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gabriella_'s review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
bloomingbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Mass/school shootings, and Murder
Minor: Blood and Vomit
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
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
nym1013's review against another edition
5.0
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence, Hate crime, Blood, and Mass/school shootings
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
3.75
miller's writing is crisp and defyingly straightforward, powerfully conveying the initial confusion after the assault, and the subsequent mix of complex emotions that followed the yrs after: disbelief, fear, disappointment, rage and ultimately, hope. this book's honestly eye-opening in how the justice system and court process negatively affect survivors' lives, and it's baffling and enraging. there are very powerful moments st certain parts of the book that point out the larger culture's hypocrisy, double standards, and reaffirm miller's and other survivors' own self and autonomy. it's some memorable reading, thats for sure.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
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
ksuazo94's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Racial slurs and Gaslighting
Minor: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, and Classism
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
annamorgan27's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, and Alcohol