Reviews with content warning for Classism - Know My Name

This was a truly astonishing and beautifully written book. I hadn't read the witness statement before reading this book, and whenever I think about her reading it out at the end of this audiobook, I shiver every time. The producers chose to leave in the pauses, and voice quivers as she reads it and it is truly one of the most powerful pieces of literature I have encountered in a long, long time. The whole book is very much in this vein too. She opens with doing herself down, frankly, by introducing her limits and spelling mistakes, and all the reasons we might think less of her account, and ashamedly I have to admit I felt a drop in my stomach. Please don't give them this ammo. Please, sell yourself. You shouldn't have to, of course, but this is the world we live in. Please.
But I needn't have worried. Within minutes, it is clear that this brave and creative and intelligent and emotionally literate woman knows exactly what she is doing. The images she conjures up are sticking with me for life. I am in awe of this book, and though it was so tough at times, I do think it needs wider reading. The fact that a book so potentially polarising has such a high rating on goodreads is testament to its power.

Content Warnings

ednam0dewannabe's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

Content Warnings

nerdybookshelff's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

Wow. I am still trying to process and digest this book. Harrowing is one word to describe this book. Another would be inspiring. Chanel very courageously breaks down her story of being the survivor of the Stanford Sexual Assault Case. She allows us the privilege to walk through her story with her and experience the tumultuous journey of her lowest of lows and her finding herself again. I wanted to climb through the pages of this book and give Chanel the biggest hug. The writing is IMPECCABLE! The vividness, the tangibility and the smoothness of her writing adds to this already emotion packed read.

Content Warnings

kimmo's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

4.0

A devastating, crucial read. Dense, as every moment is meaningful in a way that always comes back. I was hanging to every word, couldn't stop reading even as it made my stomach sick, my eyes tear, my heart crumple and rebuild.

Content Warnings

sweetbee's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional medium-paced

5.0

Content Warnings

More...