Inexcusable

Written by Chris Lynch

Narrated by Scott Merriman

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.

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Sep 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781522650324

Chris Lynch

Chris Lynch is a National Book Award finalist and the author of many highly acclaimed books for young adults, including The Big Game of Everything, Who the Man, and the Michael L. Printz Honor Book Freewill; Iceman, Shadow boxer, Gold Dust, and Slot Machine, all ALA Best Books for Young Adults; and Extreme Elvin. He also mentors aspiring writers and teaches in the creative writing program at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Reviews for Inexcusable

[readerspeak_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Keir doesn't understand why Gigi has accused him of raping her. That's not how he remembers it. He believes he's a good guy, and good guys don't rape girls. He leads the reader through a series of events leading up to the pivotal night, a night that seemed magical and surreal to Keir. Although clues to Keir's unreliability as narrator emerged, he remained for me a sympathetic character, one who thought and acted like a modern day Holden Caulfield. This book would be a great companion to Lauire Halsen Anderson's Speak as well.

[jimrgill · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Chris Lynch’s “Inexcusable” examines an important issue facing contemporary adolescents—date rape—from an often underexamined perspective, the rapist’s. Lynch has created a believably deluded narrator in Keir Sarafian, a popular high school senior who plays on the football team and lives with his widowed father. Keir is by turns arrogant, insecure, oblivious, apologetic, inarticulate, sweet, and insensitive. In short, he could be many teenage boys. Keir, however, takes denial to new depths after he date rapes a girl named Gigi but refuses to take responsibility for his actions.

Although Lynch’s novel attempts to tell an important story, it is not so much a story as an extended character sketch. The plot, such as it is, is skeletal. The novel opens in the aftermath of the pivotal event, and the rest of the story—told largely in flashback—focuses on Keir’s past actions, most of which establish him as unreliable narrator—a young man who is not to be trusted as an accurate judge of his own (or his father’s) character. Keir’s flawed character IS the story, really, and every other character—Keir’s father, Keir’s sisters, other members of the football team—are there merely to provide Keir with human interaction.

This minimalist attempt at a plot renders the story—which, focusing as it does on a powerful and important issue—a disappointing shell. Young adult readers, for whom this novel is intended, will easily see through the thin plot and moralistic themes.

[vlcraven_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

He plays football and soccer well enough to be noticed by college scouts, he loves his two older sisters and can’t wait to go to the same college they do so they can live together again and his best friend is his dad. Kier knows right from wrong and when someone he loves gets hurt he feels just as badly as if he were the one injured. So he can’t understand why GiGi Boudakian is saying what she’s saying he did. Because good guys don’t do what she says he did. And Kier is a good guy. Yeah, he knows how to party, but he knows when enough is enough and he loves GiGi Boudakian. He’s loved her since they were six. He couldn’t have done what she says he did to someone he loved…In this young adult novel, Kier narrates the story of his last year in high school and all the events leading up to the night in question, when Killer Kier (so named because of an accident on the football field) finds out that sometimes the way we see reality isn’t the way it really is. A provocative story about something that happens more frequently than we’d like to admit. Recommended for fifteen and up, this would be an excellent book to stimulate discussions in the classroom or with teens in your family.
When I heard this was a book about date rape from the rapist’s point of view I was hesitant to pick it up—thinking the author would try to make us feel sorry for the protagonist, but instead Lynch gives a believable portrait of a young man who believes he can do no wrong. At first, I was livid, but eventually I came round to think this book should be read by every teenager—male and female.

[erikawastaken · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pros:
* Unreliable narrator
* Interesting use of contemporary action and backstory
* Great development/pacing

Cons:
* Unfulfilling ending
* True first person narrative

So, everything that made me not like this book is why I love this book. This is such a fantastic example of not only an unreliable narrator, but a true first person narrative.

Not only do we only know what the main character knows, we only see it through the prism of his perceptions. By the end you understand how badly broken not only the narrator is, but his entire family -- and how wrong his "truth" is.

The end is unfulfilling only in that the main character does not get the comeuppance that one expects from an award-winning YA novel. He doesn't learn his lesson, or go to jail. However, this character faces a much harsher punishment, which is the destruction of his carefully constructed reality.

[scote23 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book is about a "good" guy that does a bad thing. If you want to use a book with an unreliable narrator for something, I would definitely pick this one. A hard but needed read.

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant and disturbing.

[jenj5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a difficult book because the narrator is pretty unsympathetic. The jumping back and forth in time frustrated me a little and there were aspects I would have liked to know more about (particularly what happened to the injured football player). A very interesting look at an unreliable narrator though.

[emleemay · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm finding it difficult to compile my thoughts on this one. On one hand, I found it to be a very interesting exploration of an unreliable and unconventional narrator, but on the other, I just felt like I needed something more in order for me to give a higher rating. Perhaps it was the shortness of the novel, I felt like there was so much that could have been developed and explored deeper, like the relationship between the protagonist and his father and sisters. But even just his own mind... we barely scratched the surface.

