As powerful as events impact human beings and their lives, they find an equal impression on the literary writing born from the same. One of the themes related to such powerful events is Trauma. But more than that, exploring trauma in depth and with a thought-provoking analysis has still been less explored. “Good Girls Die” by Ayura Ayira is a modern-age telling of a story driven by the trauma, reactions and repercussions on the family of a rape victim. As disturbing as the subject is, the novel gives a strong reality check and shows the world through the eyes of the victim.

Ayira unravels issues that are vital and emotionally appealing and make the readers wonder about the true meaning of life as they question the actions of people belonging to society, and religious groups, the upbringing and behaviour of children and most importantly, the question of colour. While Toni Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye” may not find direct parallels with “Good Girls Die,” the theme of liberation and mental sanity prevails throughout both novels. Lavender, as a young teenager, is confronted by issues in the life of an adolescent while she is also forced to put up a brave face for the right in the wrong done against her. She does get a voice but still is ultimately rendered voiceless due to her interior monologue conveying her struggles and plight while in person, she finds herself struggling to speak. 

Ayira paints a dystopian world where justice is far more idealistic to be achieved than just having the truth to your side. She clearly underlines that skills in manipulation, twisting words and weaving new plots are equally necessary for the sake of winning. However, it is through Virgina’s character that she talks of another aspect of a victim’s life which is inclusive of existential trauma and a search for meaning in the meaninglessness of life. Altogether, the readers find themselves strongly impacted and emotionally drawn to Lavender’s sufferings as they desire to give voice to her if she can’t find any.

The climactic depiction is a surprise that readers are unable to figure out even till the last moments. Ayira’s craft in keeping the readers hooked to finish the book cover to cover is remarkable and praiseworthy. This hints at the plotline, which may appear to unravel at a different pace, but it is symbolic of the standstill that comes in a rape victim’s life and a standstill that comes after a mishappening where time practically does not seem to move ahead. However, it is also proven to be true that time heals everything, even if it implies learning from some loss. 

What begins as a storm in ‘Good Girls Die” gets a kind of poetic justice that relieves the readers for sure, but it also makes them ponder over their role and purpose in the same society where lack of proper parenting results in the development of individuals with a lack of understanding of respect for the other. At the same time, by bringing Morris into the picture, Ayira also indicates that the story on the other side also needs to be heard, as it is not necessary that all men be the same. She tries to break this idealogy that has been a recipient of less focus but deserves an equal share in the limelight.

“Good Girls Die” is a powerful story told through the eyes of a character who could be from any home or community. Therefore, reading it through unbiased and empathetic eyes is necessary and needed to have the right opinion after reading. Hence, the book is recommended to reading for all teenage audiences as well as grown-ups who are concerned after their teenagers.