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Eight Bullets: One Woman's Story of Surviving Anti-Gay Violence
The lesbian victim of a violent hate crime that left her seriously wounded and her partner dead is the story of family and community, the medical system, the police and courts, and the media--and of one woman's incredible courage. Simultaneous. IP.
216 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 19, 2017
I was very hesitant about starting this book. I am not the kind of person that enjoys reading about traumatic experiences and, as a gay woman, I was worried that this would hit too close to home. I was worried that I would live in fear and that I would feel scared for my marriage.
Instead, I feel inspired. The foreword of Eight Bullets tells the gripping, terrifying experience of Claudia Brenner and Rebecca Wight. Targeted, stalked, and hunted for their sexuality, Rebecca was killed and Claudia fought with everything she had to survive. That is where the book begins.
The subtitle of this book could not be more fitting. This is not the story of the tragedy that happened and it is not the story of the murderer. It is the story of Claudia's fight to stay alive. It is the story of the community of people that stood together and fought against this.
Claudia was shot in 1987, nearly two years before I was born. I was raised in a world where being gay was not accepted and discrimination was common, but the hate and the violence that were part of the everyday life of previous generations just crushed me. Now, in 2017, I am legally married to the love of my life. I am on her health insurance and we have all the benefits of a heterosexual married couple. There is always still a fear of discrimination. It is still legal for an employer to discriminate based on sexuality. I still feel scared of holding my wife's hand in public, because I know that people like Rebecca's murderer are still out there.
This book has made me so appreciative of the rights that I have, the life I am able to live, and of the choices I have. It has also shown me that our work isn't done. That there is still so much to do. It is because of Claudia and her peers that I have the life I do, now it is our turn to make it better for the next generation.
Instead, I feel inspired. The foreword of Eight Bullets tells the gripping, terrifying experience of Claudia Brenner and Rebecca Wight. Targeted, stalked, and hunted for their sexuality, Rebecca was killed and Claudia fought with everything she had to survive. That is where the book begins.
The subtitle of this book could not be more fitting. This is not the story of the tragedy that happened and it is not the story of the murderer. It is the story of Claudia's fight to stay alive. It is the story of the community of people that stood together and fought against this.
Claudia was shot in 1987, nearly two years before I was born. I was raised in a world where being gay was not accepted and discrimination was common, but the hate and the violence that were part of the everyday life of previous generations just crushed me. Now, in 2017, I am legally married to the love of my life. I am on her health insurance and we have all the benefits of a heterosexual married couple. There is always still a fear of discrimination. It is still legal for an employer to discriminate based on sexuality. I still feel scared of holding my wife's hand in public, because I know that people like Rebecca's murderer are still out there.
This book has made me so appreciative of the rights that I have, the life I am able to live, and of the choices I have. It has also shown me that our work isn't done. That there is still so much to do. It is because of Claudia and her peers that I have the life I do, now it is our turn to make it better for the next generation.
February 8, 2024
A moving and harrowing memoir about the murder/attempted murder of two lesbian lovers on the Appalachian Trail. I heard about this book while reading Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods". Although I'd read his book a million times, this was the first time I decided to seek out THIS book, which he mentions when discussing murders on the AT.
This book had me gripped for about the first half. I was astonished at how the author managed to survive, and hike four miles out to seek help after she and her lover were shot multiple times. Although I know that statistically someone is much more likely to be murdered in their neighborhood than on a remote campsite, it was still chilling to think about trying to survive such an attack.
Once the narrative switched over to the trial and the aftermath, I got a little bogged down. That's no fault of the author, but just the way my eyes glaze over at court proceedings. What got to me most was how much (and how little) had changed in the last 35ish years since this crime took place. At the time, the defense lawyer tried to argue that the killer was "provoked" by the mere sight of two lesbians, enough to justify killing them. It's not wildly different from someone today claiming that they were "provoked" when they found out the woman that were pursuing at a bar was a transwoman. Someone's identity or orientation is not a reason to kill them, yet it happens all the time. Times have changed enough that someone being queer is not the "shock" that it was in the late 1980's, but there is still an appalling amount of homophobia and transphobia left in the world.
One line that stuck with me was the author describing her grief for her murdered partner, how she was still in love with someone who was dead, "I was in love with her, like a hose filling a bucket, and suddenly the bucket disappeared. The love kept pouring out of me, spilling on the ground."
This book had me gripped for about the first half. I was astonished at how the author managed to survive, and hike four miles out to seek help after she and her lover were shot multiple times. Although I know that statistically someone is much more likely to be murdered in their neighborhood than on a remote campsite, it was still chilling to think about trying to survive such an attack.
Once the narrative switched over to the trial and the aftermath, I got a little bogged down. That's no fault of the author, but just the way my eyes glaze over at court proceedings. What got to me most was how much (and how little) had changed in the last 35ish years since this crime took place. At the time, the defense lawyer tried to argue that the killer was "provoked" by the mere sight of two lesbians, enough to justify killing them. It's not wildly different from someone today claiming that they were "provoked" when they found out the woman that were pursuing at a bar was a transwoman. Someone's identity or orientation is not a reason to kill them, yet it happens all the time. Times have changed enough that someone being queer is not the "shock" that it was in the late 1980's, but there is still an appalling amount of homophobia and transphobia left in the world.
One line that stuck with me was the author describing her grief for her murdered partner, how she was still in love with someone who was dead, "I was in love with her, like a hose filling a bucket, and suddenly the bucket disappeared. The love kept pouring out of me, spilling on the ground."
December 3, 2018
I first read this in late 2005 when Evelyn loaned it to me. We were in Hawaii. Ev is a fantastic person - full of life, love, and smiles. One day, that smile dimmed. I will never forget the tears and pain as Ev told me about her murdered sister, Rebecca. The book is written by Rebecca's surviving girlfriend Claudia. This tragic story is also a healing story, but one that you will shed tears over. Why read sad stories? Because we must never forget.
I originally had a date typo. Oh my, how the time flies.
I originally had a date typo. Oh my, how the time flies.
December 21, 2010
Haunting. Once I started reading, I just couldn't put it down. It wasn't the easiest book I've read - it was heart-wrenching to read through every single detail of the horror she (and Rebecca) encountered. But it's a story that needs to be told - everyone, no matter where you sit on the spectrum of sexual orientation, should read this book.
May 10, 2009
Though I read this many years ago, the images are still in my head. It is chilling and scary. Kudos to Claudia for staying brave throughout a horrific situation. I especially remember that when she went out to the road for help, the first car passed her by. When the second car went by, she just wouldn't take no for an answer; she MADE them give her a ride.
Life is just too weird and too full of hate sometimes.
Life is just too weird and too full of hate sometimes.
May 15, 2014
Very powerful.
December 5, 2025
This is an incredible autobiography, and an important one that I think anyone and everyone should read (with the caveat that, as per the title, it's a very disturbing and difficult read due to violence, death, misogyny and anti-LGBTTQ violence).
Claudia Brenner tells her own incredible (miraculous, really) story of survival after being shot 5x by a "mountain man" (identified later as Stephen Roy Carr) and having to watch her partner, Rebecca Wight, succumb to her injuries.
These horrific events happened in 1988, a time when LGBTTQ+ (then usually just called "gay" or "lesbian") rights were really in their infancy compared to today. In many places, there was no provision in the human rights code for discrimination based on sexual orientation. Many still attended Pride parades incognito, some with bags over their heads, to avoid being "outed", which could mean losing custody of their children and their jobs. While we still live in a largely homophobic society today , and these rights were hard won and still fragile thanks to right-wing conservatives (as we are seeing unfold in the USA), we have seen a lot of improvement and awareness since those times. This is important to reflect upon when reading this book.
Claudia was a graduate student in her late 20s, studying architecture. Rebecca was studying business admin, and they had met 2 years prior when they were both attending Virginia Tech. Their relationship was typical of many young couples, with its' ups and downs, and the strain of distance, particularly when Claudia studies in Israel for several months around a year prior. They had decided to meet at the Appalachian trail in Pennsylvania for a hike to the picturesque Michaux Forest to camp.
They had thought they were alone at one campground far into the woods, when Rebecca ran into a strange man. They didn't think much of it, but hurriedly got dressed and moved on. At another point, they saw the man again, and Claudia noted that he carried his gun casually over his shoulders, like she saw the soldiers in the Israeli army carry theirs. He was creepy, but again, they thought he was just an oddball and that they'd lose him on the trail at some point.
Claudia and Rebecca were being intimate in a secluded area, by their tent, when Carr opened fire on them. Terrified and disoriented, somehow Claudia managed to travel for miles on foot and flag down a car to get help.
Sadly, when Rebecca was recovered by authorities, she had passed away.
Claudia went through months of recovery in hospital. It saddened me that one of her concerns was not having insurance (not an issue in Canada) and that there were funds raised to pay her hospital bills. That said, the physicians were very kind and had made the fees as low as they possibly could, and still gave her top notch treatment.
Claudia discusses how she was afraid at first to tell the police and the hospital staff that she was a lesbian, for fear of judgment and being mistreated; sadly, this is still occurring in 2025, particularly in some areas of the world (such as the "bible belt" in the USA). Claudia eventually told the police so that there would not be accusations of her hiding this aspect of her relationship with Rebecca, and this paid off in court.
When Claudia is recovering at home, the case against Roy finally is going to be heard in court. Claudia manages to get LGBTTQ+ friendly lawyers and has a lot of community support; something she acknowledges that others would not have. Claudia unpacks the fact that she is a white, middle class grad student from a well-educated family, and that likely played into how she was treated.
Roy makes a plea deal to be put in jail for life rather than face the death penalty, and after much discussion, they accept this.
Claudia becomes an activist, telling her story publicly at many events and to news outlets, sharing how LGBTTQ+ violence and hate are very real threats.
Claudia goes on to continue her education, and continues in her profession of architecture.
While this read was very difficult, it was also of the utmost importance; LGBTTQ+ individuals still face violence and hate today. We see it in the news all the time. In particular, with the current (2025) g0v't in the USA, we are seeing the frightening spectacle of LGBTTQ+ rights being erased from the constitution, including the fact that transgender individuals are barred from participating in their chosen gender's sport category, and that trans rights are no longer considered human rights. It's horrific to see the clock being turned back.
Whether people are LGBTTQ+ or allies, it is important to hear stories like Claudia's, which tell us what happens when hate against people based on their sexual orientation is overtly tolerated and , in some places, even encouraged.
LGBBTQ+ rights are human rights, period..and it's sad that some still don't acknowledge this.
I sincerely hope that Claudia and her family are doing well today, and that the Wight family has found peace.
Claudia Brenner tells her own incredible (miraculous, really) story of survival after being shot 5x by a "mountain man" (identified later as Stephen Roy Carr) and having to watch her partner, Rebecca Wight, succumb to her injuries.
These horrific events happened in 1988, a time when LGBTTQ+ (then usually just called "gay" or "lesbian") rights were really in their infancy compared to today. In many places, there was no provision in the human rights code for discrimination based on sexual orientation. Many still attended Pride parades incognito, some with bags over their heads, to avoid being "outed", which could mean losing custody of their children and their jobs. While we still live in a largely homophobic society today , and these rights were hard won and still fragile thanks to right-wing conservatives (as we are seeing unfold in the USA), we have seen a lot of improvement and awareness since those times. This is important to reflect upon when reading this book.
Claudia was a graduate student in her late 20s, studying architecture. Rebecca was studying business admin, and they had met 2 years prior when they were both attending Virginia Tech. Their relationship was typical of many young couples, with its' ups and downs, and the strain of distance, particularly when Claudia studies in Israel for several months around a year prior. They had decided to meet at the Appalachian trail in Pennsylvania for a hike to the picturesque Michaux Forest to camp.
