The Book of You by Claire Kendal is not for the faint hearted.
Warning: this book may be a trigger if you've been a victim of sexual assault and/or domestic violence.
This story gets under your skin. It's terrifying, raw, and real. Every time I started reading it, my heart rate would increase in fear of the next thing Clarissa's stalker would do. Claire Kendal certainly did not hold back, there are extremely graphic and violent chapters in this book. Some may find these detailed descriptions of horrifying events unnecessary, but that's what I liked about this book: how REAL it really was. What happens to the main character in this book can happen to absolutely anyone. You really don't know what people are capable of or what you yourself are capable of, I think that's the scariest thing I took away from this story. Without giving too much away, this novel examines the struggles and fears women in today's society face: stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence, date rape, and the strength to report any of these incidents. Even when women do report these incidents, they are questioned if they were asking for it by means of apparel, misread actions, or misinterpreted words. The matter of the fact is, that no means no. Clarissa's stalker does not understand this notion. I found Clarissa to be quite strategic in her actions towards her stalker and by the second chapter I was already seething with anger because of her stalker.
I highly recommend this book if you're a fan of psychological thrillers such as Gone Girl. I would also recommend it if you're obsessed with shows like Law and Order: SVU, and/or Criminal Minds, like I am.
Rating: 4.5/5
Warning: this book may be a trigger if you've been a victim of sexual assault and/or domestic violence.
This story gets under your skin. It's terrifying, raw, and real. Every time I started reading it, my heart rate would increase in fear of the next thing Clarissa's stalker would do. Claire Kendal certainly did not hold back, there are extremely graphic and violent chapters in this book. Some may find these detailed descriptions of horrifying events unnecessary, but that's what I liked about this book: how REAL it really was. What happens to the main character in this book can happen to absolutely anyone. You really don't know what people are capable of or what you yourself are capable of, I think that's the scariest thing I took away from this story. Without giving too much away, this novel examines the struggles and fears women in today's society face: stalking, sexual assault, domestic violence, date rape, and the strength to report any of these incidents. Even when women do report these incidents, they are questioned if they were asking for it by means of apparel, misread actions, or misinterpreted words. The matter of the fact is, that no means no. Clarissa's stalker does not understand this notion. I found Clarissa to be quite strategic in her actions towards her stalker and by the second chapter I was already seething with anger because of her stalker.
I highly recommend this book if you're a fan of psychological thrillers such as Gone Girl. I would also recommend it if you're obsessed with shows like Law and Order: SVU, and/or Criminal Minds, like I am.
Rating: 4.5/5
With Love,
Your Book Babe
Your Book Babe