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emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Gaslighting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-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
An amazing book, albeit a difficult one. Definitely not an easy beach read but nonetheless an important one that everyone should be reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual violence, Vomit, Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism
challenging
dark
sad
fast-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Only not 5⭐️ because the ending did not quite stick the landing imo.
The speach on the witness stand as well as the journalists reaction to it felt weirdly naive and basic in contrast to the rest of the novel. Overall still a very gripping and interesting take on the justice system and sexual assault though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Drug use
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Minor: Domestic abuse
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
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.
📚
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.
📚
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.
📚
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.
📚
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.
📚
📚
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.
📚
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.
📚
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.
📚
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.
📚
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Classism
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Mum's face.
I can't help thinking she knows what it is to be violated somehow.
I'll never ask.”
I recently watched the recording of Prima Facie and Jodie Comer's performance was exceptional in that. My boyfriend encouraged me to try out audiobooks and so when I saw this one and saw some pretty great reviews around the audiobook I was sold.
I'm so glad I chose to listen as I felt so much more connected with the audiobook than I did the play, and I felt strongly connected to the play already. Comer was able to show the raw emotion so well in her voice and to show all of the different characters' personalities beautifully. I was so moved by the story, one that hits on a personal level and hurts to even think about and acknowledge as the harsh reality of our judicial system. Tessa is such an amazing female protagonist that has such a strong attitude that it's hard not to love her, and other characters leave a deep impression alongside her - I especially loved the unexpected friendships she picked up along the way and how Miller developed these throughout the plot. The themes throughout are moving, such as class discrimination, sexism, feminism and the harsh reality of being a SA victim within England & Wales' judicial system, and they are all touched on in a way that is thorough, thought-provoking and devastating all at once. This audiobook was able to make me feel such strong emotions at points, especially towards the end.
Considering that the play sits with me often and haunted me throughout my time at university when I briefly considered involving myself in criminal justice matters, I expect the audiobook to have the same if not a more profound impact on my thoughts. The fact of one in three expressed in Tessa's monologue is so heartbreaking but a harsh reality check, one that more people need to be aware of. Tessa's monologue in general deserves major recognition here as her speech highlights the change we need, and we need it soon. I think if that kind of speech did occur in the Old Bailey (and it was also a case between two highly regarded barristers) it probably would garner some media attention as it did here, and maybe pick up some traction, and maybe (probably not) some change would be seen. But this play helps to shed light on reality and the law we currently abide by, and how it isn't working to provide the one thing it's meant to provide - justice.
Definitely recommend, and must-read for those interested in feminist literature and (niche) law students/those interested in the law. ⚖️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Cursing, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Medical content, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism