would sell my soul to watch jodie perform this live214 s2 comments samantha18 10

“one in three women. look to your left, look to your right, one of us” at a loss for words, suzie miller’s writing moved me in a way that no other story ever has. absolutely brilliant. a must read88 s Meike1,713 3,680

Listen, I totally see how this could be an amazing play, and without a doubt, the themes are highly relevant, but in the novelized version, the writing is merely serviceable and the pacing is just off. On an aesthetic level, the narration leaves much to be desired. This is particularly upsetting because the story is great: Narrator and protagonist Tessa Ensler grew up in a single-parent household with her mother supporting the family as a cleaning lady, and against all odds, ambitious and hard-working Tessa made her dream come through and became a criminal defense barrister in London. Struggling with differences in habitus and monetary background, she still thrives with the help of her loving family and friends - until she gets raped at work, by a colleague hailing from the well-connected, wealthy upper class.

While Tessa used to defend men accused of sexual assault and felt it was a game challenging her to apply the law strategically, she is now the only witness in court for her rape trial. While the class aspects ring very true, they are also rather predictable, and what impressed me the most were how the effects of gaslighting as well as memory under duress and fear are presented: Tessa feels she loses her dignity because her sanity and her reputation get attacked. She is slutshamed, called an alcoholic, overambitious, the whole victim-blaming deal ("Actually, you wanted it!"). She loses trust in the law, because it is set up against rape victims, and there's another issue smoldering under the surface: The situation for rape victims in court can be improved, but the problem that often, this crime can't be proven, is unsolvable. And that's horrifying. Ultimately, these cases without definitive proof are about narratives that fit under the law, not about truth, and this can't be helped.

These issues are not explored in a stringent manner though: The first half of the book is highly descriptive, repeatedly hammering home how Tessa is working class in an upper class world. The writing is matter-of-fact and plain, and could also be improved in the second half, the actual courtroom drama, that then has some psychologically well-rendered scenes to offer. Also, I might be a little jaded when it comes to legal novels, because I'm hailing from a country where a (real) criminal defense lawyer is one of the most popular writers: Ferdinand von Schirach, whose main topic is always the limits of the law, and the difference between law and justice. Just recently, his play Sie sagt. Er sagt. about, you guessed it, a rape case in court was turned into a movie starring some excellent actors. Schirach is often accused by aficionados of high literature that his writing is perfunctory and not elegant enough, but frankly, it's mostly better than what Suzie Miller gives us here.

So all in all, I have to admit that this was rather disappointing to me, as the important subject matter is not equaled by the quality prose it deserves.australia45 s4 comments Ceecee2,323 1,929

4+ stars

Adapted into a novel from a successful stage play.

Meet Tessa Ensler, a top criminal defence barrister. She’s excellent at her job and goes the extra mile for those she defends. She’s had to work hard to get where she is today as she’s from a working class background, winning a full scholarship to Cambridge to study law and look where she is today. Her background means she has very specific reasons for becoming a defence lawyer, and she uses her considerable intelligence to gain win after win. She firmly believes in the system, fighting hard for the theory of innocent until proven guilty. Tell the best version of the story, test the law, test it again and see if the story has holes …. that is until she finds herself a rape victim – then what?

I knew this would be a tough read in places, but it’s a very powerful one. I the way Suzie Miller approaches this as we get life before and life after, Tessa before and Tessa afterwards and you get to know her and her motivations. There are some fascinating insights into the law and some good discussions before the assault between Tessa and her coworker Alice about attitudes towards sexual assault cases. This really makes me think. There’s a courtroom scene too that blows my mind it’s so powerfully thought-provoking. Here Tessa uses all her incisiveness and tenacity for her client.

The author pulls no punches when it comes to the scenes of Tessa’s assault. They are terrifying and shockingly real, leaving you in no doubt. Tough though it is, it allows you to comprehend the dissociation, her numbness and I applaud her bravery of reporting the crime which does eventually go to court. The situation is especially shocking as we have two barristers on opposing sides, one in the dock annd one the victim. One has the benefit of not only a powerful law background, but the benefit of the law. The courtroom scenes are positively electric and you feel every inch of Tessa’s pain. This part of the book is exceptional as it demonstrates with tremendous clarity that the law is inadequate in cases this, in fact, it’s not fit for purpose. My eyes fill with tears, but I also want to stand and cheer because it’s speaking for every victim. It’s an indictment of the law, but also of society that one in three women will face this and only one percent of cases are successfully prosecuted.

Apart from how well the aspects of the law are dealt with, Tessa’s emotions are conveyed extremely well too. Tessa has been a confident woman, she is grounded yet has striven to be successful, the Tessa of afterwards is so different with a loss of identity and understandable vulnerability. Her family are diamonds, I love their portrayal and the friendship of Mia and Adam warms your heart.

