Fault Line - Hardcover

Tashjian, Janet

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0805072004 ISBN 13: 9780805072006

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2003

Synopsis

A hard-hitting novel that breaks open the gritty world of teen relationship abuse, by the author of The Gospel According to Larry

"Unlike Abby, I hadn't had a boyfriend since Peter last year, and even that was stretching the definition of boyfriend way past anything Webster would recognize. I had better luck holding the attention of a roomful of people in a comedy club than a guy-I couldn't decide if that was good or just plain pathetic."

Seventeen-year-old Becky Martin-smart, funny, ambitious-aspires to be a stand-up comic. While setting out to make her goal a reality, she meets Kip Costello, a rising star in the San Francisco comedy-club scene. And what could be better than an intense boyfriend who cares about every detail of her life? But Becky soon discovers a darker side to Kip, where emotional and physical abuse grow hand-in-hand. As the relationship goes from loving to controlling, Becky must find the courage to get help before it's too late.

In this powerful novel, Janet Tashjian tackles the difficult and complex subject of teen relationship abuse from the viewpoints of both the victim and the perpetrator, showing that there are no easy answers for either-but many brave survivors.

About this title

Review:

Seventeen-year-old Becky Martin never thought she'd be one of THOSE girls. After all, she doesn't fit the profile. She has two loving parents, close friends who care about her, even a great gig as an amateur comic in the San Francisco comedy club scene. Becky has always considered herself too smart and too driven to ever become involved in an abusive relationship. But up-and-coming comic Kip Costello is impossible to resist. He's cute, hilarious, and worships stand-up as much as she does. Yet, as Kip begins to demand more and more of her time and attention, Becky is forced to admit to herself that her relationship isn’t as perfect as she works so hard to make other people believe. "No matter how much work I did in the relationship, it was never enough. Making him happy was my top priority, but it seemed like the harder I tried, the more I failed." The time for jokes is over as Becky faces some serious and hard truths about Kip, their relationship, and her own hidden insecurities. Janet Tashjian's refreshingly different take on a sobering and pervasive issue for teens rings solidly true. By adding Kip’s often agonizing diary entries to Becky’s narrative, Tashjian has crafted a novel that promotes both empathy and understanding about adolescent abusive relationships. (Ages 14 to 18) --Jennifer Hubert

From the Inside Flap:

Seventeen-year-old Becky Martin--smart, funny, ambitious--aspires to be a stand-up comic. While setting out to make her goal a reality, she meets Kip Costello, a rising star in the San Francisco comedy club scene. Where Becky once felt invisible around guys, she now basks in Kip's adoration. And what could be better than an attractive, intense boyfriend who cares about every minute detail of her life?

But Becky soon discovers a darker side to Kip, where emotional and physical abuse grown hand in hand. How is it possible to feel so special yet so worthless at the same time? As the relationship goes from loving to controlling, can Becky find the courage to get the help she needs before it's too late?

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0805072004
• ISBN 13: 9780805072006
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 256