Inexcusable (10th Anniversary Edition)

by Chris Lynch

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781481432023
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Publication date:	01/13/2015
Edition description:	Anniversary Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	810L (what's this?)
Age Range:	13 - 17 Years

About the Author

Chris Lynch is the award-winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including Printz Honor Book Freewill, Iceman, Gypsy Davey, 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. Chris is the author of middle grade novel Walkin’ the Dog. 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.

Read an Excerpt

Inexcusable

The way it looks is not the way it is.

Gigi Boudakian is screaming at me so fearsomely, I think I could just about cry. I almost don’t even care what the subject is because right now I am sick and I am confused and I am laid so low by the very idea that Gigi Boudakian is screaming at me that the what-for hardly seems even to matter. I love Gigi Boudakian. I hate it when people I love scream at me.

And I don’t feel guilty. That is, I don’t feel like I am guilty. But I sure as hell feel sorry.

I am sorry.

I am one sorry sorry bastard. And I feel very sick.

I am so sorry.

“What are you sorry for, Keir?” Gigi screams again, grabbing me by where my lapels would be if I had a jacket on, or a shirt, or anything. She can’t get a purchase because I have no clothes, and very little fat, because I have been good about my health lately. She grabs, can’t grab, scratches instead at my chest, then slaps me hard across the face, first right side then left, smack, smack.

“Say what you did, Keir.”

“Why is Carl coming? Why do you have to call Carl, Gigi?”

“Say what you did, Keir. Admit what you did to me.”

“I didn’t do anything, Gigi.”

“Yes you did! I said no!”

I say this very quietly, but firmly. “You did not.”

“I said no,” she growls. “Say it.”

“I don’t see why you need Carl. You can beat me up just fine on your own. Listen, Gigi, it was nobody’s fault.”

“Yes it was! It was your fault. This should not have happened.”

“Fine, then it didn’t.”

“It did, it did, it did, bastard! For me it did, and it’s making me sick.”

“Don’t. Don’t be sick. I don’t want you to be sick or anything. I just want everything to be all right. Everything is all right, Gigi. Please, can everything be all right?”

“It is not all right! It is not all right, and you are not all right, Keir Sarafian. Nothing is all right. Nothing will ever again ever be all right.”

She is wrong. Gigi is wrong about everything, but especially about me. You could ask pretty much anybody and they will tell you. Rock solid, Keir. Kind of guy you want behind you. Keir Sarafian, straight shooter. Loyal, polite. Funny. Good manners. He was brought up right, that boy was, is what you would hear. All the things you would want to hear said about you are the things I have always heard said about me. I am a good guy.

Good guys don’t do bad things. Good guys understand that no means no, and so I could not have done this because I understand, and I love Gigi Boudakian.

“I love you, Gigi.”

As I say this, Gigi Boudakian lets out the most horrific scream I have ever heard, and I am terrified by it and reach out, lunge toward her and try and cover her mouth with my hands and I fall over her and she screams louder and bites at my hands and I keep flailing, trying to stop that sound coming out of her and getting out into the world.

I am only trying to stop the sound. It looks terrible what I am doing, as I watch my hands doing it, as I watch hysterical Gigi Boudakian reacting to me, and it looks really, really terrible but I am only trying to stop the awful sound and the way it looks is not the way it is.

The way it looks is not the way it is.

