Book: Gemma

Syren Book Company - 2006

Author: Meg Tilly
Publisher: Syren Book Company
Year: 2006

 

Locked in the trunk of a moving vehicle, 12-year-old Gemma Sullivan makes her way cross-country and reflects on her life up until that point.

Her mother is an alcoholic who loves and hates Gemma depending on her mood. Her mother’s molesting boyfriend, Buddy is the one who got her into this mess. Her sick turtle, Boxcar Julie is hiding in the front seat. But most of all Hazen Wood. Her captor. Her abuser. Her molester. Her fear…

As Hazen Wood drives along the road, he begins to dwell on the old Hazen. The Hazen who had a job. A simple life in California. The Hazen who didn’t capture and fall in love with a 12 year old girl…

This chilling tale, Gemma by author Meg Tilly, takes you into the minds of two characters. One is an innocent girl fighting to survive child abuse and an abduction. The other, the mind of a twisted man who has fallen for a girl and believes his intentions are pure.

Tilly spins these two views together to create a novel you will never forget. Not for children under 15, the novel depicts some very raw and graphic scenes as the reader falls into the mind of a sex predator.

After waking up violently ill for days, Gemma is finally taken to the doctor’s by Hazen. It is here where she receives the help she needs to escape and where the story of Gemma truly begins.

 

As mentioned before, this book has strong sexual content that you may find disturbing. Though it was extremely well-written and like nothing I have ever encountered before, I do recommend it with caution.

 

It should also be noted that a large portion of Tilly's royalties from this book are donated to organizations that help girls who have been through similar situations as Gemma. A good book with a good cause.

 

http://www.officialmegtilly.com/book/gemma/

 

 

Sunday Favourites: Author - Rona Jaffe

Author: Rona Jaffe
Born: 1931

Dutton - 2003

Died: 2005
Genre: American Fiction
Major Works: 17 Novels

As a fan of the HBO television series Sex and the City, Rona Jaffe reminds me of the original Candace Bushnell. Oh you're not a fan of Carrie Bradshaw? Well, Sex and the City was originally a novel by Bushnell that was adapted into a television show. To me, Jaffe was the pioneer of this four-girl fictional genre.

My first Jaffe book happened to be her last written novel, The Room-Mating Season (2003). The book centres around four girls living and working in New York City during their 20's. They then continue to weave in and out of each other's lives throughout the years.

Though this was her final book, most of her work is structured this way. They feature three to four girls who meet due to circumstances, but create bonds that involve each other for decades. Other great Jaffe novels include Class Reunion (1979) and the sequel After the Reunion (1985). These two books are about four girls who meet at Radcliffe (Jaffe's school) during the 1950s and their lives lead right back to each other in the end.

These novels aren't for everyone and they are geared towards a female audience. However they are entertaining. Unfortunately Jaffe passed away from cancer in 2005, but she lives on in her work.