Gemma is a compelling and disturbing twist on the theme of Lolita, only this time we see both sides of child molestation and sexual abuse, hearing the voice of not only the adult predator, but that of the young victim as well.

After Hazen Wood kidnaps 12 year-old Gemma Sullivan, the two embark upon a cross-country journey that tests the limits of Gemma's endurance. In graphic scenes of physical and sexual violence, Hazen tries to destroy the young girl's will. It is only Gemma's childlike resilience and fertile imagination that protect her from the worst of the abuse she suffers. And in the end, the healing power of unconditional love gives Gemma the courage to speak out against her abuser at last — reclaiming her dignity as a human being.

"Tilly's second novel arrives more than a decade after Singing Songs and more than two decades after the author's defining roles as Chloe in The Big Chill and as the title character of Agnes of God. But Tilly's not wasting any time — less than halfway through the first chapter, her 12-year-old title character is well into graphic descriptions of the systematic rape she's endured since she was eight. By the end of chapter two, she's been kidnapped by the man to whom her mother's boyfriend had nonchalantly sold her for sex. And by the end of chapter three, he's been collared in turn by the criminal justice system. The second half of the book sees Gemma taken in by a generous and capable foster mother who grew up with similar abuse, and who encourages her to tell her story at trial. Tilly leaves them awaiting a verdict. While this is in some ways an effective novel, its directness has a lot in common with social services pamphlets and with child pornography. Its intentional artlessness may be valuable to those who have been through the worst and are recovering, but for unwary readers lured by the sunny pink cover, and particularly for young readers untouched by these issues, it presents real NC-17 horrors." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"...Gemma is an astonishingly vital and involving character....Tilly achieves moments of raw beauty and genuine fierceness..." Booklist

"In the early going, it's an effort to keep flipping the pages and endure Gemma's suffering....A haunting tale of abuse that may leave readers queasy." Kirkus Reviews

"Even with all my experience prosecuting these cases Gemma affected me so much that I can't get it out of my mind....This is a truly magnificent work." Judge Ken Freeman and former district attorney

"Never had I read a book on this subject that so effectively captures both the psychology of the abusive relationship along with the social systems that work both to help and hinder the victim." Susan Sarrandon

"Page by page, Meg Tilly holds you captive while portraying every parent's worst nightmare." Barbara Snider, case director, Missing Children Society of Canada

"A gripping book that is a must-read. Meg Tilly gives the ready a chance to experience firsthand the horrors children endure when they are sexually abused." Carla Van Dam, PH.D., author of The Socially Skilled Child Molester and Identifying Child Molesters

After Hazen Wood kidnaps 12 year-old Gemma Sullivan, the two embark upon a cross-country journey that tests the limits of Gemma's endurance. In graphic scenes of physical and sexual violence, Hazen tries to destroy the young girl's will. It is only Gemma's childlike resilience and fertile imagination that protect her from the worst of the abuse she suffers. And in the end, the healing power of unconditional love gives Gemma the courage to speak out against her abuser at last — reclaiming her dignity as a human being.

Meg Tilly is the author of Singing Songs. Ms. Tilly is best known for her film roles in The Big Chill and Agnes of God. She lives in British Columbia.