Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - Prima Facie

Reviews tagging 'Misogyny'

Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

15 reviews

lizthebliss's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

victoria_catherine_shaw's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Based on the Olivier and Tony Award-winning play of the same name, Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie follows Tessa Ensler, a young barrister fighting to bring her rapist to justice.

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This is a story that provokes strong emotional reactions from the outset due to its subject matter. As Miller repeatedly reminds the reader, one in three women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. Miller's writing is charged, presenting a compelling argument for change. She demonstrates considerable knowledge of the criminal justice system and the specific challenges it poses for victims of sexual offences. For that alone, and for the way the story effectively answers (and hopefully silences) the “Why didn’t you report it?” brigade, Prima Facie is well worth reading - there can never be too many intelligent and empathetic counter-arguments to misogyny and sexual violence.

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However, despite its strength as a conversation starter, the novel suffers from uneven pacing, spending a disproportionate amount of time on the 'before', although I rather suspect this is a result of expanding the story from a screenplay to a novel.

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Additionally, Tessa’s soapbox moment towards the end feels contrived and unrealisitic in a courtroom setting. While undoubtedly powerful in the context of a one-woman play, in novel form, it lacks subtlety and feels heavy-handed, almost as if Miller feared the reader wouldn’t grasp the failings of the criminal justice system without being hit over the head with them.

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Overall, this is a solid 3 star read, which I have bumped up to 4 stars thanks to Jodie Comer’s fantastic narration in the audiobook version I listened to and the strength of Miller’s argument, if not always its execution.

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Content Warnings

hurricaneherder's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

chococatz's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

i am not tessa ensler, yet the the way suzie miller wrote the narrative transported me into tessa's body. i could feel her sadness, her rage, her shame, every bit of emotion she felt. i was her. i've been in her position. sadly, a lot of women have been there too. suzie miller also does an excellent job of making the readers question the law and justice—is it really just if it is only in the hands of the powerful?

it's an amazing read! would definitely recommend BUT it will be triggering. so please read this in a good headspace :)

Content Warnings

hollyrebecca's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Jodie Comer does an incredible job!

A lawyer who defends men accused in sexual assault cases experiences her own assault and has to rely on the legal system she believes in to bring her justice.

A harrowing insight into the UK legal system regarding SA cases and the impetus being on the victim to provide irrefutable proof. The accused isn’t even brought up for cross-examination!

There’s a powerful message behind the book which is screamed to all at the end, but the first half of the story did leave me feeling slightly bored through the set up.

Content Warnings

rosegrace's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

kirstym25's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional 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: Complicated

Content Warnings

avoticat's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Excellent work, very moving. The pacing was excellent, and it was all very well-written. I liked that it was relatively non-linear in its storytelling, while also being divided right down the middle into a before-and-after that I feel so many survivors can relate to.

Content Warnings