No Way Back

by Chloe Adams

[Kim Deister]

No Way Back is an intense read, and one that goes deeply and starkly into the reality of rape and the aftermath of it. This is not a light read, but one that makes you think and feel as if you were in the story itself. Honestly, it struck a personal note with me and my own experience with this and I cried just about all the way through it. I felt Mia's heartache and pain and confusion as if it were my own, in some ways reliving my own. I thoroughly appreciated the author's lack of fear when confronting such controversial themes such as rape and politics, even religious beliefs. There was certainly no lack of social issues brought up in the book, but in no way did it feel like she was trying to influence the readers beliefs. Instead, it was the telling of one girl's story.

In an odd way, Mia becomes far more likeable after she was raped, making you, as the reader, realize that she is not the stereotypical "little, rich girl" that has it easy. But really, this character was far more than that. She had her own strength, even when she didn't realize it. I also love Ari, Mia's best friend. She was exactly who I wish I had had by my side at that moment in my life.

To say I enjoyed the book might sound a little odd, considering the theme, but I did love it. It didn't sugar coat it, but showed the experience for what it was, with all the messy feelings and emotions and trauma that can go along with it. I applaud the author for that.