The Question Authority: A Novel by Rachel Cline

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The Question Authority is a timely and moving novel about what happens when childhood best friends face the damage done by the teacher who molested them both.

Meet Nora Buchbinder—formerly rich and now broke and newly employed at the NYC Education Department. She would be the last woman in Brooklyn to claim #MeToo, but when a work assignment reunites her with her childhood best friend, Beth, she finds herself in a hall of mirrors. Was their eight grade teacher Beth’s lover or her rapist? What should justice look like after so much time has passed? And what, if anything, can Nora do now?

In this powerful and emotionally wrenching story, Nora and Beth’s memories, and those of their classmates, their former teacher, and members of his family are revealed. These memories shed light on the way we manage and absorb unbearable behavior and how one experience can influence a whole life.

The Question Authority tracks Nora’s trajectory from denial to reinvention, self pity to self righteousness and, finally, insight and action. As Nora begins to understand her own personal #Metoo, she faces some difficult revelations about herself and how she has chosen to live her life.

Praise

“A gripping, provocative story about bright young girls in thrall to a charismatic teacher, and his haunting impact on their adult lives. The novel adds depth and nuance to our ongoing conversation about #MeToo revelations.”  —Kate Manning, author of My Notorious Life

 

“Cline compels us to face the most pressing questions that #MeToo raised: how is inequality truly seen, what does justice look like, what good does questioning authority do when the authority is so skilled at dodging questions?” —Matt Caprioli, Red Hook Star-Revue

 

“So in touch with the present moment that it might have been written last week, so skillful that it couldn’t have been, this prescient novel deserves your attention.” —Martha Southgate, author of Third Girl from the Left

my thoughts:

OMG! What a story! Not only is it relevant right now - #MeToo movement - but it is an important read that explores the topics of sexual abuse/assault, justice, etc.. This thought-provoking story will haunt you long after you turn the last page.  It is gripping, eye-opening, and smart.  I gobbled it up and couldn't stop thinking about it.  What a great book!!

Nora reunites with childhood BFF Beth through her job and soon finds herself questioning their past.  Beth is currently representing a male teacher who has been accused of behaving inappropriately with his students.  The case reminds Nora of a teacher that she and Beth both had.  A teacher that Beth slept with, along with a number of other girls from their class.  Nora questions the nature of that past relationship and how it would be treated now. She wonders how Beth feels about what happened all those years ago. Was it sex? Was it rape? So many thoughts and questions swirl through Nora's mind.  Can there be justice for something that happened so long ago? How is Beth able to represent a man who has been accused of pedophilia? How has her past truly affected Beth?

As the story unfolds and we learn more about what happened all those years ago, you can't help but wonder how it happened and continues to happen even now  What justice is there for these young women?  You find yourself filled with questions and searching for answers. It is such a compelling story that you can't help but get so immersed in it.  These characters become people you know and it just breaks your heart reading about their experiences.  The Question Authority is quite an unforgettable read.

I would happily recommend this book to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - don't miss out on this important story!!

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The Question Authority

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!