The Night Swim

3.75 stairs/5

I am of 2 schools of thought on this book. 1. I wish, for once, that someone would give a rape victim a happy goddamn ending, because NO ONE BELIEVES THE VICTIM IN REAL LIFE. 2. I am not surprised this did not end in appropriate justice because the American legal system fails women on a regular basis. I'm sorry, but it is true. This book brought up so many points and harsh realities of what it is like to live as a woman in this country. A sixteen year old girl, forced to chose between the decision to relive her rape over and over again through examination in the hospital, and questioning and cross questioning in the court room. The trial depends on her testimony. Meaning, that unless she tells it from her end, there will be no resolve. But even if she does tell it, the change of resolve in her favor could not be impacted. Tell me how this is justice when the rapist gets to sit in the room and is not required to undergo the same humiliating and traumatizing treatment?? Why in this era do we think it is okay to say “well his life will be ruined”... SHE WAS GD RAPED DUDE WHAT THE HELL. Not to mention the side plot of a rape/murder covered up by the chief of police for his son bc he didn't want to smear the family name, etc. Violence breeds violence, hate breeds hate. TEACH YOUR CHILD BETTER BC EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT TEACHING YOU ARE SHOWING.

Anyways, there were several areas that this book could have segwayed into having a sequel and the author missed the opportunity to do. She should have made it so Dan Moore didn't commit suicide but rather Rachel was literally in the courtroom (like she had been for the podcast) but on the other side, in the testimony spot. Then she could have had a potential new podcast from another angle.. anyways the rest of the book was wrapped up but like not all nice and neat. It was wrapped up like a present you get from you niece on Christmas who is 5. Like she tried so hard to wrap that up and used a whole thing of tape... the idea and the thing is technically wrapped up, but is that an insta influencer shot? No. its not.