In 2017, journalists Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor published an article in The New York Times that was the result of months of painstaking investigative reporting. The subject was Harvey Weinstein, a powerful Hollywood producer known for his eye for a good film and Oscar success. He was also known among certain circles as an abuser, someone who used his power to coerce and threaten young women – either those in his employ just starting their careers or actresses looking for a part.
Struggling initially to find women willing to go on the record, once the story broke more and more women felt able to come forward with their own story of sexual harassment and assault – and not just accusing Weinstein.
She Said documents the initial investigation and publication of the Weinstein story, but also some of its aftermath. There’s a large section on the nomination to the supreme court of Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford’s accusations of assault and her testimony and the hearing.
This is the book I was expecting when I read Catch and Kill. It’s a much more matter of fact telling, with the use of ‘we’ when necessary rather than a first person telling, although it is not dry or impersonal. The authors are very much there in the text. It’s just not about them. I thought this would just be about the Weinstein case but it covers much more ground about the #MeToo movement, and I was very happy that was included. There’s also an epilogue which includes a gathering of some of the women who came forward and what that has meant for them, how it has affected their lives, and whether those who have chosen to remain anonymous will continue to do so. I thought this was incredibly interesting, women from all walks of life brought together in difficult circumstances but trying to help each other through it – and document it.
This is a really engaging retelling of what happened and a worthwhile read.