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A review by robotnik
Exit, Pursued by a Bear by Emily Kate Johnston
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I think this book kind of punched me in the face while also being uplifting at the same time. It's so weird calling a book about a rape uplifting, but I don't know a better term for it. I've read a few books with the same sort of subject matter, and they're often hard and depressing and rightfully so because this isn't a happy topic by any means. But, Exit, Pursued By a Bear isn't just a book about it happening and the aftermath. It's a book about the recovery.
A lot of the times in these books, there's a lot of darkness from the main character because of what happened to them and how they're supposed to cope with it without being able to figure out how they're supposed to do that. Hermione (it was way weird remembering this is not a name J.K. Rowling made up) wants to cope with it and she wants to move on from it. And, she comes with a stellar support system most similar protagonists don't get, which is normal seeing as, sadly, they don't always occur in real life. But, Hermione does get one and I feel that's such a good thing to actually see, to see her friends and family rally behind her and not just treat her as this untouchable accident.
I also want to call special attention to the female friendships between the girls in this book. They're cheerleaders but there's no petty drama or queen bee attitudes flying around, causing a riff. They're friends, as they should be for a team who wants to function like a well-oiled machine. Hermione's relationship with Polly in particular is important. They're growing up and they're going to be moving away from each other, but the changes in their lives and their friendship doesn't ruin it for them. Instead, it helps them grow. Shout-out to the boys too for also standing by Hermione after what happens. So often it seems that it's the boys who are the issue because this isn't a "relatable situation" to them so they don't understand, but these boys step up and be good friends as well.
I was also kind of shocked but satisfied with Hermione's solution to her unwanted pregnancy being an abortion. So often it gets left out as an option and (ignoring political/religious opinions on it) it shouldn't be. Hermione knows she's not ready for a child and she doesn't want this one, and there's no "she needs to be a mother or consider adoption because the child didn't rape her" going on. It's she's a young girl who has a bright future ahead of her and a pregnancy/child would derail her plans and she doesn't want it. It's not the right decision for everyone, but it was the right decision for her, and I'm glad that I finally got to see a book where it's presented without her being presented as making a bad choice.
All in all, this was a good read. It's not the most heart-wrenching one, but it's telling a story that deserves to be told while showcasing a result of the situation that normally doesn't get shown.
A lot of the times in these books, there's a lot of darkness from the main character because of what happened to them and how they're supposed to cope with it without being able to figure out how they're supposed to do that. Hermione (it was way weird remembering this is not a name J.K. Rowling made up) wants to cope with it and she wants to move on from it. And, she comes with a stellar support system most similar protagonists don't get, which is normal seeing as, sadly, they don't always occur in real life. But, Hermione does get one and I feel that's such a good thing to actually see, to see her friends and family rally behind her and not just treat her as this untouchable accident.
I also want to call special attention to the female friendships between the girls in this book. They're cheerleaders but there's no petty drama or queen bee attitudes flying around, causing a riff. They're friends, as they should be for a team who wants to function like a well-oiled machine. Hermione's relationship with Polly in particular is important. They're growing up and they're going to be moving away from each other, but the changes in their lives and their friendship doesn't ruin it for them. Instead, it helps them grow. Shout-out to the boys too for also standing by Hermione after what happens. So often it seems that it's the boys who are the issue because this isn't a "relatable situation" to them so they don't understand, but these boys step up and be good friends as well.
All in all, this was a good read. It's not the most heart-wrenching one, but it's telling a story that deserves to be told while showcasing a result of the situation that normally doesn't get shown.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault