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The Girl: A Life In The Shadow Of Roman Polanski (2013)

by Samantha Geimer(Favorite Author)

3.36 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

1476716838 (ISBN13: 9781476716831)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Atria Books

review 1: She is the girl that was raped by the famous director, Roman Polanski in 1977 when she was 13 years old. In her memoir, Samantha Geimer tells her side of the story. What most people know is that Roman Polanski left the United States prior to his sentencing in the case and has never returned. What most people do not know is the media circus that was the criminal proceedings in this matter. Roman Polanski did plead guilty to a lesser charge. Samantha characterizes the presiding Judge in the matter as "egomaniacal" and someone who was obsessed with how the media perceived him. I found it interesting that the Judge held a news conference in his chambers PRIOR to sentencing to explain the sentencing of Roman Polanski to journalists. (This Judge had also assigned himself to... more high profile cases such as Cary Grant's paternity case and Marlon Brando's child custody case.) The attorneys involved in this matter indicated that the Judge initially agreed to the sentencing agreement. However, he allegedly reneged on the sentencing agreement last minute. It appears that the uncertainty in sentencing is what led Roman Polanski to flee the U.S. Overall, it was an interesting read from the point of view of Samantha. It did not occur to me that every time Roman Polanski is back in the media spotlight, Samantha is also brought back in the spotlight because of his criminal case. I would think it would be hard to move on when your victimization is brought up every couple of years in the media. For anyone that is interested, HBO had a really good documentary about Roman Polanski's case called Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired. It gives great insight into the case from those directly involved.
review 2: The book was good, I don't believe that she lived in his shadow, I believe she was raped she was 13 he was in his 40's he new better. I do believe she new what was right and wrong, I just don't think a 13 year old can make good choices when an adult is telling her it is ok. I don't believe she wanted to profit until she was a grown women and then turned around and thought why not Polanski did why not her. I think at that point she saw herself as a victim. I believe when all sides agreed to Polanski fate and the Judge changed his mind. Then Polanski became a victim. Two wrongs don't make it right. Funny I was a young adult when this happen and I never new who the victim was until I read this book. It was a slight let down and disappointed that Samantha wanted to profit from this years later. less

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