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Laurie's Reviews > Speak
Speak
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** spoiler alert **
Just okay. I was particularly disappointed with the ending and felt that there was an element of glorification in this novel that I didn't appreciate. Let me explain:
Although I loved the fact that Melinda finally finds her voice and a way to express herself, I felt as if the story was wrapped up a little too quickly and too neatly. Let's be honest, that ending was more than a little unrealistic. You can't simply put a pretty bow on the end of this novel, otherwise the entire tale becomes trite. Having been through this myself and sadly listened to countless stories similar (and worse) than mine, I can say that 9 times out of 10 you don't get closure, let alone retribution. And having someone swoop in to save you is pretty much unheard of, otherwise we wouldn't have such a thing as "rape culture" which tragically pervades our country. I think this particular ending potentially puts across the wrong message to girls who might find themselves in a similar situation or who are in this situation.
Nevertheless, it's an important story to be told and there were scenes and emotions that were absolutely right on and very relatable.
Although I loved the fact that Melinda finally finds her voice and a way to express herself, I felt as if the story was wrapped up a little too quickly and too neatly. Let's be honest, that ending was more than a little unrealistic. You can't simply put a pretty bow on the end of this novel, otherwise the entire tale becomes trite. Having been through this myself and sadly listened to countless stories similar (and worse) than mine, I can say that 9 times out of 10 you don't get closure, let alone retribution. And having someone swoop in to save you is pretty much unheard of, otherwise we wouldn't have such a thing as "rape culture" which tragically pervades our country. I think this particular ending potentially puts across the wrong message to girls who might find themselves in a similar situation or who are in this situation.
Nevertheless, it's an important story to be told and there were scenes and emotions that were absolutely right on and very relatable.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
March 1, 2008
–
Finished Reading
March 7, 2008
– Shelved
June 14, 2008
– Shelved as:
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Leah
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rated it 5 stars
Dec 14, 2009 06:23AM
I agree that the ending was a bit unrealistic. It seems that the author may have put that in there just so Miranda could have closure and heal her life. I liked most of the rest of the book, but maybe the author could have written a different ending. Your review is right on and I completely agree with what you wrote, especially since you seem to be writing from experience.
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I think she was just looking for a way to end the book. The editors probably told her she needed a happy ending.
That wouldn't surprise me. Publishers have been known to demand changes for less serious books so I can see them wanting a happy ending because they were afraid that otherwise the general reading audience wouldn't like it as much. It wouldn't be the first time a book's ending was changed because people wanted a happy ending.
I am aware this is an old post, but I feel the need to comment...I (still) have not read this, but I certainly plan to. However, it sounds as though I may be a little disappointed with the ending.
I was raped by two boys when I was 15. For various reasons, nothing ever came of this, the boys were never punished, I had no one, in your words, "swooping in to save me"... Basically, I had no closure.
Unfortunately, this is the case for many rape victims, and I would like it to be portrayed that, despite this, it is possible to heal and recover from such an event.
I guess I basically share the exact thoughts that you expressed in your review, and I'm very glad that you put it out there.
I definitely agree. Also, I don't want to appear disrespectful or anything because I can say first hand that I understand what the character was going through and everything, but I just honestly feel like the book had no plot. Sure, it was telling her story but all that happened were various everyday events that didn't really make it interesting to read if I wasn't so drawn because I could relate. I finished it because I understood, but I just feel like you probably wouldn't want to if you didn't.
I don't think the ending was unrealistic. We technically do not know what is going to happen. This doesn't mean Melinda's life will become perfect or anything, it simply means she was able to find her voice. That's how I see it anyway. I think that the ending really brings the title to life. I think that the ending is really powerful and how such a simple line can evoke so much emotion in someone. It really is a powerful moment, rather than putting everything in a now.
This was exactly what angered me about the ending. I disliked how everyone loved her again once they figured out what really happened at the party. Very unbelievable.
Julia wrote: "This was exactly what angered me about the ending. I disliked how everyone loved her again once they figured out what really happened at the party. Very unbelievable."See, I honestly didn't see it as everyone loving her. Rather, she was finally able to speak about what happened, hence the title of the novel. I thought that the ending was really powerful. I don't think everyone suddenly loved her, but rather maybe understood her better now that they know why she was the way she was. Understanding and loving are two different things, and I think that this book passed on the message of understanding.
Rhea wrote: "Julia wrote: "This was exactly what angered me about the ending. I disliked how everyone loved her again once they figured out what really happened at the party. Very unbelievable."See, I honestl..."
That's why it's so unrealistic. The coincidence of him trying to rape her again and getting caught is very unlikely, but it still happened. I actually know one person who did get raped at a party, and the one who hosted it still doesn't know.
She less found her voice, but people found out what had happened by watching it (and rumors, of course).
I agree one hundred percent especially about the ending.
I agree about the ending 100%. I think it's great that people get something out of this book, but it didn't hit a mark with me.
This is exactly why I didn't give the story a 5. I gave it a 4, because the ending was too good to be true. Closure doesn't happen often. People go off in life having to face what happened to them without the rapist ever EVER coming to justice. I wish it had ended with her getting over her pain without the guy coming to justice. I would wanna see how a rape victim gets through this horrible experience without the rapist being punished at any point.
