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allisonobrien's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
carolynlovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
[Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy!]
Rating: 5/5 stars
A memoir/nonfiction account of the story behind the testimony detailing sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh.
I was in law school at Yale during the Kavanaugh hearings, and I viscerally remember the entire experience—from the on-campus protests, to the glares I got from certain people for advertising my support of Dr. Blasey-Ford, to the hearings themselves. In a lot of ways, it was a formative experience for me that will probably permanently shape my views on both politics and the Supreme Court. Reading Dr. Blasey-Ford’s firsthand account was an important addition to the historical context and the narrative I already knew, and I genuinely think everyone should read this book.
I was alternately awed, inspired, heartbroken, and furious by the description of all that Dr. Blasey-Ford went through, both in the lead-up to and, particularly, the aftermath of, her testimony. She should never have suffered what she did as a teenager, but she especially should never have been re-victimized the way she was in 2018. I’m so sorry for all she went through, and so grateful for her willingness to share her story in the face of so much vitriol and violence.
Note: I listened to the audio version, narrated by Dr. Blasey-Ford, and thoroughly enjoyed that format.
CW: Sexual assault/violence; mental health; bullying/harassment/threats
Rating: 5/5 stars
A memoir/nonfiction account of the story behind the testimony detailing sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh.
I was in law school at Yale during the Kavanaugh hearings, and I viscerally remember the entire experience—from the on-campus protests, to the glares I got from certain people for advertising my support of Dr. Blasey-Ford, to the hearings themselves. In a lot of ways, it was a formative experience for me that will probably permanently shape my views on both politics and the Supreme Court. Reading Dr. Blasey-Ford’s firsthand account was an important addition to the historical context and the narrative I already knew, and I genuinely think everyone should read this book.
I was alternately awed, inspired, heartbroken, and furious by the description of all that Dr. Blasey-Ford went through, both in the lead-up to and, particularly, the aftermath of, her testimony. She should never have suffered what she did as a teenager, but she especially should never have been re-victimized the way she was in 2018. I’m so sorry for all she went through, and so grateful for her willingness to share her story in the face of so much vitriol and violence.
Note: I listened to the audio version, narrated by Dr. Blasey-Ford, and thoroughly enjoyed that format.
CW: Sexual assault/violence; mental health; bullying/harassment/threats
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Violence
jeannine_'s review against another edition
4.5
4.5 stars
This is a surprisingly apolitical memoir detailing the authors life as it pertained to the initial trauma (when she was 15) and then the trauma of speaking out against BK and the retaliation from members of the GOP. I definitely expected there to be much more disdain and anger in this book toward not just the lamest loser of a judge on the Supreme Court but also towards the people who directly and indirectly enabled him (looking at you, Sens. Collins and Manchin) to take that office.
In a way though, I think it was effective to not have that (I assume the author surely has feelings on these people and on Trump!) because it did allow the focus to be solely on telling her story and how she recovered from it (both times). (Not that one is ever fully recovered). So if you are contemplating this book but also don’t like the back and forth of politics, I think you’d be pleased to know that this book is not really political at all, other than describing the events that happened from her pov.
I really appreciated the chance to hear her (actual) side of things, not just what was in the press - I did watch some of the testimony when it happened (both of theirs), but now, several years later, it’s become incredibly fuzzy for me - I only remember the very basic nuts and bolts of it. I definitely did not know of the indelible hippocampus statement that she indicated went viral. I must have missed it, or glossed over it. I also didn’t know/remember that she’s a surfer. Liked that part. And! Oprah! Bless her for her big heart.
This is a surprisingly apolitical memoir detailing the authors life as it pertained to the initial trauma (when she was 15) and then the trauma of speaking out against BK and the retaliation from members of the GOP. I definitely expected there to be much more disdain and anger in this book toward not just the lamest loser of a judge on the Supreme Court but also towards the people who directly and indirectly enabled him (looking at you, Sens. Collins and Manchin) to take that office.
In a way though, I think it was effective to not have that (I assume the author surely has feelings on these people and on Trump!) because it did allow the focus to be solely on telling her story and how she recovered from it (both times). (Not that one is ever fully recovered). So if you are contemplating this book but also don’t like the back and forth of politics, I think you’d be pleased to know that this book is not really political at all, other than describing the events that happened from her pov.
I really appreciated the chance to hear her (actual) side of things, not just what was in the press - I did watch some of the testimony when it happened (both of theirs), but now, several years later, it’s become incredibly fuzzy for me - I only remember the very basic nuts and bolts of it. I definitely did not know of the indelible hippocampus statement that she indicated went viral. I must have missed it, or glossed over it. I also didn’t know/remember that she’s a surfer. Liked that part. And! Oprah! Bless her for her big heart.