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A review by kba76
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A fascinating read, illuminating the background of each of the five victims of Jack the Ripper.
There’s evidence of meticulous research, and the historical focus is interesting. Each of the women has their own chapter, and we are offered an insight into their background and circumstances around the time of their murder.
What was illuminating was the link between all the women - that of alcohol and a situation that led to what can best be described as a precarious existence that left them each vulnerable to attack.
This was powerful in giving a voice to the victims. Little attention is given to the details of the murders or the activities of the Ripper. While this may be of interest the humanising of the victims is a deliberate attempt to change the narrative and the way we as a society come to write and talk about such crimes.
There’s evidence of meticulous research, and the historical focus is interesting. Each of the women has their own chapter, and we are offered an insight into their background and circumstances around the time of their murder.
What was illuminating was the link between all the women - that of alcohol and a situation that led to what can best be described as a precarious existence that left them each vulnerable to attack.
This was powerful in giving a voice to the victims. Little attention is given to the details of the murders or the activities of the Ripper. While this may be of interest the humanising of the victims is a deliberate attempt to change the narrative and the way we as a society come to write and talk about such crimes.