Underclass cover art

Underclass

A Memoir

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Underclass

By: Dr Jessica Taylor
Narrated by: Dr Jessica Taylor
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About this listen

 THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

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 you've turned the last page.©2024 Jessica Taylor (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK Cultural & Regional Gender Studies Social Sciences Memoir Funny Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty

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All stars
Most relevant
A tough and gritty listen, that I’m sure so many will relate to to some degree or all.
I love all of Dr Jess’s work and this underpins that she really understands what we’ve been through which is what you need from a professional in the field.
So honest, so vulnerable, so real.

Gritty, relatable and hope provoking

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I can't articulate it. You know if you've lived it and you'll know when you've read it.
absolutely smashed it Jess From my little girl to yours, thank you xx IDST

Raw, honest, funny...human

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A great listen, raw, honest & vulnerable. Some tear-jerkers. Really enjoyed this! Read brilliantly by the author!

Vulnerable & Honest

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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!

Couldn't put it down...

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I couldn’t stop listening to this. Dr Taylor’s story is deeply compelling yet she tells it with humour which makes for easier reading/listening. The narration is clear and the language is easy to follow, which makes this book and its reflections accessible despite both the complexity and the harrowing nature of the subject matter in some places. Dr Taylor is incredibly brave for publishing a book which candidly discusses her own personal experiences of domestic violence and workplace bullying whilst also narrating too. This is a brilliant book, written and narrated by a remarkable working class woman.

Couldn’t stop listening to this, a brilliant book!

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