A review by tlaynejones
The Stranger by Kathryn Hore

dark hopeful reflective tense slow-paced

4.0

I think this should be classified as a YA novel. I’m not sure if the reason it isn’t is because of the depictions of coercive control, adult/ minor “relationships”, rape, and murder. However there is no explicit description of sex/ rape at all, and only brief descriptions of violence. The abuse is all described through implication and, in my opinion, is suited to a teenage reader. The reason I think this should be reclassified as YA is that the story itself, and it’s message of feminism, is written in quite an obvious and straightforward way. This novel would be a great provocation for a discussion with teens about what it means to be a woman in relationship to the patriarchy, toxic masculinity, and the ‘male gaze’. However, the story is possibly too predictable for adult readers. 
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