Chelsea Bieker's 6 favorite books dramatizing domestic violence's impact
The novelist recommends works by Anna Quindlen, Anita Shreve, and more

When you make a purchase using links on our site, The Week may earn a commission. All reviews are written independently by our editorial team.
In Chelsea Bieker's new novel, "Madwoman," a married mother of two fears her secret past could be exposed when she's asked to testify about a traumatic childhood event. Below, the author recommends other books that dramatize domestic violence's impact.
'Animal' by Lisa Taddeo (2021)
The unforgettable lines "I am depraved. I hope you like me" resound as Joan leaves New York City on the heels of her boss's suicide in search of the one person who holds a key to her past. What has driven her to this desperate moment? As the narrative narrows in on the truth, the reader can't help but better understand the subtle and unsubtle ways patriarchy and violence come between women. Buy it here
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
'Black and Blue' by Anna Quindlen (1998)
What happens when your abuser is a well-respected police officer in your community? Quindlen's third novel shows readers how far mothers will go to create a new life for themselves and the children they love, detailing what it takes to escape and break the cycle of abuse. Buy it here
'Sleeping With the Enemy' by Nancy Price (1987)
The Julia Roberts–starring movie adaptation was my first encounter with this story, but I love the novel just as much. We go deep into the psychology of the young protagonist as she fakes her death to escape her abusive husband. The story is one of the first narratives of domestic violence I ever encountered, and I believe it changed my life. Buy it here
'Memorial Drive' by Natasha Trethewey (2020)
In one of the most stunning, brutal, and beautiful memoirs I've read, Trethewey confronts her mother's 1985 murder by her stepfather. The book is a gorgeously rendered depiction of the generational impact of domestic abuse, racism, and how male violence interrupts the mother-daughter connection. Buy it here
'Strange Fits of Passion' by Anita Shreve (1991)
An escape story with a wildly inventive structure, this novel tracks the dissolution of the marriage of two New York City journalists who seemed to have a perfect life. It perfectly illustrates how long-reaching the effects of domestic violence can be. Buy it here
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
'No Visible Bruises' by Rachel Louise Snyder (2019)
I believe our world would be changed if everyone read Snyder's study of domestic abuse. Writing with a journalist's keen eye and a novelist's knack for story, she exposes the nuances of the often invisible war that so many endure daily in their own homes. Buy it here
This article was first published in the latest issue of The Week magazine. If you want to read more like it, you can try six risk-free issues of the magazine here.
-
Music reviews: Bon Iver, Valerie June, and The Waterboys
Feature "Sable, Fable," "Owls, Omens, and Oracles," "Life, Death, and Dennis Hopper"
By The Week US
-
Are bonds worth investing in?
the explainer They can diversify your portfolio and tend to be a safer investment than stocks
By Becca Stanek, The Week US
-
Elon has his 'Legion.' How will Republicans encourage other Americans to have babies?
Today's Big Question The pronatalist movement finds itself in power
By Joel Mathis, The Week US
-
Music reviews: Bon Iver, Valerie June, and The Waterboys
Feature "Sable, Fable," "Owls, Omens, and Oracles," "Life, Death, and Dennis Hopper"
By The Week US
-
Susan Page's 6 favorite books about historical figures who stood up to authority
Feature The USA Today's Washington bureau chief recommends works by Catherine Clinton, Alexei Navalny, and more
By The Week US
-
Book reviews: 'The Thinking Machine: Jensen Huang, Nvidia, and the World's Most Coveted Microchip' and 'Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service'
Feature The tech titan behind Nvidia's success and the secret stories of government workers
By The Week US
-
Mario Vargas Llosa: The novelist who lectured Latin America
Feature The Peruvian novelist wove tales of political corruption and moral compromise
By The Week US
-
Exploring the three great gardens of Japan
The Week Recommends Beautiful gardens are 'the stuff of Japanese landscape legends'
By The Week UK
-
One-pan black chickpeas with baharat and orange recipe
The Week Recommends This one-pan dish offers bold flavours, low effort and minimum clean up
By The Week UK
-
G20: Viola Davis stars in 'ludicrous' but fun action thriller
The Week Recommends The award-winning actress plays the 'swashbuckling American president' in this newly released Prime Video film
By The Week UK
-
6 must-see homes in Boston
Feature Featuring a factory-turned-loft in South Boston and a wraparound roof deck in South End
By The Week US