"My Dark Vanessa"

“My Dark Vanessa”

Written by Kate Elizabeth Russell

Reviewed by Diana Iozzia

“My Dark Vanessa” is a deeply unnerving cautionary tale about statutory rape, pedophilia, consent, abuse, and trauma. This story follows Vanessa at two ages: a young fifteen and in her early 30s. Vanessa has begun an illegal and illicit relationship with her English teacher.

Taking place in a dark academic setting, the story has a haunting and secluded environment. Vanessa who has become so absorbed with her professor, has isolated herself. Vanessa becomes obsessed with reading the literature that Professor Strane suggests to her, including her favorite, “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabokov.

 In telling the narrative through her perspective, we perceive her fear, her naivety, her sadness, and her affection. Through her eyes, the story is even more haunting than you’d imagine, as she becomes so enraptured by him. He’s pure in her mind and enticing. It can become horrifying to hear how she describes him and certain nights they’ve spent together. In creating a poetic yet realistic story, Russell creates a heartbreaking portrayal of power imbalance and abuse.

Vanessa’s second perspective looks back on the years that she spent with Strane. As she becomes older and wiser, she starts to see how he manipulated her. However, his hold on her still sets the scene for a sorrowful adulthood. We learn that she had never really let him go.

We continue through the story and finish the story in a satisfying but difficult position: wondering where our sympathy lies. Can someone change after many years of regret? Can we forgive them? Can we believe them?

To conclude, this was a very startling and difficult novel to read. As a woman, I can sympathize with Vanessa. Wanting to be loved and cared for is a human right. However, we readers want to save her and protect her. I think this is a perfect companion to reading “Lolita”. Comparing and contrasting the narration and the characters was a great experience for me. I found that Humbert’s love for her was eerier and more uncomfortable, because it felt like love. His words were caring and sweet, but like Strane, their words were dipped in poison. One of the issues with “Lolita” is that we do not feel love and worry for Dolores, while in this, we are so concerned and so worried for Vanessa.

Finally, I highly recommend this story. Reading about abuse and rape is never an easy experience. I do think this is an important story. Perhaps this can help to cause those who do not understand or sympathize with abuse victims to begin to understand. This book can help people discuss these topics and make them less taboo. Parents can teach their children how to protect themselves. Please give this a shot, if you feel comfortable reading the material. If you are struggling with and triggered mental health or abuse trauma, this is absolutely not the book for you. This is not a book for those looking to heal, as the resolution is not quite healthy.

I received an advance review edition in exchange for reading and reviewing purposes. Thank you to William Morrow for the opportunity.