Reviews

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

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thursdayleroux's review

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

slb80's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

rex15's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

An amazing book I do recommended to everyone (but do be conscious of sensitive material discussed). As a casual enjoyed of true crime this book is such a necessary read. It centralizes victims and demistifies serial killers that are often put in a pedestal. It very masterfully showcases the harm that society imposes unto victims and survivor by expecting a perfect victim and speaks of the harm of these expectations. The pain, grief and humiliations created not only by what they have been through but also by the justice system and media. It also touches on more casual examples of misogyny and sexism that are equally as infuriating as they are validating to everyone that has experienced it. It is so easy to fall in love with these women and the prose makes it so you cheer for their wins and cry for everything else.

Content Warnings

indigolenom's review against another edition

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5.0

Como una ávida consumidora del crimen real, siempre me ha molestado mucho que pinten a los asesinos como personas sumamente inteligentes, calculadoras y poseedoras de un intelecto o capacidades fuera de lo común. Es cierto que los asesinos se forman por vivir infancias precarias y dolorosas, y que muchas de estas personas no tenían porque crecer de la manera en la que lo hicieron, aún así, esto NUNCA justifica las acciones violentas que los llevaron a cometer.

Leyendo este libro me enfurece comprobar que las mujeres siempre han sido vistas por estos monstruos como las merecedoras de su furia, de su venganza y de su odio hacia quien les hizo daño. Siento que necesitaba mucho este libro porque estoy harta de que estos asesinos sean venerados como héroes, como gente importante o famosa, cuando solamente son inadaptados, perdedores y hombres tan TAN pequeños que no merecen ni siquiera ser recordados o nombrados.

Este libro me recordó y me expuso que aunque hayas sido la que vio con tus propios ojos al asesino, la ley nunca va a estar de tu lado porque las mujeres siempre seremos las locas, las histéricas, las que por relacionarse románticamente con un hombre, un abuso ya es algo justificado.

Siempre me interesó el crimen real no por alzar a estos hombres idiotas, sino por saber y conocer como una persona puede llegar hasta el punto más inhumano para obtener paz mental con venganza. Pero creo que lo que importa es la parte de las victimas, no solamente las que ya nunca pueden contarnos su parte de la historia, sino las que también fueron victimas colaterales y tienen que recordar todos los días, en cualquier situación, -tomando un café, paseando por un parque, escuchando una canción- a la persona que les quitaron.

sunshine_and_stories's review against another edition

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challenging emotional

4.5

errrie's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

plumjam's review against another edition

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4.0

If you're looking for mystery with feminist themes, this is the book for you. The serial killer isn’t some mastermind. He didn’t get away for so long despite the system, but because of it. I LOVED the book’s emphasis on the ridiculous nature of men always saying “Give me a room alone with him”, assigning themselves as a righteous protector of women while demeaning the women related to the victims in the same conversation. The scariest situation the main character found herself in wasn’t with the unknown serial killer but in the car with her friend’s ex-boyfriend who she had known for years. The main characters are likable as well; I enjoyed following them. The relationships between the women were sincere and you could feel their mourning with them.