Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Feb 06, 2019 Anna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This one made my blood boil. Our culture is just really screwed up. This is a hard and ugly look at rape, and justice (non-justice is more like it) in our country. It is tragic. But even though this book was as far from feel-good as a book can get, I'm glad I read it. The more you know..... ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Jan 28, 2019 Graceann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: pop-sugar-2019, general-nonfiction

Jon Krakauer was surprised and alarmed to discover that a longtime family friend had been sexually assaulted, and when he started speaking with and really listening to his other friends and family, he discovered that that first assault he'd heard about was far from being unusual. That's where this book comes from. Those of us who have survived sexual assault will find our own experiences mirrored here (which means that there are triggers galore and, especially if you are still working through th Jon Krakauer was surprised and alarmed to discover that a longtime family friend had been sexually assaulted, and when he started speaking with and really listening to his other friends and family, he discovered that that first assault he'd heard about was far from being unusual. That's where this book comes from. Those of us who have survived sexual assault will find our own experiences mirrored here (which means that there are triggers galore and, especially if you are still working through the effects of the trauma, this may be very rough going for you).

Missoula could have easily been titled for any college town. As it turns out, the number of reported rapes in Missoula is slightly lower than the national average. That would initially sound like good news, but it isn't, since the statistics encompassed in this college town are already appalling. It's disturbing that there are towns where this is more prevalent.

Krakauer follows several distinct cases that were adjudicated through the University's disciplinary programs, through plea bargains, and through criminal trial. Of course, there are the cases that are declined entirely. It seems that certain prosecutors like to keep their batting average high, so they don't take the cases where there isn't ironclad proof. Though what they'd consider ironclad is hard to pin down, given that, in one case, one of these d-bags attacked a woman in her own home, while she screamed and while her friends battered down the door he'd locked against them.

There is a lot to learn here, about the counterintuitive ways those who are attacked behave (one victim drove her attacker home afterwards), and the pedestal that athletes are placed on. It would appear that if a football player at MU commits a crime, the question is not how he should be punished, but how it should be covered up so that he can continue to play. These young men are taught that Coach, or Dad, or whoever will “fix” his “mistakes.” There is a lot of talk (and those who remember the kid-glove treatment Brock Turner received will find this familiar) about how these “poor boys” are having their futures ruined, all because of a “misunderstanding.” There is very little concern spared for how horrifically changed the lives of their victims have become.

As I say, those of us who have survived sexual assault will find confirmation and mirroring of our own experiences, in the facts of the assault and in the many layers of hell encountered if/when we try to bring our attacker to justice. However, for those who think they don't know anyone who has gone through this (spoiler: you do, you just don't realize that you do), this will serve as an eye-opener and education. Take it from someone who traveled this road; Krakauer's research and results are spot on. ...more

Like · see review

Jan 27, 2018 Larissa rated it liked it

Probably not the best book to read when it popped up and i was planning a trip to Missoula (well flying there and going elsewhere). I have a love/hate relationship with Krakauers books too. With the recent “Me too” trend (what an unfortunate trend), this book sheds even more light on the pervasive problem of sexual assault in our country. It is a sad commentary of true stories of tape and how lives were ruined and how law was often not on the side of the victim. Based on police reports, intervie ...more

Like · see review

Sep 10, 2015 Gina rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

I tried to be objective when I read this and I have so many thoughts and emotions about this book. One thought is, acquaintance rape is so common and we send our kids to college ill-equipped, uninformed, and without a clear sense of right and wrong. A lot of alcohol leading to bad judgement and outcome.

Like · see review

Aug 14, 2015 Taryn rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio, 2015-reading-challenge

Read for the "A book that made you cry" category in the 2015 reading challenge.

This was a hard read, particularly on audio when directly confronted with the harsh words connected with the experiences. There's no escaping it; you must sit there and endure the trauma as relived by victims. I actually had to turn it off and take a break because I was sick to my stomach. This is necessary reading.

Missoula was given the moniker of "the rape capital" but it turns out that the statistics put it below t ...more

Like · see review

Jan 25, 2020 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: to-read-own

This one has been on my #TBR for four years and there is a reason it took me so long to read it. This book is difficult, heartbreaking, powerful, and necessary. I listened on fits and starts, but often was so riveted to the story that I sat in my car in my driveway, unable to turn it off. Well researched yet personal, the examples of courage and strength displayed by the young women in this book took my breath away and made me stronger.

Like · see review