These Heathens, Mia McKenzie
Book
Historical
Literary Fiction
Book
Historical
Literary Fiction
Updated: 17 September 2026
| No rape or sexual assault | |
| Rape or sexual assault mentioned in passing (in discussion and/or implied) | |
| Sexual harassment (e.g. verbal or non-consensual touching/grabbing) | |
| Sexual relationship between adult and teenager | |
| Child sexual abuse | |
| Incest | |
| Attempted rape | |
| Rape strongly implied/details surrounding a rape discussed in detail (i.e. the events before/after) | |
| Detailed/vivid description of rape |
Description
The main character is a 17-year-old Black girl in 1960 who gets pregnant and chooses to get an abortion. Reproductive rights and the stigma against abortion is a major part of the plot. The abortion occurs on-page, with the main character describing the pain she feels during the procedure. However, the procedure goes smoothly and she has no complications afterwards.
Multiple characters ask the main character if she was raped. She never reveals who impregnated her but says it was consensual. She also flatly denies a rumor that she was impregnated by an adult man who then forced her to get the abortion.
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