My Dark Vanessa

My Dark Vanessa is a haunting and provocative novel that delves into the complexities of power, memory, consent, and trauma. At fifteen, Vanessa Wye is selected for a prestigious boarding school and becomes involved in an intense relationship with her much older English teacher, Jacob Strane.

Seventeen years later, amid the #MeToo movement, a former student accuses Strane of abuse. Vanessa is forced to confront the truth: was it love—or something much darker?

Told with piercing honesty and psychological depth, this debut novel is a powerful exploration of victimhood, agency, and the lingering effects of emotional manipulation. A deeply affecting read that challenges perception and sparks vital conversation.