Trigger warnings: Rape, discussions about rape, post-rape procedures, PTSD
Synopsis: Hermione Winters is captain of her cheerleading team, and in tiny Palermo Heights, this doesn’t mean what you think it means. At PHHS, the cheerleaders don't cheer for the sports teams; they are the sports team—the pride and joy of a tiny town. The team's summer training camp is Hermione's last and marks the beginning of the end of… she’s not sure what. She does know this season could make her a legend. But during a camp party, someone slips something in her drink. And it all goes black.
In every class, there's a star cheerleader and a pariah pregnant girl. They're never supposed to be the same person. Hermione struggles to regain the control she's always had and faces a wrenching decision about how to move on. The assault wasn't the beginning of Hermione Winter's story and she's not going to let it be the end. She won’t be anyone’s cautionary tale.
Review: Exit, Pursued by a Bear was incredibly well done. Hermione, as a character, is very straight to the point which I appreciated. She navigated life after being raped similarly to how I navigated life after my dad died. I really appreciated the moments she had when she felt like she wasn't acting the way that she should. Hermione also didn't shy away from therapy. As soon as it was mentioned, she agreed it was something to look into. For someone who has always had her life figured out, I'm glad she didn't scoff at the idea of going to a therapist.
The plot of this book focuses on Hermione being raped, and the aftermath of it. The topic was handled with a lot of care. We don't witness Hermione's rape firsthand which some people will like, and other people will not. But it gives us the chance to see what it is like for her to go through this awful thing and not remember any of it. Seeing everyone rally behind Hermione was touching. The females on the cheerleading team were supportive of Hermione, and even a number of the guys were understanding. The adults also treated Hermione like an adult which was refreshing. Everyone from Hermione's parents, the cop, her therapist, and her coach, took Hermione's opinion and feelings into consideration and they didn't hide anything from her. In the back of the book, E.K. Johnston has a note where she even says that this kind of support isn't really standard. I'm glad these people are in Hermione's story so it can be an example of what we need to be to others when these horrific things occur.
Short, but great book that hits on many aspects of rape culture like how men and women are treated differently, support groups, trauma, and "asking for it" responses.
4 howls
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