It had some of this in the form of an ex-boyfriend of Stacey’s but I still felt it needed more. I personally felt that it needed more of that balance. However, I worry that someone who is young and impressionable will read it and believe everyone is a bad person. I agree with Cassidy, people need to be more wary, less trusting and also know how to defend themselves in those situations. In a way No Virgin is almost scaremongering its readers into not being naïve and to be wary and it is this that detail that has me in two minds. What Cassidy does so well is depict the state of mind of the victim: the shame, the guilt, the blame. But this is what happens to Stacey Woods, the protagonist in No Virgin. For such a big, life altering and soul destroying thing four little letters hardly sees adequate.

It was the subject matter of the story that was difficult. Don’t get me wrong, it was so well written and I could not put it down. This is Stacey’s story.Ī tautly told and important book, perfect for readers of Asking for It by Louise O’Neill.Īnne Cassidy’s latest book No Virgin was hard to read. Patrice, outraged, when she cannot persuade her to go to the police, encourages Stacey to write everything down. She does not feel able to go to the police, or talk about it to anybody other than her best friend, Patrice. Stacey is the victim of a terrible sexual attack. From the author of the critically acclaimed, LOOKING FOR JJ, shortlisted for the Whitbread Prize in 2004 and the Carnegie Medal in 2005.Ī raw, powerful, moving tale about a girl attempting to deal with the aftermath of a sexual attack.

No Virgin by Anne Cassidy