci când nu urmezi niște pași minimi pentru siguranța ta, doar pentru că ții mai mult la confort, distracție și aspect, și aștepți ca tot restul lumii să te protejeze, consider că ai fi putut evita acea tragedie. La fel cum ne asigurăm dacă trece vreo mașină, când suntem pe trecerea de pietoni, deși e dreptul nostru să traversăm oricând. La fel cum ne învățăm copiii să nu plece nicăieri cu un străin, în loc să așteptăm ca pedofilii să se controleze.
Și da, am judecat-o și pe Teena, în ciuda încercării tăioase a autoarei de a mă face să mă simt vinovată. De ce ți-ai lua fiica adolescentă la o petrecere unde alcoolul și drogurile sunt peste tot? De ce ai pleca apoi singură cu ea noaptea, refuzând să vă conducă un om în care ai încredere? De ce ai face toate astea când e ziua SUA și civilizația o ia razna? Ca să nu mai spun că, după acea noapte, pare să uite uneori că și fiica ei a fost acolo. Dincolo de aceste lucruri, ,,Viol, poveste de iubire'' este printre cele mai șocante, dure și realiste cărți pe care le-am citit. E o luptă sinceră și directă cu agresiunile sexuale și sistemul juridic, dar și o încurajare pentru victime. E sentința meritată cu adevărat de agresori (o să vedeți la final!) și mâna blândă pusă pe umărul femeii. Pusă cu grijă, căci acum tresare de câte ori e atinsă. E de necitit neapărat. O poveste ca un topor: simplă, concisă, brutală. Recenzia aici: https://bit.ly/3SATgIg.
,,Ai auzit cum o loveau pe mama ta. Bufnituri înăbușite care întâlneau o carne docilă. Au apucat gleznele subțiri ale mamei tale, i-au desfăcut picioarele cu atâta violență, de parcă ar fi vrut să i le rupă din trup. Au râs de țipetele ei de durere, de teama ei. Au râs de slabele ei încercări de a se apăra. Erau nesăbuiți, euforici. Vei afla că erau drogați cu un drog numit metamfetamină. În surescitarea lor, au uitat de tine. N-aveai nicio importanță pentru ei, căci aveau la dispoziție o femeie adultă. I-au rupt hainele, de parcă hainele de femei îi înfuriau. Au scuipat-o în față, de parcă frumusețea ei îi înfuria. Au tras-o de păr, de parcă ar fi vrut să i-l rupă din rădăcini. Unul dintre ei tot încerca să-i scoată ochiul drept, orbind-o. N-aveai de unde ști că pe fețele lor se vedea o nebunie strălucitoare, o scânteiere în ochii lor de lup, un luciu al dinților umeziți. N-aveai de unde ști cum în ochii lor se vedea o margine albicioasă în jurul irișilor. Cum trupurile lor erau acoperite într-o transpirație uleioasă. Cum au încălecat trupul moale al mamei tale și cum și-au îndesat penisul în gura ei sângerândă și în vaginul ei sângerând și în rectul ei sângerând. Auzeai sunetele violului fără să fii conștientă pe deplin că era vorba de viol. Leșinai de durerea din brațul dislocat, încercai să respiri prin crăpăturile din podeaua murdară și plină de așchii. La câțiva centimetri dedesubtul acestei podele, apa spumoasă a lagunei clipocea, vălurea. Timp de 20 de minute, ți-ai acoperit urechile cu palmele zgâriate și însângerate și te-ai rugat: Doamne, nu lăsa să o moare pe mami, te rog, Doamne, ajută-ne.''
Să ne gândim altfel, măcar o clipă! Nu ne place când un bărbat își apucă organele genitale pe stradă și se scarpină, nu? Nu ne place nici să îi vedem transpirați și la bustul gol în mijloacele de transport în comun. Deși ei se simt în largul lor și am putea doar să nu îi privim și să ne dăm mai încolo, pretindem eleganță din partea lor. Atunci de ce ni se pare tot mai normal să ne credem independente și puternice doar pentru că mergem în club, bem, plecăm singure noaptea și ne expunem în toate felurile? Trăim într-o lume plină de pericole. Drogurile și alcoolul sunt la îndemâna oricui, oameni cu probleme mintale sunt peste tot și, să nu uităm, că suntem animale în care instinctele se pot dezlănțui oricând. Deci, da, atunci când nu urmezi niște pași minimi pentru siguranța ta, doar pentru că ții mai mult la confort, distracție și aspect, și aștepți ca tot restul lumii să te protejeze, consider că ai fi putut evita acea tragedie. La fel cum ne asigurăm dacă trece vreo mașină, când suntem pe trecerea de pietoni, deși e dreptul nostru să traversăm oricând. La fel cum ne învățăm copiii să nu plece nicăieri cu un străin, în loc să așteptăm ca pedofilii să se controleze.
Și da, am judecat-o și pe Teena, în ciuda încercării tăioase a autoarei de a mă face să mă simt vinovată. De ce ți-ai lua fiica adolescentă la o petrecere unde alcoolul și drogurile sunt peste tot? De ce ai pleca apoi singură cu ea noaptea, refuzând să vă conducă un om în care ai încredere? De ce ai face toate astea când e ziua SUA și civilizația o ia razna? Ca să nu mai spun că, după acea noapte, pare să uite uneori că și fiica ei a fost acolo. Dincolo de aceste lucruri, ,,Viol, poveste de iubire'' este printre cele mai șocante, dure și realiste cărți pe care le-am citit. E o luptă sinceră și directă cu agresiunile sexuale și sistemul juridic, dar și o încurajare pentru victime. E sentința meritată cu adevărat de agresori (o să vedeți la final!) și mâna blândă pusă pe umărul femeii. Pusă cu grijă, căci acum tresare de câte ori e atinsă. E de necitit neapărat. O poveste ca un topor: simplă, concisă, brutală. Recenzia aici: https://bit.ly/3SATgIg.
,,Ai auzit cum o loveau pe mama ta. Bufnituri înăbușite care întâlneau o carne docilă. Au apucat gleznele subțiri ale mamei tale, i-au desfăcut picioarele cu atâta violență, de parcă ar fi vrut să i le rupă din trup. Au râs de țipetele ei de durere, de teama ei. Au râs de slabele ei încercări de a se apăra. Erau nesăbuiți, euforici. Vei afla că erau drogați cu un drog numit metamfetamină. În surescitarea lor, au uitat de tine. N-aveai nicio importanță pentru ei, căci aveau la dispoziție o femeie adultă. I-au rupt hainele, de parcă hainele de femei îi înfuriau. Au scuipat-o în față, de parcă frumusețea ei îi înfuria. Au tras-o de păr, de parcă ar fi vrut să i-l rupă din rădăcini. Unul dintre ei tot încerca să-i scoată ochiul drept, orbind-o. N-aveai de unde ști că pe fețele lor se vedea o nebunie strălucitoare, o scânteiere în ochii lor de lup, un luciu al dinților umeziți. N-aveai de unde ști cum în ochii lor se vedea o margine albicioasă în jurul irișilor. Cum trupurile lor erau acoperite într-o transpirație uleioasă. Cum au încălecat trupul moale al mamei tale și cum și-au îndesat penisul în gura ei sângerândă și în vaginul ei sângerând și în rectul ei sângerând. Auzeai sunetele violului fără să fii conștientă pe deplin că era vorba de viol. Leșinai de durerea din brațul dislocat, încercai să respiri prin crăpăturile din podeaua murdară și plină de așchii. La câțiva centimetri dedesubtul acestei podele, apa spumoasă a lagunei clipocea, vălurea. Timp de 20 de minute, ți-ai acoperit urechile cu palmele zgâriate și însângerate și te-ai rugat: Doamne, nu lăsa să o moare pe mami, te rog, Doamne, ajută-ne.''
October 31, 2020
Te deja totalmente impactada, cabreada, triste y dolorida.
July 31, 2023
O carte dură, dar realistă în același timp. Lucruri triste, dar care se întâmplă. Justiția care uneori calcă în lături și oameni care trebuie să servească legea, dar care au puterea să intervină pe cont propriu când nu se face dreptate.
