Reviews with content warning for Sexual violence - Eggshell Skull

This was such a challenging but compelling memoir. A very heavy topic and one that far too many women can relate to. A young judges associate works as part of the legal system for sexual assault and rape trials before going to court herself for the sexual assault she experienced as a child. An honest account of trauma, how it lives on in peoples lives and an exploration of the Australian legal system that so many complainants have to suffer through. Such a courageous story and a true feminist icon for all those who haven’t found a voice or been listened to.

It’s a book I want to recommend to everyone but recognise that for many the cases and trials feature traumatic experiences that are all too familiar. A privileged few would be able to read this without being triggered from their personal experiences or from those they know. Very well written, engaging, honest and vulnerable. “This kind of stuff happens because people don’t talk about it” and this book does a great job at opening up the conversation. I want every man in my life to read it and understand how much women have to go through and still not be believed.

This quote sums up the vibe of the book quite nicely: “You cry and you cry, and when you're done crying, you wipe your eyes, and slap your cheeks, and you get angry, and you get to work.”

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nibs's review

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challenging dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

4.5

I saw Bri Lee speak in a panel at a Brisbane Writer's Festival event in 2022. She is such an eloquent and thoughtful speaker, and it made me want to read all of her work. I picked up Who Gets To Be Smart at the same time, but ended up starting this one first.

This book is a damning account of how inadequate our justice system is, and how even when it "works", it still damages a person. It's a personal story of struggle and pain, and given I met Bri Lee to get this book signed, I can't help but think about how brave it is to be so vulnerable to readers (though I supposed all memoirs do this to a degree - they're all about sharing a story).

This being in Brisbane makes it so much more personal. I think of people I know who studied law at UQ, who may have crossed paths briefly with the author. I think of all the messed up things I now know about the people in Queensland, of all the people still being hurt, right here as we still live our lives.

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alex124's review

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challenging inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

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jmd_reads's review

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challenging emotional medium-paced

5.0

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nixiethepixie's review

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challenging emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

listened as an audiobook incredibly read by bri lee. wow.

bri lee's strength, defiance and honesty is so generous throughout her memoir. lee generously shares powerful, honest and raw reflections from inside the QLD justice system as a judge's associate and as a complainant of a historical sexual assault case.

deeply eye-opening, detailed and informative in giving us insight into the legal system and legal processes, lee shares her experiences as a woman in the legal profession and we become witness to the deep rooted systemic issues, procedural downfalls and prolonged inequities within this space.

then lee shares her experience as someone seeking justice, and the heavy weight of these systemic issues on those seeking justice. lee shares intimate insights into the impacts on her mental health, selfhood and life in ways that is deeply generous.

challenging, but recommended for those who live in australia to begin to grapple with the pitfalls of our justice system. throughout the book, lee reminds us that she is a white, middle class, educated woman with a strong support system. just imagine those who completely fall through the cracks of seeking justice.

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