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Corinne Sullivan
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Indecent: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Corinne Sullivan (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.4 out of 5 stars 236 ratings
Blurring the lines of blame and moral ambiguity, Corinne Sullivan's smart, sexy debut is perfect for fans of The Girls and Sweetbitter. 

 "[A] surprising debut...an affecting novel, examining self-doubt, self-sabotage, and the lasting impact of both." -- Publishers Weekly 

"Sullivan's debut is a smart and delicious page-turner." -- Booklist

"[A] steamy debut, in which infatuation crosses the line into obsession... Imogene's backstory...will have readers sympathizing with her as she works through her past." -- Library Journal

"The disturbingly painful depiction of the struggle to be at home within one's skin will move teens with its well-written, haunting, and illuminating story of a young woman spinning out of control." -- School Library Journal

Shy, introverted Imogene Abney has always been fascinated by the elite world of prep schools, having secretly longed to attend one since she was a girl in Buffalo, New York. So, shortly after her college graduation, when she's offered a teaching position at the Vandenberg School for Boys, an all-boys prep school in Westchester, New York, she immediately accepts, despite having little teaching experience--and very little experience with boys. 
 
When Imogene meets handsome, popular Adam Kipling a few weeks into her tenure there, a student who exudes charm and status and ease, she's immediately drawn to him. Who is this boy who flirts with her without fear of being caught? Who is this boy who seems immune to consequences and worry; a boy for whom the world will always provide?
 
As an obsessive, illicit affair begins between them, Imogene is so lost in the haze of infatuation that she's unable to recognize the danger she's in. The danger of losing her job. The danger of losing herself in the wrong person. The danger of being caught doing something possibly illegal and so indecent.    
 
Exploring issues of class, sex, and gender, this smart, sexy debut by Corinne Sullivan shatters the black-and-white nature of victimhood, taking a close look at blame and moral ambiguity. 
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  1. Print length
    294 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Wednesday Books
  4. Publication date
    March 6, 2018
  5. File size
    1.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Awkward twentysomething college graduate Imogene Abney has always lived inside her own head, having no natural inclination towards making friends or being with other people. One of 10 teaching apprentices at an elite boys boarding school in Scarsdale, NY, she doesn't fit in with her coworkers, most of whom are gregarious young women. Nothing comes easily for Imogene, at least before golden boy student Kip, her social opposite in almost every respect: confident, smooth, wealthy, and experienced. Initially, Imogene is surprised that her fascination (from afar) for Kip may actually be requited. As they move forward, she finds the no-holds-barred physicality discombobulating, then briefly liberating, before it turns to agonizing desperation. VERDICT The disturbingly painful depiction of the struggle to be at home within one's own skin will move teens with its well-written, haunting, and illuminating story of a young woman spinning out of control.—Suzanne Gordon, Lanier High School, Sugar Hill, GA

Review

Cosmopolitan, "10 Best Beach Books 2018" InStyle, "5 Best New Books to Read This Month" BookBub, "21 New Books to Read Over Spring Break"Parade, "20 Must-Have Books for Your Spring Reading List"Coastal Living, "The 20 Best New Books for Summer 2018" "[A] surprising debut...an affecting novel, examining self-doubt, self-sabotage, and the lasting impact of both." -- Publishers Weekly "Sullivan's debut is a smart and delicious page-turner." -- Booklist"[A] steamy debut, in which infatuation crosses the line into obsession... Imogene's backstory...will have readers sympathizing with her as she works through her past." -- Library Journal
"Indecent is a fresh twist on the prep school novel, a thrilling ride that masterfully explores class, sex and obsession. Sullivan's debut novel is a sharp and complex coming-of-age story that will keep you hooked until the last page." -Jennifer Close, author of The Hopefuls"A suspenseful and excruciatingly true portrait of what it's like to be young, female, and desperate to be loved -- by the wrong person. Corinne Sullivan's style is effortless and completely absorbing." -Swan Huntley, author of We Could Be Beautiful and The Goddesses "A heart-breaking, entirely believable exploration of an illicit affair. Indecent captures the white-hot haze of first love, as obsessive and delicious as it is blinding and dangerous. You won't be able to put this down." -Georgia Clark, author of The Regulars"A page turner with characters so fresh and real it's scary, Indecent will take your breath away. Sullivan explores subject matter that could be merely titillating, sex, power, desire, but is so ruthlessly honest about them that in the end she challenges everything we thought we knew." -Rufi Thorpe, author of The Girls from Corona Del Mar and Dear Fang, With Love
"Indecent is so astutely observed, so expertly crafted, I didn't realize I was riding a roller coaster until I was already buckled in and halfway to the top. A fractured coming-of-age story, a one-two punch about self-sabotage and obsessive love, Indecent is a page-turner of a debut by a ridiculously talented young writer." -Lauren Fox, author of Still Life With Husband
"Indecent asks the hard questions about just how low low self-worth can make a person go, and the even harder questions about what it means to truly grow up." -Elisa Albert, author of After Birth