O mamă care mergea spre casă în noaptea de 4 spre 5 iulie alături de fiica sa de 12 ani. E drept, mama este îmbrăcată sumar și poate părea o atitudine deplasată, iar unii mai conservatori ar putea spune că și-a căutat-o. Pentru că Teena este atacată și violată de mai mulți bărbați, totul în prezența fiicei sale.
Scapă cu viață, dar doar pentru a trăi ura comunității. Este transformată din victimă în instigatoare. Cum altfel să fie privită o femeie frumoasă, văduvă de câțiva ani, care a avut câteva relații de atunci și care își permite să treacă noaptea printr-un parc îmbrăcată în pantaloni scurți, maieu și sandale cu toc.
Pe cât m-a revoltat în prima jumătate, pe atât m-a uns pe suflet până la final. 👍
O mamă care mergea spre casă în noaptea de 4 spre 5 iulie alături de fiica sa de 12 ani. E drept, mama este îmbrăcată sumar și poate părea o atitudine deplasată, iar unii mai conservatori ar putea spune că și-a căutat-o. Pentru că Teena este atacată și violată de mai mulți bărbați, totul în prezența fiicei sale.
Scapă cu viață, dar doar pentru a trăi ura comunității. Este transformată din victimă în instigatoare. Cum altfel să fie privită o femeie frumoasă, văduvă de câțiva ani, care a avut câteva relații de atunci și care își permite să treacă noaptea printr-un parc îmbrăcată în pantaloni scurți, maieu și sandale cu toc.
Pe cât m-a revoltat în prima jumătate, pe atât m-a uns pe suflet până la final. 👍
December 1, 2018
Am I allowed to say I love this while I honestly hate it?
I hate everything it shows. I hate more or less every single event in it. I hate how degenerated some characters become. I hate how much this book is needed.
I absolutely hate that this behavior is found in our reality.
Something else?
I love this book.
Most of all, I like the humanizing of the events. Oates pulls the story of a gang-rape and its aftermath off, however this is possible when this is such an unspeakable crime. For over a day I've been trying to understand why I can even remotely like this book when I was disgusted while reading it. And now I understand. Because I will hate every event if I re-read this, but I will simultaneously feel the honesty in every word. Feel this brutal truth seep through the pages of a mother who's free will is taken away, and the story of a daughter who lives in the aftermath of the abuse done to her mother.
I do not love this book because it's a sweet story, or has a happy ending, or anything like this. I love it because it's the truth. No sugarcoating. No glitter at the edges. No soothing words. It's the truth. It's reality. It's what people must understand is happening to victims of rape in any form. I love it because of this brutal honesty that few authors can pull off. I love it because some authors are ready to show this crime. I love it because it says what needs to be said.
Just as the reasons for my adoration for the author writing this story, I hate that it needs to be written.
The title Rape: A Love Story is both accurate and not. This is not a book for those looking for romance for none of this exists within these pages. The love is between child and mother. Of struggling through the world when it turns against you with your family standing next to you. It's about doing what you have to do to survive, make it through.
Despite the title, I love this. As I said, I love how the author puts an honest, brutal, humanized presentation on the subject. But I will hate the story all the same. I love the book, not the story.
I hate everything it shows. I hate more or less every single event in it. I hate how degenerated some characters become. I hate how much this book is needed.
I absolutely hate that this behavior is found in our reality.
Something else?
I love this book.
Most of all, I like the humanizing of the events. Oates pulls the story of a gang-rape and its aftermath off, however this is possible when this is such an unspeakable crime. For over a day I've been trying to understand why I can even remotely like this book when I was disgusted while reading it. And now I understand. Because I will hate every event if I re-read this, but I will simultaneously feel the honesty in every word. Feel this brutal truth seep through the pages of a mother who's free will is taken away, and the story of a daughter who lives in the aftermath of the abuse done to her mother.
I do not love this book because it's a sweet story, or has a happy ending, or anything like this. I love it because it's the truth. No sugarcoating. No glitter at the edges. No soothing words. It's the truth. It's reality. It's what people must understand is happening to victims of rape in any form. I love it because of this brutal honesty that few authors can pull off. I love it because some authors are ready to show this crime. I love it because it says what needs to be said.
Just as the reasons for my adoration for the author writing this story, I hate that it needs to be written.
The title Rape: A Love Story is both accurate and not. This is not a book for those looking for romance for none of this exists within these pages. The love is between child and mother. Of struggling through the world when it turns against you with your family standing next to you. It's about doing what you have to do to survive, make it through.
Despite the title, I love this. As I said, I love how the author puts an honest, brutal, humanized presentation on the subject. But I will hate the story all the same. I love the book, not the story.
July 10, 2025
Well, this one is a much better book than I've thought before.
The plot is not quite a bright one, but the style is, as there are not so many authors able to end (almost) each chapter in suspense. There are only a handful of dialogues, almost all the book is an introspection in a child's mind, Beth, too young to understand all the faces of the evil, but sensitive enough to discern the bad and the good. Contrary to some critics, it's not a book about misogyny, but about kindness, friendship and human justice, a sad one but , fortunately with a happy-end.
A book I warmly recommend.
The plot is not quite a bright one, but the style is, as there are not so many authors able to end (almost) each chapter in suspense. There are only a handful of dialogues, almost all the book is an introspection in a child's mind, Beth, too young to understand all the faces of the evil, but sensitive enough to discern the bad and the good. Contrary to some critics, it's not a book about misogyny, but about kindness, friendship and human justice, a sad one but , fortunately with a happy-end.
A book I warmly recommend.
August 17, 2016
Había escuchado muchas recomendaciones de Oates, prolífica autora y considerada por muchos, como una de las mejores escritoras de lengua inglesa vivas. Confiesto que el argumento de "Rape: a love story" parece intimidante de entrada: la historia de la violación tumultuaria de una mujer frente a su hija adolescente y la búsqueda de justicia ante tal crimen.
De Oates, me impresiona su manera fluida y precisa de narrar los acontecimientos y que, en una sola frase, pueda resumir toda la angustia y la desesperación vividas por los personajes. La escena de la violación es descrita y sin embargo, el lector -por lo menos en mi opinión- no se ve inundado por detalles de lo ocurrido. Quizá sea precisamente esto -la economía de palabras que Oates maneja a la perfección- lo que le dan a la novela mucho más peso. El ambiente de la novela es terriblemente denso, la tristeza y la angustia, la impotencia, el trauma de lo ocurrido, se sienten en las páginas de la novela y podemos ver a cada personaje perfectamente delineado.
Por otra parte, es un placer encontrar una narradora conemporánea en inglés que no use la primera persona en todo momento. Puede que esto sea una preferencia pero, de los autores más recientes que he leído, todos usan con frecuencia la primera persona, lo cual, en ciertos aspectos, puede ser un sesgo al contar la historia. Oates se aleja de ello, y, solo le da la primera voz a la hija de Tina, quién presenció el crimen contra su madre.
"Rape" es la historia de un crimen y la toma de justicia por propia mano, alejándose también con ello de la creencia estadounidense que la justicia puede darse en un proceso limpio, cuestionando así, indirectamente, la creencia de que EUA es un país justo.
De Oates, me impresiona su manera fluida y precisa de narrar los acontecimientos y que, en una sola frase, pueda resumir toda la angustia y la desesperación vividas por los personajes. La escena de la violación es descrita y sin embargo, el lector -por lo menos en mi opinión- no se ve inundado por detalles de lo ocurrido. Quizá sea precisamente esto -la economía de palabras que Oates maneja a la perfección- lo que le dan a la novela mucho más peso. El ambiente de la novela es terriblemente denso, la tristeza y la angustia, la impotencia, el trauma de lo ocurrido, se sienten en las páginas de la novela y podemos ver a cada personaje perfectamente delineado.
Por otra parte, es un placer encontrar una narradora conemporánea en inglés que no use la primera persona en todo momento. Puede que esto sea una preferencia pero, de los autores más recientes que he leído, todos usan con frecuencia la primera persona, lo cual, en ciertos aspectos, puede ser un sesgo al contar la historia. Oates se aleja de ello, y, solo le da la primera voz a la hija de Tina, quién presenció el crimen contra su madre.
