A review by ktmshumway
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book is beautifully written and was a walk through the internal world of a young girls evolution through to adulthood with a trauma and her own relationship with that trauma. I thought it was such a captivating look into the challenge of trauma and the ways it affects Vanessa long term and the ways she copes with it. It really gives insight into the confusion of grooming and emotional abuse and how easy it is to justify those actions in order to survive, especially when so much is asked, how much explanation is needed to be believed by people in power, the public, etc. I read a couple reviews that said it was too long and repetitive, but I actually think the repetitive nature of it puts the reader into the place of people like her parents or Ruby. You care about this character and you have empathy for her, but you also feel frustrated and grow more so as she continues to interact with Strain and justify his behavior or blame herself. I work in the mental health field and this is such a special and challenging piece of being a support to someone. To know they have to reach their truth in their own time, and to watch them hurt as they find their way there. 

I think my only critique was that I wanted more at the end! I think that the way it ended felt intentional and provided closure, but I did find myself wanting something more! Partly because I loved reading Vanessa's character and partly because I wanted to see her experience some of the emotional freedom she so deserved, maybe reclaim writing for herself. I think this would've taken another book or at least a time jump to do and I know trauma is not so cut and dry, so I can't even call my critique a critique haha. Just a want for more of this lovely story and complex character.
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