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Safe
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November 2013 BotM - Safe *spoilers* - Abuse Content (Off-Page)
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Thank you again to Kaje, Sammy, and all the wonderful people who run this group!
There have been a lot of abuse driven books to hit the market in the last few months and it takes a special something to set them apart in my opinion. C. Kennedy has a very consistent voice--one that neither shies away from talking about abuse nor offers up easy solutions or quick "all is healed" endings. I appreciate that in his novels. I believe to allow characters who have struggled with abuse of any form to have a miraculous healing in order to achieve a happy ever after is in many ways to diminish or make light of how an abuse victim suffers for the rest of their lives. Emotional scars may become manageable and even tolerable over time and therapy but they, like physical scars, never go away completely. I liked Safe immensely primarily because there was no real rescue attempt for this boy by the adults who should have somehow put an end to the abuse. I think it was harshly realistic and indicative of our times. I say this with real sadness and not with the idea in mind that we should stand silent while others are abused-heavens no. But the reality in our world is that many do just that and children of all ages suffer as a result.
It was the saving love of another boy that carried Nico--it was Caleb, who railed against the abuse his Nico endured at the hands of his father, that ultimately led Nico to a safe harbor. Love can do that, carry us to a place where we can be safe. I think that is what the author may have had in mind here--that love can heal, not eradicate, but heal the pain inside us...make us feel...safe.
My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...for those who want to give it a look see!
Thank you for the terrific comments/review, Sammy!
The issue in this book - that of how a teen deals with knowing a friend is being abused at home - is worth addressing in fiction. These two boys fail to handle it well, but that's the reality. One comment of, "He might go into foster care and you wouldn't see him anymore," was thrown out by an adult as a reason not to get involved. It stopped the friend cold in his quest to get adult help, and that reflects a real fear for teens. (I once had a teen sleeping on my couch for fear of a parent, and her biggest resistance to reporting it was the chance of being separated from her boyfriend.) There are no easy answers, and this story shows that. I wanted a bit more exploration of the range of conflicting emotions (especially regarding the boys' feelings about their mothers, who fail in their maternal roles) but the love between the boys is sweet and steadfast, and the failings of the adults around them reflects what happens all too often. There are some good resource links in the back of the story.
I do have to say that this book pushed my personal sex-on-page limits, for scenes with younger teens. It's age-appropriate sexual behavior - get two teen guys who love each other together, and they're going to try stuff out, and this was nicely gradual through the years of their relationship. But I guess I'm a reader who feels a bit voyeuristic (as a fifty+ adult) by reading too many details. I skipped a page or two, here and there, when this happened, and if this is a sensitive issue for a reader, they may want to be aware. This is a topic we've debated on this group without resolution many times - how much is too much? So this is a personal observation.
Thank you for the thoughtful comments, Kaje!
Be aware that this book includes mature topics, particularly an abusive parent. If this topic is personal or sensitive to you, especially if you are a teen reader, please discuss with your therapist whether reading and discussing this book will be a positive or negative thing for you.
I look forward to discussing this with the group.