Reading Group Guide

A SIMON PULSE Guide for Reading
Inexcusable
By Chris Lynch

ABOUT THE BOOK
Keir Sarafian declares that he is innocent of raping Gigi Boudakian. But that's not how Gigi sees it. Polluted with alcohol and high on drugs, Keir shows up at a graduation party where Gigi is brooding over her boyfriend's absence. The two leave the party together and wind up in a room all alone on a college campus three hours away. As Keir tells his story, he repeats "the way it looks is not the way it is." But Keir loses credibility as he relates past events of his senior year: a football accident when he crippled another player, acts of vandalism after a football and soccer breakup party, and late night drinking binges with his father. Through it all, Keir dismisses his bad behavior and attempts to convince his readers and himself that he is a good guy. But "good guys don't do bad things," and Keir Sarafian appears disconnected, angry, and in total denial of any of his violent actions. Is he guilty of date rape? Does he live up to the nickname "killer" that he earned on the football field? Can he admit that his father hasn't been good for him? Will he ever accept responsibility for his inexcusable behavior or is he totally deluded?
ACTIVITIES BEFORE READING
The media is filled with stories about teenage crime and innocent pranks that turned bad. School violence, date rape, and illegal drug and alcohol use are common behaviors reported, but there are others. Read the newspaper for a week and collect stories that in your mind represent inexcusable behavior on the part of an adolescent. Share the stories with one another, and discuss what might be going on inside the head of the accused.
There are numerous attempts to censor books that young adults read, especially those that deal with sex and violence. Discuss why adults feel so threatened by teenagers' desire to read about these subjects. How might a book help a teenager deal with all that goes on inside and around them? Prepare a convincing remark to a parent who might object to these ideas.
DISCUSSION TOPICS
Keir Sarafian, the narrator of the novel, begins his story by saying, "The way it looks is not the way it is." How does this statement set the tone for the entire book? Who is he trying to convince of his innocence? Himself, the reader, or both? How does Keir prove to be an unreliable narrator? At what point in the novel does this become obvious?
When Gigi Boudakian accuses Keir of raping her, he says, "I don't feel like I am guilty. But I sure as hell feel sorry." What is the difference between feeling guilty and feeling sorry? Keir clearly has a crush on Gigi. Discuss whether he feels that "loving" Gigi justifies his behavior. Is there a moment in the book when you feel Keir isn't guilty? Why?
In your opinion, is there any point in the story where you feel Gigi is at fault? Do you ever think the sex was consensual, and if so, why? Explain your position.
How much were the drugs a factor in what happened that night? Do you think they absolve Keir of his responsibility?
Describe Keir's struggle with self-image. Debate whether his self-image changes when he accepts the nickname "killer." How does Gigi perceive a relationship between Keir's nickname and his behavior? Social workers and psychologists who work in prisons often refer to the poor self-image of criminals. How might this be especially true with sex offenders?
After the football accident, Keir says, "I didn't cripple a guy. He got crippled, and I was part of it. The difference is very important." How is this comment devoid of any feeling for the victim? Keir tells his sisters that he isn't going to apologize to the guy because he didn't do anything wrong. Discuss whether an apology would be an admission of guilt. What do Mary and Fran realize about the situation that Keir cannot admit? Keir says, "I hate it when people I love condemn me." Debate whether his sisters are condemning him or trying to help him.
Describe Keir's relationship with his father. How does he contribute to Keir's inexcusable behavior? Explain what Fran means when she tells Keir, "I have to love Ray from a distance. He's not healthy for me. He's not healthy for you." There is only one scene in the novel when Keir calls Ray "Dad." What is the significance of this scene?
Keir really likes being liked, but he doesn't want to be buddies with anyone, because that requires involvement. Discuss whether this unwillingness to become involved contributes to his violent behavior. Do you think Keir would have raped Gigi had he been more involved with her?
Keir declines his father's offer to throw him a graduation party and instead chooses an all-night limo ride. How does the limo ride allow him to celebrate the evening from the outside? How is this consistent with his other behaviors? Describe Keir's arrival at Quarterback Ken's house. How is he playing into his "killer" role at the party?
At the beginning and throughout the novel, Keir refers to himself as a good guy. Why does he need for others to validate his good-guy image? When is this especially evident? Keir looks at the videotape of the soccer breakup party and comments, "I saw a good guy there. The film saw other things, entirely." What is the significance of this scene? Is this an attempt to resolve the reality of the situation? Discuss whether he feels guilty or sorry after viewing the film.
At the end of the book, Keir talks about his "two hearts." What do you think he means by this? Explain your answer.
Chris Lynch raises questions about the athletic culture in high schools. How do coaches and the pressure to win contribute to a "boys will be boys" attitude? In Keir's high school, the underclassmen take blame for the vandalism committed by the senior football and soccer players. Where are the adults when this occurs?
Anger, fear, loneliness, and a feeling of isolation are some of the emotions that Keir experiences. Which of these emotions are the most apparent? Discuss the relationship between anger and fear, and between loneliness and isolation. How does Keir allow his emotions to destroy his life? What advice can you offer a teenager who is on the brink of self-destruction?
What advice might Gigi offer teenage girls about date rape?
At graduation, Keir says, "Everything right now had the feeling of lasts, finishes, of playing out for good, forever." What do you think of Keir's finish? Debate whether he is changed forever.
Discuss whether there is an underground social culture at most high schools. What is the basis of the culture? How tough is it for teenagers who don't belong to the culture? Discuss how such a culture is in conflict with the academic purpose of high school.
CULMINATING ACTIVITIES
There are three common predator drugs: Rohypnol, Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate, and Ketamine Hydrochloride. Find out the street names for these drugs, how they affect the body, and how you can protect yourself from these drugs.
Date rape has become so prevalent on college campuses that many institutions conduct seminars for students on the topic. Hold an open discussion forum on date rape. Invite social workers, psychologists, and student services personnel from a nearby college or university to participate in the discussion.

Editorial Reviews

*"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."

starred review Publishers Weekly

*"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."

starred review VOYA

"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

*"Expertly drawn...A nuanced, wholly believable character that will leave many readers shaking with recognition...Unforgettable."

starred review Booklist

"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

"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

"An interesting companion piece to Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak."

KLIATT

*"A finely crafted and thought-provoking page-turner"

starred review School Library Journal

*"Lynch hits a home run with this provocative, important read."

starred review Kirkus Reviews