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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
This book was less the story of the Central Park Jogger and more the story of Trisha Meili's recovery as the Central Park Jogger.
I got this book a while back to find out more about the Central Park Jogger, and I enjoyed hearing Meili's perspective as a survivor who remembers generally nothing about her attack. This first-person account of her healing process (something which continues to be in progress) focused on her emotional and physical recovery, and lays a narrative timeline for how she lived her life after the April 1989 attack.
Meili is continually hopeful and ambitious, and she seemed to remain true to both herself and her faults. This was a quick read, and generally interesting, though I scanned minor sections in which she discusses giving presentations of the power of faith/hope in healing.
I got this book a while back to find out more about the Central Park Jogger, and I enjoyed hearing Meili's perspective as a survivor who remembers generally nothing about her attack. This first-person account of her healing process (something which continues to be in progress) focused on her emotional and physical recovery, and lays a narrative timeline for how she lived her life after the April 1989 attack.
Meili is continually hopeful and ambitious, and she seemed to remain true to both herself and her faults. This was a quick read, and generally interesting, though I scanned minor sections in which she discusses giving presentations of the power of faith/hope in healing.
reflective
medium-paced
Honestly being a little generous w my rating. Had a hard time engaging the entire time
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
This book was obviously very personal and very emotional, so I feel bad rating it 3 stars. However, the book was not written in a style that I enjoyed and there were parts that just did not interest me. There were parts that were good to read. I could see this book really resonating with someone who had a similar experience as the author.
This is an in-depth description of incident, rehab, and future for this courageous woman who formerly worked as an investment banker, who formerly pushed herself to do well. As able-bodied people we cannot complain.
I feel bad for not liking this book more than I did. I felt awful for her while reading it, but this seemed to be a book more for her own therapy than anyone else reading it. Which is great, I hope she's doing better, but it wasn't an overly enjoyable read. Usually with books like this there are cowriters or ghost writers since the person involved isn't a writer themselves, but I believe she wrote this. It's a cohesive story, but the writing itself was incredibly bland and basic.
One thing that did make me uncomfortable is that she wrote this basically ignoring the fact that the five boys who were convicted of her rape had their convictions overturned. She did include a few bits that looked more like a lawyer covering so she couldn't be sued, but that was it. She also said that it wasn't about racism, since this is a case that had garnered much attention in the media. That seemed incredibly dismissive. No, it wasn't about racism for her. Her getting raped wasn't about racism. But for the five teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of her rape and assault, it was very much about racism.
I didn't really gain anything from this book and it's probably only rated as high as it is because I'd feel too bad to rate it any lower.
One thing that did make me uncomfortable is that she wrote this basically ignoring the fact that the five boys who were convicted of her rape had their convictions overturned. She did include a few bits that looked more like a lawyer covering so she couldn't be sued, but that was it. She also said that it wasn't about racism, since this is a case that had garnered much attention in the media. That seemed incredibly dismissive. No, it wasn't about racism for her. Her getting raped wasn't about racism. But for the five teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of her rape and assault, it was very much about racism.
I didn't really gain anything from this book and it's probably only rated as high as it is because I'd feel too bad to rate it any lower.
I enjoyed this, though I guess I was hoping for something a little more detailed and cohesive. The timeline jumps around a little, which was a bit confusing. Still - interesting and it makes me want to read more in depth on the subject.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I was interested in reading this book after watching the Netflix series ‘When They See Us’. Trisha Meili (28 years at the time), was attacked in Central Park, NY in 1989 as she went jogging around 9 pm. A brutal attack – she was raped, beaten and left for dead. It is a miracle she survived and her story of recovery is an inspiring one. This sad episode however created more victims than just her – five youngsters (African American & Hispanic) between 14-16 years of age were picked up, allegedly coerced to confessing and then sentenced to prison terms for a crime which later Matias Reyes, a convicted serial rapist and murderer confessed to.
This book has Trisha telling her story – her rising career at Salomon Brothers, an Investment Bank rudely interrupted by the attack, and her subsequent recovery. Initially, seeing her condition – she had severe injuries and blood loss, the chances of survival were rated low. Subsequently, it appeared that she might not regain her cognitive abilities. The incident was so shocking that lots of people rallied behind her - praying & sending their wishes. She had to have multiple procedures and surgeries, and was later moved to long term care. During this period, her family, friends and work colleagues stood by her. Her young age, fitness and top-notch medical care contributed to her making a remarkable recovery. She continues to have some minor impairments though and has no recollection of the incident itself. Her determination to get on with her life is an inspiring read. I especially liked the last section on how she finds love, leaves her job and teams up with Jon Kabat Zin to help others deal with trauma & stress.
Trisha decides to tell her story many years after the incident which tragically changed her forever. As she mentions at the start and in some notes intermittently, a lot had changed in what was known of the incident – the conviction was overturned and the five accused of the crime received settlements. This book covers the first victim – Trisha Meilli, and not the others, and that is understandable as she can only tell her own story well. The responsibility of miscarriage of justice rests with law enforcement & the judicial process (as also the frenzy fed by a reckless advertisement). However, in the light of subsequent events – there are sections of the book which should have been definitely rewritten (her deposition at the trial, the accused, the confessions, the conduct of the prosecution team).
This book has Trisha telling her story – her rising career at Salomon Brothers, an Investment Bank rudely interrupted by the attack, and her subsequent recovery. Initially, seeing her condition – she had severe injuries and blood loss, the chances of survival were rated low. Subsequently, it appeared that she might not regain her cognitive abilities. The incident was so shocking that lots of people rallied behind her - praying & sending their wishes. She had to have multiple procedures and surgeries, and was later moved to long term care. During this period, her family, friends and work colleagues stood by her. Her young age, fitness and top-notch medical care contributed to her making a remarkable recovery. She continues to have some minor impairments though and has no recollection of the incident itself. Her determination to get on with her life is an inspiring read. I especially liked the last section on how she finds love, leaves her job and teams up with Jon Kabat Zin to help others deal with trauma & stress.
Trisha decides to tell her story many years after the incident which tragically changed her forever. As she mentions at the start and in some notes intermittently, a lot had changed in what was known of the incident – the conviction was overturned and the five accused of the crime received settlements. This book covers the first victim – Trisha Meilli, and not the others, and that is understandable as she can only tell her own story well. The responsibility of miscarriage of justice rests with law enforcement & the judicial process (as also the frenzy fed by a reckless advertisement). However, in the light of subsequent events – there are sections of the book which should have been definitely rewritten (her deposition at the trial, the accused, the confessions, the conduct of the prosecution team).
What a woman. What a thing to happen. What a way to free yourself from trauma.