Reviews with content warning for Rape - Moja temna Vanessa

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Moja temna Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

2369 reviews

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional 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: Yes

Objectively, this is a well-written book. There are some really strong lines, and it makes you think. Vanessa is not the most likeable, the most reliable main character and she's written that way on purpose. Because Russell is making you think about how we think about victims of sexual abuse, how they are portrayed in the media, and really, the fact that we think everyone should come foward about their trauma, even if that it and of itself is traumatizing.

This is not an easy book to read, and it's not something I would have picked up if it wasn't for book club. I am torn about whether or not I'm glad that I've read this book, because it is a story worth telling. Definitely recommend reading the author's note to understand why Russell wrote this particular stoy, because personally, I had wondered that while reading, too.

Despite this book being dark and kind of haunting, the writing style makes it difficult to put down, in a way. The time jumps, the pacing, it all lends itself to that. I would just say, make sure you're in the right headspace before picking it up.

Content Warnings

marinnelilly's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Content Warnings

bollweevil's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad tense 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: Yes

Content Warnings

bookobsessed_kb's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad 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: Complicated

*Spoilers and trigger warnings*

This book was heavy. It ripped my heart out and absolutely enraged me. However, I think it was necessary to read - especially as a teacher. It was a painful reminder of how psychologically manipulative sexual predators like Strane operate and how much the system can fail young people and enable abuse when these cases are not handled properly.

The writing in this is beautiful & realistic, and I found it easy to empathise with Vanessa, which made it even more excruciating to join her on her journey of comprehending the abuse and trauma she experienced. I think this line hit me the hardest and helped me really understand Vanessa and her actions/words:

“I just feel . . .” I press the heels of my hands into my thighs. “I can’t lose the thing I’ve held on to for so long. You know?” My face twists up from the pain of pushing it out. “I just really need it to be a love story. You know? I really, really need it to be that.”
“I know,” she says.
“Because if it isn’t a love story, then what is it?”

I don’t think the novel was a romanticised teacher-student relationship or painted as a ‘love story’. I think it was clear from chapter 1 what Strane was and what he did.

I’m grateful that Kate Elizabeth Russell gave Vanessa peace and the strength to move forward by the end.

Content Warnings