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A review by lit_terary
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
5.0
TRIGGER WARNINGS: paedophilia, abuse, rape, grooming, gaslighting.
This book was simply devastating to read. I invite you to ponder long and hard before you decide to pick it up.
The content at the heart of the book is extremely sensitive, disturbing in its realism, and often very graphic (TW: groping, raping, abusive scenes are depicted in detail). On that front, though, I think Russell made a remarkable, albeit too zealous at times, job: she handled the subject matter with care, respect and great sensitivity. She was able to capture the nuances, contradictions and complexities of something as traumatic and scarring as being groomed at 15 by one of your teachers, while at the same time leaving no doubt or ambiguity regarding the nature of such a relationship. Russell clearly dedicated much attention to the psychological characterization of Vanessa as a victim in denial and of Strane as the manipulative abuser, and their dynamics are best conveyed through the many jarring conversations the two have throughout the novel (those are the scenes that I found most disturbing, to the point where I often had to put the book down because of how sad, or mad, or frustrated I'd feel).
On top of that, not only was the author good at dealing with sensitive topics, but she also proved herself capable of crafting and plotting the novel in a very effective way and employing literary devices to enhance certain aspects of the story and making the effect of Strane's manipulation on Vanessa's psyche even more glaring.
There are so many more things to say and so many conversations to be had about this book regarding media exposure, peer pressure, the failure of institutions and lack of accountability. I sincerely hope "My Dark Vanessa" will have a longlasting positive impact on this and future generations.
This book was simply devastating to read. I invite you to ponder long and hard before you decide to pick it up.
The content at the heart of the book is extremely sensitive, disturbing in its realism, and often very graphic (TW: groping, raping, abusive scenes are depicted in detail). On that front, though, I think Russell made a remarkable, albeit too zealous at times, job: she handled the subject matter with care, respect and great sensitivity. She was able to capture the nuances, contradictions and complexities of something as traumatic and scarring as being groomed at 15 by one of your teachers, while at the same time leaving no doubt or ambiguity regarding the nature of such a relationship. Russell clearly dedicated much attention to the psychological characterization of Vanessa as a victim in denial and of Strane as the manipulative abuser, and their dynamics are best conveyed through the many jarring conversations the two have throughout the novel (those are the scenes that I found most disturbing, to the point where I often had to put the book down because of how sad, or mad, or frustrated I'd feel).
On top of that, not only was the author good at dealing with sensitive topics, but she also proved herself capable of crafting and plotting the novel in a very effective way and employing literary devices to enhance certain aspects of the story and making the effect of Strane's manipulation on Vanessa's psyche even more glaring.
There are so many more things to say and so many conversations to be had about this book regarding media exposure, peer pressure, the failure of institutions and lack of accountability. I sincerely hope "My Dark Vanessa" will have a longlasting positive impact on this and future generations.