HarperVia Consent: A Memoir

While still a minor Vanessa Singora had sexual relations with an older man. He, a writer, philosopher and pedophile. She broke of when she was 15 but has been harassed by him for the rest of her life. Her relations and harassment have been accepted by French culture. In her 50s her husband suggests writing a book about her experience to take on the old man on his own turf: literature. This book is the result. Brilliantly written it seems to have out sold all of the old man's writings and is on its way to become a movie.

The book 'Consent' was a bit of a disappointment for me. I ordered it after reading an article about the author, Vanessa Springora, in the New York Times, along with a synthesis of the book. It sounded more substantial than I found it to be. It's possible that something could have been lost in translation. However, I found the writing style and the rhythm of the book somewhat wanting. Touted as a book that 'took France by storm' I was expecting more. Maybe that is the issue - my expectations were too high.The book is a narrative of the author's life from childhood to adulthood. At the age of 14 she was captivated by a 50 years old writer who sexually abused her. Everyone in her environment - her mother, the publishers of the author's books and school principals, seemed to go along with this appalling behavior. As the book and the story unfolds, the important thing which comes out well in the book is that an experience like hers leaves her marked forever. It affects every factor of her life, leaving her with low self-esteem, lack of confidence and unable to function.In the last decade or so, many such books have come into the world of literature. There is even a name for them: trauma porn. In some ways it is rather voyeuristic reading such a book. But, it suggests that there are circumstances that such abuse can take place in - broken families, parents that don't know any better, and men who prey on women and children due to their own psychological trauma.Most importantly, the memoir pints out how patriarchy and its systems conspire, consciously and unconsciously to condone abusive behaviour that mars young people forever. It takes courage to write and publish such a book as the main concern it what it does to the author's family and circle of friends and colleagues.Clearly Springora has overcome that. For this she deserves praise.

Child sexual abuse is like a cancer growing in our society that not only has the ability to rape the physical being, but the soul as well. It needs to be eradicated. I admire the brave women and men who come forward and share their story, no matter how painful or disgusting some might find their experiences, for they are not only enlightening society on the long-term psychological effects this soul-stripping act has, but also providing more insight and data needed to combat this horrendous act of power-driven violence. Because the nature of the beast is sexually oriented, I do believe it is important when sharing life experiences on this subject to avoid writing pornographic/erotica type passages that may turn readers off and plant sick ideas in the minds of sexual perverts. We must help protect the children of today and future generations, always. Author J.J. Rose