Many thanks to NetGalley, Flatiron Books and Alisson Wood for the privilege to read her memoir. 5 stars for a beautifully written book that should be required reading for so many people - men, young women, teachers, parents.
Alisson is a lonely teenager who has struggled with depression and self-harm. After spending part of her junior year at a more-nurturing school for troubled teenagers, she goes back to her high school for her senior year. Desperate to be seen and understood, she is paired with Mr. North, an English teacher 10 years her senior, for special tutoring in her writing. He gives her his copy of the book Lolita and grooms her to believe that it is about a special love. Tutoring turns into meeting at a diner in the evenings with the promise of a complete relationship once she turns 18 and graduates.
Only with reflection as she eventually moves away from the abusive relationship and gains the wisdom of hindsight does she see how much power Mr. North had over her. But instead of defining herself negatively by this experience, she chose to use it for good. She now teaches young women of the power of words and how they impact the reader.
This was an immensely powerful, beautifully written memoir. It read like a gripping novel - I couldn't put it down. Ms Wood puts you back in the teenage mindset of wanting to belong and feel that you are loved and understood. You want to scream at parents and teachers for not seeing what was happening, but we all know from our own experiences that teenagers are masters of manipulation. I especially loved how the author took power away from Mr North by referring to him as "the teacher." This emphasized the relationship they should have had and the very abusive nature he changed it to be.
The author stated in this book that her deepest desire was "to create something beautiful from something so terrible." Bravo for a job well done! My highest recommendation - this book needs to be read!
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