Rachel from North London’s book
I bought Rachel North’s book, “Out of the Tunnel”, this weekend, after reading Brennig’s review. I read it practically non-stop, and finished it yesterday morning.
I had heard about Rachel through various other blogs, and had paid her website a visit on a few occasions. I knew that she had been on one of the trains that was blown up on 7th July 2005, and that she had recently been ‘cyber-stalked’. However, I wasn’t previously aware of the full extent of the trauma she’s suffered over the last few years.
Rachel was horrifically raped in her own home in July 2002, after a man forced his way into her flat in the middle of the night. She suffered appalling physical injuries and only by pretending to be dead did he finally leave her alone. Following the attack, Rachel suffered from severe post traumatic shock disorder. She then had to go through the ordeal of giving evidence at the rapist’s trial.
If that wasn’t enough, just as she was beginning to recover, Rachel happened to be travelling in the same carriage as Germaine Lindsay, the King’s Cross suicide bomber on 7/7. The events of that day, and the effect it had on Rachel, those close to her, and the other survivors, are the main focus of the book.
I would definitely recommend “Out of the Tunnel” to other people. Rachel’s words flow so easily. She describes the rape in such a powerful way that I actually felt scared. Her description of what happened inside the tube carriage on 7th July provides an insight into what it was really like for the people who were there.
The book also increases awareness of the wide-reaching effects of terrorist attrocities. As well as the fifty two people who died on 7th July, there have been hundreds of other people affected by the bombs, both directly and indirectly. I hadn’t really considered the long-term impact of the attacks on the survivors before, and was only vaguely aware of post-traumatic stress disorder. I believe that one of Rachel’s aims was to increase understanding and awareness of this condition, and she has definitely achieved that.
Overall, I thought the book was extremely well written. I’m in agreement with Brennig, however, that in parts it needed a bit more editing. The start of the book runs in chronological order, but towards the end, the narrative skips about a bit which is confusing. There are also times when the same things are repeated. I would also like to have read more about the stalker, but I am sure there were reasons (perhaps legal?) for not focusing on that part of the story.
I was saddened to hear that, since the book has been published, Rachel has suffered another blow: her mother passed away last week. I can’t begin to imagine what that is like, on top of everything else she has suffered.
I hope that Rachel, by all accounts a remarkable woman, will continue to write and be published, and that the solace she found in writing after 7th July will also help her through this difficult time.
“Out the Tunnel” by Rachel North. Published by Friday Books. ISBN 978-1-905548-75-0
Brennig replied:
Brilliant.
August 27, 2007 at 9:09 pm. Permalink.
pierre l replied:
Hello SG. An excellent review. It won’t make me buy the book because I have it already, but it will encourage me to get around to actually reading it soon.
August 28, 2007 at 7:11 am. Permalink.
Despina replied:
Great review dear. That sounds like a book I ought to read.
August 28, 2007 at 8:41 am. Permalink.
Rachel replied:
Thank you very much indeed for the review. I have linked it in the sidebar
August 28, 2007 at 8:45 pm. Permalink.
stratfordgirl replied:
You’re welcome!
August 28, 2007 at 9:40 pm. Permalink.
kristana replied:
Best of luck for this woman.
Bon courage pour cette femme.
If it’s true that we must cope with what life throws up, we must be all aware that there is more and more violence everywhere.
Si c’est vrai que nous devons faire face à ce que la vie nous envoie, nous devons être tous conscients qu’il y a de plus en plus de violence partout.
and we must do something
et nous devons faire quelque chose
Help each other, take the time bring up and educate the youngsters, switch off the telly, improve relationships in our work and international relationships
nous aider, prendre le temps d’élever et d’éduquer nos jeunes, éteindre la télé, améliorer les relations au travail et les relations internationales.
The world needs Respect, respect between people
Le monde a besoin de respect, du respect entre les gens.
Thank you for the pleasure to read your review
Merci pour le plaisir de lire votre critique
August 30, 2007 at 8:32 am. Permalink.
Henry North London replied:
Im mentioned on page 184-185
The ripples spread further in a pool than you realise. They reach to the other side.
First post on my blog
The rest is interesting if you want to read the various things I have written about
Nice review, I read it and was able to go back a couple of years and remember Rachel’s phone call to me that day. Its burnt into my memory with perfect recall.
Life its stranger than fiction
September 5, 2007 at 2:36 pm. Permalink.
Maths Chick replied:
This sounds like an incredibly moving and humbling book that is able to put one’s own life into perspective. Stratford Girl - please can I borrow it? It must have been an incredibly cathartic process for her to write a book about her life thus far. Thanks for the recommendation.
September 7, 2007 at 10:09 am. Permalink.
stratfordgirl replied:
MC - yeah, of course you can borrow it - I’ll bring it next time I see you.
September 7, 2007 at 3:53 pm. Permalink.
stratfordgirl replied:
Henry - Thanks for stopping by my site, I will indeed have a look at you blog, and especially your first entry.
I re-read the section where you are referred to in Rachel’s book. I am so sorry to hear about your loss, and also the difficulties you had in getting information from the police. I hope that the call with Rachel was able to give you some peace, and also that things are a little easier for you now.
Best wishes, SG
September 7, 2007 at 3:54 pm. Permalink.