Exit, Pursued by a Bear Review
My last few reviews haven’t been that in-depth compared to previous ones so with this review I kind of wanted to go back to those roots for many reasons. The main being that this book just honestly blew me away.
I picked this book up yesterday on a visit to chapters on a whim, not knowing much about the novel or the author I went into the novel with a blank mind. I’ll tell you this though, I read the whole thing in one sitting only get up to get water and pee.
Exit, pursued by a bear by E.K Johnston is a novel that follow a young cheerleader, named Hermione, through her senior year, starting at a cheer leading camp she holds close to her heart.
Hermione is drugged at a party and is raped by an unknown assailant. The story shows her dealing with the aftermath and coming to terms with this horrendous thing that has happened to her.
The actual assault seen is not depicted so I didn’t not find it triggering, personally, others may feel differently as triggers are different for everyone.
Now this is the part where I’ll go a little more in-depth so be warned
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
This novel is written in a way that is truest wonderful and accepting. After her attack Hermione wakes up in a hospital not knowing where she is and what has happened. The way all the characters treat her is ideal she has support from most of those around her and has people ready to go to bat for her at a seconds notice. I’ve seen some people say that it is an unrealistic portrayal of what happens to a girl after she’s attacked. Which is true in my experience.
My interpretation of this story though is that of a beacon of hope. She has all the love, support and empowerment that she needs and then some. Something that every person who’s ever been sexually assaulted wish they had. Something that if they had people would be able to thrive and settle into a new normal in without unnecessary bumps along the way.
A result of her assault is that she falls pregnant. The way the novel handles this is extraordinary. She decides that she does not want to continue in her pregnancy and everyone including her minister supports her in her decision. Again an ideal reaction that’s not entirely realistic but done in a way that’s not unaware of the struggles faced by others going through similar situations. The way Johnston handles this subject is realistic. It reflects the trauma of getting an abortion but hits the perfect middle ground so that it’s not treated blase or preachy.
The best part of this whole novel is that yes what happens to her is important but it is not the whole novel. It is not the end of Hermione’s life, she still has teenage problems and triumphs.
A good example of this is with her therapist. Who she sees to help with grief and trauma but also spends time helping her with calculus and running lines for drama.
She struggles with the thing most people with trauma struggle with; that being whether or not they are doing it the right way.
A line spoken by her therapist on this subject was so good I nearly had to but my book down and clap.While they’re speaking about this he says, “people will say you’re coping wrong, but really there’s no wrong way. Anything that lets you keep going is the right thing”
Which is wildly true. With a novel with such heavy subject matter, Johnston managed to find the perfect balance of tension and relief. This novel has me laughing just as much as it had me crying. This novel shot right up into the top bracket of my favourites and anyone who feels they won’t be triggered by it should take the time to read it.
The line that had me cackling was " do you ever dream of the day your life can no longer be adequately summarized by Kelly Clarkson song"
Killed me.
Great writing. Great execution. Great novel.