Devin

A wonderful book from an incredible person. Provides an eye opening look into all the challenges victims face in seeking justice for the harm done to them. It is maddening how damn difficult we make it for people to be heard and respected and believed. The share of the burden we place on survivors is truly unfair. This book highlights how hard the journey towards healing and even just surviving is and if it doesn't make you see changes are needed, then re read the book until you do. Also a big middle finger to Brock Turner and his indignant invalidation of the harm he caused and the things he took.

An incredibly story of the bravery of a woman who should not have had to be brave or give her life to take down such a terrible person

This book has some interesting science info but I wholeheartedly disagree with how it sets healing the relationships with your parents as an absolute must have for healing. I completely agree that one should have compassion for their parents and their own traumatic experiences but that does not mean you must absolve them of their failings and their impact on you. It should not be the child's responsibility minimize their experience and to do the work their parents won't do. Healing relationships is a two way street in unhealthy dynamics. I did not choose to be brought into a family unable to properly love a child and it is not my job to say what they did and didn't do is okay. It's great to pursue healing a relationship with your parents if both sides are willing to do the work. But it is most certainly not a child's responsibility to excuse their parents failings

A remarkable story of strength and persistence in transcending the difficulties that form us in our foundational years of development

Every politician should have to read this book. Every leader should read this book. Frick every human should read this book.

I think my favorite tidbit from this that shows how powerful true active listening can be is the person referenced who said one of the reasons they married their spouse is they always leave a pause after he finishes speaking, showing they're really processing what he said.

I can often struggle with allowing silence in conversations and life in general and this book has really opened my eyes to how powerful that silence caj be.