The Red Parts cover art

The Red Parts

Autobiography of a Trial

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The Red Parts

By: Maggie Nelson
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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About this listen

A chilling genre-busting memoir by a major American essayist

Late in 2004, Maggie Nelson was looking forward to the publication of her book, Jane: A Murder, a narrative in verse about the life and death of her aunt, who had been murdered 35 years before. The case remained unsolved, but Jane was assumed to have been the victim of an infamous serial killer in Michigan in 1969.

Then, one November afternoon, Nelson received a call from her mother, who announced that the case had been reopened; a new suspect would be arrested and tried on the basis of a DNA match. Over the months that followed, Nelson found herself attending the trial with her mother and reflecting anew on the aura of dread and fear that hung over her family and childhood - an aura that derived not only from the terrible facts of her aunt's murder but also from her own complicated journey through sisterhood, daughterhood, and girlhood.

The Red Parts is a memoir, an account of a trial, and a provocative essay that interrogates the American obsession with violence and missing white women and that scrupulously explores the nature of grief, justice, and empathy.

©2007 Maggie Nelson. Preface to the paperback edition © 2016 by Maggie Nelson (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Crime Murder True Crime Memoir Biography

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All stars
Most relevant  
The author’s journey and emotions feel so authentic, shared with such vulnerability.

The story of the trial is an interesting backdrop.

Wow

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Provoking, exploratory writing! Absolutely loved it from start to end.
Not many books make me digest the words and really the No about the true meaning.

Really glad I came across this one.

Exceptional.

Wow! 1 sitting!!

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Maggie Nelson is a mind that one feels honoured to be able to climb into and peer at the world through her clever eyes. Well read.

Amazing book well read

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Everything I've read of Maggie Nelson's has moved me and made me think, and The Red Parts is no different. It's both a true crime book, and not; a memoir, and not - because Maggie Nelson's work is impossible to squeeze into a specific genre. Nelson's writing requires the reader (or listener) to think harder, think beyond the parameters of how they might have previously narrowly thought; the effort required is both satisfying and rewarding.

The narration here was excellent and perfectly suited to the writing.

Incredible

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Maggie can write. She is brutally and breathtakingly open and honest in her writing. She could probably make a trip to the shop to get milk sound beautiful, raw, poetic, just as she has done here. I could read/listen to her musings all day.
However I just don't really get this book. What is it trying to say? Who is it saying it to?

The Red Parts

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No idea what the previous reviewer (Amanda) was going on about. This is a remarkable book - insightful, daring, brilliantly weaved. Maggie Nelson’s writing is to be marvelled at.

A rare, bold & brilliant female voice.

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What i learned from this audio book was surprisingly profound...but not in the expected sense. The actual wording, the meanings behind the words and the dance around emotions answered questions i often posed to myself....an intelligent person on the autism spectrum who spent over 50 years believing i lacked an ability to portray outwardly the person inside. Ms. Nelson's stuttered attempt to connect with life itself after growing up within an enviroment she struggled and suffered within, provided new insight into why some of the most well spoken intellectual leaders around the planet earth are more at the root of societies struggles ...the truth of the why and how the global community makes such slow progress...why the practical sides of humanity and the needs can not be met thru leaders who look outside themselves for answers. One example: the death penalty. Yes, philosophically it is not right to kill...it is awful ..but when does common sense enter the reality...when will we accept that until the world involves itself in raising children with healthy minds, isolating the ones with brain dysfunctions that seek violence...until then, there is no justification for allowing millions of good, harmless people dying from starvation, poverty unequal rights towards better lives There is no justification to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on child killers and serial killers in providing room and board. We, the world, can not financially justify the human rights issues through intellectual or religious arguments...words are cheap. The death penalty does not need to exist permanently...but until we nurture those who will better this world, practiful, painful decisions must be made. It starts at birth...no one has the right to raise screwed up, damaged, neglected and dangerous children. Until practical steps involving hard work and a focus on reality rather than intellectual theories by ego based leaders occurs, we will continue to fail. This is true about climate change and the energy crisis...all issues. Might i add that Ms. Nelson's interesting changes within a single sentence from philosophy and intellect to street lingo sex talk also answers many of my questions about the sexual activity of too many...from cheating spouses to porno to all the searching people do thru experimentation....animals have sex, ants to elephants....love, respect, honest relationships....they take work and maturity and selflessness. In my mind, making love is wonderful...seeking escape fom truth and self-awareness thru sleazy sex reveals lazy minds seeking instant gratification ...and that will never sooth the soul nor better the world. I am not condeming her, i feel sad for her...and i am poor, fat, not pretty, blessed in a special marriage, middle working class and autistic, adhd and LD.. and i wouldn't want to be anyone else...thanks for so much thought provocation!!!

Thought provoking...

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I've no idea what this could possibly add to my literary life. Badly-written, passionless performance, devoid of true feeling or purpose. A slog through irrelevance. Good luck.

Awful. Disjointed story with no real feeling.

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