The Opposite Of Fate

by Alison McGhee Narrated by Alison McGhee

Overview

Who gets to choose? When a young woman emerges from a lengthy coma-like state she must face the decisions that were made about her body-without her consent-in this powerful novel of reclamation and hope.

Twenty-one-year-old Mallie Williams-scrappy, headstrong, and wise beyond her years-has just landed on her feet following a tumultuous youth when the unthinkable happens: she is violently assaulted. The crime leaves her comatose, surrounded by friends and family who are hoping against hopes for a full recovery.

But soon Mallie's small community finds themselves divided. The rape has left Mallie pregnant, and while some friends are convinced that she would never keep the pregnancy, others are sure that a baby would be the only good thing to come out of all of this pain. Who gets to decide? How much power, in the end, do we have over our own bodies? Mallie, her family, and her town find themselves at the center of a media storm, confronting questions nobody should have to face. And when Mallie emerges from the fog, what will she think of the choices that were made on her behalf?

The Opposite of Fate is an intense and moving exploration of the decisions we make-and don't make-that forever change the course of our lives.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

One of Parade's "20 Most Anticipated Books of Early 2020" One of Working Mother's "20 Most Anticipated Books of 2020"  One of Beyond the Bookends' "New Releases for Winter 2020"  One of She Reads' "7 Books About Strong Women"  One of Crime Reads' "9 Novels to Read in February"  Included on Mind Joggle's "February 2020 Reading List" Included on Book Reporter's "New in Paperback" "The Opposite of Fate dives deep into one of the more terrifying—and yet hopeful—questions of life. How do we choose when we don't know the right answer? Alison McGhee is a fearless writer, full of love for humanity and a tender touch with words. You'll love this book."  —Rene Denfeld, bestselling author of The Child Finder "The Opposite of Fate is a timely and piercing read, pushing us to think about choice, both in the abstract sense and in our everyday lives." —Bitch Media   “Alison McGhee’s The Opposite of Fate plunges fearlessly into the core of the pro-choice vs. pro-life debate…staggering…[McGhee] maneuvers the weight of this tight-rope topic with grace and unwavering symmetry…[The Opposite of Fate] teaches us that at the end of the day the story of our lives comes down to our choices. Even when we are dealt a bad hand, a hand beyond our control, the decision of how we carry on is still up to us. We always have the option to keep moving forward as best we can.” —Paperback Paris "Laudable...heartfelt...give[s] nuance to sweeping political questions...The Opposite of Fate rejects the idea of 'the flat rightness and wrongness of things' in favor of a fraught and human complexity." —Star Tribune "The Opposite of Fate is an uplifting novel about the life-changing decisions we make and the way they shape our lives." —She Reads, "7 Books About Strong Women"  “Heartfelt…McGhee is interested in these characters regaining themselves, not the violence but the consequences. And she does it with her usual graceful writing and empathy for her character that makes the reader ache for all of them.” —Pioneer Press "McGhee uses thoughtful language and rich, meditative imagery to paint a picture of one young woman facing a difficult new path ahead." —Booklist​  “This is, at its heart, a novel about family—including chosen family—autonomy, and identity…Thoughtful and moving.” —Kirkus "McGhee raises an issue pertinent to women’s lives in general: Who has control of our bodies?" —Crime Reads, "9 Novels to Read in February"  "Humanizes the abortion issue in a way that is unexpected and heartening...The Opposite of Fate is a timely work." —PopMatters  "Alison McGhee’s The Opposite of Fate is, like everything she writes, as close to poetry as prose gets, full of metaphor and imagery and lyrical repetition. I was driven to turn page after page to find out what would happen—Would Mallie reassemble her life? What would &ld —

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178565001
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	02/18/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged

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