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haeleyh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Abandonment
beccakwinn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual harassment
magnolia_rae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
ejsimpson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The chapters are short but poignant, though I wonder how could Rachel’s podcast truly be topping the charts with such short entries (then again, I’m largely unfamiliar with podcasts). Such short chapters make the story feel like it’s progressing more quickly, or maybe that’s this bookworm’s “oh, just one more chapter” excuse for staying up late. A quick and easy read but one centered on an important yet controversial topic.
At one point Rachel tells her listeners that as a woman she is expected to merely ignore and accept small acts of sexual assault. Inconspicuous things, seemingly accidental things. This I think all women can relate to, some more than others. Why can we agree that murder is bad yet be so divided on rape and sexual assault? There was a chapter where K takes the stand and her testimony could be difficult for some readers as it discusses the events of the fateful night on the beach. The screaming and pleading, the bruises and descriptions of photos, the intentionally cruel attitude of Scott.
The back and forth of K v Scott unfolding “in real time” while the hazy truth of Jenny’s torturous final weeks come to light was done methodically and done well. Neither giving too much away at a time or being so dreary as to drag on. The conclusion was one I didn’t wholly see coming, and it was nice to be a bit surprised. Overall, I enjoyed this book, the fleshed out characters, and felt it didn’t leave me wanting, didn’t leave me with any questions about the characters or plot (central to the story, anyway), so I would recommend this book.
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood and Alcohol
blackferrum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Momen habis kelarin ini buku berasa kayak lagi merenungi kehidupan karena well, kadang hidup emang seaneh itu. Eh, bukan aneh, sih, lebih ke kurang adil aja. Kasus yang jelas-jelas merugikan korban malah jadi kayak semacam ajang siapa yang lebih pantas jadi tersangka atau mencari siapa penjahat sebenarnya. Muak banget. Huh, makanya kemarin nggak langsung nulis reviu karena masih syok plus menata pikiran.
Rachel Krall, jurnalis yang memiliki siniar berjudul Bersalah atau Tidak Bersalah, meliput kasus pemerkosaan di Kota Neapolis. Korbannya cucu mantan kepala polisi setempat, sedangkan terdakwa adalah salah satu orang terkaya di sana. Kasus ini akan menjadi pokok bahasan musim ketiga Siniar milik Rachel. Seharusnya begitu, sebelum sebuah surat diselipkan di pembersih kaca mobilnya ketika berhenti sebentar di rest area. Identitas Rachel sebagai pemilik siniar dirahasiakan. Tidak ada yang tahu wajah dan detail kehidupannya, kecuali produsernya, Pete, dan beberapa asisten yang membantu membalas surat-surat masuk.
Surat itu seharusnya dilupakan. Mungkin hanya salah satu surat dari penggemar, walaupun cara mendapat perhatiannya memang meresahkan. Namun, saat akhirnya keinginan untuk membuka surat itu lebih kuat, Rachel mendapati si penulis surat mencoba meminta bantuannya untuk mengungkap kasus kematian sang kakak 25 tahun lalu. Kasus pemerkosaan cucu mantan kepala kepolisian berlangsung sengit, begitu pula surat-surat dari sang penggemar yang semakin memikat Rachel hingga berujung pada dugaan bahwa sang kakak tidak mati tenggelam; ada yang membunuhnya.
Pas baca ini mau nggak mau keingat lagi dengan buku Breath of Scandal - Luka Masa Lalu karya Sandra Brown. Bahasannya soal pemerkosaan anak di bawah umur. Jujur, kupikir tag dewasa di atas kode batang sampul belakang buku itu buat adegan dewasa lain, ternyata untuk memperingatkan kronologis kejadian dijelaskan cukup graphic. Lagi-lagi, bagian pelaku yang seolah menganggap korban hanya merengek atau merasa berkuasa atas tubuh korban itu sukses bikin mual. Aku harus berhenti beberapa kali karena nggak kuat, beneran rasanya kepengin skip, tapi takut juga ada petunjuk penting terlewat.
Ini kali pertama aku baca buku penulis, narasinya enak dibaca. Terjemahannya juga renyah, walaupun ada beberapa typo yang agak ganggu. Penulis mampu memutar-mutar perasaan pembaca lewat pemikiran karakternya yang nggak bisa berhenti bikin napas sesak. Apalagi adegan di pengadilan. Dua pengacara saling menyerang demi melindungi klien masing-masing. Selain itu, penulis juga menggambarkan kelihaian atau teknik pengacara dalam ruang pengadilan. Semacam menunjukkan gestur ini artinya kode begini atau gestur itu artinya kode begitu. Kuakui, ini jadi poin menarik, sih.
Proses sidang nggak bisa dibilang mudah. Apalagi waktu korban ditempatkan pada kursi saksi. Enggak bisa bayangin gimana rasanya harus menceritakan kembali adegan menjijikkan itu di depan banyak orang asing. Ingat, korban masih di bawah umur. Usianya baru 16 tahun!
Ketika terjadi kekerasan seksual, kita harus berpihak pada korban, kan? Bagaimanapun keadaannya. Sayangnya, di sini sama aja kayak kasus pelecehan yang sering seliweran di media massa; korban selalu salah. Rasanya lapor ke pihak berwajib sampai harus naik ke pengadilan bukan pilihan bijak saking kejamnya dunia nuding korban macam-macam. Paling greget waktu korban di buku ini ditanya pengacara pembela (dari pihak lawan) apakah dia ikut menikmati ketika berhubungan? SICK BANGET. Beneran nggak ada kata ampun buat korban pelecehan seksual atau pemerkosaan. Pokoknya terpojok aja udah, bikin jengkel setengah mati.
Bahas soal bukunya, profesi seorang penyiar siniar itu terbilang baru bagiku. Selama ini belum ada konsep pengungkapan kasus lewat siniar. Pernah tahu hal serupa, tapi kalau nggak salah ingat lewat radio. Terus usaha Rachel buat investigasi kasusnya patut diacungi jempol, sih, totalitas menggali informasi sana-sini padahal dia orang asing di kota itu, sampai nyerempet bahaya.
Harusnya aku kasih full bintang, sih, tapi ada beberapa poin yang bikin aku kurang sreg. Pertama, beberapa penjelasan diulang di paragraf yang berbeda, dengan susunan kata yang berbeda tapi intinya sama. Kedua, ini spoiler jadi jangan coba-coba dibuka
Overall, buku ini wajib coba dibaca bagi siapa pun yang suka thriller atau lagi nyoba baca genre bersangkutan.
Graphic: Rape, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
lottie1803's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
___'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
There's nothing really wrong with the book (though, poor editing got quite distracting at one point). There just wasn't anything new, thrilling, or exciting being offered.
(...Is the protagonist being a true crime podcaster a trigger warning yet?)
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
abbynordman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
beccabrune's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
judassilver's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Medical trauma, and Car accident