Reviews
Know My Name: The Survivor of the Stanford Sexual Assault Case Tells Her Story, by Chanel Miller
andrew_f's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Know My Name is a stunning memoir written by an incredibly talented writer. Chanel Miller does not hold back and it must have taken a lot of courage to pen her most vulnerable and darkest moments, let alone voice them as the audio narrator.
But she understands the power of her voice and how that has inspired millions of women to share their stories of sexual assault. There is no doubt about the facts of the case. While the perpetrator was found guilty on all counts, the sentence was so light it was laughable. No only was Miller assaulted, but her life went completely on hold, her family's life upended, and she had to relive the trauma over and over and over again throughout the trial. But because the defendant was a star athlete at an elite university, it was determined he suffered enough and was given a laughably light sentence.
After reading this book, you understand why very few women press charges against their attackers. Who on earth would want to suffer through a trial where victim's words are turned against them, expect victims to have photographic and perfect memories of all moments before, during and after the assault otherwise they can't be believed. When more sympathy is shown toward the accused, even if their guilt is obvious, because of what they stand to lose more than the victim who's suffering is for life.
You understand how poor our legal system is at handling sexual assault cases. Most victims have no understanding of the legal system. They think the truth is enough, but high priced lawyers and biased judges can obscure and obfuscate the truth making the victim start wondering if they remember what actually happened.
I had never read the impact statement published in Buzzfeed until reading this memoir and it is a tour de force. I can understand why Miller has been such an inspiration. Everyone, especially men, should read this book.
But she understands the power of her voice and how that has inspired millions of women to share their stories of sexual assault. There is no doubt about the facts of the case. While the perpetrator was found guilty on all counts, the sentence was so light it was laughable. No only was Miller assaulted, but her life went completely on hold, her family's life upended, and she had to relive the trauma over and over and over again throughout the trial. But because the defendant was a star athlete at an elite university, it was determined he suffered enough and was given a laughably light sentence.
After reading this book, you understand why very few women press charges against their attackers. Who on earth would want to suffer through a trial where victim's words are turned against them, expect victims to have photographic and perfect memories of all moments before, during and after the assault otherwise they can't be believed. When more sympathy is shown toward the accused, even if their guilt is obvious, because of what they stand to lose more than the victim who's suffering is for life.
You understand how poor our legal system is at handling sexual assault cases. Most victims have no understanding of the legal system. They think the truth is enough, but high priced lawyers and biased judges can obscure and obfuscate the truth making the victim start wondering if they remember what actually happened.
I had never read the impact statement published in Buzzfeed until reading this memoir and it is a tour de force. I can understand why Miller has been such an inspiration. Everyone, especially men, should read this book.
mothyhound19's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
dianamerlini's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
brianna3645's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
tatakamille's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
jordanahemp's review against another edition
5.0
Such a powerful book. I started reading this years ago and never finished but I always knew I wanted to come back to it. It was really interesting to read as someone who works with survivors of SA.
caroderom's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0