Books that deal with the issue of rape

[Lupek]

I do not like to get too personal online but someone in my family has been hurt badly. We aren't related by blood and have only just gotten to know each other the past 4 years. I only mention that because I am having trouble connecting with her.

She is 17. She loves vampires, anime, manga, Harry Potter,hip hop and those cheesey sci fi movies of the week. She is an avid reader of novels.

I am looking for books that deal with the subject of rape that are uplifting and could possibly help her through a difficult time and difficult times to come. I don't think I want to give her a self help book. I think fiction is the way to go. But maybe I am wrong about that.

Any book (or even comics) suggestions would be appreciated.

[Arvandor]

Uplifting books that deal with rape? That's a tough one. But I'll try, going with your criteria.

You might go with the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. It's not about rape, per se, but its about a heroine who learns to use sex to make herself stronger. It might help.

Battle Royale (particularly the manga). Filled with depravity, rape, and death. And yet there's an uplifting message of hope throughout.

That's all I got.

[Lupek]

I guess uplifting was a bad choice of words. Comforting maybe?

Something to make her feel better.

And thanks for the suggestions.

[Michael P]

You're probably better looking at nonfiction books on the subject. Something featuring real women's stories of how they coped.

And stay away from the Anita Blake series. Those books will just fuck this girl up sexually even more than she is already.

[dademan]

The first thing I thought of was "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson. Its not so much comforting, but it goes through how this girl was messed up, since she has PTSD, but finally comes out, and says what happened.

Its not fantasy, sci-fi or whatnot, its like, in our world, with real happenings, ya know?

[Inkthinker]

I would think anything with a strong female protagonist would be helpful... even the Blake series, though that one is tricky... it gets pretty sexual as the series progresses, but in a way that reflects the author's growing sense of sexuality and self-empowerment (at least, according to Hamilton herself).

Hmmm... this is a tricky one. Nonfiction is an easy answer, but I think your friend is probably going to get a lot of that sort of input. In terms of reading material that doesn't directly address her particular situation, I'd say she needs stuff that helps to subtly reinforce that women do not have to be victims.

Here's a good one... doesn't deal with rape, but does deal with women who step up and stand up for themselves: Monstrous Regiment, by Terry Pratchett, which is both empowering and pretty damn funny. Funny might help more than a little bit in this case.

If I think of another, I'll post it. I love a strong female lead, so I ought to have something else around here that might be at least inspiring.

[Arvandor]

I just thought of a rather left-field suggestion.

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Since one interpretation of the story is that even a rapist can be redeemed, you might try that.

[Puma]

The first thing I thought of was "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson. Its not so much comforting, but it goes through how this girl was messed up, since she has PTSD, but finally comes out, and says what happened.

Its not fantasy, sci-fi or whatnot, its like, in our world, with real happenings, ya know?
"Speak" was my first thought as well. Most vampire theme books are wish fulfillment but there is a series written by Atwater-Rhodes (she was a teen when first published) , the first one is "In the Forests of the Night" which has a strong female protagonist. If you can get the young lady to read straight fiction I'd steer her towards Joan Bauer's books; she writes for young adults with strong female characters and real life, but not too dark, themes. "Rules of the Road" and "Hope was Here" are both excellent.

[Mort]

Robin Hobb's 'Ship Of Destiny' has a couple of instances. Although I'm not sure how much of a help it would be as as both characters are able to pour the emotions away into a ship. And its the third in a trilogy so it might be hard to jump into.

The whole idea of the story is that the ships are made of wood that comes 'alive' after generations of a family die on its decks.

The three books do centre alot on strong female characters.

[Doodle Bob]

I would suggest that you completely avoid any book that is about rape or blatant sexuality. You stand as good a chance of accidentally making the situation worse than making it better for your friend. In fact, maybe you should step back and figure out what exactly it is that you want to do.

If the goal is to provide some soul-fortifying, engaging yet relatively benign entertainment, then go find some young adult fiction that centers around a plucky young person -- preferably female -- that overcomes some hardship (but not too much of a hardship). I personally would go with some classics: A Wizard of Earthsea is good; Watership Down is good too except with rabbits rather than young people. I know it sounds cheesy but the Anne of Green Gables series are thoroughly entertaining.

I'm sort of blanking here. Can anyone else help me think of such books?

The point is, you don't have to address rape directly in order to help a friend through this period. Just be a good friend and look out for what she really needs and wants.

[Inkthinker]

I'm sort of blanking here. Can anyone else help me think of such books?

Seriously, Monstrous Regiment. And what the heck, the Tiffany Aching, Susan Death and Witches books of the Discworld series are pretty good bets as well. Start her off with something like Witches Abroad, that one's pretty awesome.

I'm of the mind that it's hard to ever go wrong with Terry Pratchett, 'cause he skillfully blends humor with powerful insights into human nature.

For the love of god, DO NOT go with the Thomas Covenant books. Yes, the ultimate theme is that even a rapist can be redeemed, but you don't get to that point for a looooong time. For a long while he's just a rapist who feels little to no remorse (because he thinks it isn't real) for his deed. Having her read that book is akin to asking her to relive the whole event from her attackers POV.

Gah.

[Roquefort Raider]

I
The point is, you don't have to address rape directly in order to help a friend through this period. Just be a good friend and look out for what she really needs and wants.

That sounds like excellent advice. The best, in fact.

[Hombre]

Absolutely, RR.

Merely from a literary p.o.v. and, I realize, with little if any connection to the specific unfortunate situation mentioned here, my thought has gone to a novel that deals with that, although happening to a man, with one passage therein illustrating how the protagonist had to capitulate and deal with prison rape a number of times before his general situation improved some - and is a quintessential uplifting novel, in my opinion, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption from King's hugely popular but very good in its simplicity Different Seasons.

[Lupek]

Doodle Bob, I think you are probably right.

Thanks to all for the advice.