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kingrosereads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, and Vomit
xinawebb's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Misogyny, and Rape
Moderate: Medical content and Medical trauma
Minor: Gaslighting, Mass/school shootings, Vomit, and Drug use
logsbooklog's review against another edition
3.75
i do not want to criticize with the intent of saying don’t read this; to be clear, you should definitely read this, but i did not connect with the writing style as much as i would’ve liked. it has some cliches that took me out of it, a few typos which surprised me, and just generally lacked some polish a few more edits could’ve fixed. regardless, definitely interested in chanel’s work in the future and am glad to have read this.
Graphic: Vomit and Sexual assault
robinks's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Medical content, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Rape, Misogyny, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Mass/school shootings, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Gun violence, Suicide, Sexual content, Racism, Cursing, and Violence
Minor: Vomit
shlymiller's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Gaslighting, Vomit, Mental illness, and Medical trauma
Minor: Alcohol
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Violence, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, Medical trauma, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Blood, Cursing, Racism, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Stalking, Mental illness, and Racial slurs
Minor: Animal death, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Drug use, Outing, and Body shaming
elizaandstella's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Rape, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Vomit
oceanw1's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Vomit, Animal death, Police brutality, Racism, and Suicide
amberlfaris's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Vomit
silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition
5.0
I survived because I remained soft, because I listened, because I wrote. Because I huddled close to my truth, protected it like a tiny flame in a terrible storm. Hold up your head when the tears come, when you are mocked, insulted, questioned, threatened, when they tell you you are nothing, when your body is reduced to openings. The journey will be longer than you imagined, trauma will find you again and again. Do not become the ones who hurt you. Stay tender with your power. Never fight to injure, fight to uplift. Fight because you know that in this life, you deserve safety, joy, and freedom. Fight because it is your life. Not anyone else’s. I did it, I am here. Looking back, all the ones who doubted or hurt or nearly conquered me faded away, and I am the only one standing. So now, the time has come. I dust myself off, and go on.
This is one of the most powerful, heart-wrenching memoirs I have ever read. It took me some time to get into it, particularly due to the seemingly monotonous voice Miller used at the start of the audiobook. Only later did I figure out that this was part of the experience; as the book went along, Miller's pain, confusion and disappointment with the justice system came across more and more. She beautifully captures the fight against self-loathing and self-isolation that many experience to different degrees but very few can put into words quite like her.
I think this is not something recent survivors or people who are too empathetic or compassionate should necessarily push themselves to read. It is such an important book, but don't rush it - read it when you are ready, you won't regret waiting. Some may also find it to be hard to get through, but I would recommend pushing through, the end (which is only the beginning of a new stage of Miller's life) is worth it. Finally, another complaint might be that the book is repetitive or too graphic, but again I think that this serves a purpose. It mirrors the invasive and cyclical nature of the court system; it's dry, continuous, tedious and far too invasive for the victims.
Overall, I do not find that it would be right for me to criticise this book. It did what it was written to do and it did so lyrically, emotionally and incredibly truthfully. It cannot receive anything less than 5/5 stars.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide, Misogyny, Mass/school shootings, Rape, Vomit, Sexism, and Gun violence
Minor: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Racism, Death, and Domestic abuse