Red

 

Red : a novel  by Annie Cardi

Union Square & Co, 9781454951308

Her grandparents insisted that Tess and her mom attend Grace Presbyterian Church as a condition of allowing them to move in, but Tess thought she experienced strength, community, and a connection with God there.  But when Tess becomes pregnant and opts for an abortion everything changes, and she is promptly cast out by the church and her own grandparents, labeled inwardly as well as publicly by the scarlet letter “A” spray-painted on her school locker.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne was required reading in high school and college when I attended (back in the late Jurassic), and I participated in many classroom discussions about the story.  None of those ever mentioned statutory rape, grooming or sexual abuse, which I see now as a disservice both to the book and to the students.  This modern retelling clarifies the point, and in the process tells a graceful story of redemption, forgiveness, and love–but not for the abuser, just in case you were worried.  Although readers never see punishment meted out to the present-day incarnation of Arthur Dimmesdale, never doubt that the “Me Too” movement is coming for him, slowly and inexorably.  Extra gold stars for church-going people who are not all painted with the usual stereotypical brush. Recommended for ages 12 to adult.

Abortion, birth control, bullying, cussing (mild), friendship, high school, kissing, mental health, off-page intimacy, parents, pregnancy, rainbow+, religion, sexual assault, straight friends, teachers.