GUILTY is the latest novel in the BMB Books collection. It's a novel that portrays the victim's view of events. How can a family and friends come together after such a heinous event? The rape of a teen by a role model. And as if things weren't unbelievable enough, he gets off. Not guilty. Doesn't that just boil you over?
After your introduction to the characters, GUILTY has twists and turns you would not expect. A reader summed the book up saying, "There are two running themes- injustice and unity. Honestly, I had not thought of the novel in those terms. But, he had a definite point.
So, when bad things happen, how do you handle them? Close your eyes and ears? Clamp your mouth? Unite? Plan? The young women of Marston are strong. They love life. Here's a poem that Linsey shares with anyone who needs the words. The words of this poem were written by a young lady in the GUILTY novel who was taken down to her lowest and today- she lives.
I am a girl, who will one day be a woman. I am your sister, your mother, your daughter, your aunt, your friend. I was raped. But it does not define me. Because I won’t let it. I take long walks along the path lined with colorful flowers. I stop to examine and appreciate each one. I sniff their fresh, outdoorsy fragrances. I take a moment to smile at each one. This I do because I can. It reminds me that I live yet another day. I won’t let the incident rob me of that. It had robbed me of many things in the beginning. Now I refuse to let it rule my being. I refuse to be enchained by this vicious act. I am comfortable in my clothes. I wear them for me. I am comfortable in my skin. We are friends. I am strong. Today I remove my chains. I am taking back my life. Today I live.
