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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
kjkbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Thoughts:
This can be a difficult read at sometimes but is a critical book for anyone who wants or needs to understand coercive control and abusive relationships. It’s all too easy for us to see the stories of abuse and spousal murder in the news and ask why didn’t they just walk away but Victoria shows through her experiences just how hard it can be and how manipulative the abusers are. It’s telling that even after the attempted murder she didn’t realise the danger she was in and even after the police found evidence of what he did and charged her husband, she still shows just how difficult it can be to break the spell.
I also think it’s important to look at how the media obsession and public's comments on the case had such an impact on her life and made an already difficult experience that much harder.
Favourite Quote:
"Emile had driven me to a point where I didn’t even recognise myself any more. The woman I used to be would have stuck up for herself, would have got out of a relationship that was so clearly toxic. The woman I was now had no confidence that she could look after herself, let alone her children. His constant lying and the fact I had never dealt with it made me feel weak. His infidelity made me feel totally worthless."
This can be a difficult read at sometimes but is a critical book for anyone who wants or needs to understand coercive control and abusive relationships. It’s all too easy for us to see the stories of abuse and spousal murder in the news and ask why didn’t they just walk away but Victoria shows through her experiences just how hard it can be and how manipulative the abusers are. It’s telling that even after the attempted murder she didn’t realise the danger she was in and even after the police found evidence of what he did and charged her husband, she still shows just how difficult it can be to break the spell.
I also think it’s important to look at how the media obsession and public's comments on the case had such an impact on her life and made an already difficult experience that much harder.
Favourite Quote:
"Emile had driven me to a point where I didn’t even recognise myself any more. The woman I used to be would have stuck up for herself, would have got out of a relationship that was so clearly toxic. The woman I was now had no confidence that she could look after herself, let alone her children. His constant lying and the fact I had never dealt with it made me feel weak. His infidelity made me feel totally worthless."
foxxie52's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.0
A sad story. I really felt for Victoria as she suffered so much (a lot of it unknowingly). I found the gaslighting horrifying to read and I feel sorry for anyone stuck in that sort of relationship.
I am amazed Victoria survived her experience. The odds must have been in the millions!
I am amazed Victoria survived her experience. The odds must have been in the millions!
angelfireeast24's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
If you want to know what emotional abuse, coercive control and gaslighting looks like this true story will give you a up close look in details. It can be frustrating at times to read from a outsider wanting to judge "why doesn't see he tried to murder her" but this book perfectly spells out the emotional journey she had go through of healing from the abuse and trauma to see full picture. It's very clear Victoria was trying to survive from day to day after the murder attempts and betrayals. I hope anyone who judged her feels shame and regret at doing so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
naddy55's review against another edition
5.0
Really well written and completely fascinating story!
Absolutely unreal to listen to all that lead up to the event this book surrounds.
Also, the audio book narrator was wonderful to listen to. Such a pleasant voice with the perfect tone for the book!
Absolutely unreal to listen to all that lead up to the event this book surrounds.
Also, the audio book narrator was wonderful to listen to. Such a pleasant voice with the perfect tone for the book!