"Rape" es la historia de un crimen y la toma de justicia por propia mano, alejándose también con ello de la creencia estadounidense que la justicia puede darse en un proceso limpio, cuestionando así, indirectamente, la creencia de que EUA es un país justo.
January 10, 2020
Wow!
This book deals with a horrible situation (if you hadn't already guessed from the title) in the most beautiful way.
Weird to say considering the harsh content, but no less true.
She writes all the POV's from a 3rd party narrative which allowed me to distance myself from the subject matter while still staying connected to the characters.
I loved it and will definitely be seeking out more Joyce Carol Oates!
This book deals with a horrible situation (if you hadn't already guessed from the title) in the most beautiful way.
Weird to say considering the harsh content, but no less true.
She writes all the POV's from a 3rd party narrative which allowed me to distance myself from the subject matter while still staying connected to the characters.
I loved it and will definitely be seeking out more Joyce Carol Oates!
July 29, 2021
Muy bien escrito y con un tema impactante y oscuro. Muy triste y enojada por todo.
Es un libro corto,no pude parar de leer hasta el final.
Es un libro corto,no pude parar de leer hasta el final.
August 14, 2023
Una noche fatídica que se convierte en el núcleo atómico del que surgirá la destrucción de varias personas implicadas en una violación en grupo a una mujer de Niagra Falls, una localidad del estado de Nueva York. Por supuesto la víctima, también su hija, que estaba presente en esa abominación depravada. Por otro los depredadores, aunque ahí entra más en juego los mecanismos de la ficción.
En esa primera parte, cuando se centra en Teena y su hija, describe de una forma implacable los resortes sociales que se ponen en marcha cuando salta una noticia de esa calibre. Antes y durante el juicio la cuestión es poner en tela de juicio a la víctima, sospechar, señalarla como la tentadora que bien pudo provocar el suceso, incluso pensar que es la consecuencia lógica de una trayectoria sospechosa. Todos los escenarios que fueron descritos en este libro, han sido luego replicados en noticias de esta misma naturaleza. Ahí el ojo de Joyce (nada que ver con James Joyce) resulta preciso como un microscopio.
En la segunda parte, cuando se centra más en la barbarie ejercida contra la víctima durante el juicio y en la visión de los agresores, aparecen resortes yo diría que no tanto de cine negro como de película de espías. Estos dos polos se comunican, nos hacen pensar que cuando un sistema judicial basado en el dinero no aporta reparación, algo mucho más oscuro y violento se pone en marcha. La animosidad crece hasta límites brutales. Es así como se entiende mejor el "ojo por ojo y diente por diente" citado un par de veces en la narración.
En general una narración breve pero devastadora, ningún personaje sale indemne del proceso iniciado en una caseta de un parque. Tampoco el lector, desde luego.
Me sorprende la escritura de Joyce Carol (nada que ver con Lewis Carroll), minuciosa y a la vez vaporosa. No sé por qué tenía la idea que su escritura se sostenía sobre escenas más cinematográficas, sobre tramas más lineales y una progresión, en resumen, más convencional. En cambio construye una gran perspectiva que atañe a los diferentes personajes, salta de uno a otro, los abogados, las habladurías populares, los lugares, a veces de forma sucinta, en otras se extiende más, siempre con una gran sensibilidad para mantener la atención del lector, y el tiempo progresa de una forma sinuosa.
En fin, que nada de lo que me he encontrado en este libro me pareció convencional o previsible. El relato es potente y la escritura está muy al nivel. Estupendo bautizo en el mundo literario de Joyce Carol Oates, así que ya sólo me quedan 90 libros para leer y ponerme al día con su obra.
August 2, 2023
Am ales cartea datorită titlului. Viol - O poveste de iubire, doi termeni care nu au ce căuta unul lângă celălalt. Și totuși...
Subiectul nu e ușor deloc. Un viol în grup făptuit de niște tineri drogați asupra unei văduve de 35 de ani la care este martora fiica de 12 ani.
La suferința datorată atacului violent se adaugă neputința justiției și orbirea societății care menajează făptașii și blamează victima. Femeia devine atât de deprimata încât ajunge să regrete că nu a fost lăsată să moară. Și aici intervine iubirea. Cu siguranță nu în modul în care mă așteptam.
Îmi place mult stilul autoarei. Construiește tensiunea pas cu pas, folosind propoziții scurte, intense și capitole de doar câteva pagini cu titluri sugestive. Am citit cartea pe nerăsuflate.
Subiectul nu e ușor deloc. Un viol în grup făptuit de niște tineri drogați asupra unei văduve de 35 de ani la care este martora fiica de 12 ani.
La suferința datorată atacului violent se adaugă neputința justiției și orbirea societății care menajează făptașii și blamează victima. Femeia devine atât de deprimata încât ajunge să regrete că nu a fost lăsată să moară. Și aici intervine iubirea. Cu siguranță nu în modul în care mă așteptam.
Îmi place mult stilul autoarei. Construiește tensiunea pas cu pas, folosind propoziții scurte, intense și capitole de doar câteva pagini cu titluri sugestive. Am citit cartea pe nerăsuflate.
January 8, 2025
Oof, that was intense.😥
"You could not know how there was a radiant madness in their faces, a glisten to their wolf-eyes, a sheen to their damp teeth."
It's rare that a book's opening page holds me fast in the way this book did. It was horrific, yet I couldn't look away.
R*ape: A Love Story is a brutal novella about a woman and her daughter who are violently assaulted by a gang of men and left for dead.
After the assault, we follow the mother and daughter as they struggle to recover from the incident and attempt to take legal action against their assailants.
This story is extremely painful to read, not just because of the brutality of the assault, but because it so aptly demonstrates society's proclivity to blame victims. There are a lot of the same unfortunate adages here about the girl's mother: she was dressed like a slut, she was asking for it, she'd been drinking, she shouldn't have been walking after dark, etc.
And of course none of these adages are met with appropriate counter statements like: they shouldn't have being doing meth, they shouldn't have chased and taunted and beaten anyone, they shouldn't have violated anyone's body, they shouldn't have traumatized a twelve-year-old girl.
While the story is powerful, it's the writing style that makes this book sing. Chapters are short but hard-hitting, and they oscillate between the third-person perspective of several characters (primarily the mother) and the second-person perspective of the little girl, allowing readers to experience her fear and confusion first hand. (After all, how do you talk about r*pe or process it emotionally when the word for it hasn't yet entered your vocabulary?)
Oates also demonstrates the moral failings of the justice system, which compels some characters to take matters into the own hands to devastating effect.
The only place this book fell short for me was the ending, which felt a little rushed.
R*pe: A Love Story is sharp, insightful, and heartbreaking. A difficult read, but absolutely worth picking up.
"You could not know how there was a radiant madness in their faces, a glisten to their wolf-eyes, a sheen to their damp teeth."
It's rare that a book's opening page holds me fast in the way this book did. It was horrific, yet I couldn't look away.
R*ape: A Love Story is a brutal novella about a woman and her daughter who are violently assaulted by a gang of men and left for dead.
After the assault, we follow the mother and daughter as they struggle to recover from the incident and attempt to take legal action against their assailants.
This story is extremely painful to read, not just because of the brutality of the assault, but because it so aptly demonstrates society's proclivity to blame victims. There are a lot of the same unfortunate adages here about the girl's mother: she was dressed like a slut, she was asking for it, she'd been drinking, she shouldn't have been walking after dark, etc.
And of course none of these adages are met with appropriate counter statements like: they shouldn't have being doing meth, they shouldn't have chased and taunted and beaten anyone, they shouldn't have violated anyone's body, they shouldn't have traumatized a twelve-year-old girl.
While the story is powerful, it's the writing style that makes this book sing. Chapters are short but hard-hitting, and they oscillate between the third-person perspective of several characters (primarily the mother) and the second-person perspective of the little girl, allowing readers to experience her fear and confusion first hand. (After all, how do you talk about r*pe or process it emotionally when the word for it hasn't yet entered your vocabulary?)
