Universally acclaimed, rapturously reviewed, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for autobiography, and an instant New York Times bestseller, Chanel Miller’s breathtaking memoir “gives readers the privilege of knowing her not just as Emily Doe, but as Chanel Miller the writer, the artist, the survivor, the fighter.” (The Wrap).“I opened Know My Name with the intention to bear witness … with the intention to bear witness to the story of a survivor. Instead, I found myself falling into the hands of one of the great writers and thinkers of our time. Chanel Miller is a philosopher, a cultural critic, a deep observer, a writer’s writer, a true artist. I could not put this phenomenal book down.” –Glennon Doyle, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Love Warrior and Untamed
”Know My Name is a gut-punch, and in the end, somehow, also blessedly hopeful.” —Washington Post
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.
Chosen as a BEST BOOK OF 2019 by The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, TIME, Elle, Glamour, Parade, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, BookRiot
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Chanel Miller applies Xray vision to society and the resulting image reveals cracks everywhere. In a superb writing voice, one that is both gentle and stentorian, she unveils the reality that too many sexual abuse victims continue to be assaulted by the criminal justice system long after the crime is reported. I consider this book a must read and Miller a personal hero.
Chanel Miller is a bright, witty, and fiercely BRAVE woman. Not only did she have the courage to stand up and fight to get Brock Turner (the man who sexually assaulted her) convicted, but she tell her own story about the assault and its toll on her life in a raw, emotional way.
That this book didn’t read the Goodreads Choice award for best memoir tells me that enough people haven’t read it. And I get it; the subject matter is rough. But that is all the more reason to read it because although it is rough it’s also important. We are failing victims of rape and sexual violence so badly, but how else can we work to fix a broken system and change preconceptions about the impact unless we learn from a survivor?
This is a brave, important and difficult book to read. Chanel Miller is poised, reflective, forthcoming and a damn fine writer.
Hard read but well worth it. She’s a great writer and her story is very compelling.
I highly recommend the audible version of the book where Channel Miller reads her story!!
This book is very difficult in places. Her story is remarkable (hell, she is remarkable). May we somehow learn to treat sexual assault victims with more regard, as a result of this book
This is a must read!
I highly recommend this book for everyone! I remember reading the Buzzfeed article about Chanel (and the guy who doesn’t deserve to be named) and being mortified at what I was reading. What was more appealing was hearing the final sentencing. I never knew her name, and I felt for her but didn’t know her story. I didn’t know about this book until this fall, and knew it was a must read. Chanel is an amazing writer and such a strong woman. You learn what a victim of sexual assault goes through when they decide to do a rape kit and press charges. It is heartbreaking hearing about the insanely long process it took for the case to go to trial. I am in awe of her strength and her ability to write this in such a moving way. She wasn’t trash talking him in this entire book when she easily could have and instead took the high road. Chanel Miller took control of her life, and I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next.
“Know My Name” is one of those survivors’ memoirs that hits you right in the feels! I finished reading it about a week ago and am still reeling from it. It was so raw, so honest, so incredibly emotional, I couldn’t help but re-live it all together with Chanel. Her pain became my pain; her victories, no matter how small, became my victories; her struggles were so very relatable and delivered with such admirable sincerity, without holding anything back, I couldn’t help but applaud Chanel for becoming an inspiration for thousands of women all over the world with her rallying cry for justice and social reform when it comes to sexual assault. This is the book that has touched the nerve and that will stay with me for a very long time. Read it, whether you’re a man or a woman – I promise, it’ll be an eye-opening experience.
A very well-written book.
Such a heart wrenching retelling of the events prior to and post being sexually violated.
The author was able to take me out of my current setting and placed me in hers making the reading experience all the more realistic.
My heart goes out to all the victims of abuse; be it verbal, physical, sexual or otherwise.
Everyone (old enough to process the reality of a sexual assault) should read this book. The author writes with a wisdom and lyrical word-smithery that belies her age at the time, and her endurance through “doing the right thing” in spite of the continual barrage of the unexpected, disappointing, grief producing events following her tragic assault inspired me greatly. Someone has said that the best revenge is living well. Chanel Miller is proof of this – she determinedly and altruistically climbed out of a pit of character assasination and unfairness and made art and words that lift others up. She worked to heal and has much to say. Read it – you will be glad you did.
Disturbing and heart-wrenching.
Incredibly moving; alternately inspiring rage, empathy and hope. It says so much about the terrible lack of justice for sexual assault victims.
Everyone should read this book. It is time for a change in our thinking on sexual misconduct. No excuses!
raw and powerful from a very courageous woman.
This is a book that everyone should have to read. Her words are beautifully spoken and inspiring to women everywhere.
Well-written true story about a widely known case of sexual assault. Highly recommend.
The outcome was different than I anticipated which made for a very interesting read.
Walking in the shoes of a sexual assault victim is the only way to begin to understand what they’ve gone through. Everyone should read this book.