My Dark Vanessa
Russell, Kate ElizabethVanessa Wye is convinced that her relationship with Jacob Stane was based on mutual love, even if she was only 15 when it started and Jacob was her 42-year-old English teacher.
Now, years down the track as the #MeToo movement gains momentum and Jacob is accused of sexual abuse by other former students, Vanessa is forced to revisit her experiences and make sense of what really happened.
A riveting page-turner... dark... disturbing... provocative.
Pages
369
369
Year
2020
2020
Reviews
28-02-2024
Despite its dark and horrible plot, this book generated lots of discussion about the theme, and led on to serious discussion as well as hilarious discussion.
04-12-2023
We all absolutely loved the book. It brought great discussions within the group and we loved how nuanced the writing was.
26-09-2023
A mixed response due to subject matter.
01-08-2023
While some members were uncomfortable with the subject of 'My Dark Vanessa', and most found it a confronting read, all agreed this was a compelling and wonderfully written novel.
24-07-2023
A very challenging read for everyone in the group. It has brought up confronting issues for some.
18-05-2023
This is not an enjoyable book nor is it filled with likeable characters but we had an prolonged, emotional and deep discussion about it. It maybe should come with a trigger warning as the content was quite disturbing in places but as a Book Club book, it is a fascinating discussion generator.
01-05-2023
Controversial with extreme views about the book. Troubling and sad. Generated vigorous discussion and debate.
12-01-2023
Most found it really dark and didn't finish the book. Some members found it insightful. Big discussion.
12-01-2023
A dark book which resulted in good discussion.
12-01-2023
A bit disturbing.
12-01-2023
People were not that keen on this book, but it certainly generated robust discussion with some stories from members of the group about their experiences.
12-01-2023
No one really 'enjoyed' this book but felt it was incredibly well-written and very confronting. Lots of discussion. A disturbing read!
12-01-2023
Mixed ratings over this book. About half didn't like the book and the other half found it very interesting. Certainly a very controversial topic which provided a very good discussion. A YouTube interview with the author gave a better insight into the story and her ideas when writing the book.
16-05-2022
An easy read. An interesting insight into a world most of us know nothing about. Contemporary.
05-05-2022
We found it very confronting, disturbing, and in many parts, alarming. A must read for parents with teenage girls! It was well-written, and a very good discussion for the evening.
27-04-2022
We all agreed it was a brilliantly well-written novel. It seems like a real story, and you are with the victim's thinking all the way. The book generated much discussion. Not a comfortable read with distressing subject matter. Unfortunate that the font is so small.
22-04-2022
A very powerful book. Hard to read at times due to the content, but very well-written. Would recommend it.
02-03-2022
Interesting book. Very tough to read, but a very interesting perspective. Great discussion. Good book notes, going into the controversy surrounding the author. Harrowing.
02-03-2022
Challenging subject but fabulous discussion.
12-01-2022
A very dark and disturbing book. At times a difficult read, and a hard book to say you enjoyed.
30-11-2021
It was not a favourite but we had some pretty intense discussion.
26-11-2021
We all seemed to agree on this. A very compelling story but not really enjoyable. The author was somehow able to get into the mind of the teenager, but I kept hoping she would wake up and see what he was doing to her. No, that wasn't the case, and she seemed to struggle to get over the experience. Well-written.
17-11-2021
People thought this book very well-written, and explained the psychology of the participants in detail.
27-10-2021
So well-written and thought provoking. Good discussion.
15-10-2021
Read by 3/10 of the group. A robust discussion and an eye opener for some!
06-08-2021
Very diverse opinions; loved or disliked the book. Well-written.
14-07-2021
One of our members didn't finish the book, due to the subject matter, which affected our rating of it. But we had a deep discussion and all wondered whether she was actually encouraging or definitely a victim. We found the ending rather weak but otherwise a very good, well-written boook on an extremely delicate subject.
31-05-2021
A very interesting and thought provoking read.
16-04-2021
Those of us who read it felt squeamish at times, and fully admired the reality the author brought to her beautiful writing. Others never read this book due to its focus on sexual trauma.