Brave by Rose McGowan – a book review
Brave by Rose McGowan was published in paperback, eBook and audiobook by HQ on March 5th 2019. I was honoured to be asked to receive an advance copy. I like to think my blog plays its small part in supporting women but let’s face it Rose has changed the whole future for women and girls. She has done this by speaking out and I am pleased she has no intention of stopping doing that.
Brave by Rose McGowan
Thoughts before reading Brave
I did not expect Brave by Rose McGowan to be an easy read. I kept looking at it almost putting off starting to read it. I know women and girls face so much abuse in society. Our everyday lives are blighted by it. My mum was attacked on the street as a young teenager. She then went on to face bullying in the workplace. I was attacked on the street in my late teens and was punished for getting pregnant in the workplace. I have step-daughters who faced every type of abuse. I only heard last week that another family member is escaping domestic violence. I have a college friend who self-harmed due to childhood sexual abuse. It goes on and on and it is not good enough. I was very into women’s rights in my teens and twenties and nobody is more sad than me that what I thought then has proved to be right. Sexual, physical and emotional abuses are rife and so few find it easy to reveal. So before reading the book I knew I was in for a bumpy ride.
Brave surprises
Brave by Rose McGowan surprised me in that it is by no means just about that monstrous man we all now know the name of. In fact he is not named in the book at all and features very little. I love that! This is Rose’s story and not his. Rose has quite a story from being born into a cult that had abusive practices to finding herself street homeless as a young teen to discovery as an actress leading to her Hollywood horrors. Be prepared for the appropriate use of language as she tells her tale and calls things out for what they are.
Hollywood horrors
One of the things I took away from the book is how we are all so affected by Hollywood. I had never really thought about that before. Hollywood has provided so much of our entertainment over the years and has conditioned us to expect certain things of women and girls including our individual selves. Actually, that’s the point! How many of us struggle as individuals all too aware we do not live up to what Hollywood and other “authorities” tell us we should be. It is absolutely time we were brave enough to make sure our real selves are revealed and our voices heard.
What I loved about Brave by Rose McGowan
As expected this is not a comfortable read. Books that change lives so much for the better rarely are. It is easy to read though and I actually felt I could hear Rose’s voice. In fact, there were some paragraphs where it felt as if she was speaking to me directly. Despite identifying as a feminist, I face abuse too and find myself accepting it all too often. Perhaps we all do but I am still idealistic enough to think each one of us has the power to change things for the better. In fact, Brave by Rose McGowan has inspired me to focus more on women in this blog moving forwards. I believe bloggers have a huge opportunity to share real stories and to challenge the status quo. Let’s tell our own stories and celebrate individual women and girls rather than parading some pseudo-perfect nonsense,.
What I did not like about Brave by Rose McGowan
Nothing apart from the fact that it had to be written in the first place. Rose has so much to give as the individual she is and now celebrates but for now it is great that she is sharing her story and calling out abuse for what it is in a raw and honest memoir. It acts as a call to arms that can change your world and mine.
I would love you to read my other book reviews.
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you’ve intrigued me – I seem to have missed all this. Might check it out. #Stayclassymama
Bravo to Rose for speaking out. I love how this book focuses on Rose and her experiences rather than focusing on the monster. This is a fabulous review and although will be some rather uncomfortable reading, I will be reading soon xxx
Ashley
https://lellalee.com
I’ve been looking for a book to read. Thanks for the review!
One I really want to read it!
I didn’t know she had a book out, so thanks for sharing 😀 I’m off to go and add it to my basket.
Great post! It’s really sad that stuff like this needs to be written, but hopefully the book will help create nothing but good things moving forward. Looking forward to seeing how it’s going to influence the blog! 🙂
What a fab book must remember the title X #stayclassymama
I am honestly not aware of anything about Rose McGowen’s personal life. Until today that is. I watched her in Charmed and remember her in the first Scream movie. Oh and that she was married to Marilyn Manson but other than that, I know nothing about her. I will have to see if I can read this book. Or at least do some googling of her. It sounds like a strong and empowering book. #MMBC (sorry I’m a bit late responding to linkies)
Sounds a very interesting read I will be checking it out Thanks for linking to #Thatfridaylinky hope to see you next week
This is the second review I’ve read of this book today. It certainly sounds a difficult read and makes me think back to when I read “Pieces of Me” at the start of this year #readwithme
I think that it’s really brave of Rose to share her experiences. It sounds like she’s had a really eventful life.
#ReadWithMe
I’ve read many good reviews about this book, it’s definitely one I’ll be popping on my tbr list, sounds very empowering! #readwithme
Thanks for sharing this review on the book. I’m a bit apprehensive to read it myself because I hate this part of humanity: the abusive, take-advantage-of-others part of us. But I’m adding it to my reading list because this is a subject that none of us should run from.
Right, i’m going to be extra honest here and state that as a guy I’d never heard of Rose McGovern before but your review has made me interested in knowing more.
I read the book too and am very glad I did! It’s a real eye opener and, like you, I had never realised just what a big influence Hollywood is on all of our lives. I think everyone should read this book to open their eyes to how much unacceptable behaviour is happening and being accepted every day.
It is a sad and awful subject but so right that it had been written. I hope Rose found it cathartic and that unpleasant behaviours are now being challenged. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
This looks like one to add to the list – Thanks for sharing with #TriumphantTales
Sounds like a very powerful read! #DreamTeam
She’s someone I’ve always liked and I can’t wait to read this book.
Looking forward to reading this. Sounds like its going to be an interesting read. #twinklytuesday