The way this memoir was written was so unique. Part narrative in her experiences after she was assaulted at Harvard, part dreamscape descriptions of various versions of herself navigating the world. This is an important book as it continues to highlight both the flaws in our system, but more importantly how those flaws impact people on an individual level.

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the eARC!

This book is really powerful. Nguyen shares the story of her rape and its aftermath, including how the justice system is set up to retraumatize survivors and her fight to change the laws.

She also does this really neat parallel set of chapters that walk through her experience of the 5 stages of grief, which includes her 30-year-old self meeting up with 3 other versions of herself and sharing different memories. In that way we learn both more about her childhood and also more about the grieving process.

Something else I really appreciated about her writing is that she continually brings up her heroes and mentors - the people who helped her along the way. From the friend who stayed with her in the hospital after her rape, to the friend who helped pull her through the days afterward, to the lawyers she met who helped write the law and introduce her to people at the state and federal level that could help pass the law. She also shared interesting tidbits about applying to the CIA and introduced the audience to the wonder of NASA.

A truly powerful, moving memoir that I know I'll return to again.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan, Macmillan Audio, and AUWA books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

TW sexual assault

Amanda’s story is one of resilience, triumph, and systemic change. Her story is one that happens far too often unfortunately. The fact that she was able to channel that to change the way our country systematically handles sexual assault is incredible. Rape kits are no longer destroyed after 6 months thanks to her hard work.

Amanda did not only stop there but went on to pass an international sexual assault survivor’s bill of rights and will soon achieve her dream of going to space.

There is also an emphasis on familial and generational trauma throughout the memoir. The “sub-plot” of the journey her younger selves endure reminded me of Inside Out.

While I loved reading this book, I was left wanting to hear more of her story! I’m not sure when this manuscript was written but I would have loved to have heard more about her experience passing the U.N.’s international sexual assault survivors bill of rights and the events leading up to her soon-to-be space flight.

Overall I would definitely recommend this book!

Amanda Nguyen was in her final year at Harvard, deciding between pursuing a career with NASA or the CIA, when she was raped at a party. She soon learned that there was a 15 year statute of limitations on prosecution of rape but that the State of Massachusetts would destroy her rape kit after only 6 months. Amanda felt she had to choose: pursue her lifelong dreams or pursue justice?

I read this book in one sitting! Amanda uses a wonderful framework in which she wanders a path with younger versions of herself, seeking to save her youngest self. This really reminded me of the movie “Inside Out” and I had the same feelings of nostalgia and compassion reading this book as when I watched that movie. Amanda did a great job balancing reflecting as an (older, perhaps stronger) adult and dropping the reader back into her thoughts and feelings when she was 22. I really felt for her as she had to choose which future she was going to pursue for herself, even though I already knew where her path has taken her.

Towards the end of the memoir, we spend some time on Capitol Hill and, as both a lawyer and a DC native, I really appreciated so much about this chapter in Amanda’s story. She explained the Hill in a way that is accessible to people who are unfamiliar with how the Hill works and how laws are passed, but she did it in a way that was not boring or overly-lengthy for readers who already have a good handle on it. I find that many books which discuss legislation get bogged down in the inane details of how hard it is to get a bill on the floor, etc., and I was impressed that Amanda was able to avoid that pitfall. She focused on her role as an activist and how that intersected with the roles and goals of our Senators and Representatives, but she did not get into the minutiae (which surely has a place in a different book about Amanda’s story, but not this book).

One last thing that I think a potential reader might care to know: Amanda does not go into much detail about her rape and, though she touches on physical injuries in the immediate aftermath, the rape itself is not a focal point — it is more of an overarching theme to the memoir. What I mean is that a reader who does not want to read a rape scene but is otherwise okay with reading about the topic of rape (and the feelings that come with it) will likely find this book accessible. There is, however, greater detail about physical child abuse and other violence.

Thank you to Amanda Nguyen, AUWA, and NetGalley for providing me with this book in exchange for honest review.

