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simonmartin's review against another edition
4.0
pretty good! not an easy read, but a topic that’s very important.
you can tell how indebted this is to helen garner’s work - particularly the first stone - in the sections on the rape trial that krien covered. unfortunately, i don’t think that krien finds any new ground or different angle on garner’s approach - i was far more engaged by the chapters focused on a broader examination of the rape culture and toxic masculinity endemic in australia’s football codes from the top down.
you can tell how indebted this is to helen garner’s work - particularly the first stone - in the sections on the rape trial that krien covered. unfortunately, i don’t think that krien finds any new ground or different angle on garner’s approach - i was far more engaged by the chapters focused on a broader examination of the rape culture and toxic masculinity endemic in australia’s football codes from the top down.
wintrovia's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting investigation into the seedy underbelly of professional sport and the twisted morality that some sportsmen have adopted. The story revolves around a rape trial of an Australian rules football player but spins off to reflect on similar cases and the culture around sports people and sexual assaults.
It’s not an easy read because of the subject matter but it’s an interesting insight into a world that’s often referred to but only in sensationalistic headlines. The book does a good job of describing the ethical grey areas that the law struggles to cope with and suggests that rapists can sometimes also be handsome sportsmen as well as the typical loner that lurks in dark corners.
Anna Krien watched trial alongside the accused and his family which means there’s a lot dedicated to their journey through the trial. It’s a shame that there was very little about the alleged victim and her reaction to the trial. Though, on reflection, it seemed she’d already suffered enough and probably didn’t want to drag it up for the sake of a book.
I’d say it’s a four-star book: well written, an interesting subject but not easy to get through because of the grim subject. Still worth a read, particularly if you’re interested in sports and the lifestyle that (some) sportspeople lead.
It’s not an easy read because of the subject matter but it’s an interesting insight into a world that’s often referred to but only in sensationalistic headlines. The book does a good job of describing the ethical grey areas that the law struggles to cope with and suggests that rapists can sometimes also be handsome sportsmen as well as the typical loner that lurks in dark corners.
Anna Krien watched trial alongside the accused and his family which means there’s a lot dedicated to their journey through the trial. It’s a shame that there was very little about the alleged victim and her reaction to the trial. Though, on reflection, it seemed she’d already suffered enough and probably didn’t want to drag it up for the sake of a book.
I’d say it’s a four-star book: well written, an interesting subject but not easy to get through because of the grim subject. Still worth a read, particularly if you’re interested in sports and the lifestyle that (some) sportspeople lead.
laurenkara's review against another edition
Trigger warning: rape, sexual assault.
I have no idea how to rate this because of the subject matter. I have so many thoughts and feelings. Will try and write a full review/opinion once I've had some time to gather my thoughts. Whilst I don't necessarily agree with Krien's complete stance, I definitely recommend this to anyone who's interested in sport, feminism and rape culture. Even though it's prominently about AFL, it brings up a lot of general issues regarding the treatment of women in the world of sports.
I have no idea how to rate this because of the subject matter. I have so many thoughts and feelings. Will try and write a full review/opinion once I've had some time to gather my thoughts. Whilst I don't necessarily agree with Krien's complete stance, I definitely recommend this to anyone who's interested in sport, feminism and rape culture. Even though it's prominently about AFL, it brings up a lot of general issues regarding the treatment of women in the world of sports.
esshgee's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard to say "I liked this book" but it was compelling, in that I-can't-look-away-but-I-want-to-know-what-happens style. Very disturbing in places, not entirely unfamiliar in others. Think I need to read something light and humorous next!
readerreaderonthewall's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
iamnaomifaye's review against another edition
4.0
The after-game rituals of Australian footballers blur the line between rape and consensual sex, but are repeatedly excused in sports culture with a “boys will be boys” mentality. These stories of “night games” are weaved into the author’s reportage of the rape trial of an AFL player in 2010 (two Collingwood players were linked to case but never charged).
Anna Krien covers all aspects of the problematic culture surrounding this behaviour, including sexism in sport and the discrimination of women in the inner sanctum of footy. It reveals the grey areas of consensual sex, and the way this murkiness effects rape trials and our reaction to rape allegations.
What I liked about Night Games is Krien’s balanced approach. She doesn’t condemn anyone. She’s careful not to blame victims or footballers, but rather questions AFL’s sexist culture and the culture surrounding it.
I love first-person investigative journalism. Night Games is a really engaging and enlightening read. I knew this stuff went on, but seeing it laid out bare was confronting.
Anna Krien covers all aspects of the problematic culture surrounding this behaviour, including sexism in sport and the discrimination of women in the inner sanctum of footy. It reveals the grey areas of consensual sex, and the way this murkiness effects rape trials and our reaction to rape allegations.
What I liked about Night Games is Krien’s balanced approach. She doesn’t condemn anyone. She’s careful not to blame victims or footballers, but rather questions AFL’s sexist culture and the culture surrounding it.
I love first-person investigative journalism. Night Games is a really engaging and enlightening read. I knew this stuff went on, but seeing it laid out bare was confronting.