Tessa is a thoroughbred. A young, brilliant barrister. She has worked her way up from a working-class background to be at the top of her game: defending, cross-examining and lighting up the shadows of doubt in any case. Her masterful line of questioning in the courtroom has netted Tessa win after win, freeing men accused of rape and sexual assault. As controversial as it is, this is her job - it's just about the facts and who can game the system.
Working late one night, Tessa falls into a casual relationship with Julian, a coworker, an attorney who comes from an elite, wealthy family. A light-hearted affair, with a man she admires. She begins to wonder if perhaps there is a future for the two of them.
One sickening night, though, Julian makes a choice and Tessa finds herself in a position countless women - one in three - have before her. And she's faced with a gut-wrenching, life-changing decision: will she take the stand to testify about her rape, with the full awareness that the system has not been built to protect her?
Drawn from the internationally acclaimed play, Prima Facie is a propulsive, raw look at the price victims pay for speaking out and the system that sets them up to fail. With breakneck prose and a devastating emotional intensity, this is a novel for our times, by one of Australia's most important writers.
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Prima Facie is not only an extraordinary legal thriller
with an engaging storyline but also a heartbreaking plea
for justice. An absolute page-turner. - Sarah (QBD)
Guest, 07/10/2023
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Originally a one-woman play, this novel, written by the same author, takes a stance on the controversial topic in our society - the biopolarity of the legal system and the abuse of power and presumption of innocence to escape crimes commied against women. Unapologetic about hter writing, Miller ighlights the reality of our society and the ugly truths we sometimes try to ingore. - Jaclyn (QBD)
Guest, 07/10/2023
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Have to say I didn't like Tessa at first but I realised I wasn't supposed to. The rape is graphically described but is in keeping with and necessary to the story. The subsequent trial of the hard nosed defense KC as the emotional victim is told well and made me look at my own prejudices towards she said/he said scenarios. I was sceptical/shocked/angry and finally I cried for Tessa. A great read - Lucy (QBD)
Guest, 06/10/2023
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From a theatrshow on the west end, to a monologue - the must read Prima Facie by Suzie Miller. Following young lawyer Tessa who aids in the release of accused sexual assualt perpetrators, Tessa feels she's doing the right thing until she's on the other side of the court room. Prima Facie brings to light the problems with today's legal system with rape and assualt as Tessa struggles with what to do - Josie (QBD)
Guest, 04/10/2023
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Told through the eyes of defence barrister Tessa, this story speaks for women who comprise the "one in three".
Prima Facie handles a difficult topic with the respect and dignity it deserves. It does not shy away from raw emotion and may rip apart closed wounds or heal open ones. However it does not sensationalise anything for the shock value.
A brilliant and emotional read. - Alison (QBD)
Guest, 04/10/2023
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Perfect for fans of Law and Order and John Grisham, Prima Facie will take you on a roller-coaster of emotions as you explore the life of successful defence lawyer,Tessa, while she navigates her way through the judicial system. Speaking out about a colleague put her job in jeopardy, but will the courts rule in Tessa's favour? - Grace (QBD)
Guest, 03/10/2023
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Tessa is the best, a criminal defence lawyer who pokes holes in even her most straight forward cases.
But now she's a victim of her own assault, a victim whose witness statement has so many holes in it she can feel the win slipping away. Standing in as her own defence, Tessa must fight for her justice in a place she knows won't fight for her.
'A beautiful adaption of the play' - Tani (QBD)
Guest, 03/10/2023
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"one in three women. Look to your left, look to your right, one of us." When a top barrister, who often questions the believability of women claiming to be assaulted, is assaulted herself, her world is turned upside down. At each point of her quest for justice you feel weight of the flawed judicial system in which she was so successful, now working against her.A tough topic, but an important read - Megan (QBD)
Guest, 02/10/2023
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Tessa is a brilliant barrister, when she cross examines witnesses they never know what is coming. Her expertise shows in all the cases she's won over time. Then one day it's her turn to sit in the witness box following a assault and major violation. How will she cope being on the other side. - Marcel (QBD)
Guest, 01/10/2023
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Prima Facie tells the story of a successful defence barrister who finds herself in the witness box after experiencing a sexual assault. A detailed, raw, and brutal comment on the legal system and its treatment of victims who have experienced trauma. The fact it's a monologue with the inner thought of a Barrister is captivating. If you're looking for a book that makes you think, this is it. - Dakoda (QBD)
Guest, 01/10/2023
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Prima Facie (‘on the face of it’) is a raw and emotional depiction of how the legal system continues to fail victims of sexual assault. Tessa Ensler has strived her entire life to achieve her goals. A brilliant barrister despite her underprivileged upbringing. As a successful barrister, she defends men accused of sexual assault. When she herself becomes a victim, she must trust in the system that she’s dedicated her life to, knowing that it is flawed and skewed against her. A powerful read. - Nola (QBD)
Guest, 01/10/2023
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One in three is a lot of women who have something to say. Too many to ignore. An emotional roller coaster ride - the story of Tess, a successful defence barrister, navigating the legal system from the side of the victim, assaulted by a co-worker - Ann (QBD)
Guest, 01/10/2023
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What happens when the powerful becomes the victim?
