A girl tumbles into a downward spiral when a romantic encounter turns violent in this heart-wrenching novel from the author of Cracked.
Dell is used to disappointment. Ever since her dad left, it’s been one let down after another. But no one—not even her best friend—understands all the pain she’s going through. So Dell hides behind self-deprecating jokes and forced smiles.
Then the one person she trusts betrays her. Dell is beyond devastated. Without anyone to turn to for comfort, her depression and self-loathing spin out of control. But just how far will she go to make all of heartbreak and the name-calling stop?
~My Review ~
~ 5 of 5 Empty ~
How can I start this review... I have to say that I have never ever read a book that has taken my breath away and then shattered me in such a good way. Shock is one thing but Empty is so much of everything it takes the reader by surprise. It has everything from bullying, to followers, to girls being violated. I have to say that Rape is never ever easy to read about and this book is no exception only you really don't know that is what happens to the main character for a while. So while you are reading K.M. sets up the plot and you are thinking okay this girl is over weight and she is bullied and all she wants is for someone to realize that she is hurting and no one not a one person comes to her rescue. To add insult to her her parents are divorced and her father is a complete douche and her mother is over worked and leaves her to raise her baby sister by herself.
To say this book struck a nerve is an understatement. I was violated by someone I thought I loved and trusted and he took that from me. It took a long time to get over it but with my best friend I got over it. In this story it is so tragic the way people bully and harass Dell the main character. So in Empty now that I have ranted enough we meet Dell and her best friend and only friend Cara. Dell plays softball but after gaining a lot of weight she is hindered. She still plays but then something happens to her and she is off the team. The weight complicates things for her but she can't help but eat. She is so depressed and angry that her father left them for another woman. She eats to find comfort and no matter how hard she tries she just can't diet. The pain and the anger consume her and she continues to eat.
Then at school her crush for forever Brandon bullies her and she complies with him. Every time he tells her to "moo" like a cow and act like a sumo wrestler she does it. In the hopes that he will one day like her.But Brandon is popular and is dating the most popular girl so Dell sits back and pines for his love and acceptance. Then one day Dell and Cara are at a party and Dell goes to find a bathroom when she encounters Brandon. What happens next is the story and I will not spoil it because you have to read it to believe it. At points in the book I had to go back and re-read what I read because I just could not believe what I was reading.K.M. has written such a beautiful and haunting story that it will grip you right from the first page and have you holding your breath at the end.
~ Interview With K.M. Walton ~
K.M. thank you so much for stopping by Kaidans Seduction. I have to say that Empty was EPIC for me. When I was in high school I remember there was this girl who was very big and she and her siblings were kinda heavy but she was very heavy and the kids would make fun of her. I was new to the high school I started my Junior year and one day I asked the guys why they made fun of her and why did she always do what they asked and they said because it is funny, She does not mind. One day I asked her while we were in gym class why she allowed the boys to make fun of her and why did she always jiggle when they jiggle. She started crying and told me it is better than telling them to stop. I was so angry because she was clearly hurting and she wanted them to stop but she never spoke up. After high school she went away to college and she reinvented herself and when I saw her a few years ago she lost all that weight and looks fabulous and has her own family.
That is so tragic, and unfortunately, somewhat common. But I’m happy her story has a happy ending.
To say this story hit me hard was an understatement and I laughed and I cried because it brought back so many emotions. Reading about Dell being violated brought back so many memories. As a survivor I can say that it took me a lot to bet back to some sense of normal. I thank God and my best friend who never ever left my side. So I want to personally thank you for writing this book and I am donating my copy to my local high school to add it to their library.
Thank you for your kind words and for “getting” it. Good friends are priceless, and I’m glad you had one.
What inspired you to write Empty?
In EMPTY, I explored the power of negative words. I also wanted to give a voice to the bullied (I did that in CRACKED as well—it alternates POV between the victim and the bully.). Readers will live inside of a forgotten person and feel her sadness. Empathy is a powerful thing. It can change attitudes and behaviors.
Is Dell inspired by someone close to you?
No, she’s completely fictional, but she became very, very real to me. Her dense and consuming depression broke my heart. Many times I wanted to climb into my computer, tightly embrace her, and tell her she needs help.
Did you experience bullying when you were young?
I’d categorize what I experienced as teasing, and while it certainly didn’t make me feel good about myself, it was nothing like the hideous cruelty Dell endured. Unlike Dell, I was blessed with very supportive family and friends who bolstered my confidence and loved me no matter what.
Why did Brandon chose Dell to hurt when he had Taryn?
Brandon hurt Dell because he didn’t respect her. To him, she was just “the fat girl who makes me laugh”. Because he failed to see Dell as a person, he took advantage of her in every way – physically and emotionally – and it happens to many girls (and woman). One out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime according to RAINN.org.
What was going through his mind when he was in the room with Dell?
Brandon was very calculating—despite him partying pretty hard—he knew exactly what he was doing.
Why didn’t Dell tell anyone she was hurt?
A few reasons. First, she is seventeen, which means she’s still learning how to live in this world, and what happened to her was so big, so awful, and so much to deal with that she didn’t really know what to do or how to handle it. Second, she was essentially alone, because everyone that should’ve been there for her (best friend, parents) wasn’t. Third, she was humiliated, which had a dark muzzling power. And lastly, she was being consumed by depression. All of those things added up to Dell’s tragic and silent suffering.
What was going on in her mind while she was being violated?
Dell being intoxicated didn’t help her mental state. All she was capable of was shock, and the shock froze her. It silenced her.
What would you say to a teenage girl who has been bullied and violated?
Do not stay silent. Tell someone who can help you. Do not stay silent. Tell someone who can help you. Do not stay silent. Tell someone who can help you. Do not stay silent. Tell someone who can help you. Do not stay silent. Tell someone who can help you. Do not stay silent. Tell someone who can help you. Infinity times.
K. M. Walton is the author of Cracked (Simon Pulse ~ Simon & Schuster 2012), Empty (Simon Pulse ~ Simon & Schuster 1-1-2013) and the co-author of Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking (Corwin Press 2011 - lead author Margie Pearse) for mathematics teachers K - 8. As a former middle-school language-arts teacher she's passionate about education and ending peer bullying. She gives school presentations on the topic "The Power of Human Kindness." She lives in PA with her husband, two sons, cat, and turtle. Visit the author at kmwalton.com or follow her on twitter @kmwalton1.
FIND K. M. WALTON ONLINE
My website: www.kmwalton.com
My Simon & Schuster author page: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/K-M-Walton/81347146
My blog: http://skateorbate.blogspot.com
EMPTY Board on Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kmwalton1/empty/
Twitter: @kmwalton1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4515355.K_M_Walton?utm_medium=api&utm_source=author_widget
EMPTY on Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781442453593
EMPTY on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Empty-K-M-Walton/dp/1442453591/ref=sr_1_1_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348579607&sr=1-1&keywords=empty+k.m.+walton
CRACKED on Indiebound: http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781442429161
CRACKED on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cracked-K-M-Walton/dp/144242916X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317237706&sr=8-1
Book Trailer for CRACKED: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZptHh37Kz1c&feature=g-upl
TWO AND TWENTY DARK TALES on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Two-Twenty-Dark-Tales-Retellings/dp/0985029412
Giveawy: EMPTY Prize Pack
Pushing the Limits,is the only one that comes to mind.
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