A review by askoda
Things We Didn't Talk about When I Was a Girl by Jeannie Vanasco

5.0

Ok, this one is going to haunt me for a bit. I literally could not put this book down even though I so wanted to.

The way Vanasco portrays her story, or stories illustrates exactly why it’s important for victims to speak out. She calmly calls out the #metoo revelation and heavily lays on the complicated layers of such a fraught attempt of the social movement. Vanasco also relays the complicated, intricate, and oh so vulnerable layers that come with being turned into a victim. By doing this, she paints the picture of why so many victims do not come forward… and that these experiences are far more common than anyone would like to admit.

She even rehearses the scenes over and over again, convinced that she is neurotic or that she remembered something wrong. Vanasco brings her own mental illness into the story to question herself rather than strengthen her story. The way she confronts “him” is unique, brave, and once again, complicated. But I think that’s what I loved about this tale. Her honesty is what reeled me in. Her openness to all of those icky feelings that victims are told not to feel- that there is more than anger. There is more than rage, fear, and shame that can be felt and she highlights this well.

I highly suggest you read this, but beware, it just may envelope you like it did me.