Helpful Score: 8
At first, I didn't know what to think about "Testimony" by Anita Shreve. The opening chapter described a sex scene in so much detail that I was unsure if I wanted to continue reading. However, that scene is the basis for the entire novel. After a sex scandal breaks out involving a private school, the lives of those involved change forever.
I was also unsure at first about the narration style of "Testimony". Each chapter is narrated by a different character in the book. And, each character has their own narration style. One character narrates in first person, another in third, one narrates through his journal, and another narrates by putting the reader as the character.
As I continued reading "Testimony", it was in fact the narration style that I liked. I think that the different styles really helped the reader to better understand the characters, and in the end, the story itself.
"Testimony" will be released in October 2008. But, if you'd like a copy sooner than that, click here. You'll enjoy "Testimony". I've heard great things about Anita Shreve, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
I was also unsure at first about the narration style of "Testimony". Each chapter is narrated by a different character in the book. And, each character has their own narration style. One character narrates in first person, another in third, one narrates through his journal, and another narrates by putting the reader as the character.
As I continued reading "Testimony", it was in fact the narration style that I liked. I think that the different styles really helped the reader to better understand the characters, and in the end, the story itself.
"Testimony" will be released in October 2008. But, if you'd like a copy sooner than that, click here. You'll enjoy "Testimony". I've heard great things about Anita Shreve, and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Helpful Score: 6
I finished Testimony with a huge sigh and the question what would I have thought and how would I have handled a situation like this.
Avery Academy is a private boarding school in New England. It is lead by headmaster Mike Bordwin who receives a homemade sex tape featuring four of Avery's students. 3 young boys age 17-19 and a young girl age 14, almost 15.
Bordwin has to decide what to do next. Deliver the tape to the police or handle the situation contained inside Avery's walls. He decides to go with the later but as word gets around, is forced to work together with the police who soon arrests two of the boys and the third boy missing.
As the story slowly unfolds we learn about all parties concerned: Children, mothers and fathers, uncles, friends, reporters, people employed at Avery Academy and at last the little community.
Each has to tell a part of this story, how it happened, how the aftermath was handled, partly who was to blame for the whole situation and who the boys and the girl were.
As the story is told the reader gets a good picture of the students involved and the life they are forced to live after they were expelled from school, chances of going to University lost because they had one drunken night and did something very stupid, were probably seduced by "the hot chick".
However, the book is more saddening from the boys perspective. During my reading I felt sorry for them, less for the girl who according to her description by roommates and her own telling of the story seems to be every flaky and dubious.
In the end it is the law that decides who is to blame and bares the boys way.
And it is the reader that has to decide on which side to stand on. Are you forgivable towards the boys and the girl ? Do they need to be punished for life for something they did for a moment and for something they all wanted at this time and no one was harmed ? Is morality more important than their future ?
Of course things like this don't happen in real life, don't they ? Aren't teenagers and young adults wasting their time drinking alcohol, doing stupid things ?
Well I did, my friends did, not in this way but certainly the one or the other way and not always inside the law.
Very thought provoking and a must read for people who like to confront themselves, their own morality and sense of justice.
Avery Academy is a private boarding school in New England. It is lead by headmaster Mike Bordwin who receives a homemade sex tape featuring four of Avery's students. 3 young boys age 17-19 and a young girl age 14, almost 15.
Bordwin has to decide what to do next. Deliver the tape to the police or handle the situation contained inside Avery's walls. He decides to go with the later but as word gets around, is forced to work together with the police who soon arrests two of the boys and the third boy missing.
As the story slowly unfolds we learn about all parties concerned: Children, mothers and fathers, uncles, friends, reporters, people employed at Avery Academy and at last the little community.
Each has to tell a part of this story, how it happened, how the aftermath was handled, partly who was to blame for the whole situation and who the boys and the girl were.
As the story is told the reader gets a good picture of the students involved and the life they are forced to live after they were expelled from school, chances of going to University lost because they had one drunken night and did something very stupid, were probably seduced by "the hot chick".
However, the book is more saddening from the boys perspective. During my reading I felt sorry for them, less for the girl who according to her description by roommates and her own telling of the story seems to be every flaky and dubious.
