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Can Fiction Make It Easier to Hold Conversations About Topics Like Coercive Control?

This week, Brave New Girls podcast features Sarah Pearse, the No.1 Sunday Times and NY Times bestselling author of The Sanatorium and The Retreat. Both books are Reese Witherspoon Book Club picks and have sold over one million copies worldwide. Sarah's latest book, The Wilds, the third in her trilogy, delves into themes of coercive control. She has partnered with the charity Refuge to highlight this critical issue further.

Sarah believes that fiction can serve as a mirror to reflect the complexities of human experience. Domestic abuse and coercive control are some of the most challenging subjects to discuss openly. However, Sarah uses her lates book The Wilds to explore these sensitive topics, creating a safe space for readers to engage with them.

Sarah Pearce's Journey

Sarah Pearse's journey into writing her acclaimed trilogy is deeply rooted in her desire to address real-life challenges through fiction. Her own experiences and those observed in her environment have significantly influenced her narratives, allowing her to craft stories that resonate profoundly with her readers. Sarah believes that fiction provides a buffer, a safe space for readers to explore difficult subjects. By embedding these issues within the fabric of a compelling story, she opens up conversations that might otherwise be too painful or stigmatized to discuss openly.

The Power of Fiction in Addressing Real-Life Issues

Fiction serves as a gateway to understanding complex social issues. When authors like Sarah Pearse tackle subjects such as domestic abuse and coercive control, they not only raise awareness but also offer readers a means to process and comprehend these issues on a personal level. Sarah's novels, known for their intricate plots and well-developed characters, allow readers to step into the shoes of those affected by such forms of abuse. This empathetic approach helps demystify and destigmatize the conversation around these sensitive topics.

Why Fiction Works

Engagement Through Storytelling: Fiction captures the reader's imagination, making it easier to engage with heavy topics. The narrative structure keeps readers invested in the story, allowing them to absorb information more effectively than through straightforward informational texts.

Empathy Building: By developing relatable characters, fiction fosters empathy. Readers can see the world from the perspective of someone experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control, which can be a powerful catalyst for understanding and change.

Safe Exploration: Fiction provides a protective layer between the reader and the harsh realities of abuse. This buffer allows readers to explore difficult subjects without feeling overwhelmed or threatened.

Conversation Starter: A well-crafted novel can serve as a conversation starter. It provides a shared experience that can make it easier for people to discuss sensitive issues.

Sarah Pearce's Writing and Themes

Sarah’s trilogy follows Detective Elin Warner as she investigates cases in remote, isolated settings. The character of Elin, with her struggles with anxiety and complex personal relationships, has garnered significant reader feedback. In particular, the relationship dynamics portrayed in The Sanatorium laid the groundwork for the deeper exploration of coercive control in The Wilds. Sarah's partnership with Refuge ensured the accurate and sensitive portrayal of these issues, including modern facets like digital abuse and financial control.

If you are affected by these issues please get in touch with Refuge charity.

Ten Actionable Steps to Use Fiction in Addressing Difficult Topics

1.     Select Relevant Literature: Choose books that address the specific issues you want to explore.

2.     Create Reading Groups: Form book clubs or reading groups to discuss these books and the issues they address.

3.     Author Talks: Invite authors who write about these topics to speak at events or participate in podcasts.

4.     Collaborate with Charities: Partner with organizations like Refuge to bring attention to the issues through literature.

5.     Educational Programs: Integrate these books into educational curriculums to foster early awareness and understanding.

6.     Public Discussions: Host public discussions and panels featuring experts in the field to talk about the themes in the books.

7.     Writing Workshops: Encourage writing workshops where participants can explore these themes through their own writing.

8.     Library Displays: Create displays in libraries highlighting books that address domestic abuse and coercive control.

9.     Social Media Campaigns: Use social media to promote books and discussions around these topics.

10.  Personal Reflection: Encourage readers to reflect on how the stories relate to their own lives and experiences.

Fiction, like Sarah Pearse's novels, helps us explore and discuss difficult topics like domestic abuse and coercive control by opening our minds with empathy and understanding.

PS. Listen HERE to SARAH’s journey on BRAVE NEW GIRLS podcast to hear how she helps us help the planet.