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oofie's review against another edition
4.25
Shelly is one of those people who patently proves that not all people are inherently good. She was a terror growing up, and it just got worse when she had children and partners of her own. She is a narcissist and sadist who delights both in wreaking havoc, despair, fear, and pain.
Shelly mentally, emotionally, and physically abused each of her husbands and three daughters. She gaslit them, made them think that it was their fault, and conscripted them into being co-conspirators. The poor people in her life and circle went through so much literal torture and abuse from living with her. This story is one of the most disturbing I've read due to all the above, and the insane amount of manipulation this woman did to those around her.
This book also hit a little close to home because my own brother is a narcissist. While not being anywhere near Shelly's level (thank god), it was a little shocking reading some of the things she did and realizing that those are things my own brother has and would do to me, my siblings, and my parents.
Furthermore, I appreciate this book because it goes into victims of abuse. Why didn't those around her just leave? Run away? Why didn't they fight back? When you're a victim of abuse, however, it's never that simple. It is a mindfuck, and no one is immune from it. It is incredible to see the strength Shelly's daughters had, however, in finally escaping from their mother and bringing them to justice. I just wish the courts would have meted out far more justice than they did.
The book is well written, was easy to understand, and fascinating to read. I hope that Shelly's victims can find some measure of peace and be estranged from her even when she's out of prison.
Graphic: Death, Torture, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Excrement, Domestic abuse, Murder, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Homophobia
n_binversie99's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Murder, Torture, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Mental illness, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Suicide, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, and Vomit
Minor: Gun violence, Incest, and Animal cruelty
csmoke85's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Violence, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
sydneylneel's review against another edition
3.5
Moderate: Drug abuse, Cursing, Violence, Suicide, Homophobia, Murder, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Ableism, Gore, Emotional abuse, Death, Torture, Sexual violence, Slavery, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Domestic abuse
lottie1803's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Grief, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Terminal illness
anusplugger's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Self harm, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Torture, Violence, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Suicide attempt
vbarker91's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Terminal illness, Homophobia, and Cancer
onlyemilyreads's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Torture, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Murder
caitcalvert's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Cursing, Confinement, Gaslighting, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Murder, Torture, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, and Child abuse
labbyreads's review against another edition
2.0
If You Tell by Gregg Olsen takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey through the chilling true story of Shelly Knotek and the unimaginable abuse inflicted on her children. Olsen commendably highlights the victims' resilience, but the focus on family dynamics falls short of expectations. The characters feel one-dimensional, missing an opportunity to explore the psychology behind Shelly's actions. The dense and graphic content, coupled with a dragging middle section, makes for a challenging read. The pacing issues and a disjointed timeline contribute to a somewhat dissatisfying experience. While capturing unimaginable horrors, If You Tell falls short of being the best true crime, offering an okay but flawed narrative.
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Excrement, Fatphobia, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Murder, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Body horror, Violence, Torture, Animal death, Gaslighting, and Death