Prasanna Kulal
Prasanna Kulal posted an update3 months ago
3 months ago
Suzie Miller's Prima Facie is a deeply affecting and intriguing read inspired by the Tony Award-winning play. Tessa is a highly skilled defence lawyer for men accused of sexual assault. When she herself is attacked and is forced to navigate the legal systems from the victim's side her life is turned onto its head. In showing the emotional impact of this process Miller illustrates issues of gender inequality and treatment of victims at the societal level. The structure of the book is also a component of the plot. A former lawyer, Miller has a unique depth of knowledge about the legal stuff and this makes legal stuff lively and comprehensible. Pacing is good, building the tension with every step of Tessa's struggle with the law, and her own identity and with justice. The strength of this book is in its dual attention to the personal and social phenomena of sexual assault. It is not just a tale of victimhood, it is one of power, of institutional failure, and of healing. Tessa’s transformation from a confident, self assured lawyer to someone fighting to get her agency back is beautifully done. In short Prima Facie is a must read. It is very much a comment on the law, on gender, and on the need for compassion and change. Suzie Miller's book is at the same time a fine piece of contemporary fiction and a manifesto for a more just society.

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