Today I’m sharing my review of Know My Name by Chanel Miller. This is an amazing Non-Fiction book that I read last month and I think should be required reading.
Synopsis
She was known to the world as Emily Doe when she stunned millions with a letter. Brock Turner had been sentenced to just six months in county jail after he was found sexually assaulting her on Stanford’s campus. Her victim impact statement was posted on BuzzFeed, where it instantly went viral–viewed by eleven million people within four days, it was translated globally and read on the floor of Congress; it inspired changes in California law and the recall of the judge in the case. Thousands wrote to say that she had given them the courage to share their own experiences of assault for the first time.
Now she reclaims her identity to tell her story of trauma, transcendence, and the power of words. It was the perfect case, in many ways–there were eyewitnesses, Turner ran away, physical evidence was immediately secured. But her struggles with isolation and shame during the aftermath and the trial reveal the oppression victims face in even the best-case scenarios. Her story illuminates a culture biased to protect perpetrators, indicts a criminal justice system designed to fail the most vulnerable, and, ultimately, shines with the courage required to move through suffering and live a full and beautiful life.
Know My Name will forever transform the way we think about sexual assault, challenging our beliefs about what is acceptable and speaking truth to the tumultuous reality of healing. It also introduces readers to an extraordinary writer, one whose words have already changed our world. Entwining pain, resilience, and humor, this memoir will stand as a modern classic.
Why I Decided to Read this Book
I had seen amazing reviews of this book and one of my close friends said I had to read it. I picked it up for Non-Fiction November last month and I am so glad I did!
Rating
Read NOW! (Check out my Non-Fiction rating system here)
My Thoughts
I am so glad I finally read this book. I had heard about Chanel’s story but I didn’t know the details and everything she went through. This is a heartbreaking story and one I won’t forget any time soon. This book made me angry, heartbroken, sad, and at the same time hopeful and inspired.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by the author and I recommend that format. You can hear all the emotions as she is narrating the book. While this is a very heavy topic I found myself not wanting to stop listening. Chanel’s writing is beautiful and inspiring.
I honestly don’t know how to review this book, I finished reading it a few weeks ago and I wasn’t sure how to properly express my thoughts on it except to say just read it. I am so thankful of Chanel for her courage to write this very personal story and sharing us. Please read it!
Check out Chanel’s victim statement which went viral in 2016.
Content Warnings
Sexual assault, misogyny, victim shaming
Who I recommend this book to
I think everyone should read this book! Even if you don’t read much non-fiction you’d find this book impactful and I hope you all read it!
Get the book!
Did this review of Know My Name convince you to read it? You can get the book from Bookshop.org here. Please consider ordering it from a Black owned independent bookstore. This list of Black owned independent bookstores accepts online ordering. If you’ve read this book let me know your thoughts in the comments!
