Scan barcode
fkshg8465's review against another edition
5.0
This book was both easy and hard to read. It feels so rare that women are vindicated, and that was the case here. An empty victory, but I was so proud of that California jury. We Asian women are stereotyped and taken advantage of because of those stereotypes. It’s unusual for BIPoC to get justice, to be believed, but when it’s rape, when it’s the victims who are vilified and scrutinized and intimidated and manipulated on the stand, it feels like BIPoC victims have an insurmountable agony. All that said, that damned judge - UGH!!! I feel like he violated her as much as Brock Turner. I hope they and the defense attorney and his parents share an eternal damnation where they are continuously violated and erased over and over and forevermore for legally gaslighting all women through their aggressively limp actions.
The judge being recalled was a very inadequate outcome. He needs to be tormented everyday for all the subpar sentences he’s surely meted out, because Brock was no way the first one he let off easy. As for this rapist whose sentence was pretty much a step removed from a get-out-of-jail-free card, the women in his area are holding him accountable. Still not enough, but at least his “freedom” comes with a lot of strings now - least according to Google.
Looked up Chanel in Instagram. Happy for her - happy that she’s found a way to thrive, though being an assault victim myself, I know she’ll have her haunted moments too. I wish her luck and send her lots of love.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Outing, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Drug use, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, and Outing
kbecker813's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
jalynn217's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
veelaughtland's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
novellearts's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
jeanettesreadingcorner's review against another edition
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Police brutality
annikadm's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition
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.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Vomit, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Medical content, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
glass_carousel's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Vomit