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To Give the Victim a Voice
Dear Gosei: A young man confronting his past follows a young man who was sexually abused as a teenager as he goes on a journey of self-discovery and a search for answers from those who did nothing to protect him. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The novel is based on a true fact that was revealed to me by accident, and I had to keep it a secret. I couldn’t comfort the victim, who was an acquaintance of mine so I grew a bit obsessed with the event. Also, it was during the worst part of Covid, and I spent many hours alone at home in isolation. I ended up writing about this to calm my anxiety. I wrote the story as a way to process my thoughts and feelings about the incident. It was my way of trying to make sense of what had happened and to give the victim a voice that they couldn’t give themselves. I hope my novel will be a source of comfort for those who have been through similar experiences.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
There is no direct reference in my debut novel to anything that happened in my life but definitely, I share many points of view with the protagonist. Family dynamics, the college years away from home, the teenage dreams to become an independent, dependable person, the path to self-discovery are also aspects with which I identify myself. Some of the characters in the novel are composites of my past and present, and their stories come from my own life experiences.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In order to properly describe the harrowing experience of suffering sexual abuse I read a lot about it, trying always to understand why it happens and what are the consequences. I found, to my astonishment, that sexual abuse is not a thing of the past. On the contrary, it is an ever-present damage in modern societies, affecting all over the world. It is a heartbreaking reality that has serious consequences for those who suffer it. We must take urgent steps to prevent and combat it and to provide the necessary support to survivors. This is the only way to make our society a safer place for all. It is also a delicate issue, particularly when it happens among families, and there is no real magic solution to it. Many sexual abuse crimes go unreported precisely for that reason because it can destroy the future of the victim, the abuser, and the entire family.
I read a lot, too, about Asian immigration to the USA during the last century, particularly Japanese immigration. That is how I learned about WWII internment camps for Japanese families on the West Coast, such as Manzanar in California. It was so shocking to me that I decided to put it in the story. It was a powerful reminder of the racism and injustice that was faced by Japanese-Americans during the war, and of the strength and courage of those who survived the camps. I wanted to include it to show that even in the darkest of times, we can still find hope and resilience.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am working on the prequel which will give a perspective on the traumatic events happening in DEAR GOSEI. It goes back four generations of the Forrester Hattori family. The prequel will explore the family’s history and how they came to be where they are today. It will also provide more insight into the characters and their motivations. Finally, it will provide the necessary context to understand DEAR GOSEI. It is at a very early stage, so I can’t say when it will be finished.
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After a tragic teenage trauma, a young man fights to respect himself and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, facing his family to get the answers he has been searching for for the last 12 years.
John, a good-looking, and athletic 14-year-old from an affluent family in the suburbs of Los Angeles, is a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of his uncle. Family interests will prevail above all else. The mother decides to keep the incident secret to avoid scandal and the bad reputation of the family. The boy’s life is forever changed by this tragic experience which destroys his hopes of becoming a competitive swimmer and leaves him feeling helpless and alone.
Over time, however, thanks to his resilient and tenacious spirit, he overcomes his obstacles and returns to his former academic and athletic success. John and his girlfriend Val, who seem to have a rock-solid relationship, become the most popular couple at school. In reality, he doesn’t live like his friends because of his tragic past, insecurity, sexual confusion, and toxic family. Although everything appears normal, neither the family behaves naturally nor does John shake off the weight of his past.
His uncle considers John his favorite nephew but ignores the harm inflicted on the boy. His mother wishes to keep the secret. His father and brother, devoutly religious, make him feel like an outsider at all times, dictating family life with an iron fist and a handful of obsolete rules.
To reclaim his self-respect, he will confront his past, demanding explanations from his uncle and mother, each guilty of having a great impact on his harrowing youth. In this journey of self-discovery, he will explore his priorities, career, friendships, and dysfunctional family. John knows that he must face the future head-on to be at peace with himself.
DEAR GOSEI is the debut novel of Jorge Bosch, born and educated in Barcelona, Spain, now a resident of Los Angeles, California. The book hopes to captivate the reader with its well-grounded and vividly portrayed characters, and participants in a story that will keep you interested until the end. The story takes place at two points in the protagonist’s life: firstly when John is molested as a young boy and then again when he finally decides to take charge of his life and confront his family 12 years later. Two central themes steer the narrative: sexual abuse, as real as life itself, and a controversial subject treated with sensitivity and empathy, and John’s personal development, as he seeks to deal with the truth about what happened to him. He struggles to find his place in the world by accepting his homosexuality and the person he loves. DEAR GOSEI, a romantic drama with touches of a psychological novel, fast-paced and minimalist, is set in the capital of Southern California and takes a critical view of the traditional and old-fashioned family it portrays.
DEAR GOSEI
John Forrester’s upbringing, marked by privilege within a well-to-do family, might suggest a life of ease and comfort. Yet, despite his affable nature and intelligence, John’s existence is marred by familial challenges: a father with rigid religious beliefs, a distant mother, and the overshadowing presence of an older brother. These complexities form the backdrop of his relatively carefree childhood until a harrowing event at 14 alters his trajectory, casting him into a world of uncertainty. The once vibrant and hopeful young man now stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the decision between forgiveness and vengeance.
Dear Gosei distinguishes itself as a nuanced exploration of the aftermath of sexual abuse, taking the reader on an emotional journey that is as unsettling as it is profound. The narrative centers around John, whose resilience and inner strength in adversity are heart-wrenching and admirable. His character is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for courage and endurance. The portrayal of John’s mother invokes a complex mix of emotions, from frustration over her apparent neglect to a reluctant empathy for her choices. Similarly, Douglas, John’s father, initially appears dismissive, yet as the story unfolds, his infuriating actions become somewhat understandable within the broader context of their fractured family dynamics. While Dear Gosei confronts the reader with the uncomfortable realities of abuse, it is ultimately a narrative imbued with hope. The characters are skillfully crafted to evoke a spectrum of responses, from anger and perplexity to empathy and tears. The book challenges readers to navigate the murky waters of moral ambiguity, understanding, and forgiveness. It serves as a beacon, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is a healing potential and a better tomorrow.
For those seeking a story that offers more than mere escapism, one that provides a raw yet inspiring examination of the human condition, Dear Gosei will resonate deeply. It is a compelling read for mature audiences, promising a glimpse into the trials and triumphs of its characters and a reflection on the resilience and complexity of the human spirit.
Pages: 314 | ASIN : B0C7NGKWGZ
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