Book Review: “Relentless” by Katherine Itacy

“Relentless” by Katherine Itacy (2020)

Genre: Memoir, Non-Fiction

Page Length: 302 pages (electronic review edition)

Synopsis:

Katherine Itacy was born deformed and, by the age of four, had developed both a dangerous spinal disorder and an incurable disease. Yet, thirteen years later, she’d amassed five state and eight national high school championship titles in track and field.

She went on to compete in the Division I NCAA Championships and, later, to graduate fourth in her law school class. By twenty-five, she was operating her own law firm and by twenty-nine, was serving on three boards of directors for civil rights and criminal justice non-profit organizations.

Persevering through hate mail, public ridicule, a death threat, and two sexual assaults, Katherine believed sheer will could get her through anything. Until her medical conditions proved that, sometimes, mind over matter just won’t cut it.

Review:

Relentless is a thought provoking memoir that follows the author’s journey from her days as training as a National athlete, time as criminal defense lawyer, overcoming obstacles in her life, and living with with a disability. Itacy writes the book like an open diary and I liked how she shared their reflections on the past while looking forward to the future. Each chapter is titled as a life lesson sharing a different piece of Itacy’s life and it gave the book an even more personal touch.

Though Itacy has struggled in many points of her life she doesn’t let her get it down. It’s inspiring to read her story, learn more about her life, and the memoir left me with some nuggets of wisdom to take away from the book.

Direct, honest feelings can be hard to express and even harder to hear, but in the end, it’s the healthiest way to operate. Dare to live a life honest and true to who you are; be honest with yourself, and respect and trust your relationships enough to be upfront with them about your expectations, wants, desires and needs.

It was an eye opening memoir overall and I like how Itacy reaches out talks to her readers in an informal tone. It made the memoir feel inviting as a whole. I also learned some new things from reading this book. I appreciated it’s open conversations about the criminal justice system, the medical field, human rights issues, and in doing so brings awareness to these topics. Through talking about her own personal struggles she give readers the confidence to overcome obstacles and to always stay your self.

Trigger Warning: For mentions of sexual abuse.

Final Verdict: