Dark Chapter

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’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

This is a near perfect book. Disturbing and, yet, wonderful. Li's ability to capture the rapist's voice was astounding.

If I had to choose only three words to sum up Li’s debut novel Dark Chapter, it would be: compelling, well-written and courageous. Drawing on her own personal experiences, the author’s account of her character’s journey to reclaim her life after the traumatic assault and rape she suffered at the hands of her attacker is well drawn and authentic – as it is harrowing and disturbing. Some readers may find the scenes describing Vivian’s rape confronting, but I thought they are refreshingly honest and brave. Her visceral account of events is not added for shock value, but to recount her character’s experience in all its gritty reality. Vivian’s voice is natural and engaging, and she quickly drew me into the story. Having been in contact with victims of rape and assault through my work as an A&E nurse, the story really highlighted the long, ongoing journey these women face in trying to come to terms with the trauma and to move on from it despite the havoc it wreaked on their lives.

“The person she is now. The person she still can be. The person she always was.”

Personally, I felt the courtroom scenes especially harrowing, and am not surprised that many women shy away from laying charges just because they cannot face the additional burden of being in the media spotlight and under crossfire from the lawyers. How horrible to have to relive your worst nightmare, and having to justify your own actions, when you are the innocent party. Incredible, really, that our society allows the victims of rape and assault to be further traumatised like this!

“And then she realises how ridiculously unfair this whole system is. She was the one who was walking along on her own, when he did this to her. And then she has to wait almost a year to sit in front of a room full of strangers, tell them the humiliating truth, stand up to a sleaze-bag barrister trying to paint her as a villain-seductress and then listen to the boy make up this trash about her? Is this what we have to subject ourselves to, in order to get justice?”

Dark Chapter is told in two alternating voices – that of vivacious Vivian, setting out on a hike she has been looking forward to; and that of 15-year old Johnny Sweeney, a troubled boy who is about to destroy her trust and innocence forever. Whilst I am often not a fan of getting too much into the mind of the perpetrator in novels, Li’s book proved that – if executed the right way (i.e. to add depth, not shock value) – this approach can add a lot to the story. Whilst I found this rapist remorseless and lacking in insight, and could make no excuses for his actions, exploring his childhood and upbringing did sow a small seed of empathy for his troubled mind. I applaud the author for being able to present the perpetrator in such an honest light, when a lot of emotions must be tangled up in the story for her.

Focusing on the events surrounding a horrific assault and rape and the effects on the victim’s life afterwards, Dark Chapter is a story of courage, hope and moving forward. I loved Li’s writing, which is as unflinchingly honest as it is engaging. It is obvious that a lot of the author’s emotions were tied up in this story, and she conveys them effortlessly to the reader, giving us a true-to-live main protagonist that is so real she could be your friend, neighbour, relative. Although some might find it confronting in its honesty, I couldn’t put it down would recommend it highly to female and male readers alike. I hope to read a lot more from this talented author in future.

Dark chapter is inspired by true events which probably makes this book even more harrowing to read. This book covers a hard subject but is done well, written beautifully and with astonishing detail. This story is about Vivian, we get to know her at first, her job, her friends, her love of hiking then the brutal rape she suffered at the hands of a fifteen year old traveller boy, then her journey to recovery. Johnny is a disadvantaged, cocky little boy that no matter what I couldn't stand. The story is written from vivians view then switches to johnnies which was a great way of getting more detail across to the reader. There were points in the story that I felt went on a little and did find myself turning off but these were brief moments in the whole book. This is a hard read but Vivian is a strong woman and does struggle with day to day life but with the help of others gets stronger slowly, but then I don't think you truely recover from something like this. An inspiring and heartfelt read.
I would like to thank netgalley and legend press for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

This book is not a who or why done it but rather a journey into the lives of 2 people the victim and the perpetrator of a crime.
Both are well drawn although the victim feels more real.
It's main skill is to show that even the most terrible of events are not always premeditated rather a result of happenstance and chance .
Really recommend this

‘Dark Chapter’ by Winnie M. Li #Tuesdaybookblog #Bookreview
‘Dark Chapter’ isn’t an easy read. It details the brutal rape of Vivian Tan by young traveller Johnny and the aftermath of that attack, including the trial. It is honest and vivid and brave, especially as the novel is based on the author’s own experience.
The story is told from two points of view, Vivian’s and Johnny’s. This makes for a difficult read at times. Johnny has few chances in life, he is brutalised and uncared for. Seeing Vivian, (whose own sections draw us into her life, who has our sympathy, our concern), from Johnny’s point of view is challenging, uncomfortable, horrible to read. I was pleased that the novel was unflinching though – Johnny has dehumanised women, his attitude borne of what he sees around him (his father’s treatment of his mother, his brother’s attitude to girls, the pornography he’s watched) and it’s shocking that he has no real remorse.
This is not just about the rape itself. It’s about the aftermath and what that does to both survivor and perpetrator. It’s about how the effects of this horrible crime last and exactly what they can do. It’s about the horrible processes involved afterwards, the endless recounting by Vivian to this expert and that doctor, this psychologist, that friend, of what has happened. It’s about the dreadful way she’s treated in court. But it’s also about her inner strength and her determination.
And it’s about Johnny, and how a young boy can become so full of anger, of hate, of violence that he can treat another human being like this.
I can’t imagine where Winnie M. Li found the strength to write this novel. But she has, and she’s written it with enormous skill. The shifts in point of view are seamless. Vivian is three-dimensional, complex and relatable. Johnny is the bad guy, undoubtedly, but he too is complex and horribly compelling to read. This isn’t sentimental or melodramatic. It’s gripping, unsettling and difficult.
And in the end it’s about Vivian’s survival, and her humanity.

I became aware of this book after it won The Guardian Not the Booker Prize 2017 and thought that I would like to read it. This is a work of fiction based on the author’s experience of rape rather than a memoir. I’m not sure how I would cope with reading a memoir knowing that it was all true. That said this is a very powerful and moving tale told from the viewpoints of Johnny the rapist and Vivian the victim. I wasn’t at all comfortable with the voice of Johnny as I was reading particularly the courtroom scenes. I’m glad that Vivian’s story continued beyond the trial and let us see a bit more of her recovery.
‘The world is oblivious to what she’s just gone through. And unless she tells someone, anyone, they will never know about her journey through that valley, when she felt her way through in the dark’.

Authoritive, compelling story of the rape of a young woman by a fifteen year old boy and the ensuing court case. Although fictional, it is based on the authors experience.

A stunning and grippng book which is equally disturbing and compelling. A tough subject matter but such an important message.

A hard courageous read based loosely on the authors true life experience . A tale of Vivian who was brutally raped by a young traveller boy . What makes this book compelling and heartbreaking is the emotions that come from Vivian and knowing these same emotions are from the heart of the author . Although Johnny is the bad guy here I still felt some sympathy to him as he really didn’t stand a chance in life with the upbringing( or lack of ) that he had .
A book that will stay with me for a long time.

Spoiler: Had I known before I read this book that it centered around the topic of rape, I probably would not have read it. However, I’m so glad that I did. Thank you to the publisher for being vague in the description of this book so I was not immediately deterred. Based on a true story, Dark Chapter is such an important book for both women and men to read, especially in the age of the #metoo movement.

Following the lives of both Vivan and Johnny through their journeys as the victim of a horrific rape and the perpetrator, the author takes us on a ride through the psyche of both main characters before, during, and after this horrific crime. With the use of different writing styles throughout to depict their differences in intellect, I felt I understood the backgrounds of these two characters, what led up to their unfortunate crossing of paths, and why each character responded in the way they did to the aftermath. The story is heartbreaking, but allows the reader to understand the impact of sexual assault on an intimate and necessary level.

Although the publisher categorized this book as both General Fiction (Adult) and Mystery/Thriller, I would say it leans more heavily toward General Fiction. I would recommend this book to people of all genders and ages, as a tool to gain perspective in our spiraling world of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and abuse.