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A review by rgreen888
Dark Chapter by Winnie M Li
5.0
I raced through this book and could not put it down. Heart-rending, infuriating, powerful, all at once. Li's ability to write coherently and pointedly about her own experience and at the same time to write empathetically and emotionally about that of her rapist is profound. Sometimes I found myself underlining entire paragraphs because the feeling she describes is so relatable, or so harrowing, or so indescribably sorrowful. Read this.
But, be prepared. It is gritty; it is hard. It is not an 'enjoyable' read: Li's descriptions of the violence are harsh. But they reflect the reality of sexual violence, which our global society still shies away from confronting directly quite literally because we complain it is too hard to stare into its face. Many who have commented here critique the harshness of these descriptions and bemoan that the book was therefore not enjoyable - but what about violence and victimhood is enjoyable? Is not one of the beautiful purposes of literature is that it allows us to connect to each other's experiences, and even more importantly to those experiences we may never undergo ourselves?
This book is an opportunity for all of us to join Li. Bear witness.
But, be prepared. It is gritty; it is hard. It is not an 'enjoyable' read: Li's descriptions of the violence are harsh. But they reflect the reality of sexual violence, which our global society still shies away from confronting directly quite literally because we complain it is too hard to stare into its face. Many who have commented here critique the harshness of these descriptions and bemoan that the book was therefore not enjoyable - but what about violence and victimhood is enjoyable? Is not one of the beautiful purposes of literature is that it allows us to connect to each other's experiences, and even more importantly to those experiences we may never undergo ourselves?
This book is an opportunity for all of us to join Li. Bear witness.