BOOKISH FRIDAY: “THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS”

On By Laurel-Rain SnowIn Bookish Friday

Welcome to another Bookish Friday, in which I  share excerpts from books…and connect with other bloggers, who do the same.

Let’s begin the celebration by sharing Book Beginnings, hosted by Rose City Reader; and let’s showcase The Friday 56 with Freda’s Voice.

To join in, just grab a book and share the opening lines…along with any thoughts you wish to give us; then turn to page 56 and excerpt anything on the page.

Then give us the title of the book, so others can add it to their lists!

What a great way to spend a Friday!

Today’s feature is a recent download:  These Violent Delights, by Victoria Namkung,  a suspenseful and nuanced story told from multiple points of view.  The novel examines themes of sexuality, trauma, revenge, and the American myth of liberty and justice for all.

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning:  (Jane – April 2016)

“What is the point of a high school reunion when you can already see who got fat and bald on Facebook?” asks Caryn, the intern working with me this semester, and I can’t help but laugh because she’s right.

Caryn works one desk over from me, but she often steps into my cubicle to chat—and she’s quite chatty—anytime she’s on her way to or from the bathroom down the hall, which feels like ten times a day on average.

***

Friday 56:  “Well, I’m eager to hear anything you’re willing to talk about.  You mentioned that there was more to the story than what’s been reported so far.”(56%).

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Synopsis: At Windemere School for Girls, one of America’s elite private schools, Dr. Gregory Copeland is the beloved chair of the English Department. A married father with a penchant for romantic poetry—and impressionable teenage girls—he operates in plain sight for years, until one of his former students goes public with allegations of inappropriate conduct. With the help of an investigative journalist, and two additional Windemere alumnae who had relationships with Copeland as students, the unlikely quartet unites to take him down.

Set in modern-day Los Angeles, These Violent Delights is a literary exploration of the unyielding pressures and vulnerabilities that so many women and girls experience, and analyzes the ways in which our institutions and families fail to protect or defend us.

***

When I heard about this novel, I had to have it.  Such a timely topic in today’s world.  What do you think?

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26 thoughts on “BOOKISH FRIDAY: “THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS””

  5. Definitely timely. I’m intrigued about how low key the beginning is, given the subject matter. In contrast, I’ve noticed some frothy romances that start out on an ominous note. Maybe the first line doesn’t always need to set the tone. (Although the one I’m sharing today definitely gives you a glimpse into what’s to come.)

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  10. Hi Lorraine,

    My husband used to be in The Royal Air Force and early in 2018, some of his former comrades are holding a reunion in the seaside town where they all did their basic training. Hubbie isn’t going to be attending, as we quite often joke about the thought of almost 400, fifty and sixty something men on the rampage along the seafront promenade, all thinking they can still handle both themselves and the drink, the way they could 40 years ago!! In this case Facebook definitely helped him to make the decision to stay well clear 🙂

    The news over here in the UK, is dominated daily by reports of yet another allegation of inappropriate conduct, by one professional or another. The scandal seems to have permeated all walks of life and just about every profession, so the premise of your book is very topical, although probably a little too contemporary for me, given the vast choice of genres in my TBR pile!

    Thanks for sharing and have a lovely Christmas 🙂

    Yvonne

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