Rape: A Love Story

I’m crying as I write this review, moved to tears by this shocking, heart-breaking novella. This is not an easy book to read. JCO does not include any descriptions of Teena’s actual assault, events are hinted at which is a relief. Details descriptions of a violent assault and a beating that is almost an attempted murder would sicken me. What made my heart ache the most was how Teena and her daughter and torn apart by the media. Teena was asking for it. She was drinking and dressed like a s*** so she asked for it. She walked home the scenic way so obviously asked for it. My heart broke for Teena. One thing about this novella is its relevance. I have no doubt what happened to Teena and her daughter will resonate for a lot of readers. We live in a society where such assault is common and victims are vilified and blamed and it disgusts me. I really felt for Teena. The event changes her; how she’s seen by the world, her daughter, her family and herself. She is two people, the Teena before the assault and the broken women after. It’s clear her ordeal will have an impact on her and her daughter for a long time. This is not an easy read but it is essential. I love it even though I hated what it was about and would recommend it.

I really wish this had a different title. I understand that it's referring to the love story between the rape survivor and her family, rather than the rapists, but it's such an unnecessarily misleading title that it makes it hard for me to recommend this book to anyone without babbling a caveat beforehand. That said, I have recommended this book, because I think that - despite the title - it's a fairly nuanced look at the problems within the justice system when it comes to the crime of rape, and at the deeper culture of victim blaming within society as a whole. The only part I didn't like was the ending, but I don't think it detracted from the rest of the book. Read with caution as it's obviously incredibly visceral and traumatic in places, to necessary effect.

This is such a powerful book about the reality of rape, victim blaming, the corruption of law enforcement and the justice system, and the trauma involved. I would recommend this book although I would caution that there is a graphic scene in the opening pages of the novella.

A traumatic and unflinching, but beautifully written short novel by the amazing JCO. This book will remain with you. Highly recommended

Good novel

Good book, worth a read

If this is the first book that you have read by Joyce Carol Oates and I can guaruntee that you won't be dissapointed. You will find your perceptions of victim and assailant constantly challenged, wondering how this tragic start to a story could ever be resolved. And Yet Oates manages to drag us in to this world of the victim of a gang rape and her daughter who witnessed the event. Your heart is twisted continually as you are dropped into the story at crucial moments allowed to feel what the victim feels and yet see the perceptions of others towards a victim of rape. Each character is carefully and beautifully painted and this book has an unbearable tension as we wait to see if justice can ever be done. And yet without any air of predictability the story is beautifully resolved and leaves the reader breathless with relief and wanting to pick it up and start again! Try it and see for yourself

This is a masterful if relentlessly dark tale of urban alienation, redeemed by its fluid, pared-down narration and strong voices.Like a dog circling a corpse, the author uses the first nine chapters gradually to zone in on the rape - which is eventually described from the point of view of the terrified 12 year old daughter of Teena, the flirty thirty-something victim of a horrific gang attack.The narrative switches between the viewpoints of Teena, her daughter Bethie, her boyfriend Casey, the avenging policeman Dromoor, and several of the congenitally stupid and remorseless perpetrators. This generally works well, though all of the characters are hunted and haunted. In the background is the run down, leftover north-eastern town of Buffalo which seems devoid of beauty or hope. Social devastation is the norm.The first part is followed by chilling if sketchy pre-trial hearings. The ruthlessly clever defence attorney portrays Teena as an alcoholic-druggie slut, whose desperate but willing prostitution to the crystal meths gang got out of control. Meanwhile, the neighbourhood gossips jealously blame Teena for encouraging rape by her lifestyle, pitilessly exaggerating the victim's supposedly risky behaviour: 'That Maguire woman, she had it coming.' Despair overwhelms.The last third of the book loses some of its emotional force as the obsessive policeman John Dromoor carries out a series of vengeful murders of the chief rapists. Though predictably satisfying, the vigilante killings let the reader off the hook: they are a fantasy denouement which reduce the effect in the reader's mind of the suffering and degradation of the victims.However, Oates has a final sting in the tale. We are left with a coda of brief, stark portraits of Bethie and Dromoor, years later, living apparently normal lives with their very different families, from which they feel deeply estranged.