If I had to sum this book up in one word, it would be ‘devastating.’ I reviewed O’Neill’s first book (Only Ever Yours) earlier and her second book is even harder-hitting. Seriously, Asking for It is a wonderfully well-executed novel with a very important message, but it is agony to read because the story is so depressing. And real.

In the beginning, Emma is a fairly popular and pretty 18-year-old girl in an Irish town. She’s also quite vain and not particularly likable, which makes the book all the more interesting, I think. Her life is grand, full of parties and fun. And one night she does something stupid that alienates her own friends. Then some of the town’s best-loved boys carry out a nightmare assault on her while she’s unconscious. In our woman-hating society, her one bad choice becomes more important to everyone than all the boys’ documented horrific (and quite illegal) behavior.

Really, it’s hard to say too much more because I think it’s important to experience the story as it unfolds. I truly believe virtually everyone should read it (though to be fair, some people will need some guidance to understand the real significance, because they are idiots—not because the book isn’t perfect, which I think it is). The only people who don’t need to read it are those who already fully understand that victim-blaming is bullshit. Anyway, reading it is uncomfortable and will make you queasy because it’s so true. And truth often hurts.

Buy Asking for It on Amazon US