What a difficult, yet undeniably powerful story to read. This goes without saying that the book depicted instances of abuse. You'd feel angered; you'd baked in the sense of injustices; your heart would be broken over Enchanted sense of helplessness, because she lived in a world with a system who had failed to protect her.

I think that 'Grown' provided succint examples for instances that should raise red flags to getting into a relationship. I feel that educating someone on such occurrence can avt as a preventative measures. But as I thought of that, & recalled what happened in the story, I detested how the responsibility seemed to fall more on the victims.

Other than that, what 'Grown' provided was a point of reflection, in which how we, as a society, put little worth in our women, especially our Black sisters. We were quick to doubt them, quick to question their motives. Living in a patriarchal world meant that victimization did not end with an escape. Victimization continued & was perpetuated by the insensitive legal system & judgmental social circle. It called for a need for compassion; for equanimity, if not calm; for advocacy for the victims: I think Mr & Mrs Jones were prime examples of that.

The way Jackson structured 'Grown' left one feeling as if you were watching a reel of fragmented, but interconnected scenes. While you'd be horrified watching it as it progressed, the pace was gripping. It also touched upon how we still had a lot to unlearn even when one considers themselves a progressives in terms of women's issues, yet could still held on to archetypal victim-blaming lense e.g. Malika. Jackson also brilliantly interweaved how class & ecomonic standings aside of race modulated treatment of victims, highlighting the importance of intersectional contribution to the prejudices faced by victims (e.g. Gab's deservedly pointed criticism of the detective summarised this).

'Grown' should be treated as a criticism of our society's failure in protecting womxn, especially Black womxn, from dangerous, abusive men. Written in a gripping way; you'd find yourselves fearing for what happened next; at the edge of your seat, praying for justice, & endlessly reflecting on the state of womxnhood in a world such as ours.

I will reiterate once again, 'Grown' was a powerful read.