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Underclass

A Memoir

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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 Dr Jessica Taylor Cultural & Regional Gender Studies Social Sciences Memoir Funny Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty

Critic reviews

Underclass is at times comedy and at times tragedy. Jess deserves good things - and this memoir shows it
Underclass is more than a memoir; it's a testament to the power of one person's story to ignite change. Jess' unwavering determination and resilience leap off the pages, pushing readers to confront difficult truths and inspiring action. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking insight into the complexities of advocacy paired with experience and the enduring strength of the human spirit (Dr Charlotte Proudman)
All stars
Most relevant
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 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 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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A great listen, raw, honest & vulnerable. Some tear-jerkers. Really enjoyed this! Read brilliantly by the author!

Vulnerable & Honest

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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

Incredibly inspiring

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