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A review by katiemack
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars, rounded up. This was such a difficult read.
As the summary suggests, at fifteen years old Vanessa enters into a sexual relationship with her English teacher. The rest of the book outlines the multi-year relationship while flashing forward to her teacher dealing with multiple allegations of sexual assault of girls. Vanessa's initial (and sustaining) romanticized acceptance of her teacher's actions is heartbreaking, as is the culmination of her analysis of her relationship. It was a little annoying how much Russell wanted to hit the reader over the head with the Lolita comparisons, though; Vanessa's constant references to it got old quickly.
Overall, I can't, in good conscience, recommend it to anyone because it's a horrific exploration of abuse (and it is abuse, even if Vanessa or Kate Elizabeth Russell say otherwise) and how abusers manipulate their victims.
3.5 stars, rounded up. This was such a difficult read.
As the summary suggests, at fifteen years old Vanessa enters into a sexual relationship with her English teacher. The rest of the book outlines the multi-year relationship while flashing forward to her teacher dealing with multiple allegations of sexual assault of girls. Vanessa's initial (and sustaining) romanticized acceptance of her teacher's actions is heartbreaking, as is the culmination of her analysis of her relationship. It was a little annoying how much Russell wanted to hit the reader over the head with the Lolita comparisons, though; Vanessa's constant references to it got old quickly.
Overall, I can't, in good conscience, recommend it to anyone because it's a horrific exploration of abuse (and it is abuse, even if Vanessa or Kate Elizabeth Russell say otherwise) and how abusers manipulate their victims.