"Thought-provoking, harrowing, and ultimately uplifting, this explores culpability, co-dependency, and coming to a state of independence in the wake of a traumatic teenage relationship. "
Following a young woman from her first relationship as a vulnerable 14-year-old, through its traumatic aftermath, to her eventual discovery of self-worth, Jenna Adams’ heart-rending Can I Stray is sure to provoke a strong emotional response.
Told in three acts covering its protagonists’ situations in 2010, 2014 and 2018, we first meet Brooke as a quiet 14-year-old. She’s been cast as Juliet in a local production, playing opposite 18-year-old Matt. When Brooke falls for her apparent real-life Romeo, it turns out the feeling is mutual. But, knowing the outside world would think their relationship inappropriate - to say the least - Matt urges Brooke to keep it secret, just like Romeo and Juliet were compelled to. Then, one fateful night, things go too far.
Brooke’s voice, thought-processes and spiral to self-harm are exactingly evoked – her low self-esteem and youthful naïveté are painfully palpable, not least when she grasps the illegality of Matt’s actions. Four years on, the damage still runs deep. Brooke makes a rash journey; she’s consumed by guilt and worthlessness; all her relationships are co-dependent. But, in time, Brooke finds folk who don’t take advantage of her vulnerability and, little by little, learns to navigate a new life of self-love.
| Primary Genre | General Fiction |
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