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Underclass
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Dr Jessica Taylor
- Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
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Summary
Dr. Jessica Taylor grew up on a council estate where brutality and coercion were normalised, and where substance abuse was a day-to-day occurrence. Now one of the UK's most spirited advocates for women's rights, and a leading chartered psychologist helping women and girls subjected to violence and trauma, Jessica shares her own personal journey for the very first time.
Told through a series of absorbing vignettes spanning from her childhood days to gaining her PhD in forensic psychology, Underclass is a memoir about extraordinary strength, the complexities of belonging, and finding your power even when it feels as though the world is against you. Do you bend to fit in, or do you accept that you will always stand out? Do you run away from your roots, or love them for making you who you are? Do you fade into mediocrity, or do you change the world?
Taylor recounts with dark humour and unflinching detail the various lives she's lived, covering the violence suffered at the hands of her abusers, the realities of becoming a mother in her teenage years, coming to terms with her sexuality, putting herself through university, and overcoming underhand discrimination at work. She poignantly delves into both the classist and misogynistic double standards that she has faced throughout her life, whether she was waking up on a roundabout by the estate or chairing a parliamentary conference. You can take the girl out of the council estate, but you can't take the council estate out of the girl. Especially when it made her who she is today.
The result is deeply moving, searingly honest, horribly funny and, above all, unforgettable; a memoir that stays with you long after the end.
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- Zahrah
- 04-05-24
A Must Read.
Gripping , poignant , funny, sad, informative, inspiring , well written book. Enlightening about the dynamics of abuse as well as academia! Great to see a qualified psychologist calling out the hypocrisy and classism prevalent in this profession. One determined , courageous , intelligent and strong woman. What a role model for your children and other women who face exclusion and abuse. Thank you DR Jessica Taylor .
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- Lydia Bromley
- 06-05-24
Interesting listen
It is particularly refreshing to hear a psychologist calling out the behaviour of other psychologists, a profession I have found during my career (generally speaking) to have far too much power and influence, placing themselves above others and lacking integrity.
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-05-24
Engaging. Hard to put down
I listened to this within a couple of days. It usually takes me AGES to get through a book but this one just captured me from start to finish.i absolutely love that the author voiced over it herself. She stood up against everyone that told her she couldn’t be someone, or get far in life. She’s incredible. An inspiration. I hope she continues to push back and stand up for herself and other women and girls. Also hope for more books in the future from Jess.
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- claire lewin
- 15-05-24
All round brilliant book
Thank you for sharing your life and baring all in this book. Its equally sad, traumatic, heartbreaking and funny at the same time. Works well in Audiobook.
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- Victoria
- 07-05-24
Hard hitting snap shot of a strong individuals short life …. So far
Jess bravely, with humour, gives a snippet into her life so far. She certainly knows how to dig deep and stand by her instincts, challenge society and thrive as a result of her enormous amount of resilience, strength and humour. Her work, for victims, must of proven to be invaluable world over. I’d love to see her work rolled into the corporate world and empower people to whistle blow and challenge that brunch. Empower the everyday, bullied employees across the globe to call out the elite top lot- mainly men!
Well written and brutally honest. Every reader will come away with something positive after reading this painful story. Keep going Jess- your talents are very much needed in this world.
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- Laura
- 12-05-24
Couldn't put it down...
Found myself reading at all times, in-between clients, the middle of the night, hard hitting but truly empowering. Absolutely gutting that someone has had to go through all of this but such an inspiring read. What a lady!
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- Bridie
- 17-05-24
Engaging, insightful and inspiring
100% worth a listen! Fantastic book that will take you on a journey encased in humour and heart ache as you learn about the fascinating life of the author.
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- Anonymous User
- 08-05-24
Must read!
What an excellent read! The stories are both shocking and also not hard to believe. Thank you Jessica for sharing them with the world. You are an inspiration!
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- Amazon Customer
- 15-05-24
Incredibly inspiring
I've been an admirer of Dr Jessica Taylors work online for a few years. I'm in my 40's & grew up on a council estate, not as hard as Dr Taylors, but still very relatable in many ways. I have always been an under achiever, low grades at school & very little interest given to my education or my toxic social circles as a kid. I never believed I could be anything other than a minimum wage worker.. In many ways I have broken through my own glass ceiling but have always felt I could've achieved more. This book has inspired me to look into higher education & given me a bit of courage to try a little bit harder.
Congratulations Dr Taylor, I'm going off to buy your other books now xx
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- Lyndsey Shipstone
- 04-05-24
Gripping and uplifting
I was expecting this to be depressing but it wasn’t. It was relatable and told in a way that makes you so invested that you may find yourself listening at 3 am willing the narrator on. This book is uplifting and inspiring. My take away if to learn to love my younger self to develop self love. I never knew how much I needed to listen to Jess and her story.
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