Book Review: Catch and Kill

[Olivia]

In Ronan Farrow’s Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators, telling the truth is more difficult than it should be. What begins as a routine assignment for Farrow, an investigative journalist working at NBC, ended up changing his life and the world we live in. Farrow began investigating claims of sexual harassment and assault from one of Hollywood’s top producers, Harvey Weinstein.
Farrow gives a meticulous account of his months of reporting, including reaching out to several women who were victims of Weinstein’s abuses. He tells their stories with blunt, graphic details; this book is not for the faint of heart. Almost as unbelievable as the truth about this powerful, well-connected man being a serial rapist, Farrow faces a path of great resistance trying to expose him. High-priced lawyers, elite spies from international organizations, and media executives — including Farrow’s boss — were all in on a conspiracy to protect predators.
I would give this book four out of five stars. The book is lengthy, and at times too exhaustive and repetitive. It is also incredibly well-written. Farrow, who has won a Pulitzer Prize, writes investigative journalism at its best. It is suspenseful and dramatic, filled with stories one would expect in spy thrillers. Most admirable is Farrow’s insatiable quest for exposing the truth to ultimately give the women justice.
The first person narrative gives the story a familiar feel. Farrow writes of his boyfriend Jonathon’s support of the story, reaching out to his sister for help, and the emotional toll of tactics of surveillance and intimidation. Catch and Kill brings to light the full story of how men like Weinstein are allowed to get away with their actions, up until they aren’t. It is also the story of the brave women who risked everything to tell their truths and help create a movement to better the world for many women after them.