Know My Name: A Memoir
A NEW YORK TIMES READERS' CHOICE BEST BOOK OF THE CENTURY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR in PEOPLE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW WASHINGTON POST NPR PARADE TIME GLAMOUR CHICAGO TRIBUNE MARIE CLAIRE ELLE FORTUNE "Know My Name is a gut-punch, and in the end, somehow, also blessedly hopeful."
--Washington Post Universally acclaimed, rapturously reviewed, and an instant New York Times bestseller, Chanel Miller's breathtaking memoir "gives readers the privilege of knowing her not just as Emily Doe, but as Chanel Miller the writer, the artist, the survivor, the fighter." (The Wrap). Her story of trauma and transcendence illuminates a culture biased to protect perpetrators, indicting a criminal justice system designed to fail the most vulnerable, and, ultimately, shining with the courage required to move through suffering and live a full and beautiful life. Know My Name will forever transform the way we think about sexual assault, challenging our beliefs about what is acceptable and speaking truth to the tumultuous reality of healing. Entwining pain, resilience, and humor, this memoir will stand as a modern classic.
--Washington Post Universally acclaimed, rapturously reviewed, and an instant New York Times bestseller, Chanel Miller's breathtaking memoir "gives readers the privilege of knowing her not just as Emily Doe, but as Chanel Miller the writer, the artist, the survivor, the fighter." (The Wrap). Her story of trauma and transcendence illuminates a culture biased to protect perpetrators, indicting a criminal justice system designed to fail the most vulnerable, and, ultimately, shining with the courage required to move through suffering and live a full and beautiful life. Know My Name will forever transform the way we think about sexual assault, challenging our beliefs about what is acceptable and speaking truth to the tumultuous reality of healing. Entwining pain, resilience, and humor, this memoir will stand as a modern classic.
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Community Reviews
As a rape survivor this book was so so hard to read not because it wasn't stunningly good because it truly was amazing, but because of so many triggering I encountered reading it. Since I pre-ordered and got the book (with the author's hand-written note in it :)) until I finished it today, took three years. But I feel like I owe it to Miller to know her name, to read her story, because I get it, her pain is my pain too, and her triumph is also mine (even if my rapist never even have to face a trial).
This book is so much more then what you think you know from the media. Yes, it's about a convicted rapist Brock Allen Turner who only served 3 months in jail. So many things in this book about how broken our judicial system, our victim blaming society & media, and how they treat rape survivors... will make your blood boil over with anger. To use Miller's words "If you are hoping that one of my organs will implode from anger and I will die, Iâm almost there." But this book is also about a survival triumphant story, about unconditional love, about being Chinese American with rich culture background, about the world rallying behind "Emily Doe" when they read her impactful statement, about 12 jurors saw right through the smoke & mirrors (no matter how highly-paid the lawyers & experts, or how truly dimwits & meaningless their questions to Miller were, how Brock lied that he asked, she said yes... yes, to be fingered behind the dumpster) they convicted Brock for exactly who he is, a rapist... All of these things are worth celebrating and I'm truly glad no matter how hard I sobbed I stayed with her, and followed her journey all the way to the end.
And everyone, everyone especially boys, men, fathers & mothers of those boys and men must read this book. For far too long, the heavy burden of protecting ourselves, keeping ourselves and each other safe lay on women, while it should be the other way around! Women are exhausted to be the ones waving hands, jumping up and down and screaming into the void "PLS DON'T RAPE US!" Teach boys and men NOT to rape! It is that simple. If only society had spent more time teaching boys & men that: Consent cannot be given by anyone who is underage, intoxicated or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious. So yeah do NOT get a girl drunk ever just so she'll have sex with you, that's rape! If she's too drunk to consent, that is NOT an opportunity to rape her! INSTEAD take care of her! Make sure you find her friends/family and get her somewhere safe! If it's not all enthusiast all excited "YES, let's have sex" then it's not consent. How hard is it to teach boys and men this? Boys, men and all the people who would like to raise a non-rapist should read this book.
âNow, should we treat women as independent agents, responsible for themselves? Of course. But being responsible has nothing to do with being raped. Women donât get raped because they were drinking or took drugs. Women do not get raped because they werenât careful enough. Women get raped because someone raped them.â
â Jessica Valenti, The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women
This book is so much more then what you think you know from the media. Yes, it's about a convicted rapist Brock Allen Turner who only served 3 months in jail. So many things in this book about how broken our judicial system, our victim blaming society & media, and how they treat rape survivors... will make your blood boil over with anger. To use Miller's words "If you are hoping that one of my organs will implode from anger and I will die, Iâm almost there." But this book is also about a survival triumphant story, about unconditional love, about being Chinese American with rich culture background, about the world rallying behind "Emily Doe" when they read her impactful statement, about 12 jurors saw right through the smoke & mirrors (no matter how highly-paid the lawyers & experts, or how truly dimwits & meaningless their questions to Miller were, how Brock lied that he asked, she said yes... yes, to be fingered behind the dumpster) they convicted Brock for exactly who he is, a rapist... All of these things are worth celebrating and I'm truly glad no matter how hard I sobbed I stayed with her, and followed her journey all the way to the end.
And everyone, everyone especially boys, men, fathers & mothers of those boys and men must read this book. For far too long, the heavy burden of protecting ourselves, keeping ourselves and each other safe lay on women, while it should be the other way around! Women are exhausted to be the ones waving hands, jumping up and down and screaming into the void "PLS DON'T RAPE US!" Teach boys and men NOT to rape! It is that simple. If only society had spent more time teaching boys & men that: Consent cannot be given by anyone who is underage, intoxicated or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious. So yeah do NOT get a girl drunk ever just so she'll have sex with you, that's rape! If she's too drunk to consent, that is NOT an opportunity to rape her! INSTEAD take care of her! Make sure you find her friends/family and get her somewhere safe! If it's not all enthusiast all excited "YES, let's have sex" then it's not consent. How hard is it to teach boys and men this? Boys, men and all the people who would like to raise a non-rapist should read this book.
âNow, should we treat women as independent agents, responsible for themselves? Of course. But being responsible has nothing to do with being raped. Women donât get raped because they were drinking or took drugs. Women do not get raped because they werenât careful enough. Women get raped because someone raped them.â
â Jessica Valenti, The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession with Virginity is Hurting Young Women
Extremely powerful memoir - probably the best Iâve ever read. So happy sheâs been able to bring so much hope to so many women (not to make light of the trauma).
Should be required reading for all college students.
Should be required reading for all college students.
This is Chanel Miller's powerful and personal story about the night she was at a party with Brock Turner and the aftermath she endured afterwards. I listened to the audiobook because it's narrated by her. That's how I recommend this story, listening to her tell it. This is an unbearable story that needs to be heard.
I don't have words.
I have all the words.
This book is upsetting.
I cried for Chanel.
I cried for all the tests never tested.
I cried for all women.
I'm so angry.
I have all the words.
This book is upsetting.
I cried for Chanel.
I cried for all the tests never tested.
I cried for all women.
I'm so angry.
close-up of a trial thru the victims lens, and the ripple effects thru her life, family, and community. was initially turned-off by the topic, we all know how the story goes. Chanels's writing is excellent - i laughed, i cried. highly recommend. the last ~50 or so pages on rape & the media & politics I skimmed. Still worth the read.
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