My Dark Vanessa

pithypants reviewed My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Review of 'My Dark Vanessa' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This book is like Lolita-meets-Me Too. The author does a good job crafting a story that is a real mind f*ck. What do you do with someone who was abused by a pedophile but refuses to see herself as a victim and who instead continues to romanticize it? What about the people and systems that are complicit in allowing predators to stay in power?

Dark and disturbing, this is great fodder for discussion.

ScottSchlueter reviewed My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Review of 'My dark Vanessa' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

sometimes the subject matter overwhelms the story

Erin reviewed My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Review of 'My Dark Vanessa' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This was dark but really well written. My own #metoo story is complicated, involving emotional manipulation and good memories as well as bad, so I found it somewhat relatable. A little too long!

GG reviewed My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Review of 'My dark Vanessa' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

The subject matter of this novel is obviously disturbing, but it’s worth reading, and not just because of its potential for other victims to see themselves reflected. The development of the main character over time, told through flashbacks to two different time periods, is exceptionally well-written and believable, and makes even those of us who are not victims of abuse reflect on the way we contextualize our memories and tell our own stories, and how that changes as we grow older and gain more insight into ourselves. The way it sheds light on how abusers can gaslight their victims so thoroughly that they end up trained to gaslight themselves was also very well-done. A fascinating and timely read for those who are able to get through the upsetting fundamentals of the story.

Sandra reviewed My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Review of 'My Dark Vanessa' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

This was an excellent book. It was also, at times, a difficult book to get through. You will be disgusted, infuriated, heartbroken seemingly all at the same time. It's probably not a book for everyone as the subject matter will be repugnant to most people. But at the same time, as a realist, I know that terrible, life altering things happen to young girls all the time in ways big and small. Here is a story of a teenage girl who has something BIG happen to her while she is away at boarding school. Something she thinks she wants and does not necessarily realize is a bad thing. Something she doesn't realize changed the trajectory of her life. Something that haunts her and taints her relationships well into adulthood. It takes her many years to break free of the poisonous entanglement. She must come to terms with what happened to …

This was an excellent book. It was also, at times, a difficult book to get through. You will be disgusted, infuriated, heartbroken seemingly all at the same time. It's probably not a book for everyone as the subject matter will be repugnant to most people. But at the same time, as a realist, I know that terrible, life altering things happen to young girls all the time in ways big and small. Here is a story of a teenage girl who has something BIG happen to her while she is away at boarding school. Something she thinks she wants and does not necessarily realize is a bad thing. Something she doesn't realize changed the trajectory of her life. Something that haunts her and taints her relationships well into adulthood. It takes her many years to break free of the poisonous entanglement. She must come to terms with what happened to her and see it as the abuse and betrayal it was before she can grow and change as a human. It's a powerful testament to the human spirit, to growth and forgiveness of self.