Is Rape a Crime?

A Memoir, an Investigation, and a Manifesto

De: Michelle Bowdler

Narrado por: Gabra Zackman

Longlisted for the 2020 National Book Award for Nonfiction

TIME's 100 Must-Read Books of 2020

Publishers Weekly, Best Books of 2020

New York Times New & Noteworthy Audiobooks

Lit Hubs Most Anticipated Books of 2020

Starred Review Publishers Weekly

Starred Review Shelf Awareness

"Is Rape a Crime? is beautifully written and compellingly told. In 2020, we were all looking for solutions and this book was right on time. It is one we should all be reading."—Anita Hill

"This standout memoir marks a crucial moment in the discussion of what constitutes a violent crime."—Publishers Weekly, Best Books of 2020

She Said meets Know My Name in Michelle Bowdler's provocative debut, telling the story of her rape and recovery while interrogating why one of society's most serious crimes goes largely uninvestigated.

The crime of rape sizzles like a lightning strike. It pounces, flattens, destroys. A person stands whole, and in a moment of unexpected violence, that life, that body is gone.

Award-winning writer and public health executive Michelle Bowdler's memoir indicts how sexual violence has been addressed for decades in our society, asking whether rape is a crime given that it is the least reported major felony, least successfully prosecuted, and fewer than 3% of reported rapes result in conviction. Cases are closed before they are investigated and DNA evidence sits for years untested and disregarded.

Rape in this country is not treated as a crime of brutal violence but as a parlor game of he said / she said. It might be laughable if it didn’t work so much of the time.

Given all this, it seems fair to ask whether rape is actually a crime.

In 1984, the Boston Sexual Assault Unit was formed as a result of a series of break-ins and rapes that terrorized the city, of which Michelle’s own horrific rape was the last. Twenty years later, after a career of working with victims like herself, Michelle decides to find out what happened to her case and why she never heard from the police again after one brief interview.

Is Rape a Crime? is an expert blend of memoir and cultural investigation, and Michelle's story is a rallying cry to reclaim our power and right our world.

©2020 Michelle Bowdler (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Everyone should read this book

it is informative, gut wrenching and so powerful. the crime of rape is tragic and preventable and everyone should understand the process (mostly) women go through

well, and sadly, done

painful read, but yes, clearly victims of sexual assault see little justice. would love to hear just one story where justice was done.

Thank you for writing this book

I am so grateful for this book- I hope we can make more change as we grow stronger together. In solidarity.

So much better than "Know My Name"

This book is a should read to understand the disgraceful way that rape victims are victimized again by the system that's supposed to protect them. The book is very well written. Michelle Bowdler is truly admirable in not only sharing her personal story, but devoting her life to advocating for victims of rape.

Thank you

Such a truly inspiring story for us all. Thank you Michelle for sharing this story and creating this space.