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Underclass

A Memoir

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Underclass

By: Dr Jessica Taylor
Narrated by: Dr Jessica Taylor
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Summary

 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
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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
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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Thank you for sharing your life and baring all in this book. Its equally sad, traumatic, heartbreaking and funny at the same time. Works well in Audiobook.

All round brilliant book

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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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What an excellent read! The stories are both shocking and also not hard to believe. Thank you Jessica for sharing them with the world. You are an inspiration!

Must read!

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As Dr Taylor recounts two key parts of her life in grave detail it isn't done to shock and disturb, it is to portray the reality of her childhood and adolescent experiences and the disturbing inequalities in academia, and she does so with out apologising for the often times upsetting nature of the content. It was both a challenging listen due to the experiences being detailed and also easy due to the way in which she narrates her own life.

raw, honest, unapologetic and insightful

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