What We Talk About When We Talk about Rape by Sohaila Abdulali

Wow. This is one of the most difficult books I've read in a while, but it's so important, so I pushed through even though I felt very uncomfortable. WHAT WE TALK ABOUT is written by a survivor of sexual assault. It's about her story, but it's also about the broader picture, as well-- the #MeToo movement, other women (and men) who experience abuse, advice on how to talk to and console victims respectfully, and discussions about consent.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT also cautions against the temptation of making violence against women the issue of specific countries-- it is a global issue, affecting women all over the world. Sohaila Abdulali is an Indian Muslim, so she includes a lot of stories and studies about and done by Indian women, but she mentions a lot of other countries and places as well, emphasizing the importance of taking action and making the abolishment of misogynistic policies a non-partisan and open-bordered issue.

I have so much more I could say about this, but since I'm posting this review to Amazon, I'm trying to keep this review very civil and very PG. Let's just say that reading this book is going to-- and should-- make you angry. The material is not exactly pleasure reading, but this pocket-sized book should be read by all.

P.S. Not sure what's up with the Goodreads blurb comparing the writing to Rebecca Solnit. Solnit's writing fits more into the typical personal book-as-essay format, whereas this is more serious and reads like a textbook.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!

3 out of 5 stars