'Explosive' Margaret Atwood 'Seismic' Observer 'Brilliant' Nigella Lawson 'Gripping' Jon Ronson
*SOON TO BE A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE STARRING CAREY MULLIGAN AND ZOE KAZAN*
A FINANCIAL TIMES, NEW STATESMAN, DAILY TELEGRAPH, METRO AND ELLE BOOK OF THE YEAR
On 5 October 2017, the New York Times published an article by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey that helped change the world.
Hollywood was talking as never before. Kantor and Twohey outmanoeuvred Harvey Weinstein, his team of defenders and private investigators, convincing some of the most famous women in the world – and some unknown ones – to go on the record. Three years later, it helped lead to his conviction.
She Said is an important piece of work, both for examining the culture of sexual harassment in the past, and for examining the possibilities of the future. Kantor and Twohey's book is contemplative - it addresses the investigation, but it *also* hits the aftermath - including the #MeToo movement and what it may/may not have accomplished, and the lives of their sources once the news cycle has moved on to other things. It's also a stark reminder, in so many ways, that there has always been - and will always be - people who abuse others. But in speaking out, and speaking up, people take the opportunity to send the message that we are more powerful together, and only by speaking can we ever effect change. "Problems that are not seen cannot be addressed."- and the culture of male entitlement definitely still needs to be addressed.
Note: To address the elephant in the room, I did read Ronan Farrow's book Catch & Kill. I also very much liked that one. They are two very different books (even though the subject matter is much the same) which will tend to appeal to very different audiences. Though I do recommend reading BOTH titles, to gain a complete sense of not only the lengths some people will go to in order to cover up their sins, but also to gain a clearer picture of the cost to those who speak up and speak out, and just how slowly the wheels of change can grind.
