Saving Five

A Memoir of Hope

De: Amanda Nguyen

Narrado por: Sura Siu

This program is read by read by Sura Siu with an exclusive note written and read by the author.

One of TIME and Oprah Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2025

“Siu's measured, compassionate delivery honors Nguyen's story, which balances the raw emotion of trauma with the strength of survival.”—AudioFile

"Amanda’s story—innovatively told by versions of herself at different ages—underscores the lasting power of speaking your truth, building a movement, and never losing sight of your dreams.” —Melinda French Gates

"In Saving Five, Amanda Nguyen shows us how to reclaim the full spectrum of our lives, replete with pain, fury, creativity, and recovered dreams.” —Chanel Miller, author of Know My Name

A brave and imaginative memoir by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, detailing her healing journey and groundbreaking activism in the aftermath of her rape at Harvard.

In 2013, the trajectory of Amanda Nguyen’s life was changed forever when she was raped at Harvard.

Determined to not let her assault derail her goal of joining NASA after graduation, Nguyen opted for her rape kit to be filed under “Jane Doe.” But she was shocked to learn her choice to stay anonymous gave her only six months to take action before the state destroyed her kit, rendering any future legal action impossible. Nguyen knew then that she had two options: surrender to a law that effectively denied her justice, or fight for a change—not only for herself but for survivors everywhere.

A heart-wrenching memoir of survival and hope, Saving Five boldly braids the story of Nguyen’s activism—which resulted in Congress’s unanimous passage of the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act in 2016—with a second, beautifully imagined adventure, of Nguyen's younger selves as they—at ages five, fifteen, twenty-two, and thirty—navigate through dramatic incarnations of the emotional stages of her path toward healing, not only from her rape but from the violent turmoil of her childhood. The result is a groundbreaking work that seamlessly blends memoir with a moving journey toward acceptance and hope, forging a path ahead that is as inspiring as it is instructive.

From one of the most influential activists (and now astronauts) of her time, Saving Five is at once a tribute to resilience, a celebration of healing through action, and a resounding cry to change the world.

A Macmillan Audio production from AUWA Books.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Siu’s performance elevates the memoir, offering an intimate and compelling listening experience that does justice to Nguyen’s inspiring fight for change.” — LitHub

“Saving Five is an extraordinarily moving account of Amanda Nguyen’s pursuit of justice and healing for herself and for millions of survivors around the world. Amanda’s story—innovatively told by versions of herself at different ages—underscores the lasting power of speaking your truth, building a movement, and never losing sight of your dreams.” —Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and founder, Pivotal

"Brilliant. Amanda Nguyen is a compassionate, clear-eyed guiding force. Not only does she fight for survivors’ basic rights, but in Saving Five she also shows us how to reclaim the full spectrum of our lives, replete with pain, fury, creativity, and recovered dreams.” —Chanel Miller, author of Know My Name

“Amanda Nguyen’s journey from survivor to global advocate inspires and empowers us all to stand up and fight for what is right. Saving Five is truly a beacon of hope for anyone who has faced adversity, and Amanda’s voice is one that the world needs to hear.” —Paris Hilton

"If Saving Five doesn’t inspire you, check your pulse. It is an extraordinary testimony of resilience, persistence, and ambition. While Amanda’s history-making journey alone could have carried this memoir, it’s also a feat of formal invention, lyrical prose, and a gifted storyteller’s sense of suspense. I was mesmerized from page one to its triumphant ending." —Mitchell S. Jackson, author of Survival Math, winner of the Pulitzer Prize

“It takes a special kind of bravery to suffer what Amanda Nguyen has endured and not only survive, but become stronger through every slight, indignity, and betrayal by every power that you can imagine, be it governmental, administrative, institutional, or familial. I am in awe of her persistence, determination, and fortitude to fight for and win rights we as American citizens have mistakenly assumed were ours by birthright. Saving Five describes why she is my hero.” —Terry Crews

“I am in awe of Amanda Nguyen’s courage in sharing her story and her fight to support survivors. As a survivor, I know how painful it is to revisit and recount the horror of rape and sexual abuse, along with the shame, stigma, and doubt that comes with it. Today, Amanda is more than just that story—she’s an astronaut, an author, an activist, and a champion for all.” —Nadia Murad, recipient of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize

Phenomenal Read

Nguyen’s story of heartbreak, healing, and bravery is a phenomenal read, and serves as a map for other survivors to define what healing looks like for them.

A true treasure of a book

From cover to cover, I was gripped by the author’s journey. Her memoir was deeply relatable; even more-so by her unique/creative interwoven storytelling. I’m forever grateful for the rare/random chance of turning on the tv before work, and first hearing about it on the news.

A beautiful blend of present and past healing

Amanda has been an inspiration of mine for years. She shows such intelligence, grace and resilience throughout the entire process of healing from sexual assault and turning it into a bill that will now protect millions of survivors. She is well spoken, educated and articulates her strong message so clearly. I highly recommended this book.

I have all amazing things to say about this book

This book is one of the most eloquently written and important relevant topics. As someone who has survived, themselves, it is for others a type of guide to healing a “North Star” if you will in the journey of healing. In addition to that... It also shows the shortcomings of the legal system and how they do often fail survivors. The amount of retraumatization this amazing human being had to go through to get The Survivors Bill Of Rights Passed into law… is not shocking, but the world should be appalled. Praise to Amanda, for all her hard work. Not just for herself, but also for all of us. Thank you, for never giving up.

I had the honor and privilege to meet this amazing human being, at a charity event for RISE, in NYC. I think the absolute universe of her and I will be cheering for her as she reaches the stars next month, at her launch with blue origin. All of her, 5,15,22,30 & beyond.

This book is an absolute must read. It’s for everyone and anyone. It’s truly amazing the way that this book is written: It speaks right to the heart and soul of every survivor.

An amazing story bravely told by the author.

An amazing story bravely told by the author in her unique reflection of self. Following a life changing college rape that was just the start of changing a cold system that favors the protection of rapists at the expense of re-traumatizing victims of rapes.