jdkarran's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

A stunning and inspiring display of compassion for those who so rarely receive any 

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jayreads090909's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective fast-paced

4.25


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bekacrook's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

A thoroughly interesting book showing a range of life experiences, mental health difficulties and really exploring how we view people who need our help and support but have been convicted of violent crimes. I found the writing to feel human but factual, none of the crimes or people felt like they had been sensationalised in order to make their story more 'interesting' or more comfortable to read. 

This book has allowed me to think about my own internal bias and how this may influence how I originally viewed people whose crimes or life experience did not align with my morals, values or lived experience. By bringing awareness to this it allows us to view people as people. Every person is deserving of help, respect and redemption and we really need to ensure that this is allowed to happen by supporting those individuals and organisations who do this kind of work. 

Not always an easy read but a necessary one. 


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lizzyconnor94's review against another edition

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challenging dark informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.75


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epellicci's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad slow-paced

5.0

The Devil You Know is an incredibly powerful book. It is challenging - in places almost too difficult to read - and dark, moving and impossible to forget. Dr Adshead gently encourages a more open, empathetic perspective towards some of our most violent offenders by giving a voice to her patients and her practice. The stories she has documented are graphic, heart-breaking, and often difficult to stomach. But they are also in many cases inspiring and transformative. I was left floored by the authors resilience and compassion.
There were moments when I would have liked to see more conversation surrounding policy, especially when discussing the difficulty offenders go through to access treatment and resources. However, the way her writing carefully challenged my thinking and expanded my view mean this book has to be five stars.

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