Suzie Miller, herself a former defense barrister, gives us a haunting answer to these questions in Prima Facie, where Tessa, a criminal defense barrister, more used to getting her clients declared not guilty, has to face the system from the other side, as a victim. Tessa's attacker wields power and influence and now Tessa must navigate the pitfalls of the legal system where integrity is not as important as playing by the rules of the game and where who you are holds more signifiance that what you have to say.
A confronting and raw story at times, this book is an eye-opener for the need to change a system set against victims of sexual assault. - Rebecca (QBD)
Guest, 30/09/2023
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Australian author Suzie Miller's debut novel, Prima Facie, based on the internationally acclaimed play by the same name, allows readers a raw and realistic look into the legal system. The novel highlighta the horrific, extreme failure and price that justice has on victims of crime.
This legal thriller is a purposeful and enticing read that draws you in, a plea to a broken system. A must read! - Cordelia (QBD)
Guest, 30/09/2023
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Prima Facie is a force! Part legal drama, part harrowing critique of Australia's legal system.
Tessa is a brilliant barrister, who's clawed her way to the top from humble beginnings. Using every ounce of her cunning and skill in the courtroom she's secured freedom for countless clients, even those accused of sexual violence. But when Tessa herself is attacked by a coworker she finds herself batt - Christopher (QBD)
Guest, 30/09/2023
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Originally a one woman play and soon to be a film, Prima Facie is now a truly gripping novel. The story follows Tessa, a barrister who represents men accused of sexual assault, but when she herself becomes a victim she struggles with being on the other side. An emotional story about the difficulties navigating a legal system that protects perpetrators over victims. A very worthwhile read. - Eliza (QBD)
Guest, 30/09/2023
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Tessa is a woman who finds power as a lawyer through her extensive knowledge of the law and impressive prowess in court. What will she do when that power is completely undermined by someone else's choice? How will she cope as a victim in the system she dominates? This is a compelling novel which forces us to question how just the justice system is when it comes to those who run it. - Imogen (QBD)
Guest, 30/09/2023
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With the HUGE success of the play back in 2018, the book community welcomes Prima Facie with open arms!
A court room drama, monologue of a woman lawyer fighting to bring her rapist to JUSTICE!!!! - Caisee (QBD)
Guest, 30/09/2023
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Prima Facie by Suzie Miller is the most important book you will read this year! Filled with raw, emotional scenes, relatable and honest characters, and a faced-paced story-line, this brilliant novel is one we will be talking about for a long time to come! - Chelsea (QBD)
Guest, 29/09/2023
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If you're a fan of Law & Order then you will absolutely love this book! Filled with meaningful themes and crticism about the criminal justice system, this book will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Prima Facie will leave you on the edge of your seat about defence laywer, Tessa, and her role and experince with the law courts of Britain, especially when it takes a turn for the worst. - Grace (QBD)
Guest, 29/09/2023
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This book will define the unjust in the criminal justice system
Meet Tessa, a young barrister who had worked so hard to be at the top of her game and believes strongly in the legal system, until she finds herself on the other side, the victim.
She knows the odds of success are against her, and she will leave it all on the table as she questions everything she ever believed in. - Abbey (QBD)
Guest, 29/09/2023
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An emotionally gripping and intense read based off an award winning play.A successful young barrister makes her living defending those accoused of rape and sexual assult, never thinking too much about the opposing side. Late one night in a sickening turn of events she herself becomes a victim of rape and must decide if she can find the strength to testify against the man who ruined her life - Amanda (QBD)
Guest, 28/09/2023
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Based on the internationally acclaimed play Prima Facie, this novel follows criminal defence lawyer Tessa. She is well known for freeing men accused of rape and sexual assult but her life takes a tragic turn as a casual dalliance with her coworker lands her in the same position has the women she frquently coss examins. Will she have the courage to speak up in a system designed to blame the victim? - Jessica (QBD)
Guest, 26/09/2023
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An eye opening, and at times confronting, look into some of the problems with today's legal system. Tessa is a top criminal defence barrister, defending & freeing men accused of rape & sexual assault. Her view of the "system" changes drastically after she is assaulted. The question is...will she take the stand to testify about her experience, knowing the system has not been built to protect her? - Andrew (QBD)
Guest, 25/09/2023
