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Esil's Reviews > Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town
Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town
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In Toronto, we are currently being inundated with news of the trial of Jian Ghomeshi. He was a radio personality on Canada's public radio who was dismissed last year after stories surfaced about assaults involving many women. From the get go, he claimed that he was into rough sex and that the women had consented. Ultimately, charges were laid in relation to assaults on three women, and the trial has just finished this week. Every day for the past two weeks, we have been bombarded with information about attacks on the complainants' credibility -- endless focus in cross-examination on their post alleged assault contact with Ghomeshi. While the trial was going on, I listened to the audio version of Missoula, in which Jon Krakauer focuses on a number sexual assault cases in Missoula, Montana. In combination, this made for a pretty bleak picture of the challenges involved in seeking convictions in cases of non stranger sexual assault. Having said that, Krakauer does an excellent job. He portrays the women with compassion. He provides helpful social science information that dispel a lot of myths and give a lot of context to the reactions of victims. But in the end, he paints a discouraging picture for any women wanting to pursue criminal charges. Much like the conduct of the Ghomeshi trial would be very discouraging -- even if he is ultimately found guilty.
A note to potential readers: There are graphic descriptions of the assaults, but they are not extensive and they are limited to descriptions in fairly clinical terms. What makes this book difficult and emotionally wrenching is the aftermath for victims. But this is an important issue and Krakauer's book is an important contribution to the topic.
A note to potential readers: There are graphic descriptions of the assaults, but they are not extensive and they are limited to descriptions in fairly clinical terms. What makes this book difficult and emotionally wrenching is the aftermath for victims. But this is an important issue and Krakauer's book is an important contribution to the topic.
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April 26, 2015
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April 26, 2015
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January 29, 2016
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February 12, 2016
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Feb 12, 2016 04:17PM
Esil, a hard subject that you handled well. This is on my tbr in fact I have it. Another one I mean to get to soon.
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Diane S � wrote: "Esil, a hard subject that you handled well. This is on my tbr in fact I have it. Another one I mean to get to soon."Thanks Diane. Honestly, I feel a bit speechless other than to say you should definitely read it. Our young adult daughters AND sons should also read it.
Esil, a perfect summary of this gut-wrenching but well-written and necessary book. Well done my friend :)
By the way, for some reason I was under the impression you had already read this :(
Iris wrote: "Esil, a perfect summary of this gut-wrenching but well-written and necessary book. Well done my friend :)"Thanks Iris. It felt so timely too. Every time a friend or colleague brought up the latest in the Ghomeshi trial, I've been saying "you have to read Missoula"
Great review Esil! I haven't heard about the Jian Ghomeshi case but great comparison to how rape is treated all over and not just in the States. I have this on my to read.
Great review Esil. It's unbelievable how prevalent this is and the consequences for the victims is discouraging. It was a great and necessary read.
Jennifer wrote: "Great review Esil! I haven't heard about the Jian Ghomeshi case but great comparison to how rape is treated all over and not just in the States. I have this on my to read."Thanks Jennifer. The Ghomeshi case will resonate with Canadians. I definitely recommend reading Missoula when you have the stomach for it
Jen wrote: "Great review Esil. It's unbelievable how prevalent this is and the consequences for the victims is discouraging. It was a great and necessary read."Thanks Jen. Krakauer does an excellent job of looking at the issue from the perspective of victims
Krakauer is a favorite writer of mine, but because of the bleak subject matter I have been putting off reading this one. But your excellent review tells me that I have no choice but to read it. And knowing Krakauer, I know he handled the topic with his customary good taste.
Thanks Esil-I don't know if I can bear to read this but you definitely make it sound worth the pain. I am always intrigued by stories of survivors, how they go on. Sadly, it often turns out not well.
Krakauer is an author I love, however, and your review is so interesting I may have to try this one despite my reservations.
Howard wrote: "Krakauer is a favorite writer of mine, but because of the bleak subject matter I have been putting off reading this one. But your excellent review tells me that I have no choice but to read it. And..."Thanks Howard. This was my first time reading a book by Krakauer. And I was indeed impressed at how he handled the topic. Lots of information and compassion, but balanced and not sensationalistic.
Ellie wrote: "Thanks Esil-I don't know if I can bear to read this but you definitely make it sound worth the pain. I am always intrigued by stories of survivors, how they go on. Sadly, it often turns out not w..."
