The Fact of a Body (by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich)
Years ago, I added The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich to my Kindle library after reading about its acclaim. My fascination with true crime drew me to this story, but I had no idea what else to expect.
Initially, I assumed it was about a young, inexperienced lawyer defending a man who had committed a heinous crime of killing a child. I imagined she would help him avoid the death penalty. However, I was only partially correct.
The author, a new attorney, began working at a defense law firm in Louisiana during the summer. She watched videos of convicted child murderer Ricky Langley discussing his crimes, which immediately sparked a personal connection. She no longer wanted to help him escape the death penalty. Instead, she embarked on a journey to understand her own past, family secrets, and the parallels she saw between herself and Ricky.
While some may find it difficult to “enjoy” a story about a sex offender, the trauma of a mother losing her child, and a young woman working hard to reconcile with her past, I genuinely did. I’ve always been fascinated by true crime stories because I’m curious about how people think. This book is creatively written in two threads: one is the story of Ricky’s life and subsequent criminal behavior, and the author’s memoir. Initially, it seemed like I was reading two separate stories. However, the author skillfully weaves these stories together in a surprising way.
This is a heavy book that may not appeal to everyone. I’ve spent a long career working with both perpetrators and victims of sexual abuse, so I have a tolerance for difficult stories. More importantly, The Fact of a Body is a deeply moving memoir about resilience, empowerment, and the quest for understanding. I’m grateful to the author for sharing her personal struggles and allowing me to witness her journey.
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