Overall, this is a very insightful, gripping and very relevant novel. It makes you feel uncomfortable at times but it’s very moving.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to Random House UK, Cornerstone for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.41 s13 comments Roman Clodia2,621 3,571

This novelisation of Miller's important and timely play is a welcome way of taking its critical message to a wider audience beyond the theatre-going crowd which can only be a good thing. That said, there are some flaws that emerge in the change of format: the first half is slower and spends too long for my taste with 'then' sections that basically tell Tessa's working-class life story as well as that of her family. I mean, we get the point that Tessa has worked her way from a non-privileged background and what the law means to her but the family back-story became a distraction for me.

But at about 50%, things really take off with an emotive and enraging story that grips compulsively. Miller pulls off a fabulous ending too: subtle and complex enough to make its points without leaving us either completely dispirited or with some false optimism. And Tessa's big speech remains a fantastic piece of rhetoric that will make you cry and cheer at the same time.

The statistics, though: one in three women will be raped or sexually assaulted; one in ten will report it to the police; of that, just over 1% or 1 in every hundred will secure a conviction for the perpetrator. When will things change?

Many thanks to Random House, Cornerstone for an ARC via Netgalleynetgalley32 s Irena124 60

Wow, was für eine Geschichte, für mich ein Lebens- Lesehighlight. Ein Roman der mich gefordert hat, der mich aus meiner Komfortzone geholt hat und am Ende zu Tränen gerührt zurückgelassen hat. Ein Buch das jeder Lesen sollte, Frauen, Männer und in der Schule.

"Denn Tatsache ist, dass jede dritte Frau von sexualisierter Gewalt betroffen ist. Jede dritte Frau. Schauen Sie nach links, schauen Sie nach rechts, Eine von uns...." Jede Dritte- das sind eine ganze Menge Frauen, die etwas zu sagen haben. Zu viele, um sie zu ignorieren.30 s2 comments Thomas266 92

Ein schreckliches Ereignis steht im Zentrum des Romans "Prima Facie" von Suzie Miller. Obwohl man in der ersten Hälfte ahnt, dass es dazu kommt, möchte ich es aus Spoiler-Gründen nicht benennen. Das macht eine Erklärung meiner Begeisterung recht schwierig, denn diese ist vor allem darin begründet, dass "Prima Facie" durch seine inhaltliche Erzählung so gut ist. Die Sprache ist konventionell und tritt hinter die Geschichte zurück. Das hat mich aber nicht gestört. Für mich war es genau die richtige Entscheidung der Autorin. Die Geschichte benötigt Zugänglichkeit und Einfachheit, denn das Thema ist schon schwer genug.

Tessa Ensler ist Anwältin in London. Die Anwaltswelt ist die gesellschaftliche Elite. Tessa, deren Mutter Putzkraft und deren Onkel Taxifahrer ist, ist in dieser Welt die Ausnahme einer Aufsteigerin. Tessa ist immer wieder erfolgreich bei der Verteidigung von Sexualstraftätern. Sie schafft es meist die Opfer im Kreuzverhör unglaubwürdig dastehen zu lassen. Ihre Mutter fragt sie häufig, ob die Mandanten schuldig seien. Tessa kann nicht vermitteln, dass das im Rechtssystem nicht entscheidend ist. Es gibt einen Unterschied zwischen der Wahrheit und der juristischen Wahrheit.

In der ersten Hälfte des Romans spielt der Klassismus eine große Rolle. Im zweiten Teil geht es stärker um Wahrheit und Gerechtigkeit. Bei Schirach wirken juristische Erzählungen oft wie Versuchsanordnungen. Die Figuren wirken dadurch auf mich meist hölzern. Das ist bei Suzie Miller ganz anders. Das Lesen ist hier ein Miterleben, dem ich mich trotz der Schrecklichkeit der Ereignisse nicht entziehen konnte.

Als ich kürzlich an einem Büro der städtischen Staatsanwaltschaft vorbei ging, sah ich fünf Menschen davor stehen, die meiner Vermutung nach Anwälte waren: Vier Männer in dunklen Anzügen und eine Frau in dunkler Stoffhose und dunkelrotem Mantel. "Das ist Tessa Ensler", dachte ich. Die Protagonistin aus "Prima Facie" hatte sich in meinen Kopf gegraben. Für mich war sie für einen Moment ein "echter" Mensch.

Es ist die Kunst der Autorin ihre Anliegen in eine spannende Geschichte mit lebensnahen Charakteren zu legen. Es ist ein moralisches Buch, das aber zu keinem Zeitpunkt belehrend ist. "Prima Facie" ist ein im ursprünglichen Sinne des Wortes aufregender Roman.
26 s3 comments Doug2,248 782

4.5, rounded down.

