Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Know My Name

Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

11 reviews

ali1311's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

This was one of the best books I've read, like, ever. Another reviewer described the book as evoking "feminine rage," and that's the best way to put it. All of the feelings that have been stuffed inside of women practically since we're born--the sadness and anger and outrage and heartache--at the treatment of women is brought to the surface in this story. Miller's writing made me cry, made me pissed, and made me feel so connected to other women, all while sitting alone in my chair and reading her story. Truly, one of the best writer's of our generation, I'll read anything else she writes forever. Notably, a very difficult read, but a necessary one.

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sebulba's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense slow-paced

5.0

I survived because I remained soft, because I listened, because I wrote. Because I huddled close to my truth, protected it like a tiny flame in a terrible storm. Hold up your head when the tears come, when you are mocked, insulted, questioned, threatened, when they tell you you are nothing, when your body is reduced to openings. The journey will be longer than you imagined, trauma will find you again and again. Do not become the ones who hurt you. Stay tender with your power. Never fight to injure, fight to uplift. Fight because you know that in this life, you deserve safety, joy, and freedom. Fight because it is your life. Not anyone else’s. I did it, I am here. Looking back, all the ones who doubted or hurt or nearly conquered me faded away, and I am the only one standing. So now, the time has come. I dust myself off, and go on.

This is one of the most powerful, heart-wrenching memoirs I have ever read. It took me some time to get into it, particularly due to the seemingly monotonous voice Miller used at the start of the audiobook. Only later did I figure out that this was part of the experience; as the book went along, Miller's pain, confusion and disappointment with the justice system came across more and more. She beautifully captures the fight against self-loathing and self-isolation that many experience to different degrees but very few can put into words quite like her.

I think this is not something recent survivors or people who are too empathetic or compassionate should necessarily push themselves to read. It is such an important book, but don't rush it - read it when you are ready, you won't regret waiting. Some may also find it to be hard to get through, but I would recommend pushing through, the end (which is only the beginning of a new stage of Miller's life) is worth it. Finally, another complaint might be that the book is repetitive or too graphic, but again I think that this serves a purpose. It mirrors the invasive and cyclical nature of the court system; it's dry, continuous, tedious and far too invasive for the victims.

Overall, I do not find that it would be right for me to criticise this book. It did what it was written to do and it did so lyrically, emotionally and incredibly truthfully. It cannot receive anything less than 5/5 stars.

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erickaonpaper's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

i've been challenging the way i view nonfiction and rating it with a rating system, but parts of this book were written so tenderly that i have to acknowledge that. i thank chanel's words every day for carrying so much of my february reading month. this book left me in awe of the power words have. chanel is a spectacular human being and this piece of work reflects that.

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