Inexcusable: 10th Anniversary Edition (Paperback)
By Chris Lynch
Date rape—from the accused's point of view—is the subject of this "finely crafted and thought-provoking page-turner" (SLJ), a National Book Award Finalist from Printz Honor–winning author Chris Lynch. Now available in a tenth-anniversary edition.
Keir Sarafian may not know much, but he knows himself. And the one thing he knows about himself is that he is a good guy. A guy who's a devoted son and brother, a loyal friend, and a reliable teammate. And, maybe most important of all, Keir is a guy who understands that when a girl says no, she means it.
But that is not what Gigi Boudakian, childhood friend and Keir's lifelong love, says at all. What Gigi says seems impossible to Keir—something inexcusable—the worst thing he can imagine, the very opposite of everything he wants to be.
As Keir recalls the events leading up to his fateful night with Gigi, he realizes that the way things look are definitely not the way they really are…and that it may be all too easy for a good guy to do something terribly wrong.
Chris Lynch has written a no-holds-barred story about truth, lies, and responsibility—a story that every good guy needs to hear.
Chris Lynch is the Printz Honor Award–winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including Printz Honor Book Freewill, Iceman, Gypsy Davy, and Shadow Boxer—all ALA Best Books for Young Adults—as well as Killing Time in Crystal City, Little Blue Lies, Pieces, Kill Switch, Angry Young Man, and Inexcusable, which was a National Book Award finalist and the recipient of six starred reviews. He holds an MA from the writing program at Emerson College. He teaches in the Creative Writing MFA program at Lesley University. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.
"This raw and powerful book will hammer its way into your heart and haunt you. The world needs this story. And you want to read it -- trust me."
— Laurie Halse Anderson, Printz Honor-Winning Author of Speak
"Chris Lynch is the best pure YA writer we have -- he has the guts, he has the chops, and like his readers, he'll take a close look at anything. Inexcusable is irresistible, in its limning of the spaces between brutality and grace, between the soul and the law. Start at page one -- you'll never stop."
— Bruce Brooks, Newbery Honor-Winning Author of The Moves Make the Man
"Inexcusable is a not-to-be-missed chapter in the anthropology of ritual male dating behavior. From the first phrase to the last phrase, Chris Lynch creates a character with such flawless self-deception that the reader mistakes being seduced with being stalked. In the end you become the books trophy, and you'll find your head mounted on the cover."
— Jack Gantos, Printz Honor-Winning Author of Hole In My Life
*"A finely crafted and thought-provoking page-turner"
— School Library Journal, starred review
*"Expertly drawn...A nuanced, wholly believable character that will leave many readers shaking with recognition...Unforgettable."
— Booklist, starred review
*"Lynch hits a home run with this provocative, important read."
— Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"An interesting companion piece to Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak."
— KLIATT
*"With his portrait of Keir, Lynch makes it nearly impossible for readers to see the world in black-and-white terms. This book is guaranteed to prompt heated discussions."
— Publishers Weekly, starred review
*"Lynch's masterful exploration of the difference between perception and reality is fascinating. Teens will reread this short but complex story debating the issues of violence and responsibility."
— VOYA, starred review
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Sexual Abuse
Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Emotions & Feelings
Young Adult Fiction / Family
Hardcover (November 1st, 2005): $19.99
MP3 CD (September 5th, 2017): $9.99
Paperback (March 20th, 2012): $9.99