Reviews with content warning for Death - Know My Name: The Survivor of the Stanford Sexual Assault Case Tells Her Story

a memorable memoir that simultaneously details the infamous stanford assault from the previously anonymous survivor's POV and serves as an incisive rebuke of not only rape culture but also the failing justice system that tramples on survivors twice, even thrice over.

miller's writing is crisp and defyingly straightforward, powerfully conveying the initial confusion after the assault, and the subsequent mix of complex emotions that followed the yrs after: disbelief, fear, disappointment, rage and ultimately, hope. this book's honestly eye-opening in how the justice system and court process negatively affect survivors' lives, and it's baffling and enraging. there are very powerful moments st certain parts of the book that point out the larger culture's hypocrisy, double standards, and reaffirm miller's and other survivors' own self and autonomy. it's some memorable reading, thats for sure.

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silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense slow-paced

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.

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ksuazo94's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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leefox's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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annamorgan27's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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erickaonpaper's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

i've been challenging the way i view nonfiction and rating it with a rating system, but parts of this book were written so tenderly that i have to acknowledge that. i thank chanel's words every day for carrying so much of my february reading month. this book left me in awe of the power words have. chanel is a spectacular human being and this piece of work reflects that.

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