The book Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Wiess, is about this girl who have suffered both emotionally and physically in her childhood. Meredith, along with other children, have been raped, repeatedly by her father. The Courts had given her nine years of safety but only given her three. Her father was supposed to stay locked up until Meredith turned eighteen, but he’s coming home from prison. Throughout the years, the whole town had shun the family. But Meredith’s mother completely ignores it. She insist that it was a mistake and that family should stick together no matter what and is always siding with husband Charles. Meredith believes she’s on her own on this, but there are a few people who do support her along the way. Mrs. Paula Beecher, otherwise known as, Ms. Paula Mues, a widow to which Charles cheated on her with many years ago, supports her through what she’s gone through. Ever since learning about her son’s molestation at her father’s hand, she followed them to Cambridge Oaks and lives next door to them. Andy Mues, Paul’s son and Meredith’s boyfriend, had to also experience what Meredith had. When he was seven he met her father, and he seemed at first a father like to him. Years after his molestation, he became paralyzed. Nigel Balthazar is a retire cop. He was that one who arrested Meredith’s father after she had enough and told the authorities. He now lives next door to the complex her father is now staying at. He comes to Meredith’s aid and gives her a nanny cam where unless if that same incident happens again, they will surely arrest Charles and take him to prison for good. Leah Louisa Delklap is Meredith’s grandmother and mayor of the town. She is against having Meredith being in the same house with her father and will do anything to gain custody of Meredith from now on. Meredith know very well it’s not over yet, she will find the strength she needs in order to escape her father. “I will save other kids from my father and hopefully I will save myself, too,” (Pg. 186).
I really enjoy reading this book. I think of it as a realistic kind of book, like this could happen to anyone. My favorite part is when Meredith finally steps up the plate and finds the will to bring down her father and end the nightmare.