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  • Eggshell Skull

  • A memoir about standing up, speaking out and fighting back
  • By: Bri Lee
  • Narrated by: Bri Lee
  • Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (970 ratings)

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Eggshell Skull

By: Bri Lee
Narrated by: Bri Lee
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Publisher's Summary

Eggshell Skull: A well-established legal doctrine that a defendant must 'take their victim as they find them'. If a single punch kills someone because of their thin skull, that victim's weakness cannot mitigate the seriousness of the crime.

But what if it also works the other way? What if a defendant on trial for sexual crimes has to accept his 'victim' as she comes: a strong, determined accuser who knows the legal system, who will not back down until justice is done? Bri Lee began her first day of work at the Queensland District Court as a bright-eyed judge's associate. Two years later she was back as the complainant in her own case.

This is the story of Bri's journey through the Australian legal system; first as the daughter of a policeman, then as a law student, and finally as a judge's associate in both metropolitan and regional Queensland - where justice can look very different, especially for women. The injustice Bri witnessed, mourned and raged over every day finally forced her to confront her own personal history, one she'd vowed never to tell. And this is how, after years of struggle, she found herself on the other side of the courtroom, telling her story.

Bri Lee has written a fierce and eloquent memoir that addresses both her own reckoning with the past as well as with the stories around her, to speak the truth with wit, empathy and unflinching courage. Eggshell Skull is a haunting appraisal of modern Australia from a new and essential voice.

©2018 Bri Lee (P)2018 Audible, Ltd

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A moving listen

This was a very compelling and moving book, particularly when heard in the author’s own voice. An important insight into the experiences of victims/survivors and the Australian judicial system.

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10 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Solipsistic quagmire.

The first half-ish of the book is an essential read for all Australian men. It should give every man pause, every man cause for self reflection on what he has thought about, said to, and done to the women in his life. And all those who are not.

Alas, as the book progresses, it becomes an exhausting slog. Lee’s self absorption, her overwrought and convoluted way of thinking, her unmodulated gush of self pity alloyed with her unbending virtue and chauvanism, all make for a tedious and exasperating listening experience.

For one so wholeheartedly supported by a long suffering lover (one of this story's heroes), two unconditioningly loving parents, a work mentor and wise counsel, along with numerous friends and colleagues, there's not much appreciation or recognition of how blessed Lee is to have this kind of support. And for one who should know better, there is little or no respect for due process or some of the basic principles of our jurisprudence.

Lee's gift is her self understanding and her ability to convey how she feels at every moment. But those feelings, that stream of consciousness, floods the narrative without modulation, without much examination or regard for of any other person in her life. I wonder how dad felt. And her lover? What about mum? We don't really know, apart from the clues we gleen from their dialogue.

For anyone who has unjustly suffered abuse or neglect without any course for redress or the kind of love and moral support Lee has enjoyed, this book will rankle.

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7 people found this helpful

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Changed my life

Listening and reading this book brought so much light and darkness into my life. Many of my friends had experiences like written in these pages. It was not untill after this book I got a glimpse into the pain they experience. I was moved to tears by the courage displayed to share this Brisbane story. We all stand with you Bre.

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Phenomenal

I can not recommend this book more highly. Bri navigates highly traumatic content in a raw and powerful way. My tears started in chapter 3 and continued until the end. Every woman will find a relatable moment in what she has written and whilst none of us want to be alone in our abuse, it’s a tragic indictment of the patriarchal culture we find ourselves surrounded by. This is one of the best books of 2018. Thank you Bri. I hope this opens the door for more women to stand up, speak out and hold abusers accountable.

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Brilliant story of survival

This story has such a unique perspective. She’s a lawyer and an activist and she took her abuser to court.

It’s painful to listen to but absolutely worth it.

The number of times she had to answer the question “do you really want to go through this” and “what are you hoping to get out of it” infuriated me. In no other crime but those committed largely against women and children would you be asked that. Do you REALLY want to see the man who stole your car convicted? The murderer? The thief? It’s absurd. These are the crimes that destroy lives and we keep asking women and girls whether it’s all really that bad.

Brilliant woman. I don’t know how you managed to get these words to the page so eloquently but thank you for being so generous with your story. It WAS worth sharing.

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Heartbreaking and Powerful

Finishing this book in the car on the way home meant I was sobbing as I drove through the front gate. This book made me feel outraged and heartbroken and empowered, often within the same chapter. I am so so glad Lee narrated this, as it made it so much more moving to listen to. I wish her many joyous and fulfilling years ahead.

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Perfect

Thank you Bri! Thank you! Your words are going to help many many people, myself included. Thank you!

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So relatable!

I was so moved by this story and while I cannot imagine what it’s like to sexually abused, I can understand what it’s like to be sexually harassed and coerced. This I’m sure could have been the experience of many other women who read this book. It gives me faith that with voices like Bri our legal system and society can hopefully change to believe women and children more readily.

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A compelling account

Thank you Bree, this book captures everything about child sexual abuse and criminal justice. Every human should hear this.

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Your words are me

Thankyou
For finding the words I couldn't
Brilliant
Brave
You are an inspiration
THANKS again

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.