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A review by sarah_faichney
Dark Chapter by Winnie M Li
5.0
I bought and read "Dark Chapter" because I had signed up for some workshops hosted by author Winnie Li in association with Writing On The Wall, Liverpool (@wowfest). I cannot tell you how glad I am that this book came to me. The dedication at the beginning hit me square in the feels. This is a fictionalised account of real events. As such, Li provides painfully accurate descriptions of detachment during (and in the aftermath of) a sexual assault. She presents a brave, and graphic, description of a vicious rape without being gratuitous. I appreciated her honesty in confronting the fact that no-one knows how they will react until they're in the situation. In "Dark Chapter" a bright light is shone on the reality that there is no right or wrong way to behave in the face of assault. Survival is key.
What makes this book a standout are the dual perspectives. Both Vivian and Johnny have distinctive voices. In fact, the accuracy with which Li (a Taiwanese-American woman) writes a young, male Irish traveller speaks to her skill and attention to detail. The dialect, words and phrases used are incredibly authentic. I feel that it's extremely magnanimous of Li to so generously portray (and even consider) the potential backstory of her assailant.
The courtroom experience is given the warts and all treatment, allowing those fortunate enough to have never experienced the criminal justice system a valuable insight into the inner workings. It's also important to note that Li doesn't shy away from the fact that courtroom interrogations can be brutal and re-traumatising.
"Dark Chapter" is a phenomenal debut and a worthy award winner. Winnie Li has taken an emotive and sensitive subject and handled it with great care and respect. She writes beautifully and with a tone that is very much unique to her. I hope that this novel provides comfort to some and asks uncomfortable questions of others. It's certainly an excellent means by which to start having the challenging conversations necessary to effect change in a system often not fit for purpose.
What makes this book a standout are the dual perspectives. Both Vivian and Johnny have distinctive voices. In fact, the accuracy with which Li (a Taiwanese-American woman) writes a young, male Irish traveller speaks to her skill and attention to detail. The dialect, words and phrases used are incredibly authentic. I feel that it's extremely magnanimous of Li to so generously portray (and even consider) the potential backstory of her assailant.
The courtroom experience is given the warts and all treatment, allowing those fortunate enough to have never experienced the criminal justice system a valuable insight into the inner workings. It's also important to note that Li doesn't shy away from the fact that courtroom interrogations can be brutal and re-traumatising.
"Dark Chapter" is a phenomenal debut and a worthy award winner. Winnie Li has taken an emotive and sensitive subject and handled it with great care and respect. She writes beautifully and with a tone that is very much unique to her. I hope that this novel provides comfort to some and asks uncomfortable questions of others. It's certainly an excellent means by which to start having the challenging conversations necessary to effect change in a system often not fit for purpose.