Reviews with content warning for Abortion - Exit, Pursued by a Bear

Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

Exit, Pursued by a Bear by Emily Kate Johnston

17 reviews

jessicaesubject's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Though Exit, Pursued by a Bear deals with the serious subject matters of sexual assault and abortion, I enjoyed this story and believe it to be an essential book for any teenager and older to read. Hermione is not just a cheerleader, but the co-captain of the team, and she's getting ready for her last year of high school before her life changes. But everything changes before she reaches her last year of high school when she is drugged, raped, and left to die at a summer cheer camp. How she deals with the traumatic event and the fallout from it all is what this book is about. Because of Hermione's memory loss from that night and her amazing support system, the story shows her struggles, but also her push to not let herself be seen as a victim. Without those things, this story could have gone much differently, and the author does make note of that in their author's note at the end. I must also say that I have felt a strong connection to both of E.K. Johnston's contemporary YAs, because I grew up and live in the same area, so I can relate to it, and the characters could easily be people I know. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Content Warnings

carlie03's review against another edition

4.5

emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book was so beautifully written, i was on the verge of tears for majority of it. There's so many things to say but so little words.

Content Warnings

kaitlinmoose's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

indigoiversen's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Amazing.

Hermione was a victim and a survivor, but she would not let those things define her. She was string and brave but this was a result of her extremely supportive team, her coach, her best friend and even the officer of her case. I loved the way Hermoine handled it with Grace, how she allowed herself to feel the pain of what she was going through but also allowed herself to ask for help and depend on those around her who she knew she could trust. Polly, Coach Caledon, her team and her family were perfect examples of what to do when someone you’ve known your entire life goes through an assault like this, they were supportive, they defended her, the protected her and gave her space when she needed it most. Hermoine was never alone, someone held her hand through it all, and best of all, they believed her.

This was not a cautionary tale, but it was fucking brilliant.

Content Warnings

emwhite95's review against another edition

3.25

dark emotional funny sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

That’s the resolution?? Really? Not even an epilogue?

Content Warnings

missgrangerr's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

frawst_disasta_reads's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Tagline: "I love you." "I know."

The author takes a famous Star Wars quote (which, to me, feels perfect as an author of Star Wars books), and uses it between to best friends, because deep unending love is not always romantic.

There is something beautiful about this book. It takes place over the span of about 9.5 months, and we get to know Hermione Winters like a little sister or best friend. You want everything to work out for her, even while you know that's a fairytale and this is the real world.

What I adore about this book is how she deals with the aftermath of what happens to her. And that her best friend refuses to back down and protect her. While not everyone on the team supports her (okay, everyone except her ex-boyfriend), as a reader you can't imagine a closer team. A supporting character even comments on it, how her school wouldn't have supported her.

There is a coming out, a trauma response during a dance (with a bit of comedic relief complete with spilled punch), and Hermione's undying love for her team, her parents, and especially her best friend and flying in the air as a cheerleader.

While I don’t care for first person generally, I can’t imagine this book working as well in third person, because Hermione is such a fully fleshed character, as are those closest to her.

Content Warnings

leslie22's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

daniellejp16's review against another edition

3.5

Content Warnings

sarahjsnider's review against another edition

3.75

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

I read this in one sitting, so obviously I find it compelling. But as I reflect on it, there is a lot that doesn’t hang together. Such as, why does the school have Commencement in October? What is the connection to Macbeth? According to the interview with the author, her early drafts were sparse on details. A few more would be helpful.

Content Warnings

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