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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
lindsayvale's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
mortiffa's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
ohyeah_karyn's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
lunar_witch's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
heatherjchin's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
leefox's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
louisegraveyard's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism