Allegedly

If the point of this point is to introduce the juvenile detention system of the US to readers, it succeeds on many levels. It the point was a meditation on race and crimes on children, it comes up short. This was a tough read, it's not enjoyable-per se. It's a dark story, too dark at times I think. There is no good thing in Mary's life. Nothing. The narrative never gives Mary or the reader a break and because of it, the reading of Allegedly takes a toll. I felt like the entire existence of Mary was just for her to suffer and that type of martyrdom never feels realistic to me.
Is this an important book? Yes. I think it would do readers a service by introducing them to a world they may not know exists. Do I think it borrowed heavily from Push by Sapphire? Yup.
Read for book club, third month.