Thanks Ellie. If you have the stomach for the topic, it's definitely worth reading. He does a great job of emphasizing the long term impact on the victims -- which I think is often missing from the discussion
Esil, thanks for a terrific review. I'm not sure I can read this but I'm glad to have your perspective.
Very well put, Esil. This book has been on my shelf for months. Since as a fellow Canadian I'm suffering through all the Ghomeshi trial details too, now would be a good time to read it.
Yours is the second review of this book I've received in the last 12 hours. I read it last summer and every time I hear another story about this topic, I think of this book. It was so good.I fear for women who press charges. Even in 2016 this is what they face. Disgusting.
Fine review, especially the way you connected the story with the Ghomeshi case. One always thinks that the trust you put in someone makes you a good judge of whether or not they can be an abuser. Ghomeshi was so personable and lovable, a regular visitor by voice into my living room and bedroom, I couldn't help but think the CBC was acting too soon in dismissing him from his position. One who was so sensitive to the stories from musicians and writers (like when he hosted "Canada Reads"). And college administrators probably aren't always acting selfishly for PR and damage control when they drag their feet after some of their academic or sports darlings get accused. Its just so hard for the abused to come forward (what is it, 1 in 5 or 10 of victims of rape, make a complaint?) they have to take every accusation seriously.
Wonderful review. I don't have the guts to read it though. I've thought about it, and now your review has sealed it. I have a daughter who is a sophomore in college. Too close to home.
Angela M wrote: "Esil, thanks for a terrific review. I'm not sure I can read this but I'm glad to have your perspective."Thanks Angela. I completely understand why you wouldn't want to read it
Glenn wrote: "Very well put, Esil. This book has been on my shelf for months. Since as a fellow Canadian I'm suffering through all the Ghomeshi trial details too, now would be a good time to read it."Thanks Glenn. I found it helpful to read Missoula during the trial, because it gave a lot of context to what we're hearing. When friends and colleagues discussed details of the trial, I kept saying "you've got to read Missoula". If you get around to reading it, I'll be very interested in your review
Joanne wrote: "Yours is the second review of this book I've received in the last 12 hours. I read it last summer and every time I hear another story about this topic, I think of this book. It was so good.I fear ..."
Yes, it does make it clear why it would be hard and discouraging for so many women to come forward. The book does discuss some ways in which the road for victims can be made easier.
Michael wrote: "Fine review, especially the way you connected the story with the Ghomeshi case. One always thinks that the trust you put in someone makes you a good judge of whether or not they can be an abuser. G..."Thanks Michael. It hadn't occurred to me that the shock felt by many Canadians when the allegations against Ghomeshi came out may have been experienced by an audience outside of Canada. I think that there's something about the relationship people felt they had with this familiar voice broadcast into their daily lives. I don't know how much you've heard about the trial, but it's really shaken many of us Canadians all over again. It's really shed a spotlight in the challenges faced in prosecuting non stranger sexual assaults when the only evidence available is the victim's testimony. There are certainly cases of false accusations, but Krakauer emphasizes that they are rare compared to the number of women who don't come forward at all.
Barbara wrote: "Wonderful review. I don't have the guts to read it though. I've thought about it, and now your review has sealed it. I have a daughter who is a sophomore in college. Too close to home."Thanks Barbara -- I hear you. I'm not there yet but I have a 14 year old daughter. I wish I had super powers that allowed me to protect her forever. Every parent's wish I suspect...
Well said. The bleak irony is that Ghomeshi ended up getting off (acquitted), further illustrating that the system is broken. More so, the way in which society perceives 'consensual sex' is twisted, and almost always favours the perpetrator when it it brought to court. I too was in the midst of reading Missoula while the Ghomeshi case was unfolding and saw the similarities, the parallels as this book serves as somewhat of a blueprint on the subject matter. Though this is a tough book to read, I thoroughly enjoyed it as it is written with the flair that Krakauer always provides. That being said, everyone should read this book. Everyone.
Brian wrote: "Well said. The bleak irony is that Ghomeshi ended up getting off (acquitted), further illustrating that the system is broken. More so, the way in which society perceives 'consensual sex' is twisted..."Thanks Brian. I haven't revisited my review since the Ghomeshi verdict, but I agree with you entirely.
Ghomeshi may be a bad choice of illustration: there is clear, convincing evidence that the women involved lied to the police, to the crown attorneys, and to the court. This is clearly not a patriarchal attack on their credibility: these are text messages recovered from their phones and accepted by the court: they lied.
