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A review by archaicrobin
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My Dark Vanessa is not an easy read. It details the continued abuse that Vanessa suffers from her high school English teacher, Mr. Strain, beginning when she’s just 15. You read about the grooming, about the assaults, and follow Vanessa into adulthood as she tries to come to terms with the fact that she was abused and failed in so
many ways, by so many adults. The author does an excellent job portraying PTSD and how the abuse that occurred continues to define Vanessa well beyond adolescence.
This book is so well written and Vanessa is such a strong, damaged character that she pulls you in. You can’t look away even when things get horrific, and they get very bad. The author doesn’t shy away from describing what Vanessa endures and there’s many points where I had to stop because Strain is so infuriatingly disgusting.
Despite the difficulty of listening to some scenes, I loved the audiobook for this novel. The narrator brings Vanessa to life and it feels like she’s really there, sharing her story with you. The version I listened to also has an interview with the author at the end which I still need to listen to. This audiobook is a long one though, about 18hrs so it is a commitment.
My only problem with this book is that it does drag on a bit in the second half. Once Vanessa starts to catch up to present day the story drags on quite a bit and I feel some of the later parts of the book weren’t really necessary. Despite the length, I enjoyed reading this one. It’s dark and to be honest it doesn’t end all rainbows and sunshine either. It’s very realistic in its bleakness and I would suggest this for those that can handle some very upsetting scenes.
many ways, by so many adults. The author does an excellent job portraying PTSD and how the abuse that occurred continues to define Vanessa well beyond adolescence.
This book is so well written and Vanessa is such a strong, damaged character that she pulls you in. You can’t look away even when things get horrific, and they get very bad. The author doesn’t shy away from describing what Vanessa endures and there’s many points where I had to stop because Strain is so infuriatingly disgusting.
Despite the difficulty of listening to some scenes, I loved the audiobook for this novel. The narrator brings Vanessa to life and it feels like she’s really there, sharing her story with you. The version I listened to also has an interview with the author at the end which I still need to listen to. This audiobook is a long one though, about 18hrs so it is a commitment.
My only problem with this book is that it does drag on a bit in the second half. Once Vanessa starts to catch up to present day the story drags on quite a bit and I feel some of the later parts of the book weren’t really necessary. Despite the length, I enjoyed reading this one. It’s dark and to be honest it doesn’t end all rainbows and sunshine either. It’s very realistic in its bleakness and I would suggest this for those that can handle some very upsetting scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment