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mamagames's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating memoir + true story; it was interesting to learn how she was drawn to this particular case and in what ways it paralleled her own life.
abby_c_m's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Pedophilia
danibean19's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up this book because I enjoy true crime novels, but really it is part true-crime, part memoir, part legal thriller, part psychology text. Through the author's exploration of a child molestor's death penalty case, she confronts her own family's history. To me, the book takes the reader down a lot of different paths, some of which I don't know if I ever will find the end of. You'll be examining your own thoughts about the death penalty, the responsibility of the legal and mental health systems to prevent dangerous people from committing violence, the humanity of even the most depraved individuals, nature vs. nurture, and... more. It also helps that it is beautifully written and constructed in a manner that keeps the reader engaged, not wanting to put it down.
paperbacksandpines's review against another edition
2.0
I picked up this book because I wanted to know why Marzano-Lesnevich was overcome with the feeling of wanting pedophile and murderer Ricky Langley to die. Though I realized the book was both a murder and a memoir but I wasn't aware of how much of this book was memoir. As I read through the book, I began to understand how Marzano-Lesnevich's childhood experiences contributed to her visceral reaction to Langley.
How Marzano-Lesnevich's family responded to her childhood trauma had a deep and lasting impact on her psyche and I felt very uneasy reading about her family's apparent lack of concern for her emotional well being. They forbid her from bringing up the topic of her experiences with other family members and her trauma exerted itself in many forms and her father even went as far as denying it had ever happened and that she was the only one who ever remembered it. "This is the logic I will never find an answer to, the way in my family a hurt will always be your hurt or my hurt, one to be set again t the other and wighted, never the family's hurt. Is what happens in a family the problem of the family, or the problem of the one most harmed by it? There is a cost to this kind of adversarial individualism."
Honestly, I could have done with a little less memoir and a little more clear answers regarding Langley's story. I can't say I liked this book or that I feel better for having read it. I think there are a lot of other nonfiction books that would have been a more satisfactory read.
How Marzano-Lesnevich's family responded to her childhood trauma had a deep and lasting impact on her psyche and I felt very uneasy reading about her family's apparent lack of concern for her emotional well being. They forbid her from bringing up the topic of her experiences with other family members and her trauma exerted itself in many forms and her father even went as far as denying it had ever happened and that she was the only one who ever remembered it. "This is the logic I will never find an answer to, the way in my family a hurt will always be your hurt or my hurt, one to be set again t the other and wighted, never the family's hurt. Is what happens in a family the problem of the family, or the problem of the one most harmed by it? There is a cost to this kind of adversarial individualism."
Honestly, I could have done with a little less memoir and a little more clear answers regarding Langley's story. I can't say I liked this book or that I feel better for having read it. I think there are a lot of other nonfiction books that would have been a more satisfactory read.
sarahecamus's review against another edition
4.0
"'Even though I can hear my child's death cry, I, too, can hear Ricky Langley cry for help.'
It's Ricky she testified for. She tries to keep him alive."
I have never read this kind of book before. Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich writes her story of her tramatic past of sexual abuse, while integrating the story of Ricky Langley's murder trial. This memoir is definitely a page turner and kept my mind going with every sentence. However, the topics described in this read were very difficult at times to get through. Marzano-Lesnevich didn't hold back when describing the details in her memoir and at times I wanted to put it down for a rest. Although, the style of her writing and use of foreshadowing made it difficult to not skip ahead at times. Well done. 4 ⭐.
It's Ricky she testified for. She tries to keep him alive."
I have never read this kind of book before. Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich writes her story of her tramatic past of sexual abuse, while integrating the story of Ricky Langley's murder trial. This memoir is definitely a page turner and kept my mind going with every sentence. However, the topics described in this read were very difficult at times to get through. Marzano-Lesnevich didn't hold back when describing the details in her memoir and at times I wanted to put it down for a rest. Although, the style of her writing and use of foreshadowing made it difficult to not skip ahead at times. Well done. 4 ⭐.
bookish_blonde's review against another edition
4.0
I don't normally read true crime or memoirs so this was hard for me to rate. I was enthralled from the beginning. The topic of molestation was hard for me to get through. Over all though, I would give this 4 stars for the writing style and the story. Need to read something "light" next for sure.
esthergreenwoodx's review against another edition
5.0
Incredibly unique, honest, heartbreaking, never self-indulgent. I devoured this book. I was skeptical about the two themes of a murder case and a memoir coming together, but it turned out as the book unfolded that the way these links are explored was the best part of the story. The author explores her fascination with a murder case and how it trickled into her life. She sees her own story reflected in the victims, perpetrators, and family members, but not in a way that I expected when I first opened the book. Gorgeously written in a style that intentionally pulled me into the experiences of the book's many characters.
bellygames's review against another edition
4.0
I struggled. Will update with a full review when I can.