Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Know My Name: The Survivor of the Stanford Sexual Assault Case Tells Her Story by Chanel Miller

152 reviews

ashenlar's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Incredibly written, powerful exploration of the author's experiences of being sexually assaulted - showing clearly the devastating, deep-rooting and long-lasting issues of not just the assault itself but also the prolonged police investigation, court case and media attention, on not just her but her family and friends as well. This book will make you devastatingly upset for the author and those who know her, make you furious and outraged at men (and one man in particular) and the privileges and systems that protect them and discredit victims, yet also make you hopeful - the author shows how, although the assault has absolutely changed her and impacted her to her core, she is not defined by it and has reclaimed herself - mind and body - from these experiences. 

An absolute must-read for every single person, but a very very difficult one - you will cry, a lot. Make sure you're looking after yourself too while reading this 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Rape, Sexism, Violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

paupaurobles's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Mass/school shootings, Rape, Sexism, and Racism

silver_lining_in_a_book's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

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

sarah_hutchins's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Mental illness, and Misogyny

Minor: Suicide, Mass/school shootings, and Gun violence

theliteraryloot's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexism

lunar_witch's review against another edition

dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Medical content

heatherjchin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Violence, and Sexual content

questingnotcoasting's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is probably the best memoir I've ever read. I'd seen almost universally positive reviews but Chanel Miller's writing still blew me away with how beautiful it was. I rarely highlight books but I couldn't resist it here because her observations and descriptions were gorgeous. I particularly loved how she often included little details of her daily life which really grounded her story and drew me in.
Miller writes about her experience with such grace and strength, as well as the rage you'd expect. It's such an important book and it made me absolutely furious at the justice system. I remember reading Miller's victim impact statement when it was released and her book has the same power. I'd put off reading it because I knew it would be challenging but I'm so glad I did finally pick it up. She doesn't shy away from the realities of dealing with trauma and depression but it's also hopeful and much funnier than I was expecting. I've been following her on Instagram for a long time and really enjoy her illustrations and am so looking forward to seeing what she does next. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Suicide, Misogyny, and Racial slurs

saratellmanveloz's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This is an important book. For those of us who have walked with the trauma of sexual violence, woven it into the rough leather of our lived experience, Chanel’s words are at once an acid bath and a balm. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Rape

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

this was absolutely devastating. i read this in a day and would not recommend doing that. i finished the book feeling so hollow and sad. Chanel Miller is an amazing author and i am so grateful to have been able to read her story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Grief, Medical content, Sexual content, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Violence