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reasek's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual violence, Murder, Violence, and Rape
Moderate: Homophobia and Child abuse
Minor: Gun violence
grunbean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The portrayal of the leading women and their relationships is some of the best characterisation for women I’ve seen. I was rooting for them the whole way through.
Graphic: Medical trauma, Rape, Medical content, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Death, Dementia, Gun violence, Murder, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Violence
lindsayerin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Sexual violence, Rape, and Murder
Minor: Gun violence
kimreads14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It shows a sort of two sides of the same coin idea. One of the narrator represents the victim that will be killed, and the other one of the survivors fighting for justice to be served. All of it being nicely tied through Tina.
I’m still confused as to whether or not this is a work of fiction or not. Or maybe just part fiction part non-fiction?
I loved the closing chapter, it was really moving, and also showed that unfortunately not everything comes full circle at all time, but as long as there’s hope, there’s the possibility of it.
Graphic: Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Eating disorder, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexism, Torture, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
slipp99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Body shaming
lottie1803's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Stalking, Blood, Death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Rape, Biphobia, and Forced institutionalization
nenah_elizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, and Gore
Minor: Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Death of parent
abicaro17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cursing, Homophobia, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Bullying, Classism, Gaslighting, Grief, Incest, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Gun violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Medical content, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Gore, and Sexism
david_slack110507's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.25
I think having Ruth's story be something completely detached from the Ted Bundy-inspired serial killer plotline of Pamela's story made Ruth's ending all the more effective as it showcased what could happen at any moment, especially when your life is beginning to get better, but I also just really liked Ruth's story due to its focus on the acceptance of who you are and freeing yourself from the judgement of others as shown in Ruth's discovery of her sexuality when she meets and eventually falls in love with Tina. However, as much as I like Ruth's story, I think I was more invested in Pamela's search for justice against the man that had wronged her sorority house, as not only was it what the premise of the book but also because it just intrigued me more seeing the situation unfold and how that can be compared in many similar and different ways to now.
Both storylines help present the theme of needing to put women's stories and experiences to the forefront of situations like the one in this book and its aforementioned inspiration rather than putting all the attention and sadly oftentimes subsequent idolisation on the perpetrator of horrible and sickening crimes. Keeping the perpetrator's name hidden under the nickname 'The Defendant' not only avoided giving power to the serial killer that it was based on but also allowed for it to be unilateral in not giving power to all those who have committed terrible acts of violence and violation and instead keeping the women in the spotlight when they are so often ignored even when they are front and centre like with Pamela as a witness or The Defendant's female attorney being the smartest on his team.
I feel like this is just a really important book to read that has many important messages just beyond the criminal and legal aspects mentioned in this review and in the book, such as social issues like the way that lesbians and queer people were seen around that time, the lack of faith in women and their stories/beliefs, and I also liked how it commented on the seemingly necessary need to characterise every man that avoided the legal system due to said lack of faith in women and/or their privilege as being 'smart', essentially acting as an excuse to cover up the incompetence in the police and justice systems for letting it go on for so long.
Overall, this raises many important questions and focuses on many necessary themes that should be discussed in more detail as well as striking a careful balance between not making it too explicit without making it seem watered down to make it easier to digest. It does not shy away from the explicit nature of the case but is not defined by having it as part of the plot.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gaslighting, Blood, Sexual violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Body horror, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Cursing, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Gore, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Dementia, Medical content, Incest, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Pedophilia
sydneylmeyer7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Blood, Sexual violence, Violence, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Eating disorder