Past Forgiving [Hardcover]

Gloria D. Miklowitz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1995

Overlooking her new boyfriend's quick temper and dark personality, Alexandra convinces herself that his possessiveness is just his way of demonstrating love, but when Cliff rapes her she realizes that certain limits cannot be crossed.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Miklowitz (The Day the Senior Class Got Married) is back with another story taken from the front page, and few writers tell them better than she. This time the subject is date rape and though the plot is simplistic, the pacing is swift and the situations sharply delineated. Under the bullying of possessive older boyfriend Cliff, 15-year-old Alex feels insecure about her looks, intelligence and abilities. Soon Alex can do nothing to please her demanding boyfriend: "She'd given up friends, dressed as he wanted, gave him time taken away from her family, avoided even talking to other boys-but it wasn't enough." Cliff's jealous tirades escalate to the point that he physically bruises Alex, but she forgives him and blames herself for his behavior. It is only when, during an unwelcome makeout session, Cliff gets "carried away" and rapes her that Alex finally recognizes his abusiveness and decides to close him out of her life. Cliff has other ideas, however, and the tension doesn't peak until the final sentence. Engrossing and informative. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8-10?This is a touching story of a stormy, spring-to-summer romance that culminates in disaster. Its true substance, however, is the relationship between a boy with a twisted need to dominate and a girl who is dangerously vulnerable to his charms. Several years older than Alex, Cliff is just graduating from high school. He enchants her with love and praise, then he demeans her with stinging barbs at the things she loves best. He envies anyone who enjoys even a small measure of her time or attention. Even when his jealous outbursts begin to turn violent, she accepts his apologies and promises of reform. As Cliff's behavior becomes more and more troubling, Alex determines to withold her affections until he hears her out. Cliff refuses to listen and rapes her. The scene is unambiguous without being drawn out or overly graphic, and the incident is clearly about rage and power, not about sex. To read this novel is to watch helplessly as Alex is drawn into Cliff's trap. It is only when she realizes that he needs more help than she can begin to give that she is able to escape his grip. An attractive and intelligent girl, Alex's only deficiency is one of self-confidence. Miklowitz has portrayed her completely and convincingly in a way that clearly takes the mystery, but not the pain, out of the abuse cycle. Although the story is narrated in the third person, only Alex's psyche is penetrated. The enigma of Cliff's split personality is revealed only enough to make it apparent that his problems are sadly not of his own making, and their solution is far beyond the power of a young girl's love. This well-written, perceptive, and important book provides a straightforward look at an all-too-common problem.?Margaret Cole, Oceanside Library, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (June 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671884425
• ISBN-13: 978-0671884420
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,740,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book that all teens and their parents should read, July 19, 2001

By 

Valerie Lockhart (Shreveport, Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Past Forgiving (Hardcover)

This book was emotional and powerful. The story about Alex and her boyfriend Cliff is one that many teens can relate to. It's the typical situation in which the guy pressures the girl to have sex, and she doesn't want to, and ends up raping her. On top of all that, he's possessive and controlling, and abusive. I think this happens in real life more than people think. This is how it usually happens too--the girl looks past all the abuse and wrong-doing, because she doesn't want to lose the guy. She is just so blind to reality because the relationship is so important to her. At least the girl in this book finally figured it out--many teens in real life today never figure it out.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Womans Opinion, January 23, 2000

By 

Melanie (Not, Telling) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Past Forgiving (Hardcover)

I personally loved this book. I read it in high school. It gives you a clear view in how controlling abusive men go about peeking there prey. This books touchings on alot of things young woman should look out for when dating a male. It shows how jealouse and little acts can really develope into a seriouse problem. I would recomend this book to young woman everywhere. This might even help them realize they are in a extremely seriousely troubled relationship, and that there is help for them. All and all this book is terrific in my opinion.

5.0 out of 5 stars How could Alex let Cliff get away with it?!, May 13, 2011

By 

Miss. L - See all my reviews

This review is from: Past Forgiving (Hardcover)

I loved this book. But what pissed me of is how Alex let Cliff get away with raping her! He just acted like it was an everyday normal thing saying "Oh im sorry about what happened, you know how I can get. Tell you what, dressed and i'll take you out to eat" I wanted to slap him. Then Alex didnt even call the police! She just left him banging on the door while she walked back up the stairs to her room. What the heck? What if she had opened the door? Would she have forgiven him and then he end up raping her again? Alex should have reached out to her parents and told them what happened. She was very naive.