Jaded
As seen:
By Ela Lee
avg rating
1 review
‘An ambitious gut-punch of a novel’ Bobby Palmer, author of Isaac and the Egg
’ So nuanced, assured, and utterly devastating ’ Layne Fargo, author of The Favourites
‘Will have you hooked until the last page’ Cecile Pin, author of Wandering Souls
She did everything right. So why did it go so wrong?
Men like him – in positions of power who watched the wheels of suppression turn from a distance, standing by and doing nothing – were the protectors of the broken system.
They’re the fuel that made the fire burn.
Jade is everything she ever wanted to be. Successful lawyer. Dutiful daughter. Beloved girlfriend. Loyal friend. Until one night, something terrible happens after a work event, and she starts to wonder if she really wants to be the person she’s become.
She’s learned to laugh when she’s felt like crying, opted to be invisible when she wanted to speak up and changed her identity to please people.
But now Jade has a decision to make.
Protect her job and reputation or expose the truth and face the consequences?
READERS LOVE JADED:
‘I loved Jade. Rooting for her felt like rooting for myself’
‘One of the most moving books I’ve ever read’
‘I urge everyone to read this’
Reviews
Eve
This is a story of it's time, when the men in the office could get away with anything of a sexual nature with the full backing of the men in charge. As jade implies she should have been free of judgements unfortunately this could never be . Even today, the men will come out on top. The book was fairly interesting, but nothing new - the result was inevitable. It was an easy to read book, but we have heard it all before, and will hear it all again. Frustrating, but true. I would score this book a 5 .
Carolyn
I found this book easy and quite quick to read. The main story concerns Jade being raped and the devastating effect that had on her whole life. There were other topics as well such as racism, misogyny and class. It was a good read and I gave it an 8.
Arleen
I found Jaded a very well written book. Quite horrifying at times. The book really started when a friend of hers, Josh, put her into a taxi as she had had too much alcohol and he took her home. That one night Josh took advantage of her changed her. I needn't go into detail but it was quite horrific. She kept the experience to herself and carried on as best as she could. When she eventually, after a few years, told her boyfriend Kit what had happened. Instead of understanding this was the reason she had changed, he was angry and blamed her. This book was an eye opener and was awful the way women were taken advantage of. I give this book 9/10 as it was so well written.
Helen
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the writing was excellent, and told a story that I suspect is all too common even today. I enjoyed the multi-cultural references, and really liked the main character and her parents - I think they went beyond the two dimensional and predictable. It felt that the author’s own life was being reflected in many aspects of the story so it was written authentically. I would certainly look out for more books by this author. 9/10
Mabe
I think this is an insightful story about work place abuse in the most shocking of ways in that Jade was raped by a trusted colleague when she was vulnerable being very drunk .The perpetrator was left unscathed and she was left with her life and career in tatters. Despite it being a difficult subject to read about I loved this book it was so well written an excellent read.
I score it 9
Chris
Really enjoyed Jaded even though the story was a difficult one. Thought the characters really came to life and for a first book it was really well written. I score it 9 out of 10.
Sonia
This is a very well written book that deals with an extremely difficult issue with great sensitivity and understanding. It explores the way in which women and men are treated differently when it comes to sexual assault. I can relate to the issues raised as I'm sure many of us can and sadly I expect that nothing much has changed and the idea of equality in this area is just pie in the sky. Interesting subject, well written, an enjoyable book. I would give it an 8 out of 10.
Average score : 8 out of 10
