Saturday, November 12, 2022

Trigger by N. Griffin - OPTIONAL

Trigger by N. Griffin
, 256 pages. Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (Simon), 2022. $19 

Language: R (100+ swears 20 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (suicide, psychological, emotional, physical abuse throughout); Violence: PG-13 (child abuse, gun violence)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Didi can’t remember her mother. Growing up with her abusive and controlling father has never been easy, but she has learned to survive. She doesn’t speak at school, she doesn’t let herself think about hunger, and she pushes herself to be all the things her father expects. By the age of 15 Didi has learned to hunt with one shot, win every game of chess, get perfect grades, and run faster than anyone else at school. But now all her preparation has brought her to this one moment in time. A showdown with her despicable father that could cost her her life. 

A difficult, gritty read with prose that is, at times, unconventional. The constant abuse Didi suffers is one thing, but it is interesting to have a peek inside her mind to see how she processes and internalizes things over which she has no control. The pervasive swearing feels somewhat forced at times, as does the unimaginable conflict, however Griffin says the events are based on her own experiences. 

Tammie H, Librarian 

No comments: