A review by fictionalkate
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

4.0

This is one of the hardest books I’ve ever reviewed because I have such strong feelings and I don’t want to articulate them wrongly. It’s a deeply uncomfortable book to read. It covers issues like consent, grooming, victim-shaming, teenage sexuality and love. Told from Vanessa’s perspective we as readers get to see her relationship with a teacher three times her age when she was just fifteen and how that has impacted on her current self as a thirty two year old woman. I enjoyed this book – but it also constantly made me feel uneasy – because of how relevant and relatable it is. I could completely understand how Vanessa felt and it broke my heart reading her story. The author has done an incredible job at delivering a story that makes the reader feel so much for Vanessa. It is disturbing. And brings up the topic of age and consent (as well as a myriad of other issues) in beautifully written and horrifying way. I wouldn’t recommend for anyone triggered by rape or sexual abuse but this is an interesting book which examines sex and consent in a pre- and post #metoo society.