Honestly, I wish I had the vocabulary to explain how much I enjoyed and appreciated this book. Amanda is a beautiful writer, able to convey her life story both through the factual happenings as well as the metaphorical journey through the 5 stages of grief. She weaves in her history, who she was and who her parents were, before she went to Harvard, and her journey after to seek justice for herself and every woman. Among all of these story, she's able to seamlessly weave in the statistics of sexual violence. How people are affected by it, how the economy is affected by it, the reality of a rape kit and everything that goes into it. She can set a very serious tone without losing her own plot among the numbers. And she balances the facts with the emotions. She doesn't shy away from people's reactions to what happened to her, and emphasizes the sense of found family and community. There are of course large moments, but every small moment when her network of survivors and families of survivors grows are just as important. I truly enjoyed this book and I hope that everyone can get out of it what I did.

Unfortunately, books about surviving and overcoming rape are becoming all too common. And while this story is certainly about that, it’s about so much more.

The assault itself is never described in great detail, but the aftermath is. I have heard of a rape kit, but had no idea what it entails. I didn’t know that victims were put on various medications to prevent pregnancy and diseases. I didn’t know how hard it is to preserve your rape kit should you decide to press charges later. After her experience, Nguyen fought endlessly (even giving up her career dreams) to change national laws surrounding the preservation of rape kits. All of that information was informative and insightful.

But the part I loved and will never forget about this book was the side story of 30, 22, 15, and 5. Through the use of allegory, Nguyen creates these 4 characters that are her at key ages of her life. They go on a dreamlike journey, through 5 realms: denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and acceptance. This journey helped Nguyen accept her tough childhood and shifted her perspective so that she could move forward in a positive direction with her life.

The lessons are applicable to all of us…and it was masterfully crafted! In fact, I went back and read just those chapters in succession. These chapters are profound and I kind of wish I could buy them as a novella for my shelf!

I wish these kinds of books weren’t even necessary to write, but because they are, I appreciate the ones that add to the conversation and give hope to the survivors. This one certainly does that.

This is a courageous memoir detailing the aftermath of a sexual assault and the brave pursuit of passing a law to help survivors. Switching back and forth between present day and a journey she takes with past versions of herself, “Saving Five” is a heartbreaking yet hopeful story of a survivor’s movement in the world

It's difficult to write a review about someone's memoir, especially when it is about such a traumatic event.

This book is the memoir of Amanda Nguyen and her first-hand account of being raped at Harvard and the resulting aftermath. The style switches between chapters of her recounting her experience as it happened, and an imaginary story where her younger selves (who also experienced violence during childhood) travel together through time. The juxtaposition between the actual events and her meeting her younger selves adds a feeling of hope to a heavy story.

Not only does Amanda tell her story and experience, but she also sheds light on the way the US system forces victims to make difficult decisions during extremely vulnerable moments - such as whether to file charges against the perpetrator. In her case, due to her decision to stay anonymous, her rape kit would be destroyed after only six months, after which the evidence of her rape would be lost. By telling her story, she also brings an important issue to light that affects women across the US.

I have followed Amanda on social media for years so was familiar with her story however reading it in a book form was a entire new level. Its hard to put into words what you "liked" about a story of such violence and horror committed but I will say that it is incredibly written and beautiful conveyed. She is an inspiration for survivors... and all women really. What a brave choice she made to not only tell her story but also pave the way for others to come forward, recover and still live out their dreams. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

How do you really rate a memoir? Especially a memoir as powerful, emotional, and significant as this one.

I’ve followed Amanda on social media for years and have always been in awe of her resilience and strength. But this memoir answers the question: at what cost?

A creative weaving of her own journey through grief with time-stamped moments utilizing her rape kit’s destruction date as the countdown, “Saving Five” is a masterclass of storytelling on a topic that is deeply uncomfortable to confront but unquestionably important.

Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope
Amanda Nguyen

One woman’s journey through grief and pain, her resilience and strength, her refusal to be a number in a broken judicial system, all coming together to institute change worldwide to benefit survivors of rape, providing them a Bill of Rights.

I don’t know if it is appropriate to call beautiful the story of something so heinous. Saving Five is a powerful, awe-inspiring memoir that proves that (while): "We can’t change the things that happen to us, but the greatest power we have is to choose how we react. And you can react to change the world. We are the architect of our life, our own experience.”

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy used in this review.

5 stars

Amanda Nguyen has done incredible things for survivors across the country as one of the activists who helped pass the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights. This is a memoir of her journey in getting involved in this activism through the Bill's passage. It begins almost immediately after her assault, and ends with the bill's passage.

