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A review by mcgbreads
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This dragged a little in the middle, but what a book...
It's one of the most frustrating, enraging, and sad books I've read. It was very difficult to get through sometimes, not just because you're watching this man groom, gaslight, manipulate, and abuse a girl, but also because you're watching this girl gaslight herself both when she was young and as an adult (it's dual timeline, so it jumps between the past and the present). Still, I couldn't put it down.
The denial, the contradictions, the inability to accept what really happened to her, it was all so sad, but also very important to explore. Having the perspective of a victim instead of the abuser was an entirely different experience and it wasn't what I expected in the best way. I'm glad Kate Elizabeth Russell didn't listen to the people who told her she should switch to the perspective of the abuser because Vanessa wasn't likable or whatever.
Like, yes, she wasn't likable all the time, and she was extremely frustrating, but you understand why. Also, I loved the ending because I honestly didn't think we would get that. I thought it would be just as frustrating as the rest of the book or even tragic. But I love that it ends on a hopeful note, with Vanessa starting on the path of healing, which is what I wanted for her throughout the entire book.
It's one of the most frustrating, enraging, and sad books I've read. It was very difficult to get through sometimes, not just because you're watching this man groom, gaslight, manipulate, and abuse a girl, but also because you're watching this girl gaslight herself both when she was young and as an adult (it's dual timeline, so it jumps between the past and the present). Still, I couldn't put it down.
The denial, the contradictions, the inability to accept what really happened to her, it was all so sad, but also very important to explore. Having the perspective of a victim instead of the abuser was an entirely different experience and it wasn't what I expected in the best way. I'm glad Kate Elizabeth Russell didn't listen to the people who told her she should switch to the perspective of the abuser because Vanessa wasn't likable or whatever.
Like, yes, she wasn't likable all the time, and she was extremely frustrating, but you understand why. Also, I loved the ending because I honestly didn't think we would get that. I thought it would be just as frustrating as the rest of the book or even tragic. But I love that it ends on a hopeful note, with Vanessa starting on the path of healing, which is what I wanted for her throughout the entire book.