In the end it is the law that decides who is to blame and bares the boys way.
And it is the reader that has to decide on which side to stand on. Are you forgivable towards the boys and the girl ? Do they need to be punished for life for something they did for a moment and for something they all wanted at this time and no one was harmed ? Is morality more important than their future ?
Of course things like this don't happen in real life, don't they ? Aren't teenagers and young adults wasting their time drinking alcohol, doing stupid things ?
Well I did, my friends did, not in this way but certainly the one or the other way and not always inside the law.
Very thought provoking and a must read for people who like to confront themselves, their own morality and sense of justice.
Helpful Score: 4
I absolutely loved this book. It's amazing how one act can change the lives of so many people. I like how the author wrote each chapter from a different character's point of view. I could not put this book down, read it in 2 days! Even if you are not an Anita Shreve fan, check it out.
Helpful Score: 3
This was the first book I've ready by Anita Shreve. I'll start off by saying that I couldn't put it down, and read the entire book in less than 24 hours.
I enjoyed the narrative style used by the author. Anita Shreve told the story from the viewpoints of many different characters, some who I never would have thought of including, and I enjoyed hearing those voices immensely.
After finishing the book, it left me thinking, pondering how the events of one night truly changed the lives of so many--even those who had no direct participation in the events. The best part of this novel is that it illustrates so clearly that the choices we make and the actions we take every day can have a vast impact on many people.
I enjoyed the narrative style used by the author. Anita Shreve told the story from the viewpoints of many different characters, some who I never would have thought of including, and I enjoyed hearing those voices immensely.
After finishing the book, it left me thinking, pondering how the events of one night truly changed the lives of so many--even those who had no direct participation in the events. The best part of this novel is that it illustrates so clearly that the choices we make and the actions we take every day can have a vast impact on many people.
Helpful Score: 3
Not my cup of tea. The graphic sex at the beginning was too much. I couldn't find the book interesting enough to finish it. I've read some Shreve I like, but not this one.
Helpful Score: 3
Parents of kids in high school and college need to read this story.You will never feel the same way about letting your teen out of your sight. I read it in less than 24 hours. At first I didn't like the style of the writing but it gives you a better feel for the characters. At once(being from NC)my first thought was of the Duke University scandal.Were the innocent boys, that were on the lacrosse team,lives ruined through no fault of their own simply because they were on that team?
The acts of an unthinking,unfeeling 14 year old girl sends shock waves through this private school and community, effecting so many. She never felt SHE had done anything wrong. The boys simply because of their age bore all the pain and humiliation while she basically walks away untouched. Alcohol can cause so much pain and and possibly death, even if the drinker doesn't get behind the wheel of a car.
The acts of an unthinking,unfeeling 14 year old girl sends shock waves through this private school and community, effecting so many. She never felt SHE had done anything wrong. The boys simply because of their age bore all the pain and humiliation while she basically walks away untouched. Alcohol can cause so much pain and and possibly death, even if the drinker doesn't get behind the wheel of a car.
Helpful Score: 2
Starts off with a bang, and told from about 15 different perspectives, usually a couple of pages at a time, usually looking back a year or so. I'm not sure Shreve was entirely effective in changing voices and perspectives, especially among the youth. Riveting story, but it jumps around too much for me.
Helpful Score: 2
Anita Shreve never ceases to amaze me with her literary talents. This novel was so real and compelling!I honestly felt that I was reading the true story of a real scandal at an actual prep school. The characters were so believable. I could picture each of them. Once I got into this novel, I couldn't put it down!
Absolutely loved this book! I highly recommend it!
I am a true Anita Shreve fan. I have loved each of her novels that I have read so far. Some are more compelling...more spellbinding than others. Testimony would fall into this category.
Absolutely loved this book! I highly recommend it!
I am a true Anita Shreve fan. I have loved each of her novels that I have read so far. Some are more compelling...more spellbinding than others. Testimony would fall into this category.
Helpful Score: 2
Another page turner from Anita Shreve. When a sex tape emerges in a small expensive private school involving the "golden boy" and an underage girl plus others ~ how should it be handled? Told from multiple points of view, the book examines what happened, who found out, what was done and the consequences. Excellent read!
