Scan barcode
A review by stungbythewood
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I find it challenging on how to write this review because a lot of my feelings are about the defendant and how women and girls are still victims of reprehensible sex crimes and murders to this DAY.
I thought this book was quite enjoyable, despite the somber nature of the content. I usually have difficulty pushing through the start of most books but this one gripped me right away.
There are POV switches but I’ve gotten used to those through other novels I’ve read. It’s not something that bothers me.
There was only one section that I got confused by while reading and it’s during the present when Pamela is traveling to Tallahassee once more to visit Carl. There is a significant gap between the two “present day” chapters that I was unsure of what actually happened since they’re spread so far apart.
I like that this book calls out the defendant for what he really was at the end of the day. Nothing. An insecure man who stole the light from bright young women and girls just because he could.
There’s no way to describe the insurmountable grief I felt while reading Ruth’s final moments. Though she is fictional, knowing that there were and are many real life women who have gone through a similar fate is beyond devastating.
Often times I am quite irritated with glamorization of serial killers and people’s willing ignorance to see people for how they really are.
The defendant was a good manipulator, butthat doesn’t mean he was inherently charming. The two are not mutually inclusive. After all, if he was so capable of being suave and captivating, why did he fake injuries to lure women into helping him?
Reading through this story gave me some solace to a degree. Knowing that my unease and caution around male strangers in particular is not so unfounded.
I feel as though women are blamed for their fears, as if we’re not brought up in fear. As if fear and caution and doubt aren’t the things separating us from coming home one night vs. becoming another statistic.
I thought this book was quite enjoyable, despite the somber nature of the content. I usually have difficulty pushing through the start of most books but this one gripped me right away.
There are POV switches but I’ve gotten used to those through other novels I’ve read. It’s not something that bothers me.
I like that this book calls out the defendant for what he really was at the end of the day. Nothing. An insecure man who stole the light from bright young women and girls just because he could.
Often times I am quite irritated with glamorization of serial killers and people’s willing ignorance to see people for how they really are.
The defendant was a good manipulator, butthat doesn’t mean he was inherently charming. The two are not mutually inclusive. After all, if he was so capable of being suave and captivating, why did he fake injuries to lure women into helping him?
Reading through this story gave me some solace to a degree. Knowing that my unease and caution around male strangers in particular is not so unfounded.
I feel as though women are blamed for their fears, as if we’re not brought up in fear. As if fear and caution and doubt aren’t the things separating us from coming home one night vs. becoming another statistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, Murder, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Eating disorder and Dementia