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B074T193HW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wednesday Books (March 6, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 6, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 294 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    3.4 out of 5 stars 236 ratings

About the author

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Corinne Sullivan

Corinne Sullivan

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Corinne Sullivan studied English with a Creative Writing Concentration at Boston College, where she graduated in 2014. She then received her MFA in fiction from Sarah Lawrence College in 2016. Her writing has appeared in POPSUGAR, The Millions, Refinery29, and Female First, among other publications. Indecent is her first novel.

Customer reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars
236 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and thought-provoking. One customer describes it as refreshing and honest.

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3 customers mention "Readability"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written, with one mentioning it's a quick read.

"...Quick read that makes you sort of nervous...often wanted it to just be over with so I could stop feeling on edge." Read more

"...The writing is clear and thoughtful - Imogene’s story unfolds almost imperceptibly until it is a full-blown trainwreck...." Read more

"This book was creepy and uncomfortable but very well written, I had couldn’t put it down. Would make for an excellent beach read." Read more

3 customers mention "Thought provoking"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, with one customer describing it as refreshingly honest and real.

"...The writing is clear and thoughtful - Imogene’s story unfolds almost imperceptibly until it is a full-blown trainwreck...." Read more

"This book is so REAL...." Read more

"...The end result was a thought-provoking (and maybe debate-provoking) book...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Lauren @ Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Debut
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2018
    I'll be honest: I originally didn't plan on reading Corinne Sullivan's Indecent. The synopsis and cover didn't draw me. Everything changed, however, the day I saw Courtney Summers (one of my favorite authors ever!!) raving about it on Instagram/Twitter. I figured that if Courtney loved it then I would probably love it as well (see, word of mouth works!!), and as it turns out, I was 100% correct. I'm so glad I took a chance on this book.

    Indecent is by no means an easy read. It dives head first into an incredibly controversial topic - student-teacher relationships. However, Corinne did a fantastic job of handing it - she didn't stray away from the consequences nor did she glamorize the relationship.

    Indecent introduces Imogene, a young twenty-something embarking on her first post-graudation job, and Adam "Kip" Kipling, a senior at Imogene's school.

    When the book first begin, I thought I had everything figured out: Imogene would be the ultimate bad guy. However, I could never quite see her that way. Yes, she did something bad, and no, I didn't agree with her choices and actions...but the lines were slightly blurred. Instead of a villain I saw a young woman who was incredibly troubled as well as lost. Imogene needed professional help and guidance, and throughout the book, I hoped that she would seek that out. Imogene is so incredibly uncomfortable in her own skin, and honestly, she appeared more like a pre-teen than an adult, especially when it came to her viewpoints of relationships. In some respects, I could see why she would develop a relationship with one of her students. I think in her head she thought she was making up for what she missed in high school, developing a relationship with the privileged bad boy. Kip was also an interesting character. I can't say I truly liked him. He was incredibly pompous and arrogant; however, at the same time, I felt bad for him as well. He's just as desperate for love and affection as Imogene is; however, he wasn't looking for it in the right places. Also no matter how you spin it, he was a victim.

    Indecent's plot primarily focuses on Imogene's new job, her relationship with Kip, and her deteriorating mental health. I thought Corinne did a fantastic job of developing the boarding school. It was incredibly easy to picture, and I especially liked the wide variety of characters it introduced. It was also interesting to see the dynamics that a boarding school brings about. Imogene's relationship with Kip and her mental health tie together, as the further enthralled Imogene becomes with Kip, the more she begins to lose her sense of reality and her set of morals. The ending of this novel was interesting. It ended as I expected it would; however, it also somewhat allows the reader to decide where the characters go next.

