The term “rape culture” has been used to describe recent stories of fraternity scandals and the assault allegations against celebrities such as Bill Cosby, Jian Gomeshi, football player Ray Rice and others.
Now, a story that Wisconsin author Kathie Giorgio originally started two decades ago has been published as a response to the increased attention to rape and the attitudes towards its victims.
"The more I head that phrase [rape culture], the more I thought a book like this needs to come out that really tells the truth about rape, tells the truth about how women are treated in the aftermath," says Giorgio.
Rise From the River follows the aftermath of a rape, and the choices the main character, Rainey, has to face as a single mother. Over the course of ten weeks, the reader is taken through the narrative of a hard experience, and the even tougher choices that follow.
"It's a message of saying that 'you can do this,'" says Giorgio. "If you do find yourself in this dark situation, you can work your way through, you can find help, and you can come out the other side and be all the stronger for it."
Giorgio is a local author and writing teacher, and is the director and founder of AllWriters’ Workplace & Workshop. Her latest novel, Rise From the River is her fourth book published by Main Street Rag Publishing Company. She will be at Boswell Books for a “Reading for Peace” event on May 13th that will benefit the Sojourner Family Peace Center.
