Book Review: Bruised by Sarah Skilton
Overview
Genre: ContemporaryPROS:
insightful look at PTSD; beguiling MC voice; smartly addresses gender roles and power strugglesCONS:
graphic flashbacks may disturb sensitive readersA deeply affecting, personal story about overcoming your demons and finding meaning when you’ve seemingly lost everything.
A guy walks into a diner with a gun, waving it around, demanding money from the cashier, and hitting her violently when she doesn’t comply. Little does the gunman know, a girl with a Taekwondo black belt is sitting at a nearby table, waiting for her friend. This is the beginning of a Tarantino/Whedon-style waif fu action scene, right? At any second, this guy is going to be dispatched in a whirlwind of flying limbs, blinking stupidly as he realizes he’s been bested by an unarmed teenage girl.
In Bruised, sixteen year old Imogen is that black belt diner patron, but what happens is not the stuff of action movies. Imogen doesn’t save the day with her martial arts prowess; she ducks under a table, and the gunman is killed by police in a shootout. She walks away with a jumble of bad memories and blood-soaked clothes. For most of us, that would have been traumatic, but all in all, the best possible outcome. Not for Imogen.
Imogen lives for Taekwondo. In addition to the sweet moves, she is drawn to the rules and the order it demands. It’s more than a sport or a hobby, it’s a way of life. She keeps her grades up and her room clean, she tries to be respectful of adults, and she commits herself to defending the weak and preventing unnecessary fights. Imogen has a hard time coming to terms with the diner incident, because she knows she could and should have put a stop to it, before the gunman was killed. As bizarre as it may seem, she blames herself for his death. How could she have failed him? How could Taekwondo have failed her?
Bruised is, on its surface, a story about a girl overcoming her PTSD after living through a traumatic event. But more importantly, it’s about losing her connection to the one thing that has defined her, the thing that informed every decision in her life until that point. It’s a bit like a devout believer having a religious crisis of faith. Without Taekwondo as her guiding force, she is unmoored, unstable, and unmotivated to do anything. It goes beyond survivor’s guilt, sweaty nightmares and gory flashbacks. Imogen is actually depressed, retreating from friends, family and school, and she becomes increasingly self-destructive.
This experience could translate to those all important motivators that drive any of us—whether it’s school, a career, a sport, writing, family, etc. Take something fundamental to your sense of self away, and what do you have left?
Dad protests. “You love martial arts.” But I don’t even know if that’s true. I loved what it gave me. And then I hated it for what it didn’t.
I loved Imogen’s broken, damaged voice, and her slightly macabre sense of humor. She manages to be disarming despite doing consistently unlikable things throughout much of the book. It is painful to watch her regimented, motivated life unravel as she sinks further and further into uncertainty and depression, but wonderfully cathartic to watch her truly examine her life at her lowest. It was far from perfect before the diner incident. She has a difficult relationship with her parents (and she certainly carries her share of blame for that), and she’s judgmental of her brother and her friends. Imogen realizes she may have abused the flashier side of Taekwondo before the practical side of it failed her. She achieves a painful clarity about herself that may not have been possible without this trauma.
The book’s heavy subject matter is leavened somewhat by a sweet, fledgling friendship with Ricky, an adorable guy who survived the diner nightmare with her. They go from co-counseling to sparring partners to something more, and it’s impossible not to root for their relationship to survive its traumatic origins. Skilton handles the dynamic between them and their work to get past their joint trauma skillfully, addressing complex issues of gender roles, power and respect in a satisfying way.
Bruised is a deeply affecting, personal story about overcoming your demons and finding meaning to your life when you’ve seemingly lost everything. This book left its mark on me, and I suspect it will speak to any motivated person who can imagine having some crucial part of their life devalued or taken away. Though it is at times a dark, difficult story, it is well worth the challenge.
- Related:
- Contemporary
- 2013
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While this does sound a bit heavy, I mean that in the best possible way. Life isn’t like the movies (both good and bad — I’d like a little more magic/good guy saves the day in this world) and bad things happen, even when you think you’re prepared. This character sounds fantastic, too. I love that she’s trying to cope in the best way possible and keeps her sense of humor while struggling with her PTSD. Definitely checking it out!
I have been reading good things about this one. I actually met the author and got a signed copy so I’m looking forward to picking it up. I honestly don’t think I ever really knew what it was about (I got it at ALA so it was crazy and hectic). Your review has me anxious to pick it up!
I really liked this book! I also thought Imogen’s humor was a little dark, but that is what makes her so real. Definitely a good protagonist. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
I haven’t read much about this book. It sounds interesting, if a bit heavy. But, if you read it in one day, it must be compelling. Thanks for the great review. I’ll put it on my list.
It does sound dark and emotional. I usually stay away from books like that, not cos they are nt good (they mostly are) but because I need light when I get home and read. But I make excepetions
Oh wow, I haven’t even heard of this until now! This sounds like a book I would love, especially since I have a background in Taekwondo. Imogen sounds like a character I could connect with and want to help. Thanks for sharing this!
WOW! This sounds like a real soul searcher. I think it might be what society ordered. Why do most standby-ers not take the initiative? Pray that they, themselves, come away unscathed. We as a society don’t do enough to right wrongs. Kind of like how Seinfeld ended…going to jail for not helping during a hold-up. I realize this girl was wracked with fear, but there is a spectrum of this “observer not take action” disorder we have.
Sounds like one to pick up for the shelves.
I haven’t heard much about this book but it sounds like it’s a powerful and pretty intense book. I like the sound of it and I need to check it out soon.
Imogen sounds like a wonderful main character! She does Taekwondo! That is so awesome. Ricky sounds like the kind of character I would enjoy too. Happy to hear that you loved this one, Lauren!
Fabulous review as always!
I have been seeing this one around a lot lately and so far all the reviews have been pretty good on it. I just might need to add this one to my ever growing pile!
Absolutely beautiful review! A blogger friend just sent me this book because she adored it, and it’s clear you did as well. It just sounds like such a well done and emotional read with just a little romance worked in, and that pretty much is a winning combination for me! Can’t wait to start reading:):)
I have an ARC of this one and can’t wait to read it! I think I will really like Imogen’s story, and of course Ricky. Great review!
I remember being introduced to this one on your blog awhile back and I thought it sounded very interesting, I read Maja’s review the other day and she really liked it. I am impressed that it takes on something different in the YA genre and I think it will show tremendous growth and leave the reader with a message. The romance also sounds nicely done. The only thing not going for this book is the cover, I think it will really hold it back, even though we all should not be judging a book by its cover, this one is just not eye catching!
I found your blog.. I thought this was it but for some reason it just didn’t click. My brains all muddled.
I’ve heard good things about this one and it certainly sounds like a book that will make a mark. I’m glad it was lightened up by the fleeting romance because I’m not one for overall depressing books, I prefer to read happy things about magical worlds.
Fabulous review!
Fantastic review! This book seems to be getting a lot of praise. I have to admit, when I first came across it, I had very little interest in the premise, but I’m convinced now that I’ll appreciate this book nonetheless. It sounds like the author knows how to create a great and moving character voice. I’m glad you were impressed on the whole!
This is the second review of this book making me want to read it. Sounds so emotional but in a different way than most YA books. Okay, okay… you talked me into it… I’m moving it up the wishlist…
This sounds really interesting and I like this take on PTSD, it’s not something that just afflicts those who have seen combat. This is a lot deeper then i initially thought and I am really glad I got the chance to read your review.
Wow, this sounds great. I haven’t heard about it. I love the idea of a book about a character who didn’t jump up to save the day and the aftermath of that. Because really, that situation is more realistic.
One of my favourite things about reviews is when they open me up to a great book that I never would have heard about otherwise. This is the first I have heard about Bruised, but wow, does it ever sound emotional and profound! I’m okay with disturbing and emotional books. Actually, if they’re done well like this one seems to be, then I like them quite a bit (as strange as that may sound!)! Thank you, thank you for this review!!
I love heavier reads and this is the second positive review I’ve read of this and I can’t wait to read about Imogen.
Oh, yes, I really thought that Imogen’s voice was clear as bell in this one and it made me feel very protective. My favorite thing about Bruised were its layers.. it was one thing on the surface and about ten other things uderneath.
I noticed that a lot of people were uncomfortable with how broken Imogen was, but I’m glad you loved it, just like I did.
Fantastic review.
I think this sounds emotional, but it sounds like the PTSD aspect was handled well though. i might have to give this one a try. Great review.
Jenea @ Books Live Forever
I saw this on NetGalley, but I didn’t know it was about PTSD. It seems like I’m seeing a lot of post-traumatic story lines in YA, lately. I’m glad that more authors are willing to tackle these tough subjects.
Initially, I pooh-poohed this book and waved it off, but behind the funny-looking cover and slightly-decent blurb, it really sounds like this book is worth picking up. Imogen as a character sounds like someone I could totally get behind, and the romance sounds believable and heartfelt.
I am VERY excited for this one – It was recommended to me AGES ago and I’ve been counting down for it to come out. Glad to hear you enjoyed it
I love the way that you structure your reviews! The way you make this book sound heavy but also approachable. This is not one that I would have automatically sought out, and to be honest, I’ve read a lot of books about girls with PTSD lately that have started to wear on me, but this book sounds really honest and well done. Thanks for putting this on my radar.