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A review by emptzuu
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
This book left me deeply unsettled. I was expecting a nuanced exploration of overcoming trauma, but instead found myself repelled by the protagonist, Vanessa. From the outset, her character felt more like a caricature than a fully developed individual. Her actions and dialogue seemed to serve the author's message rather than arising naturally from her character. The supporting cast also fell flat, leaving Vanessa as the sole focus, but without any depth or complexity to hold onto.
Vanessa herself is a frustrating blend of selfishness, narcissism, and inconsistency. It's unclear whether her unreliability is intentional or a result of poor characterization. Her behavior, dialogue, and emotions often seem at odds, leaving me questioning whether the author truly understood her own creation.
While flawed characters can be compelling, Vanessa's passivity and lack of development make it difficult to engage with her journey. Without a believable backstory or clear motivations, her actions come across as arbitrary and frustrating rather than sympathetic or relatable. If the author had provided a believable backstory to contextualize Vanessa's behavior before the events with the teacher, the story might have been more engaging. Her age shouldn't excuse her lack of depth or understanding.
This critique extends to every character in the book. The tired trope of "I'm so special and different from everyone, but also the best at everything, yet somehow overlooked by all" was painfully cliché. It might have been believable a decade ago in middle school, but in reality, nobody behaves like that. The notion that someone consistently commands the attention of every room they enter without any plausible reason is simply unrealistic. Such exaggerated portrayals detract from the authenticity of the narrative and disrupt the reader's immersion in the story.
I don't believe that any of Vanessa's experiences were her responsibility, nor do I think her choice of staying silent on the matter was a fault of hers given the obvious trauma the relationship must have dealt. But just because someone is a victim of a predatory relationship does not mean they can't be likable as a person. Vanessa is someone I can't relate to on any level.
Regarding the handling of sensitive themes, I strongly believe that the author's insertion of graphic content was unnecessary and could potentially traumatize readers. While I understand the importance of depicting trauma realistically, I found it distressing to be inside the mind of a character who seemed to revel in experiences I found repulsive.
The author has admitted that, at age 16 when she started writing this novel, she viewed her story through a romantic lens, influenced by narratives that glorified relationships between older men and younger women. She also admits that she has read Lolita. It wasn't until exposure to discussions about sexual trauma on platforms like Tumblr that she recognized the abusive nature of such dynamics. Given the author's acknowledgment of being inspired by Lolita, a novel she once perceived as romantic, it becomes evident that her personal experiences with sexual abuse and literary influences heavily shaped the narrative. This revelation about her mindset during the book's creation led me to question the author's intentions and respect for her work.
This critique extends to every character in the book. The tired trope of "I'm so special and different from everyone, but also the best at everything, yet somehow overlooked by all" was painfully cliché. It might have been believable a decade ago in middle school, but in reality, nobody behaves like that. The notion that someone consistently commands the attention of every room they enter without any plausible reason is simply unrealistic. Such exaggerated portrayals detract from the authenticity of the narrative and disrupt the reader's immersion in the story.
I don't believe that any of Vanessa's experiences were her responsibility, nor do I think her choice of staying silent on the matter was a fault of hers given the obvious trauma the relationship must have dealt. But just because someone is a victim of a predatory relationship does not mean they can't be likable as a person. Vanessa is someone I can't relate to on any level.
Regarding the handling of sensitive themes, I strongly believe that the author's insertion of graphic content was unnecessary and could potentially traumatize readers. While I understand the importance of depicting trauma realistically, I found it distressing to be inside the mind of a character who seemed to revel in experiences I found repulsive.
The author has admitted that, at age 16 when she started writing this novel, she viewed her story through a romantic lens, influenced by narratives that glorified relationships between older men and younger women. She also admits that she has read Lolita. It wasn't until exposure to discussions about sexual trauma on platforms like Tumblr that she recognized the abusive nature of such dynamics. Given the author's acknowledgment of being inspired by Lolita, a novel she once perceived as romantic, it becomes evident that her personal experiences with sexual abuse and literary influences heavily shaped the narrative. This revelation about her mindset during the book's creation led me to question the author's intentions and respect for her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual assault, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia