Raw, real, beautifully expressed

Chanel’s captures her journey since that night her whole world was violently thrown upside down just beautifully - I felt every word - even though it’s 34 years since I was molested as an 8 year-old. What is striking is how the same emotions are felt by victims regardless of whether the abuse is physical, sexual, verbal, emotional in nature. Abuse is abuse - full stop. Chanel, thank you for being so brave to share your story and helping millions! 💗💪🏽🌸

2 people found this helpful

Raw, Real, Powerful. Read this.

This is a compelling account of what it was like for Chanel Miller to go through an experience many people can't imagine, yet for too many women has become part of their life. The narrative exposes not only the brutal shock and pain of being sexually assaulted, but the almost insurmountable trauma and gruelling struggle of being chewed up and spat out by the justice system as a result.

It's an incredible journey that inspires compassion and rage in equal intensity, and ever since listening to it I cannot get over the stark and undeniable truth of the hypocrisy and contradiction faced by victims of this type of crime:

Women who are always vigilant / suspicious of men are called paranoid. Women who call out misogynistic or rape-apologist behaviour are shut down, and told NOT ALL MEN. Women who carry their keys in their fists or turn down drinks are hysterical, they should relax.

But the minute a woman is assaulted, the focus is on her actions, as though she invited the crime. What did you drink? Why? How much? What were you wearing? Why were you so careless? What did you expect?

I can't get the issue out of my head. This book is powerful and thought-provoking and I cannot recommend it enough. Her bravery, her voice, and her struggle deserve to be heard by everyone.

1 person found this helpful

Eloquent and searing. Unputdownable

I read Chanel Millers book as a survivor of serious sexual trauma that took it’s toll on my life over many years as it went through the criminal justice process and then appeal. The immense power Chanel is able to convey in her writing is a true gift and I feel like that 16 year old girl who was able to swing her legs out of bed for the first time, after 2 years. She has given survivors a voice and a story they can use as an anchor point to learn to be themselves again, and recover. She is a great advocate for survivors and I recommend this book to everybody. Thank you Chanel.

1 person found this helpful

Extraordinary

This book is extraordinary. Chanel Miller is the author of the Emily Doe letter about being sexually assaulted in Stanford university which was published by Buzzfeed. Not only is this a must read about rape culture and the justice system in the US but this is also a beautifully-written book about race, love, family, identity, community and bravery. The sense of strength and hope you feel after reading this book is a testament to Chanel Miller’s talent. Listening to her reading the audiobook was a real privilege.

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Powerfully Written

I found that the way Chanel Miller carefully and patiently takes the listener through the pain and the injustices of her treatment from the initial assault, through the trial, to the further injustices of the sentencing and the aftermath was compelling and powerful. Her narrative style and her choice of language was excellent. At times it almost seemed like a novel but her use of examples and analogies to illustrate her points and the power of her writing left me in no doubt about her sincerity and the extent of the damage she suffered.

I am grateful to Chanel for having given me an opportunity to hear her story in detail, in a way which is hardly ever heard in the news media, precisely for the reasons that she outlines in her narrative.

I can safely say that, as a man, it has given me a lot to think about - particularly when evaluating the stories of others who find themselves as victims of sexual assault.

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A powerful journey, shared with honesty!

Chanel wrote and read this book in such a way that left me in awe of her, in so many ways. She is an amazingly strong person, which shines through throughout. This book is for everyone!

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We are with you.

Everyone should read this. A difficult but important listen to develop understanding and change our culture of victim blaming. Beautifully and honestly written.

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Profound

Beautifully written, beautifully read. I cried and laughed, felt pain and healed. Everyone should read it for a more graceful approach to each others story.

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Her story tells you a lot about our world

This is a book about being a woman in the Western world in the 21st century. As moving as you imagine it to be and also more healing and full of light than you ever expect it to be.
Read it, even if you are not familiar with what she went through. It is triggering for any woman, even those who have never experienced assault, abuse and rape. It is about her and about us, women, and how we live in this world that treats survivors as unreliable witnesses. This book made me feel incredibly lonely and lost in my own pain at times: it was definitely worth it.
She shares a story that brings so many feelings to the light, from shame and dread to anger, fury even, not just because of her story, but because of ours. She made me think about all the people who took advantage of my ignorance of what consent looks like over the years, and my constant fear of being raped. The fear of not being believed has always made me feel humiliated and small. Now WE choose to believe!

Incredibly powerful read

This is a beautifully written, incredibly powerful book, and I hope as many people as possible read it. A difficult read in terms of the subject matter - it's painfully, viscerally honest - but also very reflective and thought-provoking. Miller reflects on the ordeal the legal system puts sexual assault victims through, but also on white male privilege and entitlement - she wonders how differently Brock Turner would have been treated had he been a Latino kitchen worker, and compares how she had to remain composed when questioned about her drinking to how Brett Kavanaugh reacted. While being brutally honest and realistic, it's also remarkably optimistic and positive. I sincerely hope this is the start of a successful writing career for her.