If someone had provided a brief synopsis of this book, it's unlikely I would have read it. However, as netgalley reviews suggested a powerful read I dived. I couldn't put it down. The story moved along at pace, apart from the painful moments when the 2 key characters meet on the ridge. Li paints a vivid picture of events and, whilst it is totally convincing, I found it difficult to keep going at times because of the sheer brutality of the attack. The book also provoked anger in me at the subsequent legal process because it was not far fetched; it portrayed, what I imagine is, a realistically lengthy process that many victims do not want to engage with. I was happily wrong at what I thought would be an even more painful outcome.

The fact this this is a first book and based on Li's own experiences is extraordinary. Bravo and I look forward to future challenges.

Strong and Powerful!

Oh, this is a good book, very difficult to put down and I highly recommend it both to women and men to read.

Always enjoyable to read about strong women and as the book is based on a real event that happened to the author makes it even more powerful.
Very well written, smooth story that moves along at a good pace.
The plot is well structured and nothing felt wrong, I think a lot of research went into the writing of this book.

I hope Li will be writing more books, I will definitely keep an eye out.

Fatima

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

This story is all the more astounding when you consider that it is based on the real life events that occurred to the author. I have never been more affected or more enthralled by the content of a novel or by its alternate voice method of presentation. Vivian Tan, independent and vivacious traveller, is in Belfast invited to contribute in the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement. As a keen walker she plans to use the opportunity to explore the nearby Colin Glen Forest Park close to the city. She meets a young, seemingly innocent boy John Sweeney who continues to follow the hiker seeking a reaction from her as he attempts to strike up a friendly conversation. The situation develops in a frightening and unexpected manner when a pleasant exchange turns to a violent assault and uncontrollable lust ending in the rape of Mz Tan.

It is the telling of this story through the voices of the victim and the perpetrator that makes for compelling reading. A victim so traumatized by a violent act that her life from here on is changed irrevocably and a perpetrator totally unconcerned by the affect of his actions on the victim..."But they have no idea how far she is now from the person they knew a week ago. They just see her, hear her voice. But the real Vivian checked out days ago, and she doesn't know when she'll return.".... As we alternate quickly between the thoughts of Vivian and Sweeney we encounter the rape, the aftermath, the trial and the fallout. It is often so easy to read about a sexual assault and to dismiss very quickly, but the voice of Winnie Li, and her articulate literary presentation taking us from a solitary walk to her life today, (as the lines between Winnie and Vivian must surely be merged) is a meaningful, sombre and sad experience to me as a male reader.

An essential important read by a lady who I can only hold the greatest respect and admiration for. The scenes in the Northern Irish courtroom and the questioning that Vivian received at the hands of a well educated defence lawyer had me totally engrossed by its realism and authenticity ( I work within the legal system) This is a novel that should be read by everyone and can only add to the understanding of a victim in a violent sexual attack, a victim with the courage to tell her story knowing that...."One of these day, she tells herself, she'll be able to walk into a field on her own. An open field under the broad sky in the middle of the day. She'll be able to lie down on her back, feel the grass beneath her, the sun on her face, close her eyes and she will feel completely content. And she will feel no danger....." Many thanks to the good people at netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.

I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication. I have not been paid for providing this review and is my own honest opinion of the book.

This story revolves around two individuals from completely different backgrounds and a chance meeting in a Belfast park. I have no intention of disclosing the story, but the horrific events of that chance meeting provide the background to the entire book. Given this book is based upon the author's personal life experience, this without doubt makes this story even more harrowing and heart breaking. I found this book, whilst a good read, to be particularly disturbing and the events are described in fairly graphic detail. It is certainly not a read for the faint hearted.

Nonetheless, these events unfortunately do happen and it is only right that this story should be told and shared.

This is a very well written thought provoking account of what happened to Winnie. Her very brave account of what happened and how it has affected her life is definitely worth reading. There is a lot of pain and sadness in this book but also the hope that there is life after rape. This book is definitely worth reading.