Helpful Score: 2
I was skeptical at first. I read good reviews, but still didn't know after reading the first few chapters if this was the book for me. I found that is picked up pace about 3/4 through and it was a good book. It was written very differently with the end at the beginning and each character speaking in first person in different chapters, jumping from present to past, but once you got the hang of it, you were able to read quickly and I did find that I enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 2
It was difficult to keep track of who was who. Each chapter is written from a different persons perspective.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the second book by Anita Shreve that I've read, and both times I was not happy with the books. I read "Body Surfing" as my first book by the author, and I really liked the plot of the book at the time. The only thing is that it moved too slowly that I got bored, but I did finish the book. I decided to give her another try since I thought the storyline of "Testimony" was even better. But once again, I was a bit dissapointed. "Testimony" has an awesome storyline, and I loved the style in which it's written. But, it lacks drawing you in to really enjoy the book. It moves slow, and it seemed that the story just went everywhere, you'd have to read it to understand. Over all, I liked the story, but not the way it was written. I was a bit dissapointed, and I don't plan to read anymore of her books for a while.
Helpful Score: 1
A sex scandal at an exclusive New England boarding school unleashes repercussions on each person involved, even those on the far edges. The ripple effect is devastating. This story told by each character either through an interview or through their personal viewpoint. The book bounces back and forth between character voices and builds a complete picture of their inner selves, their loves, desires, hates and how they must go on.
This story could only have been told in the magnificent manner that Anita Shreve took. The depth of understanding written and read kept me engaged from the first sentence to the last. The realistic actions and consequences are a great reminder of how one moment of our lives, one bad decision, or one time of being in the wrong place can change everything.
This is a great book and I highly recommend it to all level readers from high school on.
This story could only have been told in the magnificent manner that Anita Shreve took. The depth of understanding written and read kept me engaged from the first sentence to the last. The realistic actions and consequences are a great reminder of how one moment of our lives, one bad decision, or one time of being in the wrong place can change everything.
This is a great book and I highly recommend it to all level readers from high school on.
Helpful Score: 1
My first Anita Shreve book, and will not be my last. What an amazing book -- a teen scandal at a private school in a small town in Vermont shakes the moral ground that good kids and parents have built their families on. It makes you ask the question, what if your son or daughter were involved in a scandal like this? And what if they were lying?
Powerful testimony of each character either directly involved or associated with someone who directly contributed to the scandal -- each chapter is a different character's perspective, and is their testimony of the scandal. Want a book that you can't put down? Try this one.
Powerful testimony of each character either directly involved or associated with someone who directly contributed to the scandal -- each chapter is a different character's perspective, and is their testimony of the scandal. Want a book that you can't put down? Try this one.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a very, very sad book. It really made me think a lot about two things: #1, the laws that are in place surrounding statutory rape and how some situations are not so cut and dry... #2, how amazing it is that one event, really just one hour or so in this case, can impact so many lives. All throughout Testimony you're wondering who should be blamed for all that happens in the aftermath of that one hour and in the end you realize that it really doesn't matter. It's a tragedy on so many levels. I did enjoy this book, it's written in much the same way as her other works.
Helpful Score: 1
I like Anita Shreve, but not this book. It was a slog that I never made it through...stopped less than halfway. I just never connected with any of the characters, which is really unusual for me. A.S. is a wonderful author, but this one is just not one of her best, in my opinion.
Helpful Score: 1
Testimony is a shocking and interesting novel. Shreve uses her writing style to draw readers to the center of the drama.
Helpful Score: 1
One of Anita Shreve's finest!
Helpful Score: 1
Makes you remember why you're glad to have survived the teenage/young adult years!!!
Helpful Score: 1
At first I found this book hard to get into, it was hard to appreciate the way it was written. Each chapter is from the point of view of a different character, switching between past and present tense. Also switching between first and second person. Since the whole incident was revealed in the first few pages it was hard to get into the rest of the story, but I'm glad I did. Controversial topics such as adolescence, alcohol, infidelity, etc. It was very interesting.
Helpful Score: 1
Great Book and my first of Anita Shreve's. I liked that it was in in first person from different people's point of view. It did occasionally get confusing once in awhile when it would skip back and forth between present and past. Basically it focuses on how one moment can affect your life and others around you. I would reccomend this book to read!
