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dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this in high school and it’s been sitting on my mind for the past few months.
Speak dives into the story of Melinda, a young girl who is an outcast after calling the cops at her first high school party.
The story dives into the darkness of depression and the cliches of high school, all while trying to understand the bad things that happen to you.
It’s an open ending, leaving you to decide how or if she grows.
This story isn’t for the weak of heart and focuses on topics like rape and anxiety (of course, depression too).
While uncovering who she is, she bonds with a teacher who helps her through and a lab partner who reminds her that women suffered until they used their voices to: speak.
Speak dives into the story of Melinda, a young girl who is an outcast after calling the cops at her first high school party.
The story dives into the darkness of depression and the cliches of high school, all while trying to understand the bad things that happen to you.
It’s an open ending, leaving you to decide how or if she grows.
This story isn’t for the weak of heart and focuses on topics like rape and anxiety (of course, depression too).
While uncovering who she is, she bonds with a teacher who helps her through and a lab partner who reminds her that women suffered until they used their voices to: speak.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Violence
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Self harm, Violence
Minor: Misogyny, Toxic friendship
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
This is a tragic tale about trying to live life after becoming a r*pe victim as a heads up to those who are interested in reading this, but I still think it's an important read whether you've been a victim with r*pe/sexual assault or not (unless, like my friend, you were recommended to read this in elementary school?? I think this is too traumatizing for that young of an age--wait until at least high school/maybe middle school for your kids to read this).
Anyway, the narration of our main character, Melinda, is spot on as an edgy, traumatized high school student. I actually related with some of her thoughts and feelings because I was also once a very edgy and anxiety-driven middle/high school student. I'm thankful that I've never been r*ped before, but as a woman, the flashbacks or what happened to Melinda were terrifying to read--even when there were few words as possible to describe what happened--it reads and feels like a blur, which is exactly what Melinda went through. So, the writing style is excellent, and this is an important banned book to read!
Anyway, the narration of our main character, Melinda, is spot on as an edgy, traumatized high school student. I actually related with some of her thoughts and feelings because I was also once a very edgy and anxiety-driven middle/high school student. I'm thankful that I've never been r*ped before, but as a woman, the flashbacks or what happened to Melinda were terrifying to read--even when there were few words as possible to describe what happened--it reads and feels like a blur, which is exactly what Melinda went through. So, the writing style is excellent, and this is an important banned book to read!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence
Minor: Vomit
dark
This is a story that needs to be told. Great. And to be told by a real survivor of s/a is even better. But the way Anderson writes Melinda makes you actively dislike her. I felt nothing for anyone in the book. A bunch of nothing characters thrown together onto a canvas that should have been empowering, not boring. Anderson, for me, is not a strong author. If you're hell-bent on reading her, I'd recommend Fever over this any day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Violence
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence