A New York Times bestseller and one of 2019’s best-reviewed books, a poetic memoir and call to action from the award-winning author of Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson!Bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson is known for the unflinching way she writes about, and advocates for, survivors of sexual assault. Now, inspired by her fans and enraged by how little in our culture has changed since her … culture has changed since her groundbreaking novel Speak was first published twenty years ago, she has written a poetry memoir that is as vulnerable as it is rallying, as timely as it is timeless. In free verse, Anderson shares reflections, rants, and calls to action woven between deeply personal stories from her life that she’s never written about before. Described as “powerful,” “captivating,” and “essential” in the nine starred reviews it’s received, this must-read memoir is being hailed as one of 2019’s best books for teens and adults. A denouncement of our society’s failures and a love letter to all the people with the courage to say #MeToo and #TimesUp, whether aloud, online, or only in their own hearts, SHOUT speaks truth to power in a loud, clear voice– and once you hear it, it is impossible to ignore.
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Part poetic memoir, part manifesto, SHOUT is unlike anything I’ve ever read: Fierce, moving, thought-provoking, essential reading from one of our time’s leading voices—and proponents for change—for issues surrounding sexual violence, intellectual freedom, and equality. (Thanks to the author and her generous publisher for providing me an early copy read & review.)
Part memoir, part spotlight on the realities of sexual abuse, Shout is full of brilliant poems. Some are uplifting, others maddening. As a longtime fan of Speak, it was eye-opening to learn more about the author and her experiences. And to hear how one of my all time favorite books came to be.
This memoir in verse certainly stands alone, but it also adds another layer for fans of Speak. (Speak was one of those formative books for me as an adult that helped me realize I wanted to write for teens.) “Closeted Shame” (page 30) was one of my favorite poems from the book.
Shout is a book full of poems bursting with raw emotion. Readers will dive deep into the world of Laurie Halse Anderson and how her experiences formed the foundation of the novel Speak. She does not hold back as she explains the rape she endured in high school and the cascade of events her life turned into as a result of it. She also calls out society and how it continues to fail victims of rape.
It was alarming to read about Anderson’s childhood and the way women were viewed. Sex education was considered foul and was removed from education altogether. There was no conversation about consent or safe sex. Women were treated like objects, and Anderson was confronted many times to have sex in order to “get ahead”. As if the only way she could progress in life was to be a toy for men. But she denied each encounter and forged her own path, one that would lead her to help thousands of people.
While Anderson made sure to mention the sign of the times during her childhood, she also showed how little has changed around the subject of sex and rape in modern times. While education may now include sex ed, she is still faced with school systems that want her to censor her speeches and book signings. But why should she? There should be no red tape that forces someone to hold back the truth. If more people learned about what happens in the dark, maybe there could actually be a change.
No one should be pressured into sex. No one should have to be victimized, man or woman, boy or girl. Shout takes a step forward, forcing people to see what it is happening to people all across the world.
I would suggest reading Speak before beginning Shout, as there are many references made to the novel. But this could very well be read on its own as Laurie Halse Anderson’s memoir. While there is nothing overly graphic, the context is at times triggering given the subject matter.
I picked this up this summer while doing some summer school librarian work. I devoured this book! Laurie has touched on subject matters others might not in a time where more people need the courage to know they are not alone. The verse style makes the book flow quickly.
If you want a book that moves you, that is fierce and compassionate, painful and yet uplifting, that speaks the truth of so many survivors, that shouts for change, then you have to read SHOUT by Laurie Halse Anderson. Her memoir is written in powerful, beautiful, sometimes (intentionally) jarring poetry that can give you a gut punch, a laugh out loud, a soothing touch. If you’re a survivor, if you know someone who is, read this. SHOUT rages and soothes and uplifts, showing the vulnerability and strength of survivors, and speaks so many truths. It is powerful and is now one of my top favorites by Laurie Halse Anderson. I also love that she includes resources at the end including @rainn and @trevorproject. Highly recommended!
This book is written in poetry – a memoir – about sexual assault and struggle. Haunting and beautiful.