Prima Facie

A Novel

By: Suzie Miller

Narrated by: Jodie Comer

Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

"Comer gets to go deeper with the role; this isn’t a replication of her intrepid stage turn, but a continuation of it....It’s a nimble, beautifully modulated performance, and a showcase for Comer’s facility with voices."—The New York Times

This program is read by Jodie Comer (Killing Eve, The Last Duel, The End We Start From) who returns to her Tony- and Olivier Award-winning role in this audiobook edition of Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie. Reprising a stage performance hailed by The Guardian as "infusing breathtaking emotional drama into every word," Comer's masterful narration brings Tessa's story to life in this unforgettable program.

"Comer, who won Olivier (London) and Tony (Broadway) awards for her 100-minute stage performance, returns for an electrifying nine-plus hours of audiobook narration. [She] exhibits extraordinary breadth, revealing the many Tessas throughout: vulnerable teen, stubborn achiever, self-doubter, steely Londoner, powerful prosecutor, bullied witness, [and] exhausted young woman."—Booklist

“Enthralling and sharp-witted...Highly recommended.”—Karin Slaughter, New York Times and #1 international bestselling author

“Bold, fearless...Prima Facie is a deeply rewarding, absolute must read.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End

This is not life, this is law…

Tessa Ensler loves her job. She’s worked her way up to being a top criminal defense barrister against all the odds, and fights to defend those pleading not guilty. Tessa believes in the law, believes in the system. Her quick-witted cross-examinations and intelligence in the courtroom see her clocking up win after win—including securing freedom for men accused of rape and sexual assault. Innocence until proven guilty is, after all, the bedrock of a civilized society.

But when Tessa is raped by a coworker, she struggles to find the strength to bring him to justice in the face of the barriers and opposition within that same system. Determined to have her day in court, Tessa is forced to confront the stark reality that the law was not written for victims, and that she is the one on trial. She fights on, even as her evidence is manipulated to make her look like a liar, even while she is retraumatized in the stand.

Based on the Olivier and Tony Award-winning play, Suzie Miller’s Prima Facie is an unforgettable story of what happens when a victim is asked to navigate a system that is not set up to accommodate the lived experience of sexual assault survivors.

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company.

©2022 Suzie Miller (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Hits like a ton of bricks, evoking in full the physical and emotional horror of sexual assault and its lasting effects on the victim... A rawly moving debut filled with insights into the legal system and its shortcomings."―Kirkus (starred review)

“Enthralling and sharp-witted—Prima Facie takes an unflinching look inside a legal system that is more punishing to the victims of sexual assault than it is to the assailants. A scathing and true look at how the legal system can retraumatize victims. Highly recommended.”—Karin Slaughter, New York Times and #1 international bestselling author

“Heartbreakingly timeless. Written with skill, humor, despair and hope.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of We Begin at the End

Powerful

Wasn’t sure how this would differ from the play but it was equally powerful yet the added length gives extra depth to the story and character. Narration was absolutely brillant.

Exceptional!

Jodie Comer is excellent as she is in everything! An acclaimed English Actress who won the Olivier and Tony for the stage production of the same name and author in the West End and Broadway respectively, there was no doubt that I wanted to hear Jodie tell me this story instead of reading it myself. It was fabulous! Not to be missed!

Engrossing!

I listened to “Prima Facie” in one sitting. It illustrates how, despite the few changes which have been made within the legal system to assist sexual assault survivors, there is still so very far to go.

Incredible narration by Jodie Comer.

Such a gripping story that deserves to be heard. Jodie did an amazing job breathing life into Tessa’s character, both in the play and this audiobook.

ONE IN THREE WOMEN - WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED.

Thank you, Suzie Miller -

This book is genuinely inspiring. Breaks my heart too and heals all of me somehow at the same time. Your words will never lose meaning.


Thank you, Jodie Comer -

I hear the range of emotions that seep through every sentence. You're a great storyteller.

You not only made me hear your Tessa's story but all the other Tessa Enslers around. Even my own Tessa.

I've seen you perform this on National Theatre Live and you did spark of something genius.
I admire the kind of voice your work carries over the years.
Moved me to do brave things for myself and others. x

I hope this reaches every part of this world we live in.

It's one of us -
It's all of us.

#1in3
#somethinghastochange
⚘️🇵🇭🌏

Listen all the way to the end!

Excellent story with an excellent message at the end that needs to be heard by all. From one in 3.

Incredible

This is an important, timely, essential story. I applaud the author for her treatment of this difficult subject with sensitivity but also bringing attention to a situation too many women have to endure both personally and legally. Excellent writing, very entertaining. This one will stay with me for a long time.

next best performance to seeing it live

Jodie comer's performance is captivating and evocative. I could see the story clearly while only using my ears.

1 in 3

Just let that sink in for a minute. 1 in 3.
Oh how I wish I could have seen Jodie Comer's performance of this on stage. Brilliant!

Must-Read, Heavy Book

I picked up the audiobook of this after learning it was narrated by Jodie Comer, who did a show-stopping and heartfelt adaptation of the play this novel is based on. I will try my hardest to review the book and not let the play influence my thoughts on this. but first: a word on Jodie Comer;

if you have the opportunity to listen to this on audio, do not hesitate. Comer knows this work so well and makes this long and heavy book palatable in a way that it wouldn't be if I had to hear my own voice describe certain parts of this book. She is able to dip in and out of emotion so fluidly that it is truly beautiful to listen to. If the Grammy Audiobook category wasn't so rigged and skewed heavily towards celebs reading their own memoirs, this would certainly be a contender as she does a stellar performance. She is a mother to millions without ever giving birth, a friend to all without ever knowing you, the literal love of my life. If you have the opportunity to watch NTL's Recording of Prima Facie staring Jodie Comer, please do so.

I was enthralled by the play Prima Facie and was curious to see how the 90 minute play would be adapted into a 300+ page book, and felt that the author did this beautifully. She was able to build a world around Tessa that gave us more insight into her motivations for wanting to be a lawyer, her past, her background, her friends that I didn't need before but appreciated none the less. The writing in this book is so profound and beautiful, I feel this book should be required reading for everyone. Miller doesn't shy away from the gritty scenes of sexual assault, and while I don't always appreciate it in books, I can understand why it needed to happen here. She isn't afraid to put in words what most folks know; the criminal "justice" system as it stands was not made to defend and protect most people, especially victims of violent sexual crimes. Miller's writing makes you feel every emotion that Tessa is feeling so viscerally that there were times I needed to step away and watch a movie or something happy to not get bogged down by sadness. This book is -- simply put -- a masterclass in writing.

My real only issue with the book is that it came across a bit preachy at certain points. I say this, knowing that there was a long monologue at the end that makes several important points about sexual assault stats, how the justice system fails victims (and isn't designed for them to navigate), her loss of faith in the law, etc. However, in several points in the book, Tessa just kind of goes on and on about certain topics that makes it feel like an after school special, which puts me off at times (especially with subject matter like this, which I studied for 6+ years so it might just be a me problem). However, if you can overlook that, this book is an amazing, gut wrenching read/listen. Read this with your friends, your brothers, your sons. Thank you, Suzie Miller and Jodie Comer for bringing this to life.