This author explores the complex relationships and difficult choices that shape our lives. Her writing is characterized by its honesty and keen insight into the human psyche. Through her work, she delves into themes of adolescence, family, and the search for self. Her style is both accessible and deeply resonant.
Set against the backdrop of high school pressures, this novel explores the chaotic journey of students navigating SATs, college essays, and the Common Application. It delves into the tension between the desire for academic success and the challenges of personal growth, highlighting the often absurd lengths teens go to in pursuit of acceptance. With a blend of humor and candidness, the story captures the frightful yet relatable experiences of adolescence, making it a poignant reflection on the quest for identity amidst societal expectations.
A "powerful and scary and important and true" memoir details a young woman's journey to reclaim her identity after trauma and the efforts of a prestigious New England boarding school to silence her. Upon its release in summer 2020, this intimate investigative memoir sparked a media storm and prompted St. Paul's School to formally apologize to Lacy Crawford for its handling of her sexual assault report from nearly thirty years prior. Crawford recounts her experience of coming forward during a state investigation, discovering corroborating evidence of her memories. She reflects on her past as a naïve, hardworking girl and reveals the institutional silencing she faced. The slander, innuendo, and lack of adult concern she experienced were not imagined, but rather actions taken by a school that prioritized its reputation over the well-being of a child. This revelation leads Crawford to explore themes of gender, privilege, and power, examining how shame and guilt are wielded to silence victims. Insightful and beautifully written, this memoir confronts a crucial question: what narrative will compel change for survivors? Praised for its erudition and devastating impact, the book is a compelling response to the question of "Why now?" and is recognized as one of the best books of the year by multiple outlets.
