Brave

3.5

If you know me then you know that long before my obsession with Buffy, I was obsessed with Charmed. Recently, I decided to rewatch the OG show now that the reboot has been cancelled. While I don't often read memoir's (last one I read was Naya Rivera's) I decided to purchase Brave.

Overall I don't regret my purchase, I liked the book and the message. Rose has lived one hell of a life and Hollywood is one nasty place. However, the rants were a bit much which is why it took me some time to . Also, trying to sell me skin care and albums? I wasn't too keen on that.

Writing this was certainly brave. Living through the life she had and still taking the time for introspection and then advocating for women like she is currently doing is also incredibly BRAVE. I know so many people who have been through so much less who cannot being themselves to self-examine themselves because it's just too painful. Rose McGowan does not seem afraid of pain. She didn't discuss this but I'm also so impressed by how forgiving she is, and understanding of everyone's perspective as she let many family members that completely let her down as a child back into her life. That's so incredibly powerful, and also brave.

On a literary note, her voice as an author shined throughout this entire memoir, and I actually think she would make a fantastic fiction writer. Very readable book on a difficult but important subject matter.

[b:Brave 35068683 Brave Rose McGowan https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1516647279s/35068683.jpg 56364124]This is not a usual book. It is highly unusual, and written in a very unusual way. I gave this book five stars because I think it is important and succeeds in a creative, raw, authentic, and real way. I think that any person who actually reads the book will be moved. If you don't have some kind of emotional reaction to this book go back and reread it you missed the point all together! The author's style is very emotional, and she writes using lots of anger and crude (but appropriately crude) language in response to what has happened to her. I would encourage any thoughtful person to not dismiss this book because of ignorant (they haven't read the book) comments others have made. This is a book you the reader have to commit to for you not due to any hype. In her style of writing, Rose often addresses the reader as “you”; it is a deeply personal book, written directly to the reader, and intended to rouse the reader to action, to encourage them to be brave in their own life. It is a vibrant call to action for both women and men. You will find yourself sad, enraged and examining society and Hollywood norms and society in general. Rose typically was not listened to, not taken seriously, not respected. For those of us who are female, this may be very familiar to us. She describes how our culture programs us to be pleasant, polite, docile, easily manipulated, and vulnerable to predators.She had a very difficult young life. She was raised in Italy in the Children of God cult. After describing what she went through–some incredibly horrible things–she compares this religious cult to the “cult of Hollywood”. It's easy to see the parallels. It causes the reader to thing about how we support Hollywood in unhelpful ways and urges us to be supportive of roles and movies who portray women in ways that are not exploitative. I agree with one reviewer who said that she found “unexpected depth” to this book. I related to so much of what the author wrote and also to the blunt and graphic way she said it.If rape is not a trigger for you, I urge you to give this book a chance. It will not only teach you to stand up taller it will show you that the glamorous life of Hollywood is rather dark and oppressive. I am saddened that so many men in power feel the need to be “Monsters” because they are in positions to get away with it. Truth be told I applaud Rose for standing up for the things she feels she deserves. Hands down one of the most emotional reads I have ever read. The honesty and raw emotion in these pages is worth every minute you spend.