They had thought they were alone at one campground far into the woods, when Rebecca ran into a strange man. They didn't think much of it, but hurriedly got dressed and moved on. At another point, they saw the man again, and Claudia noted that he carried his gun casually over his shoulders, like she saw the soldiers in the Israeli army carry theirs. He was creepy, but again, they thought he was just an oddball and that they'd lose him on the trail at some point.
Claudia and Rebecca were being intimate in a secluded area, by their tent, when Carr opened fire on them. Terrified and disoriented, somehow Claudia managed to travel for miles on foot and flag down a car to get help.
Sadly, when Rebecca was recovered by authorities, she had passed away.
Claudia went through months of recovery in hospital. It saddened me that one of her concerns was not having insurance (not an issue in Canada) and that there were funds raised to pay her hospital bills. That said, the physicians were very kind and had made the fees as low as they possibly could, and still gave her top notch treatment.
Claudia discusses how she was afraid at first to tell the police and the hospital staff that she was a lesbian, for fear of judgment and being mistreated; sadly, this is still occurring in 2025, particularly in some areas of the world (such as the "bible belt" in the USA). Claudia eventually told the police so that there would not be accusations of her hiding this aspect of her relationship with Rebecca, and this paid off in court.
When Claudia is recovering at home, the case against Roy finally is going to be heard in court. Claudia manages to get LGBTTQ+ friendly lawyers and has a lot of community support; something she acknowledges that others would not have. Claudia unpacks the fact that she is a white, middle class grad student from a well-educated family, and that likely played into how she was treated.
Roy makes a plea deal to be put in jail for life rather than face the death penalty, and after much discussion, they accept this.
Claudia becomes an activist, telling her story publicly at many events and to news outlets, sharing how LGBTTQ+ violence and hate are very real threats.
Claudia goes on to continue her education, and continues in her profession of architecture.
While this read was very difficult, it was also of the utmost importance; LGBTTQ+ individuals still face violence and hate today. We see it in the news all the time. In particular, with the current (2025) g0v't in the USA, we are seeing the frightening spectacle of LGBTTQ+ rights being erased from the constitution, including the fact that transgender individuals are barred from participating in their chosen gender's sport category, and that trans rights are no longer considered human rights. It's horrific to see the clock being turned back.
Whether people are LGBTTQ+ or allies, it is important to hear stories like Claudia's, which tell us what happens when hate against people based on their sexual orientation is overtly tolerated and , in some places, even encouraged.
LGBBTQ+ rights are human rights, period..and it's sad that some still don't acknowledge this.
I sincerely hope that Claudia and her family are doing well today, and that the Wight family has found peace.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2023
Although I wish this personal story of trauma and recovery had been organized differently, it's still a book that is well worth reading. Sometimes the narrative shifts from one author [Claudia Brenner] who actually survived being shot several times while camping with her partner [Rebecca Wight] and the other author [Hannah Ashley] in the most unlikely of places--the Appalachian Trail in 1988. Having headings or even using italics might have helped guide readers more smoothly through the story. Still, despite those possible flaws, this is a story that is worth reading--not for the violence and bloodshed, but for the recovery of Brenner and her subsequent involvement as an activist determined to shine the light on anti-gay violence. Readers will finish the book filled with admiration for Brenner's courage and resilience as well as being reminded of the homophobic climate that existed at the time of the crime, which resulted in Rebecca's death and some important changes in the justice system. While anti-gay violence unfortunately still exists, reading this account will leave readers encouraged by how far the movement has come. I had read a more recent version of this murder and attempted murder earlier this year, and it was interesting to compare both versions of the story--one from a first-person survivor's point of view exploring the trial and the aftermath and one from a passionate outside observer who sets out to solve the crime based on her own research.
October 16, 2023
I am happy I read this book because sometimes you have to remind yourself of what gay and lesbian people had to endure to reach the point where we are today. This book was not perfect at the beginning (I'm just judging the writing), some things could have been described better and with a less colloquial language, although in the end I think I realised it could have been done on purpose to 1 represent the growth the protagonist underwent as the story progressed and as she came to terms with what happened and 2 seem like we, as readers, were listening to the story she told of what happened like we were the people who saved her, the ones who listened to it first. I think it's important to hear stories like this, told from the ones who lived through them, because it shows how the world reacted to this kind of things back then but also how much it still has to grow in order to be completely accepting of everyone.
January 18, 2018
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was a difficult read, and hit close to home, but was very powerful. The book was easy to read, frank in it’s discussion about Brenner’s privilege as a white middle class lesbian as she navigated the justice system, which I found refreshing. In an age of growing hate, it has made me slightly paranoid about going out into the woods with my girlfriend.
One of my biggest critiques is that there were so many moving parts and characters at play that they all became jumbled and lost. I simply lost track of who was who. Many people have critiqued it for “not being the best” in terms of writing, and while I agree, I did not find it distracting, and found it lead credence to the story. Your mileage may vary.
One of my biggest critiques is that there were so many moving parts and characters at play that they all became jumbled and lost. I simply lost track of who was who. Many people have critiqued it for “not being the best” in terms of writing, and while I agree, I did not find it distracting, and found it lead credence to the story. Your mileage may vary.
September 16, 2023
As someone who is “into” true crime, I was surprised that I hadn’t heard about this. This happened in my first year at high school. My daughter & I listened to a podcast about this recently & when I found out the survivor wrote a book about it, I knew I had to read it. This type of crime still happens! When will it stop? 💔📖🏳️🌈👩❤️👩
I know the justice system is very different in the USA (I’m in Australia). I don’t know how many times my jaw dropped at what I was reading.
My heart & admiration goes out to this lady who has suffered & continues to suffer from this crime.
I know the justice system is very different in the USA (I’m in Australia). I don’t know how many times my jaw dropped at what I was reading.
My heart & admiration goes out to this lady who has suffered & continues to suffer from this crime.
April 4, 2024
wow… I came across this book in a bookshop that was closing down. I picked it up off the shelf, and instantly knew I had to buy it. What a transformative story this was, an emotional thriller that I could not put down. As i am on a quest to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community history, this book really helped me understand the political climate during the late 80s for gay rights and activists. The story was extremely sad and the actions that occurred were just so horrible, but I am truly impressed by Claudia’s strength to share this with the world.
December 13, 2020
I was fortunate enough to meet the author of this book back when I was in university..... when she read exerts of the book it truly chilled me to the bone! Once I began reading this book I was hooked and could not put it down until I had finished. Very easy to follow and hard to believe how much hatred there was in the world even then. Highly recommend this book to all.
May 21, 2018
Powerful, heart wrenching and emotive.
September 12, 2019
I see Claudia as a smart, courageous, indomitable, caring, kind and honest woman. I’m sorry for her terrible tragedy. I am also disgusted with the homophobia and hate in this country.
September 24, 2019
Not a great literary work, but an interesting story. I enjoyed it as a quick weekend read.
December 2, 2014
I had seen this book at my used bookstore several times, but I was always hesitant to buy it. On my birthday I took a trip to the bookstore and bought everything I could possibly want - including this. This is the first book of the bunch, and I am happy I read it.
This book details the attack that left Claudia's lover, Rebecca, dead, and Claudia shot five times. It also details the aftermath - Claudia's ongoing healing (physically and mentally,) the court case, and Claudia's involvement in gay politics.
The first section of this book is a transcript of a conversation between Claudia and her friend/co-counselor Jill going into depth about the shooting. This relationship is not described until later in the book. I wanted to know who this "Jill" was, but it wasn't necessary as I read the description. The fifty page retelling was vivid and emotional. I felt like I was there, alongside Claudia and Rebecca. The writing here was great.