Oates also demonstrates the moral failings of the justice system, which compels some characters to take matters into the own hands to devastating effect.
The only place this book fell short for me was the ending, which felt a little rushed.
R*pe: A Love Story is sharp, insightful, and heartbreaking. A difficult read, but absolutely worth picking up.
October 28, 2017
Ο τίτλος του πρωτοτύπου είναι ‘Rape: a love story’. Οι εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο, στην κατά τα λοιπά καλαίσθητη έκδοσή τους, θεώρησαν σκόπιμο να συντμήσουν τον πλήρη τίτλο του βιβλίου και να κρατήσουν ό,τι τους ταίριαζε καλύτερα. ‘Ο βιασμός’, λοιπόν. Έτσι, σκέτο. Αυτά, όσον αφορά το περιτύλιγμα, πάμε και στο περιεχόμενο.
Σκληρό βιβλίο, διηγείται -χωρίς μελοδραματισμούς- την υπόθεση του ομαδικού βιασμού της Μαρτίν (Τίνα) Μαγκουάιρ στο λεμβοστάσιο ενός πάρκου στην πόλη Νιαγάρα Φολς, περασμένα μεσάνυχτα της 4ης Ιουλίου 1996, ενώ επέστρεφε με τη δωδεκάχρονη κόρη της, Μπέθελ (Μπέθι) Μαγκουάιρ, στο σπίτι τους. Η κτηνώδης αυτή πράξη μερικών μαστουρωμένων αλητώ�� έφερε την Τίνα σε κατάσταση ημιθανή, να αιμορραγεί μέχρι θανάτου, και την Μπέθι, βίαια και απότομα, από την παιδική ηλικία στην ενηλικίωση.
Υπήρχαν στιγμές στο βιβλίο που μου θύμισαν έντονα τους Κατηγορούμενους (The accused) του Τζόναθαν Κάπλαν. Στο βιβλίο της Oates, όμως, δεν είναι το δικαστήριο εκείνο που θα τιμωρήσει τους ενόχους, αλλά κάποιος που πήρε το νόμο στα χέρια του.
Σκληρό βιβλίο, διηγείται -χωρίς μελοδραματισμούς- την υπόθεση του ομαδικού βιασμού της Μαρτίν (Τίνα) Μαγκουάιρ στο λεμβοστάσιο ενός πάρκου στην πόλη Νιαγάρα Φολς, περασμένα μεσάνυχτα της 4ης Ιουλίου 1996, ενώ επέστρεφε με τη δωδεκάχρονη κόρη της, Μπέθελ (Μπέθι) Μαγκουάιρ, στο σπίτι τους. Η κτηνώδης αυτή πράξη μερικών μαστουρωμένων αλητώ�� έφερε την Τίνα σε κατάσταση ημιθανή, να αιμορραγεί μέχρι θανάτου, και την Μπέθι, βίαια και απότομα, από την παιδική ηλικία στην ενηλικίωση.
Υπήρχαν στιγμές στο βιβλίο που μου θύμισαν έντονα τους Κατηγορούμενους (The accused) του Τζόναθαν Κάπλαν. Στο βιβλίο της Oates, όμως, δεν είναι το δικαστήριο εκείνο που θα τιμωρήσει τους ενόχους, αλλά κάποιος που πήρε το νόμο στα χέρια του.
October 3, 2015
I have a love/hate relationship with JCO. She is a brilliant writer and I admire her. Sometimes I am blown away by the intensity and chilling insight of her books and sometimes I find them unnecessarily cruel, mean and overly dramatic.
Now, don't get me wrong, she can write in any genre with skill. It's amazing. As a matter of fact, in one short story collection she wrote a brilliant and complete short story in one page. She is an eccentric individual and her choices reflect that.
The title of this book grabbed me, of course, Putting the words rape and love story in the same title seems impossible to me.
However, this very short book is packed with terror and panic and surprises and heartache and a demolishing critique of the "justice" system.
Strangely enough, it is also about love in a most surprising way.
Well worth the read.
Now, don't get me wrong, she can write in any genre with skill. It's amazing. As a matter of fact, in one short story collection she wrote a brilliant and complete short story in one page. She is an eccentric individual and her choices reflect that.
The title of this book grabbed me, of course, Putting the words rape and love story in the same title seems impossible to me.
However, this very short book is packed with terror and panic and surprises and heartache and a demolishing critique of the "justice" system.
Strangely enough, it is also about love in a most surprising way.
Well worth the read.
July 16, 2020
Una novela corta en páginas pero muy extensa en emociones. Retrata, sin recrearse en los aspectos más brutales, cómo la vida de una familia se puede ver afectada por el capricho de unas bestias. Esta autora nunca defrauda, escribe con ritmo y sus historias siempre dejan huella.
November 24, 2022
Libro durísimo que te toca en lo más hondo. Empatizar con la victima y ver el dolor que sufre, ya no solo por la violación sino por el juicio, la sociedad y la empresa que te juzga.
August 24, 2020
"Violul
O poveste de dragoste"
Joyce Carol Oates
Corpul îl poți lipi din bucăți, dar cu sufletul ce faci?
Lumea vorbește, lumea judecă, lumea decide cine este vinovat și cine "și-o caută cu lumânarea". Lumea nu poate fi imparțială, legea ar trebui să fie, ar trebui...
Cine trece prin iad uită de gustul raiului, iar stigmatele bătute în cuie de 200mm rămân pe veci, nici efectul bumerangului nu are capacitatea de a calma durerea surdă a nedreptății.
Dovezile pot fi nenumărate, mărturiile sfâșietoare, însă prejudecățile din gura lumii au cel mai distructiv efect posibil.
J.C. Oates a scris istoria unui orășel cuprins de oroarea unui viol. Ceea ce urmează, consecințele lui, împletesc o istorie deosebită datorită personajelor atât de reale, creionate de scriitoare.
Oates a abordat una din cele mai dificile teme despre care poate scrie cineva, iar titlu bizar nu reușește să armonizeze cu conținutul romanului. Pentru cei cu stomacul sensibil, aveți 2 posibilități, ori nu mâncați nimic în ziua lecturii sau alegeți altă carte, mijloc de aur nu există.
J.C. Oates ne pune față în față cu cel mai mare dușman, cu noi înșine, iar sentința nu este una ușor de digerat. Până la urmă, cine sunt de fapt adevărații monștri?!
#citimpentruschimbare #violulopovestededragoste #jcoates #joycecaroloates
O poveste de dragoste"
Joyce Carol Oates
Corpul îl poți lipi din bucăți, dar cu sufletul ce faci?
Lumea vorbește, lumea judecă, lumea decide cine este vinovat și cine "și-o caută cu lumânarea". Lumea nu poate fi imparțială, legea ar trebui să fie, ar trebui...
Cine trece prin iad uită de gustul raiului, iar stigmatele bătute în cuie de 200mm rămân pe veci, nici efectul bumerangului nu are capacitatea de a calma durerea surdă a nedreptății.
Dovezile pot fi nenumărate, mărturiile sfâșietoare, însă prejudecățile din gura lumii au cel mai distructiv efect posibil.
J.C. Oates a scris istoria unui orășel cuprins de oroarea unui viol. Ceea ce urmează, consecințele lui, împletesc o istorie deosebită datorită personajelor atât de reale, creionate de scriitoare.
Oates a abordat una din cele mai dificile teme despre care poate scrie cineva, iar titlu bizar nu reușește să armonizeze cu conținutul romanului. Pentru cei cu stomacul sensibil, aveți 2 posibilități, ori nu mâncați nimic în ziua lecturii sau alegeți altă carte, mijloc de aur nu există.
J.C. Oates ne pune față în față cu cel mai mare dușman, cu noi înșine, iar sentința nu este una ușor de digerat. Până la urmă, cine sunt de fapt adevărații monștri?!
#citimpentruschimbare #violulopovestededragoste #jcoates #joycecaroloates
June 28, 2018
Lo que me ha convencido:
- Joyce Carol Oates pone el foco en una realidad: en una violación múltiple se pondrá en cuestión a la víctima y se la minará en el juicio.