I think there was a movie where a man raped a 14 year old girl and was never arrested, can't remember the title right now, and it created outrage amongst viewers because he wasn't caught. As for this novel, I'm pretty sure that in a later book the main character mentions the case and how the rapist was set free, or at least received a very minor punishment. Anderson did leave the ending of Speak a bit ambiguous. So justice was never actually had after all...
AJ wrote: "I think there was a movie where a man raped a 14 year old girl and was never arrested, can't remember the title right now, and it created outrage amongst viewers because he wasn't caught. As for th..."That's not a very good argument, AJ. The truth of the rapist was known by everyone after what happened in the closet. The girl got closure, she finally felt like justice was served. Please note that imagery and the symbolism (I'm referring to the tree).
The book was too good, but Anderson messed it up with a mediocre ending.
Sometimes I like at least a bit of closure, but sometimes I enjoy more realistic endings. I don't think either one is better than the other and neither should be completely discredited as they both have their own purposes. Sometimes it's nice to see characters at least somewhat happy at the end of a story, or reading stories that at least show the characters starting to move on.
AJ wrote: "Sometimes I like at least a bit of closure, but sometimes I enjoy more realistic endings. I don't think either one is better than the other and neither should be completely discredited as they both..."The thing is, when you're reading a book this good, you want to see the best possible ending to it, something this book seemed to promise but failed to deliver.
I was personally just so curious during the novel, asking myself, "How will she get through it with that pig sniffing around?"
That's the question I wanted answered. I, personally, didn't need an ending like that.
The ending isn't mediocre because of how happy it was, it's mediocre because it broke the plot unity. I, too, wanted to see how she'd get over her trauma, but not in this unrealistic, and almost impossible, way.
Rape happens every minute of every day. But when do we ever see a victim come to closure this way? Rarely.
Now, if someone is a victim themselves, I'm pretty sure that they would hate this ending. Because a victim reading this keeps hoping for a way out of her/his trauma, something the book doesn't offer. The book ends with an obvious dues ex machina.
I loved the book, but the ending should have been more real, not because I wanted it to be, but because the rest of the book was real.
Let me make it short:
The book was a real story attached to a fairy tale ending.
I feel that way sometimes, too, when I read books like this. The only thing you said that I really disagree with is that a victim would hate that ending. Some would, some wouldn't, it would depend on whatever the victim was thinking going into the book, along with various other things. I can see why some wouldn't like the ending, though. I was just trying to add my perspective on it.
Something else that bugged me about it is how quickly the protagonist healed. I mean, maybe it's possible, but I've never seen a rape victim get over rate in the course of one year.
Karen, I wrote the book with no real ending. I'd be interested in hearing your and AJ and everyone else's thoughts after reading it. If you ever get around to it, let me know. (The Remedy)As for Speak, the ending is a neat box with a bow and that doesn't reflect life. Even in the face of the criminal justice system, with a conviction and guilty verdict, the victim continues to deal with the trauma for the rest of her life. No struggle in life ends with a bow, especially not assault.
I know your review was posted years ago and you'll more than likely never read this comment, but nonetheless I just wanted to say that, for what it's worth, I agree with your overall sentiment. I appreciate the theme of the book -- that in light of injustice one should speak up, even in the face of adversity (bullying, neglect, etc) -- but *so* many elements were so far-fetched that I had a hard time taking it seriously. And yes, the ending was atrocious. It was too abrupt, and completely unrealistic. (Not to sound cruel, but I almost laughed at Melinda's "big moment," when she and the rapist -- whose name eludes me at the moment -- were in the closet together and she shouted "No!" In my head I pictured something like a scene from a 1930's film, complete with overacting.) The book was a wasted opportunity, in my opinion. It presents an important subject but doesn't handle that subject with the gravity it needs.
I agree, although you have to keep in mind that this novel is meant for young adults (aka teens) and I feel like the ending was appropriate for that age group.
This is the reason I have it a 4 instead of a 5.
I do agree with you, although the audience (being teenagers) is quite possibly supposed to realize that speaking about problems is good. I'm a quiet adolescent as well (though not as quiet as Melinda) so I connected to this book rather well. Though this is all personal opinion, I think the ending portrayed, and suited, the story's ideas very well...
I totally agree with this. The only difference in my opinion from yours is that the rest of the book outweighed the ending in "writing merit"
My thoughts exactly
Thank goodness this review is here. I read this as a middle schooler many years ago and can't remember it enough to review it now, but the message disturbed me more and more as I got older. I went through my college years where slut shaming and victim blaming of assault victims was constant, from students and college administrators alike, and I feel like this book lies to girls. There won't be a happy ending as long as you learn to "speak." Speaking may very well traumatize you all over again. This book shows girls the world as we want it to be, not how it is, and sets them up to be naive.
I whole heartedly agree. You worded my exact thoughts very well.
Totally agree with you there
Maybe because I am a little late to reading this book, I have already read 13 Reasons Why and seen the 1st season. This book was dry. The story of it happening was short and the ending for her story was short. I was expecting more gut wrenching stuff not what happens in each of her classes.
definitely here too late but u might like asking for it by louise o neill if u want a more nuanced and realistic story abt sexual assault