Anyway, the story is about Keir. He's a good guy. Or at least, he says he is. But some people seem to think differently, like Gigi who claims he did the unthinkable. It starts to become obvious that Keir might be lying, and not only to the reader but to himself as well.

I like these kinds of stories that are a bit different from the norm, that take on challenging characters and, through them, take us to new and unusual places. This is not a nice story, but I find that the most memorable stories rarely are and this is definitely the kind of book that makes you think about certain things and ask questions you wouldn't previously consider. As is written on the back of my edition:

Where does personal responsibility begin? How do we define ourselves? And are we all capable of monstrous things?

[rosanasantana · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Keir is a good guy. Everybody loves him. There was just that one incident on the football field, but everyone knows he was just doing his job. So why is his best friend accusing him? Difficult to read due to the main characters disgusting personality.

[knitwit2_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A short read, with a weighty message. Keir is certain that he is a "good guy". He is also an alcoholic, and short on a conscience. He is the master of rationalizations, sadly his behavior can't always be explained away.

[tatiana_g_29 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've seen this book recommended as a companion novel to Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak and really, the main character of Inexcusable, Keir, could have easily been IT.

The novel starts with Keir's friend, Gigi, screaming at him, accusing him of rape.

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 firmly. "You did not."

You see, according to Keir, the way it looks is not the way it is. How can he, an upstanding guy, a great son and brother, rape anybody? It's just impossible, because he is a good guy. Gigi must have gotten it all wrong, misunderstood him and he will do his best to convince her she made a mistake.

What follows is your (a)typical "unreliable narrator" story. When Keir starts describing some events of his senior year leading up to the fateful evening, we see that maybe he has a bit of a skewed image of himself, maybe even a lot skewed? Maybe his dad is not such a great role model? Maybe his sisters are not that supportive?

Inexcusable, it seems, gets some heat in the reviews for focusing on an unlikable main character who doesn't realize what is wrong with him. I never have a problem with this sort of thing. Such stories (The Spectacular Now and You) I enjoy, it's always interesting to get into a twisted person's head IMO. What I wish though is that the novel were a little longer. I think there is much more to explore in Keir's life and his relationships with his family and friends. Otherwise, it Inexcusable is a strong, thought-provoking, but not necessarily feel-good novel for young adults.

[owensmj · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When recent high school graduate and star football player Keir rapes his childhood friend, he is forced to reexamine his self-image as a "good guy", which had never before questioned.
Keir's situation and perception of himself is probably relateable on some level to most young adults. Most people either know a "popular jock" type of person or are one themselves, and I think most everyone has at some pointed wanted to be liked by the crowd, or by a special person.

[mariecoady · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book stayed with me for a long time. All about perspective, intent, inner life and outward actions. What do we honestly acknowledge about ourselves? Do others see you the way you see yourself?

[harrisw4 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Inexcusable is about a teen named Keir and how he rationalizes the decisions he has made in his life. He gives excuse after excuse of all of the horrible decisions he has made. He tries to describe how he is a great person and that he doesn’t understand how other people could have a different opinion of him. His two older sisters are in college. He lives with his Dad and this plays an important role in the story.

[lilibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Keir is a high school football player who has trouble seeing the consequences of his actions. He's a football player, and a good guy - and sometimes the way it looks is not the way it his. He loves Gigi, so he can't have hurt her. Right?

[ewyatt_16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Keir is a guy who claims to have two heartbeats, as if there are competing beings within him. At the beginning of the book, Keir show us a side of himself that seems as if maybe he has been falsely accused of rape or there has been some sort of misunderstanding. As more and more things about him are revealed, like his use of alcohol and drugs, participation in vandalism, and hazing of other students within the school, it becomes apparent that Keir is not necessarily the good guy he claims to be. Keir is quick to label the actions of others as inexcusable, but he is not willing to put that mirror up to his own behavior.
The story is told in alternating chapters, giving snipets of the aftermath of the rape with Gigi and giving more exposition about Keir.

[bookdrops · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This novel attempts to address several very serious issues including parental and teen alcoholism and the atrocity of date rape at its worst. Unfortunately, while it presents these topics for discussion, it does not present the complexity or true pain of these issues well. The plot is very thin and characters, even the antihero, is not well developed. The whole story seems contrived, not that any of it could be untrue, but because binding elements seem to be missing.

I would recommend this book to teens who have already crossed lines and are hanging on the edge of making criminal-type life-altering decisions. This book is harsh enough, and disconnected enough that it may reach this group of readers and readers who have already crossed those lines. I would not recommend this book to the majority of readers because they may not grasp the intensity of the situation. Due to the repeated claims of the anti-heroes conscience, the unreliable narrator of much of the book, readers may believe that he is the "good guy" he believes he is.