The rest of the book is traditional prose. Sections very rarely shift between Claudia's voice and her other cowriter, Hannah. Hannah seemed to write about topics where Claudia couldn't have been present - i.e., what was going on while she was in the hospital. This shift in view was pretty unnecessary. It happened rarely so it was disconcerting when it did. The text was still easy to understand, it just wasn't aesthetically pleasing. There were also some tone shifts throughout (i.e., past to present to past.) It wasn't consistent and it seemed like bad editing - there were plans to use one tone, than another, and instead of revising thoroughly, they glued the transcript together and left a mutilated novel. Ok, mutilated is extreme but you get my point.
My only other point of contention was that some of the material became repetitive when she begins talking to the media - the talks she gave were very repetitive, so we end up reading some of the same material again and again very closely together.
Overall, the quality of the writing and storytelling was pretty typical of a memoir written by a non-writer (maybe a little less.) I mainly judge memoirs by whether they should have been written or not - is Claudia's experience important enough that it still be shared today, about 20 years after the book was written? Absolutely. This documents a major queer hate crime that occurred in 1988. This gives us a piece of queer history, but also something to relate to in this world, which is unfortunately, still homophobic and at times violent towards queer people. Claudia is clearly a very wise woman and offers some deep insight about the nature of homophobia, which can be very educational for both straight and queer readers alike.
I also really appreciated how wise Claudia was. Some of her observations and conclusions are not explored thoroughly, so we don't know how long it took her to come to them. But she seemed very honest when exploring her own status as a middle-class Jewish lesbian - how her status probably affected the case. She was also open about her status probably affected her previous views on violence - she never expected to be the victim of a violent hate crime. Through this experience Claudia learned that hate crimes do not discriminate - her attacker didn't care about her age or ethnicity; he saw she was a lesbian and he needed to silence that.
Overall moving book, stylistic views can be overlooked for the meaning of the novel.
This book details the attack that left Claudia's lover, Rebecca, dead, and Claudia shot five times. It also details the aftermath - Claudia's ongoing healing (physically and mentally,) the court case, and Claudia's involvement in gay politics.
The first section of this book is a transcript of a conversation between Claudia and her friend/co-counselor Jill going into depth about the shooting. This relationship is not described until later in the book. I wanted to know who this "Jill" was, but it wasn't necessary as I read the description. The fifty page retelling was vivid and emotional. I felt like I was there, alongside Claudia and Rebecca. The writing here was great.
The rest of the book is traditional prose. Sections very rarely shift between Claudia's voice and her other cowriter, Hannah. Hannah seemed to write about topics where Claudia couldn't have been present - i.e., what was going on while she was in the hospital. This shift in view was pretty unnecessary. It happened rarely so it was disconcerting when it did. The text was still easy to understand, it just wasn't aesthetically pleasing. There were also some tone shifts throughout (i.e., past to present to past.) It wasn't consistent and it seemed like bad editing - there were plans to use one tone, than another, and instead of revising thoroughly, they glued the transcript together and left a mutilated novel. Ok, mutilated is extreme but you get my point.
My only other point of contention was that some of the material became repetitive when she begins talking to the media - the talks she gave were very repetitive, so we end up reading some of the same material again and again very closely together.
Overall, the quality of the writing and storytelling was pretty typical of a memoir written by a non-writer (maybe a little less.) I mainly judge memoirs by whether they should have been written or not - is Claudia's experience important enough that it still be shared today, about 20 years after the book was written? Absolutely. This documents a major queer hate crime that occurred in 1988. This gives us a piece of queer history, but also something to relate to in this world, which is unfortunately, still homophobic and at times violent towards queer people. Claudia is clearly a very wise woman and offers some deep insight about the nature of homophobia, which can be very educational for both straight and queer readers alike.
I also really appreciated how wise Claudia was. Some of her observations and conclusions are not explored thoroughly, so we don't know how long it took her to come to them. But she seemed very honest when exploring her own status as a middle-class Jewish lesbian - how her status probably affected the case. She was also open about her status probably affected her previous views on violence - she never expected to be the victim of a violent hate crime. Through this experience Claudia learned that hate crimes do not discriminate - her attacker didn't care about her age or ethnicity; he saw she was a lesbian and he needed to silence that.