Helpful Score: 1
I'm not a big fan of Anita Shreve's writing, but I devoured this book. It was like the scene of a car crash in which you can't bear to look but you look anyway. I loved the way the book is told in many voices, each of them distinct. The fallout from the scandal is devastating. I was caught up in the lives of all the characters. Incredibly well written cautionary tale. Very highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
The format of this book takes some getting used to, but once you do you'll love the way it's told! The way Anita Shreve tells this story, by individual first-person accounts, makes it even more interesting than just a blow-by-blow from one persons' perspective! Fantastic!!!
Helpful Score: 1
An excellent read. Thought-provoking, great discussion for book groups. It is amazing how one bad choice can have such a rippling effect and in turn effect so many lives. Highly recommended.
Anita Shreve is one of my favorite authors. Her books hold your interest until the end. This book did not disappoint me at all. It was a page turner. The subject matter was intense and thought provoking...and may not be for everyone...as the opening chapter is quite graphic. It is the type of book that you will be thinking about after you read it.
I did like this book, but I did not think it was written in the usual Shreve style. It reminded me more of Jodi Picoult's writing.
Not my favorite Shreve book but it was interesting.
Slow to start, you don't really know what is going on, but I wanted to continue to see if it would get better, as I always want to have faith in books...well after reading a couple more chapters, you finally understand what how the author is writing and it totally makes sense...now its a great read!! After I am finished, I'm going to read from the beginning again since I didn't understand the first time. Would make a great movie, I love those kind of books!!
I agree that it was interesting how each chapter was written from a different characters point of view. You really got to see how each character reacts to the situation.
It was a very fast paced story and I just couldn't put it down because I had to see how it affected each persons life.
Put this one on your list of books to read. You won't be sorry.
It was a very fast paced story and I just couldn't put it down because I had to see how it affected each persons life.
Put this one on your list of books to read. You won't be sorry.
I should say first that Anita Shreve is one of my favorite authors. I can always count on a solid read. Each story is different so I never know what to expect.
I started reading Testimony with no knowledge of the story line. As I started reading it I felt a sense of dread grab hold on me. I wanted the read the next page of the story but was afraid of what I was going to find out.
After you finish reading Testimony you will keep on thinking about it.
I started reading Testimony with no knowledge of the story line. As I started reading it I felt a sense of dread grab hold on me. I wanted the read the next page of the story but was afraid of what I was going to find out.
After you finish reading Testimony you will keep on thinking about it.
A little disappointing as not Shere's usually woman in distress stuff. This book is about sexually mix up teen ager and her ruining of people's life. Her parents are neglectful and should be blamed.
I will keep reading Shreve but perhaps she should write less and do better quality.
I will keep reading Shreve but perhaps she should write less and do better quality.
This book was pretty good! I read it in 3 days. I haven't read a book by Anita Shreve that I haven't liked yet!
This one grabbed me right from the start, and it started with a BANG! I know you all must have read some of the other reviews and you know in general what the core of the book is about, so I won't go into it. But what I felt was that it poses a moral question for us all. Did these boys deserve to be punished more than the punishment that life handed out to them? Was it all their fault, or did the young girl deserve an equal part of the blame, and could this/does this sort of thing happen in real life? I think we know the answer to the last question unless we're very naive. Of course it does! As parents of teens, if this had happened in our town, what would our reactions be? This author gives us a lot to think about. Excellent read.
Had a hard time putting this one down! Would have liked to see even more character development.
This is a cautionary tale about student drinking, sex, adult affairs, and the consequences of all. It's presented as a mystery. I'm not familiar with Anita Shreve's other work, but I found this story VERY difficult to follow. There are many characters, each of whom tells the story from his or her own point of view. I had trouble keeping track of all of their names...students, parents, school officials, police officers. I listened to the DVD, and at times I felt like giving up. However, the end of the story made the wait worthwhile. If you enjoy her other work, you'll probably like this book.
Couldn't put it down.