- La única justicia real no viene de los tribunales, sino de la ley del Talión.
Lo que no me ha convencido:
- Al ser corta, no profundiza en los personajes.
- Esa coletilla del título, en mi opinión, sobra. No se explica (es de un sensacionalismo barato)
- La edición necesita una revisión ortográfica...
¿La recomiendo? Sí, sin duda.
- Joyce Carol Oates pone el foco en una realidad: en una violación múltiple se pondrá en cuestión a la víctima y se la minará en el juicio.
- La única justicia real no viene de los tribunales, sino de la ley del Talión.
Lo que no me ha convencido:
- Al ser corta, no profundiza en los personajes.
- Esa coletilla del título, en mi opinión, sobra. No se explica (es de un sensacionalismo barato)
- La edición necesita una revisión ortográfica...
¿La recomiendo? Sí, sin duda.
August 10, 2019
Joyce Carol Oates seems to have a phobia about the Fourth of July. I just finished reading Black Water, another Independence Day disaster novella, only to be confronted with Rape - a love story, that covers a gang rape in Niagara Falls, NY to round off the fireworks and alcohol consumption on the special day that celebrates American independence.
Unlike Black Water, I didn’t skip pages here, for Rape - a love story, is a tight thriller, not only focussed on the victim’s plight but also on the outcome for her attackers when vigilante justice surfaces, a form of justice that seems more effective than the traditional courts, for offences such as rape are hard to prove without damaging the victims all over again.
Teena Maguire, a 35-year old single mother and her 12-year old daughter, Berthie, are taking a short cut home after a Fourth of July party, when they are accosted by a local gang of no-gooders high on crack. Teena is dragged away to a neighboring boathouse, gang-raped, and left for dead, while her daughter hides in the vicinity. The damage to Teena is horrible—physical, mental and societal. She struggles to emerge from life support, is left with permanently damaged vision and other private body parts, breaks up with her boyfriend as she can’t stand being touched anymore, and self-medicates with alcohol, dreading having to appear as a witness at the upcoming court trial.
The subsequent rape trial turns out to be a fiasco, where the defence attorney is able to wield the full force of American Justice and turn the tables around with a countercharge that Teena solicited the no-gooders for sex in exchange for money and then went crazy on them, leading to the violence by the men in self-defence. Public opinion sways from support for the attacked to the attackers. Berthie is ostracized at school as “the daughter of that tramp.”
We are also introduced to Dromoor, an ex-soldier turned cop on the Niagara Falls Police Department, a family man with two small daughters, who is attracted to Teena, but knows he can never go beyond sharing a drink with her. Dromoor served in the Gulf-War where he killed many enemy fighters, before becoming a cop; he also killed a bad guy while he was a rookie on the NFPD, saving the life of a colleague—he is no stranger to death, and to killing. When he answers the rape call at the boathouse, he finds the damaged woman and her daughter, and decides he has to protect them. And so, one by one, the rapists start dying or disappearing.
Oates skillfully delivers the narration in third and second person and simulates the voices of the many characters—victims and perpetrators alike—according to their educational and social levels. She focuses on the ugliness of rumour, the vindictiveness and meanness of small town society, and the perversions of justice that a democratic society provides for. She also takes the long view, by transporting us many years into the future to show us how the lives of the affected are transformed by this seminal incident, for the effects of rape are indeed life-long.
The subject of rape is a difficult one to handle, and having it as the book’s title, and then subtitling it “a love story” leaves many questions in the reader’s mind. Is this irony, a joke, or deathly intentional? What I took from the novella was that while rape is not an expression of love in its act, it does bring out the expression of love from others, love that the victim never knew existed. A gripping read indeed!
Unlike Black Water, I didn’t skip pages here, for Rape - a love story, is a tight thriller, not only focussed on the victim’s plight but also on the outcome for her attackers when vigilante justice surfaces, a form of justice that seems more effective than the traditional courts, for offences such as rape are hard to prove without damaging the victims all over again.
Teena Maguire, a 35-year old single mother and her 12-year old daughter, Berthie, are taking a short cut home after a Fourth of July party, when they are accosted by a local gang of no-gooders high on crack. Teena is dragged away to a neighboring boathouse, gang-raped, and left for dead, while her daughter hides in the vicinity. The damage to Teena is horrible—physical, mental and societal. She struggles to emerge from life support, is left with permanently damaged vision and other private body parts, breaks up with her boyfriend as she can’t stand being touched anymore, and self-medicates with alcohol, dreading having to appear as a witness at the upcoming court trial.
The subsequent rape trial turns out to be a fiasco, where the defence attorney is able to wield the full force of American Justice and turn the tables around with a countercharge that Teena solicited the no-gooders for sex in exchange for money and then went crazy on them, leading to the violence by the men in self-defence. Public opinion sways from support for the attacked to the attackers. Berthie is ostracized at school as “the daughter of that tramp.”
We are also introduced to Dromoor, an ex-soldier turned cop on the Niagara Falls Police Department, a family man with two small daughters, who is attracted to Teena, but knows he can never go beyond sharing a drink with her. Dromoor served in the Gulf-War where he killed many enemy fighters, before becoming a cop; he also killed a bad guy while he was a rookie on the NFPD, saving the life of a colleague—he is no stranger to death, and to killing. When he answers the rape call at the boathouse, he finds the damaged woman and her daughter, and decides he has to protect them. And so, one by one, the rapists start dying or disappearing.
Oates skillfully delivers the narration in third and second person and simulates the voices of the many characters—victims and perpetrators alike—according to their educational and social levels. She focuses on the ugliness of rumour, the vindictiveness and meanness of small town society, and the perversions of justice that a democratic society provides for. She also takes the long view, by transporting us many years into the future to show us how the lives of the affected are transformed by this seminal incident, for the effects of rape are indeed life-long.
The subject of rape is a difficult one to handle, and having it as the book’s title, and then subtitling it “a love story” leaves many questions in the reader’s mind. Is this irony, a joke, or deathly intentional? What I took from the novella was that while rape is not an expression of love in its act, it does bring out the expression of love from others, love that the victim never knew existed. A gripping read indeed!
March 20, 2010
Reading this book was a bizarre experience for me, affected primarily by the summary on the dustjacket that offered its own, rather narrow interpretation of a story that should be left open to broad speculation.
Oates's writing is fluid and her selection of details is as mundane and powerful as a Cézanne platter of fruit. Her decision to describe different scenes from different characters' perspectives also contributed well to the story. The rape scene and the ensuing trial are deftly portrayed as horrific, harrowing events no person deserves to endure. I felt my hands tense with rage as the perpetrators were protected by the inane bureaucracy of the law and the victim's reputation was publicly attacked almost as brutally as her own body. As I turned the pages, I needed to put that rage somewhere.
However, the stealthy, vigilante approach to justice acted out by the newcomer cop was not the outlet I had been craving. His execution of each of the young men, one by one, escalating from unpremeditated murder to a brutal slaughter was almost as harrowing as the rape scene. The dustjacket declared him the victims' "champion - a man who understands justice. And love." That left me with an utterly sickly feeling and I can't help but hope that was not Oates's intended interpretation, though the fact that the victim can move on to a happy, well-deserved ending once the last murder has taken place is disturbingly supportive of the idea. The rape victim may have taken off on a romantic road trip with her newfound love, but I'm still stuck in the desert where justice is nowhere to be found.
Oates's writing is fluid and her selection of details is as mundane and powerful as a Cézanne platter of fruit. Her decision to describe different scenes from different characters' perspectives also contributed well to the story. The rape scene and the ensuing trial are deftly portrayed as horrific, harrowing events no person deserves to endure. I felt my hands tense with rage as the perpetrators were protected by the inane bureaucracy of the law and the victim's reputation was publicly attacked almost as brutally as her own body. As I turned the pages, I needed to put that rage somewhere.