Really impressive - one wonders how anyone could actually memorize and perform a 98-page monologue, but apparently Jodie Comer was outstanding. I just don't really cotton to the format, and this does get a bit preachy/didactic in the final pages. probably unavoidable given the subject matter.

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/202...

https://www.theguardian.com/stage/202...25 s Marilyn (recuperating from hip replacement surgery945 339

Prima Facie by Susie Miller was such an emotional, stirring and powerful book. It was about Tessa Ensler, a woman who easily could have represented so many other women. Tessa was brought up by a single mother. Her family was poor but Tessa worked hard and became a top criminal defense barrister. She was a good barrister and fought hard for her clients if they pleaded not guilty. The one thing that Tessa believed in was the fairness of the legal system. All of that changed in a single night with a single incident. Tessa now found herself on the other side of the court. She was no longer the brilliant woman barrister she had worked so hard to become. Tessa was now on the witness stand. She was forced into defending herself and explaining how she was violated. From this vantage point, Tessa became acutely aware of how the law was and had always been dominated by a prejudiced male legal system when it came to matters of rape and sexual assault.

I listened to the audiobook that was brilliantly performed by Jodie Comer. I was never so moved by a performance I was by the one that Jodie Comer gave. Prima Facie was about rape, sexual assault, the challenges and judgments women faced, ambition and family. Prima Facie was based on Suzie Miller’s Tony winning Broadway play that was performed by one woman. I have not seen the play but if this audiobook was any indication of what to expect I would be very lucky to see it. Suzie Miller’s writing was so impressive. The subject matter was both so timely and important. All my emotions were spent by the conclusion of this audiobook. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Prima Facie by Suzie Miller through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.marilyn-s-challenge24 s6 comments Trudie569 667

Powerful.

I just finished this and I am kind of reeling. I can't begin to imagine how good the stage version was ( kicking myself I missed it ). I am going to agree with some comments that this is probably a pale imitation of the experience of seeing this in a theatre. But for those of us not lucky enough to have caught the play, then reading this is still... a staggeringly chilling experience.

The problem: if you are going to identify one, and I will, is the first half. It feels forced in some indefinable way, broad strokes, repetition, a classism theme writ-large. Basically it feels what it is, a playwright trying to flesh out backstory to make a 100 minute play into a 300 page novel. ( Could Claire Keegan come and make some suggestions maybe ? )

Nevertheless, this is a book that adds significantly to the discussion around the "justice" of the legal system in sexual assault cases and it sits nicely alongside another book I recently read on the same topic -Dice. Taken together these two books make it very clear just how harrowing deciding to go forward with a sexual assault case is for victims. So framed in this light this is a "must read" and I am very pleased I did.crime timeout-bookclub24 s3 comments Connie17 1 follower

After seeing this live in June, and then seeing it four times in the cinema, I can literally see Jodie performing when I read this. We already know how amazing Jodie is, but Suzie Miller!! What an incredible playwright. So moving, truthful and so so important. I will never get bored of reading this, and it still makes me cry. Every time.
I will forever recommend and urge people to read this!favorites23 s alisa16

I finally got to see jodie perform this play yesterday, then I read the script. It is such a masterpiece and so important, I can’t even put into words what it made me feel (especially seeing jodie perform it). Incredibly important, powerful, heartbreaking & emotional, watch & read if you can!!!

jods owned17 s CarolG747 343

Tessa Ensler loves her job as a criminal defense barrister and is very good at it. Her cross-examinations and intelligence in the courtroom see her chalking up win after win including securing freedom for men accused of rape and sexual assault. But, after she's raped by a colleague, she ends up on the other side of the aisle and it's a whole different world.

No matter how many series I've seen that take place in the UK, its legal system is a mystery to me with the barristers, solicitors, clerks and silks but that didn't interfere with my enjoyment of this book. It's tough to read in places but it's very important and thought-provoking. I'm a big fan of Jodie Comer and I'd love to see her performance in the stage play on which this book is based. I understand there's a movie in the works, but not with Jodie.

The story goes back and forth between the past (before the rape) and the present (after the rape), as told by Tessa. I don't have any complaints about this book but some readers might not the fact that there are no quotation marks separating the dialogue from the narrative. It goes without saying that the topic of this book could be triggering for some.

Thanks to the London Public Library for the loan of this book.2024-all-reads-challenge favorites16 s8 comments Amy Rose11 2

look to your left look to your right :( 16 s justmiaslife283 271

Habe das Theaterstück mit Jodie Comer schon geliebt und bin sehr froh, diese unfassbar wichtige Geschichte nun auch nochmal gelesen zu haben. Ein Must Read für JEDEN einzelnen, durch und durch erschütternd, realitätsnah und feministisch!still2buyphysical14 s Carla783 124

"
Autor del comentario:
=================================