If you are a fan of dark thrillers than this is a book for you. It shows how the most violent crimes can bring people together, as well as tear them apart. It shows how different people can be affected by the same instance and how it can change a life forever. This book is inspired by true events, which only makes the story that much more engaging and it really does suck you in. I couldn’t put this book down once I had started it and it is one that I will definitely be recommending to my book club. It was one of those books that is painful to read but one that you will be thankful that you read.Thank you to Netgalley, publishers and Wendy M Li for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I found this story to be honest and raw, which I think was at the core of it's success. The author doesn't apologize nor does she hide any of the facts in her telling of the events leading up to, during and the aftermath of a woman sexually assaulted by a 15 year old boy. Being raped is probably every woman's nightmare. As the reader, we are taken through this experience and all of it's messiness and shame but also guided to see the possibilities that exist afterwards - that one CAN live though rape and put their life back together. The story made me gasp, made me sad, made me angry, made me feel...but most of all it made me think about a topic that I typically try not to think about. In my eyes, the main character Vivian was a hero of sorts and I found myself cheering her on. Winnie Li is a powerful writer and an engaging storyteller. Please see my full review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2000952586.

Firstly you need to understand the catalyst to this storyline is rape so it contains intense and gritty images of rape and violence. If you can’t handle books where that is a core subject being used you’ll want to steer clear of this but you shouldn’t because Winnie M. Li does a remarkable job handling a horrific subject with beauty and respect. In fact I would implore you to NOT avoid this book, pick it up, find a few hours to yourself and let her inspiring writing take you on an important and meaningful journey.

She takes an incredibly brutal, soul breaking act and turns it into a book that must be read particularly with how modern society treats the subject. Once I started it there was no way I was putting it down until I finished because Li’s writing talent jumps off the page to capture your attention in an iron fist. She will put you through the emotional ringer with no way to avoid the poignant and sometimes heartbreaking scenes she paints for her characters.

I feel incredibly honored to have been able to read this book before publication and have tremendous respect for Ms. Li. Based on her own story, she who poured forth her life in a violently honest way that will make you root for the protagonist as she morphs from victim to hero in both the fictional world and reality.

Great read! Looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend!

What an extraordinary debut novel! She explores sexual trauma from the perspective of a woman of colour, which is beyond rare in this sea of white stories and authors in most of literature.

When Vivian goes hiking alone in an unfamiliar part of Belfast, she meets 15-year-old Johnny and her life is never the same afterwards

I really struggled with this book and how to rate it. Usually, I rate a book according to how much I enjoyed it, but this book was not an enjoyable read. In fact, it should come with a warning that it contains intense images of rape and violence. Not that it is a voyeuristic or lurid novel. Far from it. Dark Chapter is an intense, gritty drama about one woman's journey from victim to hero. Still, it's not my typical read, and I think it was mislabeled by the publisher as a mystery/thriller.

I'm not one to give out five-star reviews on a whim. Books must earn that rating. What made this book a five-star was its amazing writing. It's stark style works well with the subject matter. Li draws the reader into the story and doesn't let her go. Dark Chapter is a compelling story, and I couldn't put it down. I was rooting for the heroine the entire time.

This book offers an unflinching view of an unspeakable crime. It won't be for every reader, but it is definitely a novel of great worth.

I read this book in 2 sittings. It was absolutely all-consuming and I have to admit, had I known in advance it was about a rape, I would have hesitated before requesting it from Netgalley (I thought it was to do with a terrorist situation in N. Ireland due to a guarded press release!) But I’m really glad I didn’t get the opportunity to pre-judge the subject and I hope others won’t make that judgement either. It’s a hard subject to ‘sell’ to readers, but this is a surprisingly flowing, while unflinching account of an explosive, life-shattering event. I love the strength of Vivian, her determination and courage towards achieving recovery and as much justice as there is on offer.

The narrative alternates between Vivian, the ‘victim’, a confident American ex-Harvard student and Johnny, a deprived, neglected and illiterate traveller boy completely devoid of any empathy. Yes he’s all those things, but I didn’t feel any empathy for him. (I think I may have been supposed to). The story as told from the opposing sides is electric, and I felt the author shows surprising compassion towards the neglected traveller at times. As this story is based on a real-life experience (and you can feel the authenticity throughout) I really admire Winnie M Li for being able to put herself in his shoes as she does so astutely.

I related immediately to the central character, Vivian and have used the word ‘victim’ above reluctantly because ultimately she is no such thing. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this copy – which I found to be nothing less than an important ‘life read’.