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A review by samarakroeger
Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.75
I saw this book on my bookshelf today while I was packing, and on a whim checked to see if the audiobook was available on libby. Ended up immediately listening to it without putting it down once, fully captivated in the (completely true) spy thriller pacing of the book. The corruption and coverups run so much deeper throughout the entire political and media landscape than I ever dared think. Ronan not only brought very important allegations of sexual misconduct into the public consciousness on behalf of silenced women, he also proceeded to lift the veil on systemic issues within NBC and other news organizations.
Of course, five years after #metoo, I knew where the story would end up, but that did not detract from my engagement with the plot. It is also very important for us to see how difficult it was to break the Harvey Weinstein story within NBC, the very real threats made against journalists, and how enmeshed all top execs (across industries) are in this big cabal to keep victims silenced.
I did wish Ronan Farrow did not attempt to do accents for all the quotes - they were mediocre and distracting. He comes off as a bit self-righteous at times, but honestly, I kind of think he deserves to be.
One of the most engagingly written pieces of investigative journalism I've read. I do read around 30% nonfiction, and Farrow wrote this in a way that I think fiction readers would not find intimidating. To all the readers out there scared by nonfiction: pick this up. You won't regret it.
Of course, five years after #metoo, I knew where the story would end up, but that did not detract from my engagement with the plot. It is also very important for us to see how difficult it was to break the Harvey Weinstein story within NBC, the very real threats made against journalists, and how enmeshed all top execs (across industries) are in this big cabal to keep victims silenced.
I did wish Ronan Farrow did not attempt to do accents for all the quotes - they were mediocre and distracting. He comes off as a bit self-righteous at times, but honestly, I kind of think he deserves to be.
One of the most engagingly written pieces of investigative journalism I've read. I do read around 30% nonfiction, and Farrow wrote this in a way that I think fiction readers would not find intimidating. To all the readers out there scared by nonfiction: pick this up. You won't regret it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Self harm