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bookishalice's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book hooked me from me from the start. I couldn't put it down. It's haunting. It’s unsettling. It’s not something to snuggle up with to escape this troubling world. It's throwing yourself headfirst into what troubles the world.
It’s well written and the characters have depth. It deals with important issues of victimhood and highlights the nuances in how abuse can affect the lives of victims.
Russell mentions and quotes Lolita frequently in the book. It’s a story told from the perspective of Humbert, a pedophile, but we never hear Lolita’s experience. For me, that’s what makes this book shine. It gives the voice to the victim, It’s the story according to Vanessa.
The book illustrates how predators can manipulate, coerce and gaslight their victims into believing they’re in a consensual and loving relationship. It shows the lasting effects of abuse, and how emotional abuse can continue, even after physical abuse ends. In telling the story this way, we see how she perceives her abuse, and how it's warped by her abuser and his manipulation.
It’s not a book to be picked up lightly, you need to be in the right place to read it. I won’t recommend it, as it’s a personal decision that will depend on your circumstances and your experiences. Practice self-care and look after yourself
This book will stay with me for a long time. It’s snagged a very last minute spot on my 2020 favourites list and it absolutely deserves that. I can’t wait to read more from @kateelizabethrussell!!
It’s well written and the characters have depth. It deals with important issues of victimhood and highlights the nuances in how abuse can affect the lives of victims.
Russell mentions and quotes Lolita frequently in the book. It’s a story told from the perspective of Humbert, a pedophile, but we never hear Lolita’s experience. For me, that’s what makes this book shine. It gives the voice to the victim, It’s the story according to Vanessa.
The book illustrates how predators can manipulate, coerce and gaslight their victims into believing they’re in a consensual and loving relationship. It shows the lasting effects of abuse, and how emotional abuse can continue, even after physical abuse ends. In telling the story this way, we see how she perceives her abuse, and how it's warped by her abuser and his manipulation.
It’s not a book to be picked up lightly, you need to be in the right place to read it. I won’t recommend it, as it’s a personal decision that will depend on your circumstances and your experiences. Practice self-care and look after yourself
This book will stay with me for a long time. It’s snagged a very last minute spot on my 2020 favourites list and it absolutely deserves that. I can’t wait to read more from @kateelizabethrussell!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Body shaming and Fatphobia
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