My Dark Vanessa is a powerful portrayal of the complexities experienced by individuals who have suffered sexual abuse, presenting a nonconformist perspective on trauma that challenges conventional narratives. The narrative unfolds across two key periods in the protagonist’s life: her teenage years during the abuse and, years later, as an adult still in contact with her abuser.

At 15, Vanessa Wyes attends a boarding school in Portland, Maine, where she meets her English teacher, Mr. Strane. He becomes infatuated with her, and before long, she is his star student. Each week, Mr. Strane personally assigns her a new piece of classic literature. Through this, Vanessa feels noticed and taken seriously, engaging with material far beyond her peers. Literature becomes a shared language between the two.

The following week, he gives her a copy of Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov, a 1955 novel narrated by an unreliable Humbert Humbert. Humbert develops a sexual obsession with 12 year old Dolores Haze, whom he nicknames Lolita. A symbol of their “love” as bothforbidden and timeless, Vanessa feels flattered by Mr. Strane’s view of her as beautiful, youthful, and delicate. Yet, she questions whether these perceptions should exist at all.

Strane, perceptive and manipulative, tells Vanessa she cannot be a victim, accusing her of using “seductiveness” to her advantage. He criticizes her, claiming “victimhood is everywhere” and “the world has an interest in keeping you hopeless.” While this may seem reasonable, Strane twists these narratives to shift blame and guilt onto Vanessa, deflecting responsibility from himself and revealing the coercive psychological tactics perpetrators use to maintain control and avoid accountability.

Years later, Vanessa, now 31, struggles with her past. When a group of women come forward to report Mr. Strane, Vanessa is contacted to share her story, as her relationship with him is the most “infamous” due to her expulsion from high school. Overwhelmed, Vanessa is forced
to confront her teenage years. Detached from herself, she begins to recall her time with Strane.

“Afterward, he gets out of bed…My mind feels like the lake on a calm day, glassy and still. I’m nothing, no one, nowhere”

What makes My Dark Vanessa captivating is its ability to expose the finer lines of abuse. Vanessa’s victimhood is shaped not only by her personal narrative but also by the cultural forces that enable her abuser. The novel moves beyond victim-blaming, shedding light on how society often deems some victims less believable and worthy of protection. Through Vanessa’s journey, the story highlights the profound difficulty of these experiences and her eventual realization that her story matters—no matter how confusing or uncomfortable.

Through Vanessa’s story, Russell invites readers to engage in difficult yet necessary conversations about rape culture, the sexualization of young women, abuse, and PTSD. By giving voice to stories that are complex but vital to discuss, Russell sets the tone for the novel with the following dedication:

“For the real-life Dolores Hazes and Vanessa Wyes, whose stories have not yet been heard,
believed, or understood.”

Image Credits:
Featured Image: Elba Fernández on Flickr