Remember in “Jurassic Park” when Samuel L says, “Hold onto your butts”? (If not, I strongly recommend you go back and revisit as it’s the best movie ever.)
Anyway, that’s the phrase I’d say before you pick up “The Fact of a Body”. It’s part memoir, part true crime.
Author Alex Marzano-Lesnevich was a young law student when they began investigating the history of a prisoner headed for death row. Marzano-Lesnevich’s elegant prose skillfully combines two completely different life stories that share one horrifying similarity.
Some books work because of beautiful writing, others because of a corker story; some books, like this one, have both.
The parallel tales of two horrific crimes and the unfurling of multiple traumatic histories make this story incredibly heartbreaking and compelling.
This book is detailed, balanced, and definitely not a light read – but it’s well worth the emotional work. It’s really something special.
Word on the street is there’s an adaptation in the works, and I cannot wait.
You can find more about Alex on their Instagram.
Cherie lives, works, and reads in beautiful Tasmania – the green island gem below Australia known for its gorgeous landscape and beautiful wildlife. She holds multiple academic qualifications in English, journalism, and fine art theory, and has worked in writing, editing, and communications roles for more than a decade. Most importantly, she has a deep love for books that began as soon as she learned how to read.
Old, new, any genre – for Cherie, reading is about as vital as breathing. She is interested in sharing books that move, excite, and compel, so others can share the joy of a truly great read. While she reads across most genres, her favourite is literary fiction. Particularly anything by Margaret Atwood, Ottessa Moshfegh, Kate Atkinson, Elizabeth Berg, Ann Patchett, and Anne Tyler.
Cherie frequents Tasmania’s beautiful boutique book shops as well as scouring secondhand shops for books to add to her extensive home library. Catch up with her on LinkedIn and on Instagram.
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