However, the stealthy, vigilante approach to justice acted out by the newcomer cop was not the outlet I had been craving. His execution of each of the young men, one by one, escalating from unpremeditated murder to a brutal slaughter was almost as harrowing as the rape scene. The dustjacket declared him the victims' "champion - a man who understands justice. And love." That left me with an utterly sickly feeling and I can't help but hope that was not Oates's intended interpretation, though the fact that the victim can move on to a happy, well-deserved ending once the last murder has taken place is disturbingly supportive of the idea. The rape victim may have taken off on a romantic road trip with her newfound love, but I'm still stuck in the desert where justice is nowhere to be found.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2024
Η Joyce Carol Oates, είναι μία από τις πιο διακεκριμένες Αμερικανίδες συγγραφείς, έχοντας αποσπάσει πληθώρα βραβείων στην διάρκεια της συγγραφικής της καριέρας. Ένα από τα βιβλία της, είναι και "Ο Βιασμός", ο οποίος επανακυκλοφόρησε σε νέα, συλλεκτική, οικονομική έκδοση, από τις εκδόσεις Μεταίχμιο. Και πραγματικά, πρόκειται για ένα βιβλίο που ο καθένας από εμάς θα έπρεπε να διαβάσει και να το έχει στη βιβλιοθήκη του, για να του θυμίζει την ασχήμια του κόσμου μας, αλλά και την αθλιότητα ενός κοινωνικού και δικαστικού συστήματος, που πολλές φορές, δεν είναι αρκετά ικανό για να λάβει τα μέτρα που πρέπει, πολύ περισσότερο δε, να τιμωρήσει αυτούς που πρέπει, όχι για παραδειγματισμό, αλλά επειδή αυτό είναι ηθικά το σωστό.
Η Τίνα, είναι μια νέα γυναίκα η οποία πέφτει θύμα ομαδικού βιασμού, το βράδυ της 4ης Ιουλίου, αφημένη από τους δράστες σε ένα βρωμερό λεβητοστάσιο, να ξεψυχήσει. Μάρτυρας του περιστατικού, η δωδεκάχρονη κόρη της η οποία, μπορεί να μην βιάστηκε, αλλά κακοποιήθηκε βάναυσα από την ομάδα των σαδιστών νεαρών. Όταν η υπόθεση φτάνει στα δικαστήρια, η Τίνα και η κόρη της, θα καταλάβουν πόσο βρώμικο και σάπιο είναι το δικαστικό σύστημα, μα πάνω απ' όλα, πόσο βρώμικη και σάπια είναι η ίδια η κοινωνία που ζούνε, η οποία και μοιάζει διχασμένη μπροστά στην κατάσταση. Και εκεί που οι ίδιες εγκαταλείπουν κάθε ελπίδα, μέρα με τη μέρα, ένας άντρας θα σταθεί σιωπηλός σύμμαχος στο πλευρό τους, γνωρίζοντας πολύ καλά πως η δικαιοσύνη, δεν αποδίδεται πάντα με τον τρόπο που θα έπρεπε.
Αν και μικρό σε έκταση, το βιβλίο της Oates, καταφέρνει να συνταράξει τον αναγνώστη, σε πολλαπλά επίπεδα. Χωρίς να χρησιμοποιεί ακραία περιγραφικές εικόνες, αφού είναι ξεκάθαρο πως πρόθεσή της δεν είναι να σοκάρει, αλλά να προβληματίσει, καταφέρνει να μας μεταφέρει την χυδαία και αποτρόπαια εικόνα ενός ειδεχθούς εγκλήματος με γλώσσα απλή και ρέουσα που όμως, τσακίζει κόκαλα και συνειδήσεις. Σκοπός της, είναι να αναδείξει την τραγικότητα ενός γεγονός όπως είναι ο βιασμός, αλλά και τις συνέπειες που έχει για τα θύματα, όχι μόνο σωμα��ικά, συναισθηματικά και ψυχικά, αλλά σε συνδυασμό με την απόρροια της συμπεριφοράς της ίδιας της κοινωνίας απέναντί τους. Ακόμα και ο τρόπος αφήγησης που επιλέγει η συγγραφέας, δεν είναι τυχαία. Είναι μέσα από τα μάτια της κόρης της Τίνας, αλλά σαν να μην είναι κι εκείνη θύμα. Σαν να είναι παρατηρητής σε ένα χαμένο παιχνίδι που οι συνέπειές του, δεν έχουν επίδραση πάνω τους. Και όμως, έχουν!
Μια τραγική ιστορία, ένα κατηγορώ απέναντι στο δικαστικό και κοινωνικό σύστημα της σύγχρονης κοινωνίας που όσο κι αν εξελίσσεται, παραμένει στάσιμη, ένας άκαρπος, θεωρητικά, αγώνας που με τον δικό του τρόπο οδηγεί στη λύτρωση... Μπορούμε να πούμε πως "Ο Βιασμός", είναι ένας συνδυασμός όλων των παραπάνω. Είναι ένα βιβλίο που προσπαθεί να αφυπνίσει συνειδήσεις και που μας προτρέπει να ψάξουμε βαθιά μέσα μας για το τι σημαίνει στην πραγματικότητα δικαιοσύνη. Μας προκαλεί να κοιτάξουμε τον εαυτό μας στον καθρέπτη, να μπούμε στην θέση των θυμάτων, τους θύματος, των παρατηρητών των εξελίξεων, των ανθρώπων εκείνων που καλούνται να πάρουν αποφάσεις. Και ναι, τα καταφέρνει, με τρόπο απλό και άμεσο, με έναν τρόπο που σε σημαδεύει και που μετά το πέρας της ανάγνωσης, αιχμαλωτίζει το μυαλό σου, μην επιτρέποντάς σου να κάνεις άλλες σκέψεις. Ένα βιβλίο που αν μη τι άλλο, αξίζει και πρέπει να έχετε στη βιβλιοθήκη σας.
Η Τίνα, είναι μια νέα γυναίκα η οποία πέφτει θύμα ομαδικού βιασμού, το βράδυ της 4ης Ιουλίου, αφημένη από τους δράστες σε ένα βρωμερό λεβητοστάσιο, να ξεψυχήσει. Μάρτυρας του περιστατικού, η δωδεκάχρονη κόρη της η οποία, μπορεί να μην βιάστηκε, αλλά κακοποιήθηκε βάναυσα από την ομάδα των σαδιστών νεαρών. Όταν η υπόθεση φτάνει στα δικαστήρια, η Τίνα και η κόρη της, θα καταλάβουν πόσο βρώμικο και σάπιο είναι το δικαστικό σύστημα, μα πάνω απ' όλα, πόσο βρώμικη και σάπια είναι η ίδια η κοινωνία που ζούνε, η οποία και μοιάζει διχασμένη μπροστά στην κατάσταση. Και εκεί που οι ίδιες εγκαταλείπουν κάθε ελπίδα, μέρα με τη μέρα, ένας άντρας θα σταθεί σιωπηλός σύμμαχος στο πλευρό τους, γνωρίζοντας πολύ καλά πως η δικαιοσύνη, δεν αποδίδεται πάντα με τον τρόπο που θα έπρεπε.
Αν και μικρό σε έκταση, το βιβλίο της Oates, καταφέρνει να συνταράξει τον αναγνώστη, σε πολλαπλά επίπεδα. Χωρίς να χρησιμοποιεί ακραία περιγραφικές εικόνες, αφού είναι ξεκάθαρο πως πρόθεσή της δεν είναι να σοκάρει, αλλά να προβληματίσει, καταφέρνει να μας μεταφέρει την χυδαία και αποτρόπαια εικόνα ενός ειδεχθούς εγκλήματος με γλώσσα απλή και ρέουσα που όμως, τσακίζει κόκαλα και συνειδήσεις. Σκοπός της, είναι να αναδείξει την τραγικότητα ενός γεγονός όπως είναι ο βιασμός, αλλά και τις συνέπειες που έχει για τα θύματα, όχι μόνο σωμα��ικά, συναισθηματικά και ψυχικά, αλλά σε συνδυασμό με την απόρροια της συμπεριφοράς της ίδιας της κοινωνίας απέναντί τους. Ακόμα και ο τρόπος αφήγησης που επιλέγει η συγγραφέας, δεν είναι τυχαία. Είναι μέσα από τα μάτια της κόρης της Τίνας, αλλά σαν να μην είναι κι εκείνη θύμα. Σαν να είναι παρατηρητής σε ένα χαμένο παιχνίδι που οι συνέπειές του, δεν έχουν επίδραση πάνω τους. Και όμως, έχουν!
