Smashbomb

I first heard about Alison Botha on a true crime podcast. What happened to Alison and her will to survive really piqued my interest. When I discovered her biography, I Have Life, I knew I had to read it right away. While what happened to Alison was beyond horrific, her will to survive and her outlook on life afterwards were inspirational.

Reading about Alison's abduction, rape, and attempted murder will definitely leave you with your jaw on the floor. Alison holds nothing back about anything throughout her biography whether it is the horrific events that happened to her or her will to survive emotionally after her wounds have healed. Marianne Thamm, the journalist that Alison told her story to in order to write her biography does a wonderful job of tying everything together for the most part. About halfway through though, I felt like I Have Life stopped being a biography and started becoming a self-help book with Alison writing (speaking to Thamm) about how to become a happier person. Luckily, this only lasts for a few chapters, but I felt like maybe the chapters about being happier and such should be in a self-help book. (Alison gives talks around the world about her ordeal, so perhaps that's why these chapters were included?) Otherwise Marianne Thamm's writing of Alison Botha's biography was flawless. I was immersed the whole time. I felt like I was right besides Alison the whole time. I kept wanting there to be a different outcome when Alison was abducted by Frans even though I knew there wouldn't be. I felt like Alison really wants the stigma for rape survivors to be no more (and she's right as there shouldn't be any stigma attached). I felt like everything I wanted to know about Alison was answered in I Have Life - from what happened to Alison at the point of her abduction, the rape, the brutal attempted to murder, to the trial of her rapists and attacker to how her life was like at the writing of the book. Like I said, Thamm and Alison don't really leave anything to the imagination of which I was grateful.

All in all, I Have Life is a deeply disturbing book to read, but it does have a great outcome. It is well put together, and Alison Botha comes across as such a strong inspirational woman. Alison's story is full of hope and wisdom throughout. I would definitely recommend I Have Life: Alison's Journey as told to Marianne Thamm for those ages 18+ who are into true crime or for those that just want to see how strong the human will is to survive.

Andy K (10823 KP) created a video about Misery (1990) in Movies

Nov 9, 2017 (Updated Nov 9, 2017)

Profanity Bothers Annie

Andy K (10823 KP) created a video about All the President's Men (1976) in Movies

Oct 29, 2017 (Updated Oct 30, 2017)

You're Both on the Story

Andy K (10823 KP) created a video about Chicago (2002) in Movies

Nov 29, 2017 (Updated Nov 30, 2017)

We Both Reached For the Gun

MusicCritics (472 KP) created a video about Both Sides Of The Sky by Jimi Hendrix in Music

Mar 15, 2018

Jimi Hendrix- Both Sides Of The Sky

Economist's Books on Brexit - Both Sides

Brexit and British Politics

How to Stop Brexit (and Make Britain Great Again)

Making a Success of Brexit and Reforming the EU

Clean Brexit: Why Leaving the EU Still Makes Sense

Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated I Have Life: Alison's Journey in Books

May 13, 2021

Join Smashbomb