My Rating: 4.5 hearts
Thoughts on the Novel: Inspired by the Steubenville High School
Rape Case, Aaron Hartzler’s What We Saw deftly handles topics like consent, slut shaming, teen drinking, and
social media. I think this book would be perfect for a book club or novel study
because it’s bound to generate discussion.
In What We Saw, the main character, Kate, is driven home by a friend
after getting intoxicated at a party. Another girl at the same party, however,
isn’t so lucky – and suddenly, there are allegations that she was raped by a
few members of the school’s beloved basketball
team, while unconscious. Despite the fact that it appears there were tons of witnesses and
a video of the rape is briefly posted online, nobody comes forward to support the
allegations. Kate wonders who to believe – a lone girl considered a slut or the
rest of the student body?
I really liked Kate as a character because even though she was confused
about where her loyalties should lie and was repeatedly told to not get
involved by adults and peers alike, she still decided to seek the truth. Then,
when she does find out what happened, she’s courageous enough to make some
tough choices. It amazes and disgusts me that people can see terrible stuff
like this happening and not do anything to stop the situation or speak up about
it!
An absolute must read for teens, What We Saw was released in September 2015 by
HarperTeen.
Comments
About the Cover: I like the cover, but not the font.
The subject is a bit heavier than what I'm used to, to be honest. I don't know if I can handle it at the moment. But it does sound like a necessary read so I promise to do my best. I actually own a copy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I've heard this one is a great novel and I really hope to read it soon. It sounds great, and really well done. It's a tough topic but it needs to be talked about more.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I've been thinking about reading this one. I'm just oddly drawn at novels with stories like this. Great review!
ReplyDeleteczai @ the Blacksheep Project
I remember the Steubenville case so well, it was horrifying. Treating athletes (or anyone for that matter) like they're above reproach is disgusting, and I have a feeling this book is going to piss me off something fierce. In a good, I'm so involved kind of way though!
ReplyDeleteI don't remember the case but wow, this sounds like a heavy read, but one that definitely needs to be read. Going to check this one out now!
ReplyDeleteSo it's inspired by a true story? Eek, that just makes the subject matter all the more disturbingly real o.O While this is not something I would pick up on my own, I'm glad to have read your positive thoughts on it and would be much more likely to seek it out now.
ReplyDeleteI still need to read this, but I've been hesitant to pick it up because of the serious matter. I know it's not going to be an easy read, but it will be worthwhile. I have it on my tbr pile.
ReplyDelete