A PENGUIN RANDOMHOUSE BOOK

A Review by K. Barnhart, M.Ed.

Kate Sweeney’s This is Not a Dead Girl Story pulls readers into an intense, dark narrative, with a voice that feels as personal and intimate as reading a teenager’s private diary. The story gives us direct access to the protagonist’s innermost thoughts, making it easy to feel as if we are walking in her shoes – experiencing her fear, desires, and frustrations firsthand. The raw emotions woven into this novel – sexual attraction, love, fear, anger, jealousy – are vivid, at times uncomfortable, but undeniably real.

Sweeney’s characters are well-developed, realistic for the most part, and layered. The protagonist is conflicted and complex and her emotional journey is authentic. She is not simply a victim of circumstance; she’s a fully realized person, grappling with the dark realities of her world in a way in which many teens can relate to themselves.

The author’s warning at the beginning of the book should be heeded. This novel does not shy away from tough topics like trauma, sexual harassment, violence, suicide and depression. It presents a harsh and disturbing example of what too many teens experience in their daily lives. The ending, while not unexpected, is a heart-breaking reflection of how unsafe the world can be, even within the confines of a small community.

This Is Not a Dead Girl Story is an unflinchingly honest portrayal of a teen’s struggle for survival in a world that is often hostile and indifferent. It serves as both a gripping narrative and a cautionary tale, reminding readers of the dangerous realities young people navigate in modern life. Sweeney’s ability to weave raw emotion with her deeply personal voice makes this novel haunting, powerful, and thought-provoking.

On another level, Sweeney’s novel touches on themes that resonate with women of all ages reflecting on their gender and its role in society. The women in this novel are strong, yet caring, and while recognizing their sexuality, are not prepared to be used by men at their pleasure without getting something in return. They are breadwinners, survivors, and protectors. Sweeney has contrasted her strong female characters with men who are weakened by their own traumas, addictions and vulnerabilities. This dynamic highlights the emotional and psychological burdens women carry, often having to remain resilient in the face of others’ instability.

Kathy Barnhart, M.Ed. completed her Master of Education degree at the University of Alberta and continued her education in leadership at Queens University Executive Management Course, University of Alberta’s Leadership Effective Institute, and Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government.

In 2013, Kathy retired from the City of Edmonton after 23 years. She was elected as a Town Councilor in Beaumont soon after. 

Barnhart is a frequent traveler, visiting Cambridge regularly over the past forty years to visit her late sister, Joan Farrell and her family. This is Barnhart’s first foray into writing book reviews after finding herself immersed in This is Not a Dead Girl Story by Kate Sweeney on a recent visit to the area.