[francescadefreitas · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a harrowing account of a rape, from the rapist's point of view. As Keir tells us the story of his life leading up to his night with Gigi, we come to realise that he is a master of self-delusion.

This is a raw look at the little justifications and excuses a person can make for their behaviour, as small inconsiderate deeds build up to horrific actions.

(spoilers)
I am bothered by the ending - it seems that to the very last moment, Keir fails to take responsibility for his past actions.

[tyuiop159 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Once you read the summery, that's it you're have to read the whole book. Inexcusable was one of the best coming-of-age books I've ever read. Chris Lynch's unique writing style keeps you turning to the next page.

[chibimajo · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not quite what I thought it'd be based on the rumors. Keir is a "good guy", that's what he's always been told. He has a close relationship with his father and 2 older sisters, he's involved in both football and soccer at school, his grades aren't stellar, but he gets by. But Gigi claims that she raped him. Keir knows he's a good guy, so he can't possibly have done this horrible thing to Gigi, and he just needs to make her understand that. So the book traces back through glimpses of the past year of his life, showing the events, as seen through Keir's eyes, that led up to this night. Spoilers would show why this book did not turn out how I had thought, but it still left me anxious to read it. The conflicting viewpoints of events as seen through Keir's head are very interesting.

[4sarad_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Interesting read. The guy makes himself out to be a great guy and makes you believe his family is the most wonderful family ever, but as the story goes on you realize how wrong he is on all fronts. I enjoyed it quite a bit.

[msjackson_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a twist! Keir, the narrator of this short tragedy leads the reader to believe that he is the "good guy"... Until he commits the inexcusable crime. He is the popular guy in school who has earned a reputation as a "killer" on the football field. His peers like him and his dad aka "best friend" loves him but enables his predatory behavior.

[jrlibrary · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Keir knows he could not have done something so inexcusable as rape. As Keir recounts the events, there is a darker side that casts doubt on his innocence. The voice of the narrator does a great job illustrating Keir's bewilderment. Lynch has made Keir seem confused. The reader wants to like Keir. This book would be a great one to pair with Speak by Anderson.

[lynnevs_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I know what the author named this boy, but I could have put other names in because I've met too many people who were never held accountable for their actions! This book is a great story and a vivid portrayal of what can happen when kids are given too many excuses and free passes.

[caitlove · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Very hard to read. And after rape she like still talked to him, like it was no big deal. Gives victims of rape a bad name. Really didn't like it.

[shereads_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this book absolutely disturbing, but very, very well done. Lynch really makes the reader think Keir isn't so bad. Lynch created a really likable, but scary and disturbing villain in Keir.

[techimi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a small, rather unassuming looking little book that packs a punch. The day I started it, a friend asked "So what's inexcusable?" and I said, "As far as I can tell, the main character is."

Entering in the midst of a fight, you get off on wobbly feet. One half of the fight thinks he's right, and the other half thinks he's insane. So Keir Sarafian sets about telling us what a good guy he is, documenting it, and rationalizing the instances where it seems he might be anything else. Meanwhile, on every flash back to the present, Gigi Boudakian is still crying.

It certainly does seem, at least when you start, that Keir Sarafian is what he claims. And even when he cripples a guy, it seems plausible that it was an accident. Football injuries happen. But then there's the incident with the statue. And the tape of himself abusing his own soccer teammates...but it's blurry so he's sure it's not really him--he would never do that. Still, as the school year winds down, life becomes more and more questionable. And more and more inexcusable.

Then Graduation Day turns sour, as Keir's sisters won't be making it home for the ceremy. It turns out Gigi's boyfriend doesn't make it either. So they end up together in a limo, riding aimlessly, until they decide to take off to Norfolk. Arriving there, Keir is greeted with more shocks. On top of his already unstable state, helped along by ample doses of alcohol and drugs, it's just too much.

When all the events have added up, the question becomes who is Keir Sarafian? Does he even really know?

[shannonseglin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Keir is a senior who fancies himself a lovable rogue. So do his widowed father, his older sisters, and his classmates. He likes being liked; he just doesn't do well with involvement. Keir would never do anything to hurt anyone intentionally–or would he? When he tackles and cripples a member of an opposing football team, it's determined to be an accident–one that earns him the good-humored nickname, Killer. When he and his buddies destroy a town statue, they consider it a high-spirited, funny prank. When he gets drunk, the alcohol abuse is dismissed as silly, harmless drinks, and drugs at parties are strictly recreational. And when he date rapes the girl he thinks he loves, at first he convinces himself that the way it looks is not the way it is. (SLJ)

[hyborianmike · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An excellent book, but I can't say I enjoyed it. I've had some interesting conversations with my lib'ary colleagues (most of whom are women) about this novel. While not every man is a rapist, as a gender we do pretty much stink, and are pretty much interested in only one thing. "Killer" Kier may not representative of the gender (except maybe the jocks,[just joking]) but I don't think he's all that atypical either.