Reviews with content warning for Rape - Know My Name: A Memoir

I don't even know where to start about this book. First off, I do not cry easy when it comes to books, but wow I cried a lot while listening to this book. And I am so glad I listened to the audio book version, because hearing everything from Chanel's mouth made it even more impactful. This book was obviously about the sexual assault that happened to Chanel Miller, but going further, it was also about her healing process. And she doesn't shy away at all about every single way that this destroyed her life and her relationships, and the ways it negatively affected the people around her. In fact, Miller doesn't shy away from a single thing. She fully calls out Brock Turner for the horrible things he did, and the lies he told about it afterword. She doesn't censor herself at all, and tells all the details about everything. And that was truly what made it so impactful to me. How can anyone not be deeply emotionally affected by someone baring their soul and being so raw?
I also truly think that this is the best memoir I have ever read in my life. And beyond just telling her story, Chanel used this book to bring attention to so many important topics, like cat calling culture, and the ways that the media and justice system mistreat victims. Because this story doesn't just affect her, it affects every person in America.
I also think that Chanel Miller is genuinely one of the best authors I have ever read. Because her writing ability is off the charts, and is so beautiful and complex.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book.

Listened to on Libby.

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ohsunnyaa's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

"You are not a statistic or a stereotype, so when they minimize you, dehumanize you, objectify you, you must push back with your whole weight, with your lifetime of experiences. To the faceless, the ones who remain anonymous. We each have a name. You have taught me to be proud of mine."

No other book has ever moved me like this one did. I cried so many times. I felt pain. I was angry. It broke my heart. But I was also moved: by Chanel and her strength, by her small and big victories, how she didn't give up even when she felt hopeless, how she still saw good in people and by the people that stood with her.

"The place to be remembered is not where I was assaulted, but where he fell, where I was saved, where two men declared stop, no more, not here, not now, not ever."

Everyone needs to read this. Everyone needs to learn how much suffering is caused by a broken justice system, that favors criminals and silences victims. The system that is supposed to help, but forces the
victims to relive the most painful moments of their lives instead.

"We don’t fight for our own happy endings. We fight to say you can’t. We fight for accountability. We fight to establish precedent. We fight because we pray we’ll be the last ones to feel this kind of pain."

When I hear about sexual assault cases, it makes me sick how the rapist is treated like a poor boy that got his life ruined, while the victim is the one "ruining him". Why does he get to have "brilliant" written next to his name? Why is his victim denied humanity? Why is the victim reduced to what happened to her, while the rapist happily lists his lifetime accomplishments? "You made me a victim" The rapist creates the victim, not the other way around.

"Oh but his reputation! That's really where he suffers. My advice is, if he's worried about his reputation, don't rape anyone."

To Chanel: I know your name. I know your pain. You are not 'just a victim', you are so much more. I heard your voice and I will remember your words. Thank you.

"And finally, to girls everywhere, I am with you. On nights when you feel alone, I am with you. When people doubt you or dismiss you, I am with you. I fought everyday for you. So never stop fighting, I believe you."

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danikaye13's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

5.0

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vanessamex's review against another edition

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Prepare for your heart strings to be rugged at. Chanel's telling of her story and how her life was uprooted is incredible. Wonderful writing and even more powerful and thought provoking content.

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bloomingbookworm's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful sad

5.0

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mimo_'s review against another edition

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4.5

its hard to review a memoir bc its not just a made up story but smn that actually happened and i dont want to discount her experience but i will say i liked her writing and how she goes through everything that happened to her and the effects of it

i did leave a lot of rants in a buddy read and i did end up googling the case and reading the entire wiki page jdsjxndnxn

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justagirlwithbooks's review against another edition

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4.75

“We don’t fight for our own happy endings. We fight to say you can’t. We fight for accountability. We fight to establish precedent. We fight because we pray we’ll be the last ones to feel this kind of pain.”

I honestly have no words. This is a phenomenal book. But, it is quite heavy as well, due to Miller's narrative style and the subject matter. I listened to this as an audiobook and the experience was something else. I only have one quote highlighted here, but there are so many others that I could have used. This book made me angry, frustrated, sad, disgusted, and also happy for so many reasons. The suffering that victims experience is unimaginable. The justice system that perpetuates this is also absolutely disgusting and it needs to change. If more people speak out, and write stories that need to be told, it just might do that.

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