Overall moving book, stylistic views can be overlooked for the meaning of the novel.
April 2, 2011
Started off with a transcript of the survivor talking about the incident which really should have been edited. As presented, it seemed more like babbling.
I found the switch between third person and first person narration annoying. Perhaps if these two different points of view would have been in separate chapters it would have helped.
Overall, it was an interesting story (true story) and a reminder of how far we have come as a society and how far we have *not* come.
I would recommend it for anyone interested in gay/lesbian herstory/history simply because the perspective that Claudia brings to the story with her expectations of how she might be treated and how she was treated are essential to anyone studying the evolution of societal treatment of homosexuals.
I found the switch between third person and first person narration annoying. Perhaps if these two different points of view would have been in separate chapters it would have helped.
Overall, it was an interesting story (true story) and a reminder of how far we have come as a society and how far we have *not* come.
I would recommend it for anyone interested in gay/lesbian herstory/history simply because the perspective that Claudia brings to the story with her expectations of how she might be treated and how she was treated are essential to anyone studying the evolution of societal treatment of homosexuals.
June 10, 2009
To be honest, I did not finish this book. I simply couldn't. The story is important; the life altering events involved are absolutely harrowing. The author's heavy dollops of platitudes, no style style, hard to follow thought processes and overall clumsy writing were ultimately too distracting for me.
March 29, 2012
This is an amazing story of survival. I was fortunate to meet this woman after she wrote this novel. It really is a great story that tells about a persons ability to survive both in life and the ignorance of prejudice.
February 3, 2013
The crime which is the subject of this book was mentioned in A Walk in the Woods. I started this book the same day I finished Walk in the Woods and I finished it that same day. Given, it is a not a big book, but it was very well written and so personal that the time just flew.
March 28, 2007
Painfully gripping book about the reality of hate. It is a story of survival of the greatest degree. A fun camping trip turns into a nightmare when one idiot shoots at two lesbians.
January 1, 2008
I remember this book and that it wasn't the best written book in the world but carried the message of acceptance.
December 29, 2008
Reminds me why it's important to stand up and continue to fight.
June 5, 2009
Immensely disturbing.
June 28, 2016
Well told enough to make me not want to hike. Scary but a great story of endurance and survival.
abandoned
July 17, 2018There is one line on Wikipedia for Appalachian Trail deaths that mentioned that a lesbian couple was murdered by a man who stalked them in the woods while they were "making love." One of them survived, and as I found out in Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods, was able to tell that story in this book. I decided I needed to read it—immediately. I had been fixated on trail deaths, looking up people who fell off the side of a cliff and died, and then more optimistically, people who fell off a cliff but survived. In the basement of the school library where I went to find this book is an entire section on the subject of violence against queer people, and that is where my sadness began.
I started reading Eight Bullets yesterday morning on the commute to work. The prologue takes you very fast through every decision made that led up to the murder. I started to tear up on the bus, thinking of me and B., and what I believed were our differences in how we entered survival mode. I want to become still, invisible. I thought she wanted to move, or take action that would put us at risk—of street harrassment, of a lightning strike. Claudia Brenner thought Rebecca Wight would live. She went for help, but she made sure Rebecca was tucked in her sleeping bag for warmth in the night T_T
B. and I are going to the Smoky Mountains next week. I thought it would be a good idea for me to "inform" myself of what could happen, but maybe that is not wise. I must pause here.
I started reading Eight Bullets yesterday morning on the commute to work. The prologue takes you very fast through every decision made that led up to the murder. I started to tear up on the bus, thinking of me and B., and what I believed were our differences in how we entered survival mode. I want to become still, invisible. I thought she wanted to move, or take action that would put us at risk—of street harrassment, of a lightning strike. Claudia Brenner thought Rebecca Wight would live. She went for help, but she made sure Rebecca was tucked in her sleeping bag for warmth in the night T_T
B. and I are going to the Smoky Mountains next week. I thought it would be a good idea for me to "inform" myself of what could happen, but maybe that is not wise. I must pause here.
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