Dear Medusa

More about the book

This searing novel in verse follows a sixteen-year-old girl navigating the aftermath of sexual abuse as she seeks to reclaim her story, her anger, and her body in a world that punishes her for surviving. More than just a tale of sexual violence, it delves into themes of race, sexuality, love, and the transformative power of anger. Sixteen-year-old Alicia Rivers is burdened by a reputation fueled by whispers at school that label her as promiscuous. However, the truth is far more painful: she was sexually abused by a popular teacher, a trauma that has reshaped her identity. To her peers, she is not a victim but the monster of her own narrative—the "slut" who supposedly asked for it. Abandoned by her best friend and having quit the track team, Alicia spends her days in detention, feeling isolated and invisible. Mysterious letters in her locker suggest another victim, prompting her to confront the walls she has built around her trauma. At the same time, her growing feelings for a new girl challenge her understanding of those barriers. This fierce feminist narrative paints a haunting portrait of a young woman discovering the strength of her voice, courage, and rage.