Good but not great
This was not among my favorites by this author. A private high school is rocked by scandal and possible cover-up. The choices made by a couple of the students alter their lives, and many others, forever. Each chapter is "narrated" by one of the characters. Sometimes a little confusing, but a decent read. Makes you think about the seemingly innocent, in-the-moment, choices we make and their possible consequences.
This is the third book by Anita Shreve that I have read and again she didn't disappoint me. Hard to put down and read it over the Thanksgiving Break. I would highly recommend it to young adults too as it really touches base with what high schools students struggle with.
A bit depressing about a young girl's rape.
In Testimony, Avery Academy is an elite private school for some of the smartest young people and most promising athletes. Three of these students, Silas, Rob, and J.Dot are popular, athletic, and intelligent, all with bright futures ahead of them. But all of that is destroyed by the events of a few minutes one night when drinking at a party gets out of hand. Caught on tape is the three boys having drunken sexual relations with a 14 year old girl who also attends the academy. Soon after being made, the tape falls into the hands of school Headmaster, Mike, who must decide what to do with the boys. It's pretty clear from the start what sort of difficulties he is going to face.
The story of the party and the aftermath is told through a variety of perspective. Everyone involved from students to parents to lunch ladies give their side, all except Rob, who is given one very significant part at the end of the novel. As the events unfold, you are witness to a number of different viewpoints, which all show different sides to how people deal with anger, fear, and sexuality. Testimony is about more than just the three boys, though, because the storyline exposes multiple relationships and secrets beyond the tape and the boys.
The way the story is written is unique. Some of the chapters are in first person, some in second person, and some in third person. This is a bit hard to get used to, but after a while you get into the pace of the book and the switching of person throws you off less. And sometimes, like with the second person scenes of Rob's mother Ellen, it feels surreal and dreamlike. Since she is in a state of shock throughout, I believe that this was intentional. For others, you are meant to put yourself in their shoes, and others, to watch and judge.
This is a book that will leave you at war with yourself, as I did with me. You will question innocence and guilt, law and the nature of humans. You see that the boys are just boys, fallible and ultimately good. Do they deserve to have their entire lives ruined with a sexual assault charge? Do they deserve to lose their entire future for the events of one night? Is the girl to blame at least in part for wanting it; does this excuse what the boys did? Or should she be blameless because she is so young? Does the fact that she was consenting matter at all? You want to protect the child, but... who is the child? They are all children and you want to protect them all, even the girl, who comes across through her parts as very superficial and flighty. It didn't help that the victim cried rape at first and accused the boys of giving her a date rape drug, an excuse she cooked up to keep from getting in trouble with her parents when the tape was discovered. Naturally, putting the blame on the girl makes you feel guilty as the reader, as it did with me, and the thought of a girl so young being involved with boys so much older is frightening. After all, Silas, Rob, and J.Dot should have known better. They should have.
But even good people sometimes make mistakes. Yet a mistake like this is, quite honestly, unforgivable? Or is it? You see? You will be at war with yourself. It is a hard one to think about. In the end, you sort of just wish that none of it had ever happened because it's impossible to know who to blame, who to hate, and who to pity. I obviously very much enjoyed this book because it is very poignant, and it doesn't shy away from a subject that is sensitive.
The story of the party and the aftermath is told through a variety of perspective. Everyone involved from students to parents to lunch ladies give their side, all except Rob, who is given one very significant part at the end of the novel. As the events unfold, you are witness to a number of different viewpoints, which all show different sides to how people deal with anger, fear, and sexuality. Testimony is about more than just the three boys, though, because the storyline exposes multiple relationships and secrets beyond the tape and the boys.
The way the story is written is unique. Some of the chapters are in first person, some in second person, and some in third person. This is a bit hard to get used to, but after a while you get into the pace of the book and the switching of person throws you off less. And sometimes, like with the second person scenes of Rob's mother Ellen, it feels surreal and dreamlike. Since she is in a state of shock throughout, I believe that this was intentional. For others, you are meant to put yourself in their shoes, and others, to watch and judge.
