INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
“[An] exceedingly complex, inventive, resourceful examination of harm and power.” —The New York Times Book Review, Editors’ Choice
“A lightning rod . . . brilliantly crafted.”—The Washington Post
A most anticipated book by The New York Times • USA Today • Entertainment Weekly • Marie Claire • Elle • Harper’s Bazaar • Bustle • Newsweek • New York Post • … anticipated book by The New York Times • USA Today • Entertainment Weekly • Marie Claire • Elle • Harper’s Bazaar • Bustle • Newsweek • New York Post • Esquire • Real Simple • The Sunday Times • The Guardian
Exploring the psychological dynamics of the relationship between a precocious yet naïve teenage girl and her magnetic and manipulative teacher, a brilliant, all-consuming read that marks the explosive debut of an extraordinary new writer.
2000. Bright, ambitious, and yearning for adulthood, fifteen-year-old Vanessa Wye becomes entangled in an affair with Jacob Strane, her magnetic and guileful forty-two-year-old English teacher.
2017. Amid the rising wave of allegations against powerful men, a reckoning is coming due. Strane has been accused of sexual abuse by a former student, who reaches out to Vanessa, and now Vanessa suddenly finds herself facing an impossible choice: remain silent, firm in the belief that her teenage self willingly engaged in this relationship, or redefine herself and the events of her past. But how can Vanessa reject her first love, the man who fundamentally transformed her and has been a persistent presence in her life? Is it possible that the man she loved as a teenager—and who professed to worship only her—may be far different from what she has always believed?
Alternating between Vanessa’s present and her past, My Dark Vanessa juxtaposes memory and trauma with the breathless excitement of a teenage girl discovering the power her own body can wield. Thought-provoking and impossible to put down, this is a masterful portrayal of troubled adolescence and its repercussions that raises vital questions about agency, consent, complicity, and victimhood. Written with the haunting intimacy of The Girls and the creeping intensity of Room, My Dark Vanessa is an era-defining novel that brilliantly captures and reflects the shifting cultural mores transforming our relationships and society itself.
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See my review: https://www.caitlinhicks.com/wordpress/my-dark-vanessa/
Thought provoking.
How do you even begin to rate a book like this knowing there is a tangent of truth to it?
As a mother, this entire book is a nightmare come to fruition. I often had horrible night terrors of just this type of situation. Trying to wade through these haunting images and disturbing paragraphs was extremely hard.
I’m in such a foggy state after this I just want to curl up and disappear. Definitely need something uplifting after this as I feel so weighed down.
I suppose that’s the point though right? Books like this don’t always end with a hopeful or improved disposition for the one who is suffering.
If you decided to read this one…be prepared. It’s not an easy read.
Told from Vanessa’s point of view this story is captivating. Told in both past and present tense. In the past tense she is groomed and abused by her teacher but she feels powerful and special. In the present tense she is still dealing with the aftermath and trying to come to terms with what really happened.
I hate the villain in this. This book made me quite hopeless, even though it ends…on a good note.
Thought-provoking and timely take on sexual abuse. Well written and strong characterization.
I found this book just too slow to engage my interest. I’m a Vanessa, too, but I bailed at page 72 (19% on the Kindle).
This book gave me a different perspective on sexual abuse.
VERY MUCH not for everyone. The book is about a young teen (15) who was abused by a teacher at a private school. Many of the descriptions of what she endured are quite explicit. Too much so in my opinion. The tragety of the story is how the teacher, and the girl, continued their sexual activity for multiple decades. Each being unable to extract themselves from the damaging, and damning relationship.
Quite disturbing. Not my favorite book but interesting and topical subject matter. Pedophiles are not always who we think they are and victims don’t always recognize the abuse when it happens.
This book was very disturbing to me. It really opened my eye to predators and grooming children for their purpose and the mind control they gain over them
Too long.
Dark Vanessa is the appropriate title. A very scary book and not in the horror sense but in the realm that there are many predators that prey on the young and naive.
So very sad. As a person in a position of power, her “lover” should have been reported to Child Protective Services, even if the girl “consented.” There is no true informed consent within the age range of a teenager and a middle-aged man. I actually liked the wait ended. He got what he deserved and she had hope to get therapy and rebuild her life. Having a rescued DOG who truly loves you unconditionally is a great place to start.
A deep read that kept me on my toes. Very sad how adults take advantage of the innocence and naïveté of adolescents. Was quite difficult to read at times.
My Dark Vanessa is a total masterpiece of tone and point of view, even more impressive for how uninvested it seems in impressing us. It’s fascinating and devastating and brilliant. I loved it.
Haunting and powerful. Vivid storytelling that hurt to read at times and I’m glad Vanessa was freed at the end. Looking forward to more titles from this author.
So disturbing – it’s like watching a slow loving train wreck that you just can’t put down. Something you may have thought was exciting as a young person you realize is pedophilia- and just how disgusting it is. I got the same feeling watching A Teacher with the reverse situation- it’s juts awful to see how a person of authority can so inappropriately and horribly effect the life of those they are responsible for.
I am a sexual abuse survivor, as well as childhood abuse and I was terrified to read this book but I don’t regret it. It is so difficult for the average person to understand how entirely too many of us defend our abusers, fall victim to multiple abusers and blame ourselves. I had to walk away from reading this book a few times so I could sit, breathe, and deal with my emotions. Rarely does a story affect me to my core as this one did. It still resonates within me.
This was an audiobook rental, and the narration was fantastic, even though the subject matter was dark. My first read by this author. The story was very well-written and interesting, but might be hard to read for some.
My Rating: 4 STARS
Published: HarperAudio March 10, 2020
#Audiobook #Pediophile #Abuse #Rape #HarperAudio #KateElizabethRussell #GraceGummer