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A review by ursolovelypjm
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-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
This book hit me in a way that is hard to describe into words properly. It’s not a book that you can say is beautiful without feeling like you did not properly get the meaning behind it.
The impact of the abuse on Vanessa’s life is heartbreaking, and I had never read a book I wanted so badly to end the best way possible for the main character. It’s so incredibly hard to read, but at the same time so important for focusing on the victim’s perspective. I wouldn’t call it an amazing experience of reading, rather an important reflection on abuse, trauma and victims and the morality and standards put up by society, mixed with the constant hypocrisy that forces the victims to feel like they are nothing more than that; that they will never be more than their abuser and their abuse.
The impact of the abuse on Vanessa’s life is heartbreaking, and I had never read a book I wanted so badly to end the best way possible for the main character. It’s so incredibly hard to read, but at the same time so important for focusing on the victim’s perspective. I wouldn’t call it an amazing experience of reading, rather an important reflection on abuse, trauma and victims and the morality and standards put up by society, mixed with the constant hypocrisy that forces the victims to feel like they are nothing more than that; that they will never be more than their abuser and their abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Death of parent, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts