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A review by chelseatm
Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer
2.0
My following review is not meant to be taken as a critique on the state of sexual assault or their succeeding justice paths in North America today. Instead, it is a review of how Jon Krakauer handled the subject of rape in one small Montana town.
I have long been a fan of Krakauer's work and I was eager to read his latest book. Adding to that, the issues of rape and consent have also been of interest to me and ones that I ponder frequently. However, I was disappointed with Krakauer's handling. His subjective and editorializing approach at times brinked on irresponsible. He failed to use the word allegedly numerous times despite the accused in question having never been convicted. Well I appreciate his wanting to stay on the side of the victim, I felt that his demonizing of the accused not only hurt his credibility in handling the subject matter truthfully and forthrightly, it was also distracting as a reader. I felt I was not given an honest opportunity to develop my own opinion. Also, at times with his use of 'pissing contest,' 'with disdain,' and 'icy,' I felt that he was acting childish.
The book was also just a regurgitation of two rape trials without offering any actual commentary or fruitful interviews. When I picked up the book, I had assumed it would be a multi-perspective piece with numerous experts and officials in the sexual assault and justice community. Instead, it turned out to be a public shaming of officials with only a smattering of advice and solutions in the last couple pages at the conclusion. I feel Krakauer could have achieved his objective much more effectively without the editorializing and more background and interviews to shape and support the cases that he was outlined.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book.
I have long been a fan of Krakauer's work and I was eager to read his latest book. Adding to that, the issues of rape and consent have also been of interest to me and ones that I ponder frequently. However, I was disappointed with Krakauer's handling. His subjective and editorializing approach at times brinked on irresponsible. He failed to use the word allegedly numerous times despite the accused in question having never been convicted. Well I appreciate his wanting to stay on the side of the victim, I felt that his demonizing of the accused not only hurt his credibility in handling the subject matter truthfully and forthrightly, it was also distracting as a reader. I felt I was not given an honest opportunity to develop my own opinion. Also, at times with his use of 'pissing contest,' 'with disdain,' and 'icy,' I felt that he was acting childish.
The book was also just a regurgitation of two rape trials without offering any actual commentary or fruitful interviews. When I picked up the book, I had assumed it would be a multi-perspective piece with numerous experts and officials in the sexual assault and justice community. Instead, it turned out to be a public shaming of officials with only a smattering of advice and solutions in the last couple pages at the conclusion. I feel Krakauer could have achieved his objective much more effectively without the editorializing and more background and interviews to shape and support the cases that he was outlined.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book.