Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - Know My Name

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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sarah_hutchins's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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eleek0609's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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arayo's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring sad

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bdilley28's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

This is possibly the best book I have ever read. I started this book without truly knowing what it was about, and I finished it in tears, feeling inspired. This book is painful, beautiful, heavy, and encouraging, and everyone should read this. The small moments of hope in the Swedes who saved Chanel, the doorwomen of her apartment, the old man on the bench, Alaleh, Tiffany, Lucas, and Chanel's own voice reading the audiobook were a comforting hug in a book riddled with trauma. I will never stop recommending this book to anyone I ever meet.

Favorite Quote: "It is not a question of if you will survive this, but what beautiful things await you when you do."

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