Review by tinypear - Prima Facie

tinypear 's review for:

Prima Facie by Suzie Miller

5.0

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

“Mum's face.
I can't help thinking she knows what it is to be violated somehow.
I'll never ask.”

I recently watched the recording of Prima Facie and Jodie Comer's performance was exceptional in that. My boyfriend encouraged me to try out audiobooks and so when I saw this one and saw some pretty great reviews around the audiobook I was sold.

I'm so glad I chose to listen as I felt so much more connected with the audiobook than I did the play, and I felt strongly connected to the play already. Comer was able to show the raw emotion so well in her voice and to show all of the different characters' personalities beautifully. I was so moved by the story, one that hits on a personal level and hurts to even think about and acknowledge as the harsh reality of our judicial system. Tessa is such an amazing female protagonist that has such a strong attitude that it's hard not to love her, and other characters leave a deep impression alongside her - I especially loved the unexpected friendships she picked up along the way and how Miller developed these throughout the plot. The themes throughout are moving, such as class discrimination, sexism, feminism and the harsh reality of being a SA victim within England & Wales' judicial system, and they are all touched on in a way that is thorough, thought-provoking and devastating all at once. This audiobook was able to make me feel such strong emotions at points, especially towards the end.

I wished for this to have a happier ending but I'm not surprised it doesn't considering the point it puts across, I just wish Tessa could have had some justice for her experience.

Considering that the play sits with me often and haunted me throughout my time at university when I briefly considered involving myself in criminal justice matters, I expect the audiobook to have the same if not a more profound impact on my thoughts. The fact of one in three expressed in Tessa's monologue is so heartbreaking but a harsh reality check, one that more people need to be aware of. Tessa's monologue in general deserves major recognition here as her speech highlights the change we need, and we need it soon. I think if that kind of speech did occur in the Old Bailey (and it was also a case between two highly regarded barristers) it probably would garner some media attention as it did here, and maybe pick up some traction, and maybe (probably not) some change would be seen. But this play helps to shed light on reality and the law we currently abide by, and how it isn't working to provide the one thing it's meant to provide - justice.

Definitely recommend, and must-read for those interested in feminist literature and (niche) law students/those interested in the law. ⚖️

Content Warnings