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challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
If I could give this book 10 stars I would!
As one of the 1 in 3 I didn’t know how I’d find this book. However I was left feeling inspired, powerful and most of all seen.
Susie Miller’s writing is incredible. I will forever be changed by this book
As one of the 1 in 3 I didn’t know how I’d find this book. However I was left feeling inspired, powerful and most of all seen.
Susie Miller’s writing is incredible. I will forever be changed by this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Vomit, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism
challenging
i didn’t have the chance to see jodie comer perform in the one-woman play by the same name, so i decided to pick up this novelization of it instead. judging from other reviews, i probably should have listened to the impressively narrated audio version instead.
this book’s subject matter was very important and powerful, but the execution of the novel’s writing style and formatting of the text kept taking me out of the story. i also didn’t know much at all about uk law and that made it more difficult to become fully immersed as well.
this book’s subject matter was very important and powerful, but the execution of the novel’s writing style and formatting of the text kept taking me out of the story. i also didn’t know much at all about uk law and that made it more difficult to become fully immersed as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Moderate: Violence
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Moderate: Self harm, Classism
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A gut wrenching but important read: although we know the story & where it‘s headed it doesn’t make it any easier 3👩⚖️
Wished this story was set in Australia like the original play - annoys me that Aussie material is always adapted for US/UK audiences. Susie Miller literally practiced law in Sydney!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
This is simply one of the most incredible books I think I have ever read.
Having not been lucky enough to see the Jodie Comer version on stage but hearing all the rave reviews about it, I was eager to dive into this book. I knew it wouldn't be an easy read, books like this rarely are, but it was important and poignant and just plain incredible.
The look into the justice system and how lawyers, barristers, solicitors etc, try and defend what most of us will probably see as indefensible was so important in the build up of this novel. Tessa is everything that we see in the before and after of things like this happening to them. She was fearless, driven, striving for the best. Then it happens. She's withdrawn, afraid, feels unsafe.
What I absolutely adored about this is that the things that happened to her doesn't change her at the core. She fights, just like she's been trained to do. She was fearless and wanted justice and that's how she remained.
Massive thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an eARC of this book. I'd let my heart break all over again to read something as incredible as this for the first time.
Having not been lucky enough to see the Jodie Comer version on stage but hearing all the rave reviews about it, I was eager to dive into this book. I knew it wouldn't be an easy read, books like this rarely are, but it was important and poignant and just plain incredible.
The look into the justice system and how lawyers, barristers, solicitors etc, try and defend what most of us will probably see as indefensible was so important in the build up of this novel. Tessa is everything that we see in the before and after of things like this happening to them. She was fearless, driven, striving for the best. Then it happens. She's withdrawn, afraid, feels unsafe.
What I absolutely adored about this is that the things that happened to her doesn't change her at the core. She fights, just like she's been trained to do. She was fearless and wanted justice and that's how she remained.
Massive thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an eARC of this book. I'd let my heart break all over again to read something as incredible as this for the first time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I picked up the audiobook of this after learning it was narrated by Jodie Comer, who did a show-stopping and heartfelt adaptation of the play this novel is based on. I will try my hardest to review the book and not let the play influence my thoughts on this. but first: a word on Jodie Comer;
if you have the opportunity to listen to this on audio, do not hesitate. Comer knows this work so well and makes this long and heavy book palatable in a way that it wouldn't be if I had to hear my own voice describe certain parts of this book. She is able to dip in and out of emotion so fluidly that it is truly beautiful to listen to. If the Grammy Audiobook category wasn't so rigged and skewed heavily towards celebs reading their own memoirs, this would certainly be a contender as she does a stellar performance. She is a mother to millions without ever giving birth, a friend to all without ever knowing you, the literal love of my life. If you have the opportunity to watch NTL's Recording of Prima Facie staring Jodie Comer, please do so.
I was enthralled by the play Prima Facie and was curious to see how the 90 minute play would be adapted into a 300+ page book, and felt that the author did this beautifully. She was able to build a world around Tessa that gave us more insight into her motivations for wanting to be a lawyer, her past, her background, her friends that I didn't need before but appreciated none the less. The writing in this book is so profound and beautiful, I feel this book should be required reading for everyone. Miller doesn't shy away from the gritty scenes of sexual assault, and while I don't always appreciate it in books, I can understand why it needed to happen here. She isn't afraid to put in words what most folks know; the criminal "justice" system as it stands was not made to defend and protect most people, especially victims of violent sexual crimes. Miller's writing makes you feel every emotion that Tessa is feeling so viscerally that there were times I needed to step away and watch a movie or something happy to not get bogged down by sadness. This book is -- simply put -- a masterclass in writing.
My real only issue with the book is that it came across a bit preachy at certain points. I say this, knowing that there was a long monologue at the end that makes several important points about sexual assault stats, how the justice system fails victims (and isn't designed for them to navigate), her loss of faith in the law, etc. However, in several points in the book, Tessa just kind of goes on and on about certain topics that makes it feel like an after school special, which puts me off at times (especially with subject matter like this, which I studied for 6+ years so it might just be a me problem). However, if you can overlook that, this book is an amazing, gut wrenching read/listen. Read this with your friends, your brothers, your sons. Thank you, Suzie Miller and Jodie Comer for bringing this to life.
if you have the opportunity to listen to this on audio, do not hesitate. Comer knows this work so well and makes this long and heavy book palatable in a way that it wouldn't be if I had to hear my own voice describe certain parts of this book. She is able to dip in and out of emotion so fluidly that it is truly beautiful to listen to. If the Grammy Audiobook category wasn't so rigged and skewed heavily towards celebs reading their own memoirs, this would certainly be a contender as she does a stellar performance. She is a mother to millions without ever giving birth, a friend to all without ever knowing you, the literal love of my life. If you have the opportunity to watch NTL's Recording of Prima Facie staring Jodie Comer, please do so.
I was enthralled by the play Prima Facie and was curious to see how the 90 minute play would be adapted into a 300+ page book, and felt that the author did this beautifully. She was able to build a world around Tessa that gave us more insight into her motivations for wanting to be a lawyer, her past, her background, her friends that I didn't need before but appreciated none the less. The writing in this book is so profound and beautiful, I feel this book should be required reading for everyone. Miller doesn't shy away from the gritty scenes of sexual assault, and while I don't always appreciate it in books, I can understand why it needed to happen here. She isn't afraid to put in words what most folks know; the criminal "justice" system as it stands was not made to defend and protect most people, especially victims of violent sexual crimes. Miller's writing makes you feel every emotion that Tessa is feeling so viscerally that there were times I needed to step away and watch a movie or something happy to not get bogged down by sadness. This book is -- simply put -- a masterclass in writing.
My real only issue with the book is that it came across a bit preachy at certain points. I say this, knowing that there was a long monologue at the end that makes several important points about sexual assault stats, how the justice system fails victims (and isn't designed for them to navigate), her loss of faith in the law, etc. However, in several points in the book, Tessa just kind of goes on and on about certain topics that makes it feel like an after school special, which puts me off at times (especially with subject matter like this, which I studied for 6+ years so it might just be a me problem). However, if you can overlook that, this book is an amazing, gut wrenching read/listen. Read this with your friends, your brothers, your sons. Thank you, Suzie Miller and Jodie Comer for bringing this to life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence
Minor: Domestic abuse
This book is about the rape of the main character and the subsequent trial. There are explicit scenes including the rape and trial that may be triggering for some readers who have experience sexual violence and the violence of the court system.