Because I Love Him (Ashlee Donohue, Magabala)

Because I Love Him is an intelligent and insightful reply to the question, ‘Why are you with him?’. As a society, we’re beginning to realise that it’s the wrong question to ask a victim of domestic violence. Author and proud Dunghutti woman Ashlee Donohue enters the conversation with an astoundingly honest book. Donohue stares the reader fully in the face, holding nothing back as she responds to this question once asked of her by a judge, her prose bringing us in close. She is patient with us. We need to listen. Donohue tells the story of a life intertwined with abuse and shows us that logic plays only the smallest of roles in all our lives—which are governed by a complex web of emotions, family, connections, and society. This is not an easy book to read, but it is an incredibly important one, much like Jess Hill’s See What You Made Me Do. In Australia, around 64 women were killed in 2023 via family violence. According to the ABC, First Nations women are around 12 times more likely to be murdered or disappear in this country. Donohue is an educator, speaker and advocate who contributes to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Her voice and her story must be heard and respected in Australia.

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 1800RESPECT on 0458 737 732, or visit www.1800respect.org.au. 

Books+Publishing reviewer: Becca Whitehead is a features and content writer based in Naarm-Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews