Book Review: The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson

This is a strange “review” because I’m telling you right up front: I did not read this book. Couldn’t finish it. Found it too disturbing. So why a review? Well let me tell you…

I saw this title on NetGalley (where I request/receive most of my advanced review copies), and was immediately drawn to the dramatic cover and strong description. I requested it and was approved and eagerly dove in. And almost as eagerly closed the book. Normally when this happens, I don’t provide feedback – or at least not a full review. But for this particular title I realized I was doing the author a disservice this way, so decided to leave my feedback and write my “review” anyway. I gave it 4 stars to boot – despite not finishing it – and that’s entirely on the strength of the writing. And THAT is why I’m posting a review and telling you about the book…

This book is clear up front on what it’s subject matter is. It is about violence. It is specifically about domestic violence. I knew that going in, and despite some reticence on my part (I don’t tend to like to read about domestic violence), I wanted to read it anyway because I was intrigued by the concept of a pandemic of violence and how the author would handle it. So I can’t pretend this was a bait-and-switch – I knew, upfront, this would be a tough read – and yet I was still stunned cold by how explicit and aggressive and disturbing the portrayals of violence were. But that’s precisely why I want to leave a review – the writing in this book is absolutely phenomenal and the proof of that is that I couldn’t read it. The descriptions are so vivid and the menacing sense of dread that pervades every page is so intense that I literally felt sick to my stomach while reading. I was so completely absorbed that it hurt.

I couldn’t finish it. I could barely read 10%. But this is a powerful book and if you can manage it, the writing is unbelievably vivid and the plot a fascinating one. I cannot talk to how it plays out because as I said I did not get very far. But that is on me and absolutely not on the author. She does an amazing job here, coming from a place of incredible violence in her own life, which she references in the opening pages, and it is a powerful thing that she’s done. It was just one that I personally could not read…

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.