A review by palomasbookshelf
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russel, has come to be one of the best novels I’ve read in my life. Don’t get my wrong, it was incredibly difficult to read and absolutely gut wrenching at times, but Kate Elizabeth Russell’s prose was just to die for.

With just one novel, Russell has easily become one of my favourite authors. The way she dives head first into topics of abuse, victimhood and the nuances within every abusive relationship is completely enthralling.

The insight into the complexities of consent and manipulation, as well as how she describes discourse surrounding power dynamics is truly harrowing but I couldn’t. stop. reading.

To see how the main character - Vanessa - views her own abuse and the stages she goes through mentally is written about so meticulously and exquisitely, and the way Russel describes Vanessa’s dissociation and mental health was deeply relatable at times.

I think the book makes a great point of bringing up really important questions around sexual abuse that cannot be answered with ease.

Russel writes with brutal honesty, and deep emotion. I ate up every single word on every single page. Not an easy read, but I think it’s an essential one. 
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