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febender's review against another edition
5.0
An important read about an issue not at all unique to this town. Sheds light on the myths and misunderstandings of rape, the trauma and disbelief inflicted on victims, and the complexities and failings of our justice system. Krakauer makes his compassion for rape victims clear; the empathy that is underlying this work helped me read it with a feeling of understanding and warmth, even with the harsh and brutal nature of the topic.
roseleaf24's review against another edition
I'm not sure why this girl who usually chooses not to read books with graphic sexual content thought she could handle this one, but indeed I could not. Not the book's fault; it's an important book that didn't say all hide what it contains.
jannak's review against another edition
4.0
This book was devastatingly powerful. Difficult to read at times, but a well-researched look at sexual assault and the psychological, emotional, and legal after-effects. It was an exhaustive look at a topic that is rarely discussed and frequently goes unreported.
"Rape in unique. No other crime is so fraught with controversy, so enmeshed in dispute and in the politics of gender and sexuality."
"Rape in unique. No other crime is so fraught with controversy, so enmeshed in dispute and in the politics of gender and sexuality."
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
This is an important story that should be read by everyone, especially adolescent boys between the ages of 15 and 21.
The reason I'm giving this three instead of four stars is Krakauer's voice: he inserts his own strange little euphemisms throughout (knockin' boots; shorts in a twist) and it added an uncomfortable air of levity to a story that should not have had one. Now, Krakauer definitely has a point of view and a focus in his book; and I'm okay with that. But I thought his editorial comments were unnecessary and distracting. He didn't need to do anything else besides put the facts on the page for us to feel the horror, anger, and hopelessness felt by these victims and everyone who loves them.
The reason I'm giving this three instead of four stars is Krakauer's voice: he inserts his own strange little euphemisms throughout (knockin' boots; shorts in a twist) and it added an uncomfortable air of levity to a story that should not have had one. Now, Krakauer definitely has a point of view and a focus in his book; and I'm okay with that. But I thought his editorial comments were unnecessary and distracting. He didn't need to do anything else besides put the facts on the page for us to feel the horror, anger, and hopelessness felt by these victims and everyone who loves them.
jenna_renna_wren's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the most meaningful books I have ever read. I feel so much more educated on a topic that grasps the lives of women I care about and people across the globe. I am shocked and disturbed, yet inspired to act. Must read.
klaireparavel's review against another edition
4.0
Difficult. Diappointing. Heartbreaking.Infuriating. Exactly as I expected. An important and sometimes imperfect read.
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
It seems really perverse to rate this 4 stars when that's supposed to mean I "really liked it." I did not like this book. That seems impossible. I've never rage-read a book until this one. I couldn't put this one down because it made me so angry that I kept reading in the hopes that some justice would prevail. I am a feminist and I consider myself an educated woman, and this book made me ashamed at how little I really know and understand about rape. The study by Lisak discussed in the book at length, in particular, completely shocked me.
The day before I read this book (the first time) I heard about a piece in the L.A. Times in which the author criticized campus rape activists for focusing on this lesser feminist problem when there were so many other more important global issues facing women. It made me angry at the time. After reading this book, it makes me absolutely livid. News opinion pieces like this are the reason this book is so important.
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I read this book for the second time as there is a renewed focus on sexual harassment and sexual assault. Talk about timely. There are so many myths and misunderstandings about rape that get in the way of our dealing with it effectively. So much needs to change.
The day before I read this book (the first time) I heard about a piece in the L.A. Times in which the author criticized campus rape activists for focusing on this lesser feminist problem when there were so many other more important global issues facing women. It made me angry at the time. After reading this book, it makes me absolutely livid. News opinion pieces like this are the reason this book is so important.
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I read this book for the second time as there is a renewed focus on sexual harassment and sexual assault. Talk about timely. There are so many myths and misunderstandings about rape that get in the way of our dealing with it effectively. So much needs to change.
youngwessels's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
2.5
Pretty good, but some chapters rent exactly page turners. Also, there were some sections I wished the author had used a more neutral tone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
threegoodrats's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 This is not a book that is pleasurable in any way to read, and many parts contain detailed descriptions of rape so it can be difficult to get through. But it's an important story, and an informative look at how the justice system and the campus disciplinary systems work (or don't). A lot of it infuriated me the way that Catch and Kill infuriated me. The way rape cases became all about destroying the lives of the perpetrators, the fact that these guys were so entitled, and the way that many in the justice system disregarded or dismissed what happened and belittled the victims saying that they just felt bad about having sex and decided to call it rape. Oh, that made me want to slap some people! And some of them were women too, which makes it worse. It was really unbelievably sad how the authorities worked against the victims, and Krakauer expertly pointed out how this is different from other crimes (if you report that you're a victim of burglary, for example, police start from the assumption that you're telling the truth.) I came away with a lot of admiration for these young women who experienced such violence and were willing to go through a process that just ripped them apart again because they knew it was the right thing. It sucks that our culture is so judgemental about women who are raped, but ready to make every excuse for their rapists.