Μια τραγική ιστορία, ένα κατηγορώ απέναντι στο δικαστικό και κοινωνικό σύστημα της σύγχρονης κοινωνίας που όσο κι αν εξελίσσεται, παραμένει στάσιμη, ένας άκαρπος, θεωρητικά, αγώνας που με τον δικό του τρόπο οδηγεί στη λύτρωση... Μπορούμε να πούμε πως "Ο Βιασμός", είναι ένας συνδυασμός όλων των παραπάνω. Είναι ένα βιβλίο που προσπαθεί να αφυπνίσει συνειδήσεις και που μας προτρέπει να ψάξουμε βαθιά μέσα μας για το τι σημαίνει στην πραγματικότητα δικαιοσύνη. Μας προκαλεί να κοιτάξουμε τον εαυτό μας στον καθρέπτη, να μπούμε στην θέση των θυμάτων, τους θύματος, των παρατηρητών των εξελίξεων, των ανθρώπων εκείνων που καλούνται να πάρουν αποφάσεις. Και ναι, τα καταφέρνει, με τρόπο απλό και άμεσο, με έναν τρόπο που σε σημαδεύει και που μετά το πέρας της ανάγνωσης, αιχμαλωτίζει το μυαλό σου, μην επιτρέποντάς σου να κάνεις άλλες σκέψεις. Ένα βιβλίο που αν μη τι άλλο, αξίζει και πρέπει να έχετε στη βιβλιοθήκη σας.
May 2, 2013
Ho letto diversi libri che hanno come tema centrale lo stupro, sia fisico che psicologico; non ricordo però di aver subito lo stesso impatto emotivo che ho avuto con la Oates. Il suo stile è inconfondibile: se avessi letto la storia senza conoscere l'autore, avrei scommesso su di lei..
E' una scrittura cattiva, cruda, tagliente che ti fa male come un pugno nello stomaco. E' una narrazione che ti fa dire grazie per tutte le sciocchezze che possiedi e per la fortuna di non vivere in uno dei suoi angoscianti romanzi.
La prima metà del romanzo è davvero dolorosa, non saprei come altro definirla.. Teena viene stuprata da un gruppo di ragazzi e lasciata quasi morire mentre la figlia dodicenne, Bethie, è presente all'evento. Al di là del gesto orribile in sé, fa male perché "Teena è una puttana; Teena se l'è cercata; Teena ha provocato i giovani; Teena frequenta brutti ambienti e si veste come una ragazzina, lei VUOLE essere stuprata". Non solo non c'è il minimo di comprensione e voglia di giustizia per questa vita spezzata e per il trauma subito dalla bambina, picchiata a sangue e sfuggita allo stupro per cause fortuite; NO! La gente del paese le dà addosso, la insulta e la ritiene equamente colpevole del fatto perché se l'è cercata.
Mi sono indignata. Mi sono indignata tantissimo! Non solo come lettrice o come donna; mi sono sdegnata come essere umano!
La cosa più disgustosa, oltre lo stupro e la malevolenza della gente, è stato vedere come i colpevoli non solo non abbiano provato il minimo di rimorso (erano ubriachi e sotto metanfetamina: non che questo li giustifichi ovvio.. però poi magari capiscono cosa hanno fatto!), ma erano pure parecchio soddisfatti di loro stessi e l'unico rimpianto che hanno avuto è stato: "Se le avessimo uccise, ora non ci sarebbero testimoni oculari".
Ero sconvolta giuro.
La seconda parte è un po' meno dolorosa, sempre tenendo presente che si tratta di un libro della Oates.. Il poliziotto che è intervenuto per primo sulla scena, attua una specie di giustizia privata contro gli stupratori che rischiano di rimanere impuniti grazie ad un ottimo avvocato che istilla il dubbio nella giuria (Che dubbi ci possono mai essere direte voi?! Ebbene, riesce a crearli).
Teena e sua figlia riescono pian piano ad uscire dalla spirale di disperazione in cui sono finite e qualcun altro prenderà il loro posto.
Come dicevo prima, la Oates ha uno stile tutto suo e inconfondibile: la narrazione non è dal punto di vista di Teena o sua figlia, né è totalmente in terza persona; la Oates sembra presente nella storia e parla direttamente con Bethie, la capisce, le tira fuori emozioni e pensieri. Unico, davvero!
E' una scrittura cattiva, cruda, tagliente che ti fa male come un pugno nello stomaco. E' una narrazione che ti fa dire grazie per tutte le sciocchezze che possiedi e per la fortuna di non vivere in uno dei suoi angoscianti romanzi.
La prima metà del romanzo è davvero dolorosa, non saprei come altro definirla.. Teena viene stuprata da un gruppo di ragazzi e lasciata quasi morire mentre la figlia dodicenne, Bethie, è presente all'evento. Al di là del gesto orribile in sé, fa male perché "Teena è una puttana; Teena se l'è cercata; Teena ha provocato i giovani; Teena frequenta brutti ambienti e si veste come una ragazzina, lei VUOLE essere stuprata". Non solo non c'è il minimo di comprensione e voglia di giustizia per questa vita spezzata e per il trauma subito dalla bambina, picchiata a sangue e sfuggita allo stupro per cause fortuite; NO! La gente del paese le dà addosso, la insulta e la ritiene equamente colpevole del fatto perché se l'è cercata.
Mi sono indignata. Mi sono indignata tantissimo! Non solo come lettrice o come donna; mi sono sdegnata come essere umano!
La cosa più disgustosa, oltre lo stupro e la malevolenza della gente, è stato vedere come i colpevoli non solo non abbiano provato il minimo di rimorso (erano ubriachi e sotto metanfetamina: non che questo li giustifichi ovvio.. però poi magari capiscono cosa hanno fatto!), ma erano pure parecchio soddisfatti di loro stessi e l'unico rimpianto che hanno avuto è stato: "Se le avessimo uccise, ora non ci sarebbero testimoni oculari".
Ero sconvolta giuro.
La seconda parte è un po' meno dolorosa, sempre tenendo presente che si tratta di un libro della Oates.. Il poliziotto che è intervenuto per primo sulla scena, attua una specie di giustizia privata contro gli stupratori che rischiano di rimanere impuniti grazie ad un ottimo avvocato che istilla il dubbio nella giuria (Che dubbi ci possono mai essere direte voi?! Ebbene, riesce a crearli).
Teena e sua figlia riescono pian piano ad uscire dalla spirale di disperazione in cui sono finite e qualcun altro prenderà il loro posto.
Come dicevo prima, la Oates ha uno stile tutto suo e inconfondibile: la narrazione non è dal punto di vista di Teena o sua figlia, né è totalmente in terza persona; la Oates sembra presente nella storia e parla direttamente con Bethie, la capisce, le tira fuori emozioni e pensieri. Unico, davvero!
April 13, 2022
Violación, una historia de amor" de Joyce Carol Oates. Estamos ante otra de esas historias que demuestran quién es la mejor novelista norteamericana en estos momentos. Nos brinda con una de esas historias que te dejan sin aliento, que te desbordan y que esta escrita con una intensidad y una tensión narrativa sin igual. LA violación en grupo de una madre en presencia de su hija desencadenará una espiral de acontecimientos de todo tipo, tanto entre la violada y su familia como entre los violadores y todo el pueblo. Oates maneja la trama con capítulos cortos, rápidos, a veces más largos, cambiando de punto de vista cada dos por tres, desde la madre, la hija, los abogados, todos tienen cabida en esta historia, y en todos ellos le insufla, no ya personalidad, sino vida, puedes sentir la desolación de la madre ("Teena llevaba las heridas por dentro, donde ningún medicamento podría sanarlas") hasta la mala ralea del abogado defensor ("era posible confundir al jurado. Porque el corazón del hombre late el deseo de ser confundido. La verdad es una atracción, pero no la más llamativa"), sientes todo lo que siente cada uno de ellos y tú mismo experimentas lo desgarrador de la situación, un crimen ignominioso que parece que no va a tener castigo porque todo se puede manipular, porque es muy fácil autoconvencerse de un error y autoconvencer al resto. Qué relato, es imposible no sentirse roto al leerlo, pero qué lectura. Es imprescindible leer a JC. Oates, total maestra, y esta obra maestra es una maravilla para empezar, para paladear, para sentir...
