Shining light on abuse

My Dark Vanessa Kate Elizabeth Russell (Fourth Estate, $32.99) reviewed by Louise Ward, Wardini Books

A 15-year-old student has a relationship with her English teacher, a man in his 40s. That is a simplified synopsis, and every word, in the context of this novel is loaded with facts that are manipulated to tell a particular narrative.

Vanessa is, at face value, a clever girl, desperate to go to the prestigious Browick boarding school that her parents can’t afford. She’s awarded a scholarship and persuades her parents to let her take it up. On a deeper level, Vanessa is lonely and awkward, unable to nurture friendships.

In comes Mr Strane — one or two comments from her erudite, brilliant teacher designed to call attention to her and make her feel special, and the vulnerable child is snared. To the by now very uncomfortable reader, this is clearly abuse. To Vanessa, it’s love.

The narrative moves between the years at Browick, Vanessa’s time at university and her ‘now’ as a 30-something. Throughout, she is in touch with Strane, in denial that she was ever abused — he is the greatest love story of her life. In the now, Strane is still teaching at Browick and has been accused of abusing other girls — his world is crumbling and his manipulation of Vanessa continues.

The strength of this novel is its varying perspectives. It’s easy to see how the child Vanessa is groomed, made to feel special, every word of Strane’s designed to push her where she is not ready to go.

The horrified reactions of those who find out fail to convince Vanessa that the relationship was abusive — she needs it to be a love story because it has defined her whole life.

My Dark Vanessa is compulsive reading. It shines a penetrating light on how this kind of abuse is hidden, accepted, almost normalised. It also reminds us that it is not normal, that it takes a lot to untangle manipulated narratives, and much clear headed bravery to make it stop. An uncomfortable, timely read.