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Reviews tagging 'Rape'
Catch the Sparrow: A Search for a Sister and the Truth of her Murder by Rachel Rear
2 reviews
donutcome4me's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Rape
thehappylittleelf's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
This is a well-written true crime book that will keep your attention. It covers a variety of topics surrounding the murder of Stephanie kupchynsky, including domestic violence and the corruption of police in Greece, NY. It’s well-constructed and engaging. I liked how Stephanie as a victim got to be represented as a full human in the book. Too many true crime books either don’t address the victim at all, or treat them as saintly martyrs. “Her smile lit up the room” is the cliche on any true crime story, and that’s about as much depth as you get. But we get to know Stephanie in this book as a wonderful flawed individual — as we all are! We shouldn’t have to be perfect angels for our deaths to be tragic. She struggled in life, which made her story relatable.
The memoir aspect of the book might turn off readers. Rachel Rear has a very personal connection to this case, and sometimes may project herself onto Stephanie. It does sometimes make you wonder if what’s being told about Stephanie is actually just Rachel’s using Stephanie as a mouthpiece almost. The author really tries hard to convince you of a spiritual connection between the two even if they’d never actually met. However, I do believe there is a connection — how do you live with the family through their greatest tragedy and there *not* be? — so I don’t think it’s insincere, but it might be off-putting to a lot of readers, especially since the author openly admitted to disrespecting Stephanie’s bio-sister’s wishes.Stephanie’s sister Melanie did not want the details of her murder to be published, but Rachel said she was going to do it anyway.
I really would love to hear Melanie’s (Stephanie’s bio-sister) side of the story.
The memoir aspect of the book might turn off readers. Rachel Rear has a very personal connection to this case, and sometimes may project herself onto Stephanie. It does sometimes make you wonder if what’s being told about Stephanie is actually just Rachel’s using Stephanie as a mouthpiece almost. The author really tries hard to convince you of a spiritual connection between the two even if they’d never actually met. However, I do believe there is a connection — how do you live with the family through their greatest tragedy and there *not* be? — so I don’t think it’s insincere, but it might be off-putting to a lot of readers, especially since the author openly admitted to disrespecting Stephanie’s bio-sister’s wishes.
I really would love to hear Melanie’s (Stephanie’s bio-sister) side of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent and Drug abuse
Minor: Abortion, Chronic illness, and Suicidal thoughts
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