Book Review: Asking For It

Irish author Louise O'Neill does not shy away from the very heavy subject of rape in her YA novel, "Asking For It," where the beautiful, vain and somewhat superficial Emma O'Donovan wakes up to a reality that she can't remember and the terrible aftermath of shame, regret and suspicion.

For those who are hesitant, the violence happens off screen, as Emma blacks out and remembers nothing. The tone of the book is divided into two parts, the before and the after. Emma, at age 18, is confident that she is the best looking of her friends, that she can attract any guy she sets her sights on. Her friendships are shallow, and selfish, except for her longtime friendship with the boy next door, patient and level-headed Conor.

Her confidence is taken from her by the actions of others on a night she doesn't remember; and the reactions of her peers, her parents, her friends on social media, and her community. The reader is plunged into the darkness of her soul, feeling every emotion as Emma attempts to make sense of her world now.

"Asking For It" is a gripping read, it is an important one, too. It is a start of a conversation that has to happen about rape, consent, and slut shaming.