This is a book that will leave you at war with yourself, as I did with me. You will question innocence and guilt, law and the nature of humans. You see that the boys are just boys, fallible and ultimately good. Do they deserve to have their entire lives ruined with a sexual assault charge? Do they deserve to lose their entire future for the events of one night? Is the girl to blame at least in part for wanting it; does this excuse what the boys did? Or should she be blameless because she is so young? Does the fact that she was consenting matter at all? You want to protect the child, but... who is the child? They are all children and you want to protect them all, even the girl, who comes across through her parts as very superficial and flighty. It didn't help that the victim cried rape at first and accused the boys of giving her a date rape drug, an excuse she cooked up to keep from getting in trouble with her parents when the tape was discovered. Naturally, putting the blame on the girl makes you feel guilty as the reader, as it did with me, and the thought of a girl so young being involved with boys so much older is frightening. After all, Silas, Rob, and J.Dot should have known better. They should have.
But even good people sometimes make mistakes. Yet a mistake like this is, quite honestly, unforgivable? Or is it? You see? You will be at war with yourself. It is a hard one to think about. In the end, you sort of just wish that none of it had ever happened because it's impossible to know who to blame, who to hate, and who to pity. I obviously very much enjoyed this book because it is very poignant, and it doesn't shy away from a subject that is sensitive.
The most compelling book I've read in some time! I could not put it down. Testimony is heartbreaking from the first page. This book shows the unimagined consequences of one reckless night with teenagers and alcohol at a private high school academy. You read each person's testimony with dread and heartbreak. You know what is coming and try to cover your eyes (as in a horror movie)but you can't. You race to the end and wonder, can anyone survive the outcome of this small town scandal?
This book will not disappoint you, first person narrative.
It will grab you from the beginning and will not let you put the book down until you finish it.
It will grab you from the beginning and will not let you put the book down until you finish it.
While I was reading this book, I was feeling that it was not going to very good...but after I finished, I realized that while it had definitely been a read that makes you think about all the bad choices that teenagers and adults make that can intertwine and begin a spiral of heartache and saddness in the blink of an eye. Having teenaged sons, I could relate to the story and the horror of what can happen because of getting caught up in the moment. I probably wouldn't recommend this to everyone, but it may be a good book for parents of teenagers....just to remind them of the devastation caused by bad choices.
Wow! That's all I can say. Great book
Another great book by Anita Shreve. As always she leads you down the path towards the debths of her characters. Goldie
Not my favorite Anita Shreve work, but still a great book - excellent character development, captivating story line and the short chapters make it a quick read. I especially liked how each chapter was told from a different perspective.
This was definitely a page turner. It is an interesting and well told story that could have been "ripped from the headlines". The story is told in multiple voices which I didn't like at first but it was necessary to tell the full story. This lets you see the events through many characters eyes and I was able to relate with each character. This story shows how one small event affects the lives of many others and how lives can be ruined/changed with one little decision.
I have ready many of Shreve's books and half I have liked and half I haven't. I really LOVED this book.
There is a sex scandal at a private school and each chapter is told from a different character - some are main characters and some are not. While this style can become confusing in this case everything flowed nicely. Each character had something to contribute no matter how big or small.
I found it difficult to put down and wanted to keep reading all through the night.
There is a sex scandal at a private school and each chapter is told from a different character - some are main characters and some are not. While this style can become confusing in this case everything flowed nicely. Each character had something to contribute no matter how big or small.
I found it difficult to put down and wanted to keep reading all through the night.
I tried to read this. After the third chapter I had to give up. It's hard to follow & the story line didn't grab me. I read a lot of great reviews for this so I had my hopes up that it would be good but it was a disappointment to me.
Meh. It's not the greatest thing ever, but it is an interesting story. I couldn't seem to bring myself to care about or even like most of the characters, but I guess that's kind of the point. Nobody comes off as a hero in these types of situations and everybody kind of gets theirs in the end.
Very interesting read
This was a rather haunting book about the cumulative effects of unexpected events on lives. The story is told from the point of view of many different characters in fist person which is unusual.
This was one of my favorite books by Shreve. You can't help but feel connected to the characters and feel personally involved in the story.
This was a very interesting story about the devastating consequences of bad choices. The setting is a private secondary school in Vermont. The story centers on a sex scandal involving students at the school--including an underage girl--and is told from the points of view of those directly involved in the incident and their family members and school officials. A page-turner. Recommended.
I did not care for this book...stopped reading after the 3rd chapter.
