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jayfr's review
5.0
I don't have the words to do this justice. A compelling look at rape culture told through a family who are suffering the repercussions.
Essential reading that explains the aftermath of rape and its effects on everyone in a family.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Essential reading that explains the aftermath of rape and its effects on everyone in a family.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
kookie9200's review against another edition
5.0
A tragically beautiful book. As a 14 year old, Ashley was raped by a friend. Someone I Used to Know is a story about the aftermath of rape, not only for the survivor, but the family. I have never read a book that talks about all aspects, including the guilt that other members of the family feel. The book is about rebuilding a life and forgiveness in the wake of an act so heinous it robs one of their sense of self. I loved the way the author dealt with such a painful subject, and attention she paid not only to the female survivor, but to the disintegration of family. The relationship between Derek and Ashley, and the things they learn about one another both broke my heart and gave me a feeling of hope. I felt the subject was dealt with with care and understanding, and drew me in from the first pages.
space_bandit's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
tarnkaur99's review against another edition
5.0
If anything mentioned in the summary is not a trigger for you, then please read this masterpiece. It wasnât easy to read, but it was definitely one of the best books Iâve read this year.
Canât stop shaking about that intense scenes.
Loved how the chapters alternated between Ashley and her brother.
Canât stop shaking about that intense scenes.
Loved how the chapters alternated between Ashley and her brother.
charlsie4's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
jenn703's review against another edition
4.0
"There is strength in numbers. Are you strong enough to speak out?'
First and foremost, there is a HUGE trigger warning for this book but if you can get through that I HIGHLY recommend you read this book.
This was the first I have read from this author and can be read as a standalone. The story is unique, being told in Ashley and her brother, Derek's alternating POV and goes between present and the past. The story is an eye opener to show how it is not just the rape victim that is affected and also how everyone truly can make a difference if they just try. It was rather thought provoking and emotional throughout, causing me to read with a lump in my through many times. I think this would make a great read for males and females to help show how our thoughts and how we look at things really need to change as a whole.
First and foremost, there is a HUGE trigger warning for this book but if you can get through that I HIGHLY recommend you read this book.
This was the first I have read from this author and can be read as a standalone. The story is unique, being told in Ashley and her brother, Derek's alternating POV and goes between present and the past. The story is an eye opener to show how it is not just the rape victim that is affected and also how everyone truly can make a difference if they just try. It was rather thought provoking and emotional throughout, causing me to read with a lump in my through many times. I think this would make a great read for males and females to help show how our thoughts and how we look at things really need to change as a whole.
rachaelkmac's review against another edition
4.0
A must read for everyone about rape culture and toxic masculinity.
xokristim's review against another edition
5.0
I loved that the chapters were alternating between the past and the present. The fact that itâs told in both Ashleyâs and Derekâs points of views really helped you understand what was going through each of the characters thought processesâ during both the present and when the incident actually took place. A lot of the time while reading multiple points of view I like one more than the others, but this one made me look forward to both of them equally.
You could really feel the guilt coming off of each of the characters in the book, Ashley, Derek, the rest of her family and friends. It really went in depth with the brother and sister relationships considering one brother was personally involved and her other brother wasnât. I loved how you could actually see these characterâs coming to their own realizations on the events and how they handled and are handling everything thatâs going on. This was book full of very strong characters, who were each their own person.
I thought it portrayed rape culture so well, there were so many examples of sayings of why girls âgetâ raped. It was so moving and made me cry at many points. The world is a scary place for a rape survivor and this book really shows how and why. This was an absolutely moving book that has been published at the perfect time.
You could really feel the guilt coming off of each of the characters in the book, Ashley, Derek, the rest of her family and friends. It really went in depth with the brother and sister relationships considering one brother was personally involved and her other brother wasnât. I loved how you could actually see these characterâs coming to their own realizations on the events and how they handled and are handling everything thatâs going on. This was book full of very strong characters, who were each their own person.
