A review by jennanicolereid
If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
First off I would like to address other reviews on this book. Many readers find it to be overly graphic and the story repetitive. I completely disagree, this book should make you incredibly uncomfortable. If some parts seemed repetitive it is because the abuse faced was constant and terrible. I believe it is imperative to not gloss over or play down a survivor’s story to make the reader “comfortable”.
The author did a wonderful job in writing and developing a clear narrative throughout the book. I was often left wondering how something so tragic and obvious could be missed by everyone surrounding the family in this book. It forces you to question what you think you know about local law enforcement, family dynamics, and if those around you would notice something was obviously wrong. It also delves into each sister’s experience individually which shows how similar experiences can shape individuals in completely different ways.
My only issue is that occasionally when in the more present times of the story he would slip in an additional story of abuse from prior years. I feel this wasn’t needed at that point of the story and would have been better served earlier on in the book. It caused the middle of the book to have a slightly chaotic feel.
The author did a wonderful job in writing and developing a clear narrative throughout the book. I was often left wondering how something so tragic and obvious could be missed by everyone surrounding the family in this book. It forces you to question what you think you know about local law enforcement, family dynamics, and if those around you would notice something was obviously wrong. It also delves into each sister’s experience individually which shows how similar experiences can shape individuals in completely different ways.
My only issue is that occasionally when in the more present times of the story he would slip in an additional story of abuse from prior years. I feel this wasn’t needed at that point of the story and would have been better served earlier on in the book. It caused the middle of the book to have a slightly chaotic feel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcoholism