This is the story of Mirielle, a well off Haitian-American who is kidnapped for ransom in Port-au-Prince while visiting family. She is held, abused and raped for 13 days before her father is willing to pay her ransom. Gay wrote a compelling story with less that perfect people. It was a quick read, but it was by no means an easy one. The book has some of the most graphic depiction of rape I have ever read. It also has some of the most realistic depictions of the aftermath, life and world view of a victim of such perverse acts. 
 I spent most of my time reading the book feeling enraged. Enraged at Mirielle's father for not paying the ransom. Enraged at the men who raped Miri. Enraged at Miri's husband for not understanding that she wasn't ever going to just move on. Enraged that no one seemed to understand that she didn't need a man to save her. She needed to be away from men while she sorted her feelings as it was men who abused her. Enraged that real people experience this daily. I wanted to see justice served for what Mirielle was going through. But it was something that never truly came as is the reality for the people who endure such circumstances. 
 The ending was a bit cliched and trite and not exactly what I expected it to be. But it was a story that needed to be told. A reality we need to know exists. A reality we need to acknowledge exists. No one who endures abuse or rape is ever the same again. And we should not expect them to be.