May 9, 2018
Από την πρώτη ως την τελευταία σελίδα του ξεχειλίζει από ωμή σκληρότητα. Αυτή που έτσι κι αλλιώς υπάρχει γύρω μας αλλά δεν την βλέπουμε ή εθελοτυφλούμε μπροστά της. Ο τρόμος κάθε γυναίκας υπάρχει εδώ. Σκοτεινός και κτηνώδης. Δοσμένος ξεκάθαρα με απλό, καθημερινό λόγο, χωρίς να κουκουλώνει τα γεγονότα ή να γίνεται μεμψίμοιρος από την άλλη. Όπως και η σαπίλα του συστήματος υπάρχει εδώ. Η δικαιοσύνη δεν είναι μόνο μια ηθική κατάσταση. Έχει ένταση, έχει γνήσιους ανθρώπινους χαρακτήρες που περνούν διά πυρός και σιδήρου μέχρι να βγουν στην άλλη πλευρά. Αν τελικά πραγματικά βγαίνουν. Κυρίως όμως δημιουργεί εικόνες που ως γυναίκα, θα προτιμούσα να μη μου είχε δημιουργήσει.
Αυτό το βιβλίο έχει διττό χαρακτήρα. Το αγαπάς και το μισείς ταυτόχρονα. Όσα εξιστορεί σου ανακατεύουν κάπως το στομάχι. Για όσα μας προειδοποιεί το καθιστούν ένα γενικότερα αναγκαίο βιβλίο. Ο σκοπός του δεν ολοκληρώνεται μέσω του σοκαρισμένου αναγνώστη. Ο σκοπός του είναι να ξυπνήσει την συνείδησή του, αυτή που κοιμάται ή αδιαφορεί ή κλείνει τα μάτια στις ασχήμιες αυτού του κόσμου.
Αυτό το βιβλίο έχει διττό χαρακτήρα. Το αγαπάς και το μισείς ταυτόχρονα. Όσα εξιστορεί σου ανακατεύουν κάπως το στομάχι. Για όσα μας προειδοποιεί το καθιστούν ένα γενικότερα αναγκαίο βιβλίο. Ο σκοπός του δεν ολοκληρώνεται μέσω του σοκαρισμένου αναγνώστη. Ο σκοπός του είναι να ξυπνήσει την συνείδησή του, αυτή που κοιμάται ή αδιαφορεί ή κλείνει τα μάτια στις ασχήμιες αυτού του κόσμου.
June 17, 2008
Joyce Carol Oates seems to channel all of the things I was ever scared of between the ages of 12-14, humanize them, and make them strangely pitiful and believable and still terrible. The fact that this book is set in a very nostalgic landscape for me makes this book all the more terrifying and poignant, even if it is a kind of mundane and melodramatic kind of terror.
I often feel that JCO writes for a very narrow and specific demographic that I'm part of, but don't know the perimeters of?
She excels, I think, at creating a believable, if wholly fictional, internal narrative of a villian, without detracting from the evilness of his actions.
I often feel that JCO writes for a very narrow and specific demographic that I'm part of, but don't know the perimeters of?
She excels, I think, at creating a believable, if wholly fictional, internal narrative of a villian, without detracting from the evilness of his actions.
October 22, 2014
*TRIGGER WARNING*
I didnt expect to read this story. I had never heard of it or the author. I was having a long, sweaty day and popped into the library to kill some time before catching the bus home. In fact, I almost walked right past it. But a word jumped out at me from a black and white cover:rape. My feminist bells are ringing. Is that a cover of black and white hearts? Is that a story titled Rape:a love story? So it only takes me a second to double take and backtrack. I pick up this small book with rape on the cover and begin to read. And I'm hooked. I miss 2 more buses just to sit there and finish this story. It's brutal and I tear up.
As a feminist ive read hundreds of articles on rape culture, on survivors being arrested and forced to testify, of teenage girls being accused of being too mature and seductive. Ive read the articles about the failures of universities in addressing rape on campus, of the statistics of sexual assault in the military, of women being gang raped and end up comatose in hospital, eventually slipping away. Ive seen the pie - charts, the lines of statistics. 1 in 5 women. I know about the injustice of the courts. Despite all this, this small, obscure story hits right fucking home. The brutality. The inhumanity. The injustice. The alienation. I am right there with Teena and Beth as Teena is brutalized and left to die.I can see the 12 year old in my mind with a dislocated arm and hearing the screams of her mother.
They talk about how she deserved it. They talk about her clothes. How she was asking for it. Shes in court and her attackers are right there, while there is only one other woman in this court. And they accuse her of being a hooker, of the rape being consensual. They attempt to sully her name, her sexual history. The injustice and horror of it is like a bitter taste in my mouth, and a sickening in my stomach. Teena is shattered and betrayed by a system designed to protect her and bring her justice, and she is re traumatized. The girl watches on as her mother falls apart.
The final justices that the rapists meet is like sick wish fulfillment for the reader; revenge, vigilante justice.
The ending shows that these women are not victims, but survivors. They dont forget, but they can live happy fulfilling lives away from an event they felt defined them.
Rape:a love story is a social commentary. It is a critique of rape culture, of the way we treat women, of the way we fail survivors, of the way they are humiliated, traumatized and beaten down. What the fuck is wrong with us?
* as a note, I think it would be legitimate criticism to say that this book doesn't address the fact that most rapes are committed by people the survivors know and even trust, as well as the fact that many rapes are not this clearly violent and brutal
I didnt expect to read this story. I had never heard of it or the author. I was having a long, sweaty day and popped into the library to kill some time before catching the bus home. In fact, I almost walked right past it. But a word jumped out at me from a black and white cover:rape. My feminist bells are ringing. Is that a cover of black and white hearts? Is that a story titled Rape:a love story? So it only takes me a second to double take and backtrack. I pick up this small book with rape on the cover and begin to read. And I'm hooked. I miss 2 more buses just to sit there and finish this story. It's brutal and I tear up.
As a feminist ive read hundreds of articles on rape culture, on survivors being arrested and forced to testify, of teenage girls being accused of being too mature and seductive. Ive read the articles about the failures of universities in addressing rape on campus, of the statistics of sexual assault in the military, of women being gang raped and end up comatose in hospital, eventually slipping away. Ive seen the pie - charts, the lines of statistics. 1 in 5 women. I know about the injustice of the courts. Despite all this, this small, obscure story hits right fucking home. The brutality. The inhumanity. The injustice. The alienation. I am right there with Teena and Beth as Teena is brutalized and left to die.I can see the 12 year old in my mind with a dislocated arm and hearing the screams of her mother.
They talk about how she deserved it. They talk about her clothes. How she was asking for it. Shes in court and her attackers are right there, while there is only one other woman in this court. And they accuse her of being a hooker, of the rape being consensual. They attempt to sully her name, her sexual history. The injustice and horror of it is like a bitter taste in my mouth, and a sickening in my stomach. Teena is shattered and betrayed by a system designed to protect her and bring her justice, and she is re traumatized. The girl watches on as her mother falls apart.
The final justices that the rapists meet is like sick wish fulfillment for the reader; revenge, vigilante justice.
The ending shows that these women are not victims, but survivors. They dont forget, but they can live happy fulfilling lives away from an event they felt defined them.
Rape:a love story is a social commentary. It is a critique of rape culture, of the way we treat women, of the way we fail survivors, of the way they are humiliated, traumatized and beaten down. What the fuck is wrong with us?
* as a note, I think it would be legitimate criticism to say that this book doesn't address the fact that most rapes are committed by people the survivors know and even trust, as well as the fact that many rapes are not this clearly violent and brutal
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