    Gritty as well as thought provoking, Indecent is an interesting tale of loneliness, forbidden attraction, and an all-consuming first love. I'll be curious to hear other people's opinions when the book is released.
    One person found this helpful
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  • C.B.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Repetitive but couldn't turn away
    Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    While the book was repetitive and had a fair share of typos/inconsistencies, I still found it engaging (though, in many places, implausible). Quick read that makes you sort of nervous...often wanted it to just be over with so I could stop feeling on edge.
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  • Danielle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Do not miss this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Indecent by Corinne Sullivan is an impossible-to-put-down whirlwind. Corinne expertly invites the reader inside the mind of the authentically crafted Imogene, the main character whose thoughts and actions are cringey at times, but nostalgic for anyone who has ever experienced social anxiety, low self esteem, and the desperation to be loved. It is refreshingly honest and unabashed, and incites questions about consent, agency, class, and the patriarchy. The writing is clear and thoughtful - Imogene’s story unfolds almost imperceptibly until it is a full-blown trainwreck. I cried for Imogene and for every girl who has ever placed all her worth on the attention of one lackluster man. This is a vitally important (and enjoyable!) read. Looking forward to more from Corinne Sullivan.
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  • KCD_612
    2.0 out of 5 stars Main Character is SO Unlikable
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I wanted to like this book, but I found everything the main character did really pathetic, wrong, rude, annoying etc. Some of her feelings and the situations she found herself in were relatable, and I was interested enough to read the whole book through, but she remained pretty irredeemable the whole way through. I found this on a list of things to read at the beach, and this definitely was not the kind of escape I was looking for. I was constantly irritated while reading.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Eyvett gaillard
    1.0 out of 5 stars I’m happy I didn’t buy this book at Barns and Noble ...
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I’m happy I didn’t buy this book at Barns and Noble where it would have been a bit more money. I was bored reading it so I thought why not skip a few pages, still bored. Save your money just watch Mary Kate L. movie and call it a day.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Georgia Coffman
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great Voice, Style, and Themes
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2018
    ***ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

    This book caught me off guard in so many ways. For one, I went in blind, which is unusual for me. I normally read the synopsis to a book before I start reading it, but for this one, I dove right in. I was pleasantly surprised, too! I enjoyed this writer's style and voice. The voice is detached, which is appropriate for our main character and narrator, Imogene. She's a girl detached from her family, friends, and fellow apprentices at Vandenberg School for Boys. A mere bystander of her surroundings, and I appreciated that the story is told in a way that reflects this. In the beginning, she observes everything, thinking no one notices her. Until Adam, a student, does. From there, Imogene's life spirals. She's not used to being noticed or doing anything wrong, but when she becomes involved with Adam, she's not only noticed by her peers and superiors, she's also scrutinized and pressured. This book is about grappling with our circumstances, accepting our realities, and growing up, among others.
    One thing that I didn't like was the long lull in the book about halfway through. The pace in general isn't very quick until the end, which is fine, but it did make reading this middle part tedious at times. The repetition was also tedious. I felt that I was reading the same thoughts and reactions two thirds in instead of something in the character changing. This is also something that bothered me. I kept waiting for this Aha! moment for the character, something to redeem herself in even the smallest of ways, but I'm not sure it ever came. For fear of spoilers, I'll stop there :)
    In general, this story and character are very relatable, showing what it's like to not only enter adulthood, but to face the pressures of social and economic status. The often terrifying trials of finding your place in the world when so many people and situations act against you. At the end of the day, Imogene just wants to be herself and to be accepted as such by people, even though she doesn't always give them a chance. This is a common flaw in human nature that I feel is portrayed very well in the story. Just one of the things done effectively. I'm honestly surprised that this is the author's first novel. It's so well written and executed that I thought it must've been by a longtime novelist. I'm excited to see where this author goes from here.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Foxglove Summer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another unhappy ending
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    It starts off slowly but once we meet Kip it goes up a gear or two. The subject of teacher/ pupil romance is very popular in fiction these days and I've read several novels about this. One thing they all have in common is a disastrous end for one or both parties. I would like to read one that didn't, one that showed such a relationship could have a happy outcome. I know at this point some of you will be shrieking but remember this: it wasn't that long ago when homosexuality was a criminal offence, and you wouldn't complain about a book featuring homosexuals, would you?

    Why would anyone wear double and hose to an AMND party? Surely wings, gauze, flowers are more suitable?

    I found the timescale a bit out. Loads happened and it was only October 1st.

    Overall I enjoyed it.
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  • Cate Banks
    5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely fantastic novel
    Reviewed in Australia on August 29, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    an amazingly well written novel, which is less about a teacher/student affair and more about the fragility of humankind. phenomenal.
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  • jellybean123
    3.0 out of 5 stars Curtis Sittenfeld-lite
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 23, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The author is obviously heavily influenced by Curtis Sittenfeld as the style is very similar. I found it hard to warm to the main character.
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  • Redsookycat
    2.0 out of 5 stars average
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 13, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    average
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  • Amazon Customer
    1.0 out of 5 stars Boring, repetitive and badly written
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Dreadful
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