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thetrashchan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
politemenace97's review against another edition
5.0
this book was… very difficult to read, but worth working through all the emotional distress. it feels less like fiction and more like a tragic, traumatic recounting of abuse for a girl that could be anyone. i’m gutted after reading this, and it’s going to stick with me for a while.
bonefires's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
5.0
This book is so important to me.
taylahv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gooselyjay's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
apple0loving0shinigami's review against another edition
4.0
Disgusting and creepy, just as a book about a pedophile and his victim should be.
Not a love story, not glamorizing abuse and rape.
So what is this book about?
It is about the ugly reality that enables degenerate men to convince little girls that they are "mature for their age", they are "special" and "they have the power to stop it"...
and the little girls believe them, they don't know any better. They are just children after all.
The psychology in My Dark Vanessa is dark and twisted, and all too real.
Not a love story, not glamorizing abuse and rape.
So what is this book about?
It is about the ugly reality that enables degenerate men to convince little girls that they are "mature for their age", they are "special" and "they have the power to stop it"...
and the little girls believe them, they don't know any better. They are just children after all.
The psychology in My Dark Vanessa is dark and twisted, and all too real.
asimpson7's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was an interesting read. I would agree with many of the other reviews that this book is very dark and therefore I would not recommend for others to read this, especially if they have experience sexual abuse as it might be triggering. But this book was interesting in the sense that you are getting a glimpse into what some people who are abused live through and how they don’t view themselves as victims and believe they were consenting and wanted it. But I’m glad that towards the end Vanessa started to heal. Also how Strane dies is what I imagine to be fairly realistic in the sense that the victims don’t feel any sense of justice as he escaped retribution. Overall this book was well written as it made me feel incredibly sorry for Vanessa and disgusted by Strand and just so confused on how nobody did anything about it and how Vanessa didn’t think it was that bad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Vomit, Infidelity, Grief, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Suicide, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
zoe_r13's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alliecat1219's review against another edition
5.0
Venessa’s story is one of the most compelling narratives I’ve ever experienced. The Author bravely confronts the complex and difficult journey of a woman coming to terms with being groomed, with the most authenticity and sincerity. While reading, I couldn’t help but be swept up in a roller coaster of emotions - feeling upset, frustrated, and hopeless at times, yet recognizing the necessity of confronting these difficult truths.