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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
Interesting book by a former victim of a pedophile who was groomed and harvested by a famous French author from age 14 to 15. Her mom was fine with it. Her dad wasn't thrilled, but did nothing. French society in the 1970s thought it was wonderful freedom of expression for this 50 year old man to sleep with a teen.
It was fascinating to see her perspective, her reflections back at that time and now, decades later, looking back.
It was fascinating to see her perspective, her reflections back at that time and now, decades later, looking back.
2.5 Stars
Trigger Warnings: Pedophilia, graphic descriptions of a relationship between an adult and minor, mentions of sex-trafficking of children centered in the Philippines
I just want to preface this review by stating that it is based solely on its merit as a literary object, rather than on its contents—which I found appropriately harrowing and disturbing. This is Springora's account of her "relationship" with Gabriel Matzneff, when she was only 14-years-old and he was nearly 50. It was quite disturbing how easily G. (as he is referred to throughout the memoir) was able to insinuate himself into Spingora's (referred to as V. at this time in her life) family due to several traumatic incidents that left her feeling vulnerable as a young girl—there was a lot of neglect going on in her personal life, and a lot of permissiveness in the social circles her mother and the Parisian literati ran in.
Because this memoir opened up with the intention to create a dialogue between Springora's personal experience and how stories (particularly fairytales) shape our worldviews and our relationships (to each other and ourselves), I was expecting a little more introspection from the get go. However, we get a lot of psychoanalysis that seems to have come straight out of her therapy sessions in the first few sections of this book. A lot of lurid details are given, but not much is really shown of her own relationship with storytelling—what stories she told herself before, during, etc. as a means of contextualizing and coping. She also employs a lot of cliches, but not sure if that's a quirk of the author or the translator.
The last sections of this memoir definitely contained some of the stronger moments of introspection on Springora's end, especially in "The Imprint." This is where Springora does the internal work that I've been wanting to see from her the entire memoir in dissecting what her place was in this story—how she turned herself from character to author by taking herself out of the fiction.
Overall, interesting read. Would appeal to fans of books like MY DARK VANESSA and LOLITA, though I don't know that it has the subtlety or emotional charge of either.
Trigger Warnings: Pedophilia, graphic descriptions of a relationship between an adult and minor, mentions of sex-trafficking of children centered in the Philippines
I just want to preface this review by stating that it is based solely on its merit as a literary object, rather than on its contents—which I found appropriately harrowing and disturbing. This is Springora's account of her "relationship" with Gabriel Matzneff, when she was only 14-years-old and he was nearly 50. It was quite disturbing how easily G. (as he is referred to throughout the memoir) was able to insinuate himself into Spingora's (referred to as V. at this time in her life) family due to several traumatic incidents that left her feeling vulnerable as a young girl—there was a lot of neglect going on in her personal life, and a lot of permissiveness in the social circles her mother and the Parisian literati ran in.
Because this memoir opened up with the intention to create a dialogue between Springora's personal experience and how stories (particularly fairytales) shape our worldviews and our relationships (to each other and ourselves), I was expecting a little more introspection from the get go. However, we get a lot of psychoanalysis that seems to have come straight out of her therapy sessions in the first few sections of this book. A lot of lurid details are given, but not much is really shown of her own relationship with storytelling—what stories she told herself before, during, etc. as a means of contextualizing and coping. She also employs a lot of cliches, but not sure if that's a quirk of the author or the translator.
The last sections of this memoir definitely contained some of the stronger moments of introspection on Springora's end, especially in "The Imprint." This is where Springora does the internal work that I've been wanting to see from her the entire memoir in dissecting what her place was in this story—how she turned herself from character to author by taking herself out of the fiction.
Overall, interesting read. Would appeal to fans of books like MY DARK VANESSA and LOLITA, though I don't know that it has the subtlety or emotional charge of either.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
wickedly devastating and sharp... this hooked me instantly and i couldnt put it down until i finished it, and when i had to put it down, i couldnt stop thinking about it. reading this and seeing myself in the long term effects of trauma and sexual abuse was healing, in a way. thank you to the author for speaking out. thank you, author, for rightfully naming and shaming. her rage was palpable, inviting the reader to feel it with her. i feel like i should have much more to say about a book of this subject matter, especially given that i too have experienced similar, but this is about it, for the time being. maybe i will revise this within the week with more thoughts but until then, this is all.
this book is about sexual abuse and has uncomfortable and honestly disgusting descriptions of grooming and abuse. if that isnt something youre comfortable read about, this isnt the book for you. (although how one may have gotten here without figuring that out already would be beyond me . just take care of yourselves everyone)
this book is about sexual abuse and has uncomfortable and honestly disgusting descriptions of grooming and abuse. if that isnt something youre comfortable read about, this isnt the book for you. (although how one may have gotten here without figuring that out already would be beyond me . just take care of yourselves everyone)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
A powerful and infuriating memoir. Grief is found in the pages of this book. And so is justice.
I had absolutely no idea what to expect going into this book (other than that it was likely going to be emotionally draining in some way). Springora writes powerfully about the abuse and exploitation she experienced as a child through the lens of both her fourteen year old self and her adult reflection. The focus on the adults who failed her, the landscape of paedophilia in the french literary landscape (holding accountable even those we wouldn’t consider to be involved such as Simone De Beauvior) and the power awarded to artists and creators is powerful, uncomfortable and important. I loved the overarching metaphor of writing/trapping and creating ideas within fiction which is utilised at the beginning and end of the text, I would have loved for it to be used a little more throughout to create a stronger sense of connection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Drug use, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Dysphoria
i finished this book about two months and have been wanting to write a review it, just didn’t know how to put into words the utter feeling of emptiness that i felt after reading the last page. i still am completely speechless and blow away by this book, vanessa’s story and her writing, in the best way possible.
Una novela algo difícil de leer, no tanto por frase complejas o diálogos avanzados ya que la autora ha sabido usar un lenguaje claro y de fácil entendimiento; la dificultad puede venir de la historia en sí misma.
No pude evitar la frustración, la impotencia y el enojo que encierran los eventos y la laceración psicológica del personaje principal.
Me ha gustado el libro
No pude evitar la frustración, la impotencia y el enojo que encierran los eventos y la laceración psicológica del personaje principal.
Me ha gustado el libro
dark
sad
fast-paced