I thought it portrayed rape culture so well, there were so many examples of sayings of why girls âgetâ raped. It was so moving and made me cry at many points. The world is a scary place for a rape survivor and this book really shows how and why. This was an absolutely moving book that has been published at the perfect time.
saschadarlington's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2
If I had not experienced Fredrik Backman's Beartown last summer, I could have conceivably been more affected by Patty Blount's Someone I Used to Know than I was. Both deal with the glamorizing of youth sports--hockey in Beartown and American football in Someone I Used to Know--and the aftermath when one of the male sports heroes rapes a young woman. And, both deal with the fallout, much of which distastefully points at the young woman, not as a victim, but as someone who has caused issues with the great sport and its heroes.
Although Backman's novel is literary fiction and Blount's is YA, Backman uses finesse to guide his story while Blount uses a hammer.
Someone I Used to Know focuses on Ashley, the rape victim, and Derek, her brother and a member of the football team, as well as their family and friends. The novel is quick to point out that when a person is raped, it's not only the victim that's affected, but everyone in the victim's circle.
In a format that I didn't particularly find appealing, mainly because it became ungainly, the reader is given flashbacks from different stages in Ashley and Derek's lives as well as where they are currently. I felt some of these sequences, while providing a whole picture, could have been edited down and some edited out. Considering the nature of the topic and the author's choice to hammer the reader with so much information regarding rape, the statistics, and so many facts, I reached a point of saturation, which made it frequently difficult to continue reading, especially since I did not believe the novel's conclusion could hold any further surprises for me.
Some of the dialogue verged on preaching and felt forced and unbelievable, which intensified the feeling of being hammered at. As well, some of the scenes felt overwrought and melodramatic, especially some of Derek's scenes when he is pretty much forced to come to terms with how he has treated girls in the past.
However, I know that as a reader, I frequently believe in the less is more school, and I know that what I find over-the-top might satisfy many readers. Also, if you've not experienced the delicate way in Fredrik Backman handles an extremely similar story, you will probably be fired up over Someone I Used to Know. And that is a good thing.
Rape and the objectification of girls and women is unfortunately nothing new. However, one can but hope that novels like these, and the movements described in Someone I Used to Know will further enlighten readers.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If I had not experienced Fredrik Backman's Beartown last summer, I could have conceivably been more affected by Patty Blount's Someone I Used to Know than I was. Both deal with the glamorizing of youth sports--hockey in Beartown and American football in Someone I Used to Know--and the aftermath when one of the male sports heroes rapes a young woman. And, both deal with the fallout, much of which distastefully points at the young woman, not as a victim, but as someone who has caused issues with the great sport and its heroes.
Although Backman's novel is literary fiction and Blount's is YA, Backman uses finesse to guide his story while Blount uses a hammer.
Someone I Used to Know focuses on Ashley, the rape victim, and Derek, her brother and a member of the football team, as well as their family and friends. The novel is quick to point out that when a person is raped, it's not only the victim that's affected, but everyone in the victim's circle.
In a format that I didn't particularly find appealing, mainly because it became ungainly, the reader is given flashbacks from different stages in Ashley and Derek's lives as well as where they are currently. I felt some of these sequences, while providing a whole picture, could have been edited down and some edited out. Considering the nature of the topic and the author's choice to hammer the reader with so much information regarding rape, the statistics, and so many facts, I reached a point of saturation, which made it frequently difficult to continue reading, especially since I did not believe the novel's conclusion could hold any further surprises for me.
Some of the dialogue verged on preaching and felt forced and unbelievable, which intensified the feeling of being hammered at. As well, some of the scenes felt overwrought and melodramatic, especially some of Derek's scenes when he is pretty much forced to come to terms with how he has treated girls in the past.
However, I know that as a reader, I frequently believe in the less is more school, and I know that what I find over-the-top might satisfy many readers. Also, if you've not experienced the delicate way in Fredrik Backman handles an extremely similar story, you will probably be fired up over Someone I Used to Know. And that is a good thing.
Rape and the objectification of girls and women is unfortunately nothing new. However, one can but hope that novels like these, and the movements described in Someone I Used to Know will further enlighten readers.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.