It is hard to rate a memoir of someone with such a unique and powerful story. Many instinctually give memoirs like these five stars because of the work the author has done outside of the book itself. It is hard not to compare this memoir with the most notable memoir of a sexual assault survivor, Know My Name by Chanel Miller, and I am sorry to say that this does not hold a candle to that one. The writing is fine, and the story is well told, but it feels a bit surface level. Things happen quickly, as to be expected in only 224 pages, and the reader does not have the chance to get to know Amanda deeply. I appreciate that the topic is very personal, and she does not need to go into detail about her assault itself. I think the story of her path from survivor to activist could have gone a bit deeper, however.

The book's title comes from a beautiful analogy sprinkled throughout the book of the author's self at different ages interacting with one another. This is, in my opinion, where the book shines. We are around the same age, and I loved the idea of her current self helping her past selves, because you do learn in your thirties that you were such a different person at 22 than you are now. Amanda went through more trauma than just her assault, and this story within the memoir is her way to tell her traumas without explaining them, if that makes sense. I really appreciated this, and I feel it was her best work.

This memoir will sell numerous copies because of Nguyen's activist work and because she became an astronaut afterward. These are both highly commendable, but I sadly don't think this memoir will have as much sticking power as expected.

Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amanda Nguyen, you are a hero.

This is one of the most incredible books I’ve ever read. Amanda’s story, told in alternating chapters of memoir and a rescue mission with her younger selves, is truly an example of tenacious HOPE and the importance of recognizing all the parts of ourselves that make us who we are.

I cannot wait for this to come out so I can buy a physical copy!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Saving Five by Amanda Nguyen is a beautiful, brave chronicle of the authors journey for change and healing. In 2013, Amanda’s life was altered forever when she was raped as a student at Harvard University. At the time, to protect her future and dreams Amanda had her rape kit filed under “Jane Doe” but was shocked to discover her anonymity would only give her six months before her evidence would be destroyed. In a time of pain and uncertainty this law added another dimension to her suffering in which every six months a difficult attempt to preserve her evidence and any prospect at justice in the future would have to be confronted and confirmed. Amanda knew that this law must be affecting all survivors and so she decided with incredible determination to challenge the political landscape. It is a heartbreaking and heroic memoir as the author recounts her own and her family’s traumatic experiences and in alternating passages we witness the shared memories of the author at different ages throughout her life. Through her activism and the support of many others Amanda passed the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act in 2016, a monumental achievement and also she managed to keep her dreams of joining NASA possible. Moving and inspiring, at times I felt the interwoven philosophical chapters drew away from the narrative but can appreciate the unique perspective and emphasis they gave to the themes of the book. A powerful and important work of nonfiction 4 Stars ✨.

Saving Five by Amanda Nguyen is a deeply moving and courageous memoir that captures the raw pain of trauma while highlighting the extraordinary power of resilience and activism. Nguyen’s story, shaped by her tumultuous childhood, her dream of working for NASA, and the harrowing aftermath of her assault at Harvard, is told with searing honesty and remarkable grace. The book’s most striking aspect is Nguyen’s unwavering determination to create systemic change, culminating in the creation of the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights. Her ability to channel personal grief into groundbreaking advocacy makes this memoir both an intimate journey of healing and a powerful call to action. While some sections could delve deeper into her emotional interiority, Saving Five is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of hope and activism.

Incredible read. I finished in one sitting. It made me cry, I could feel my shoulders and breath stop, I also felt so damn inspired. She’s an incredible human and I’m so glad she’s sharing her story. Major content warnings around rape, childhood abuse.

This was a difficult read but a very important one. Amanda's story is one I'd heard about in the news, but reading in her own words was very powerful. I enjoyed the format of the book, instead of just a linear format like other memoirs. Often I was very angry at the systems she fought in her own rape case, but in the end I felt hope for her future. I'm looking forward to reading more from her!

I enjoyed learning about how bills are passed. This memoir was very heartbreaking while also being hopeful. I liked the idea of facing the stages of grief with different ages of yourself. This book was well written and easy to read. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Saving Five by @amandangocnguyen
Thank you, Amanda, for courageously sharing your story and being a voice for so many. Generations will continue to be proud of you, just as we are today. You inspire others and pave the way for women everywhere. Sharing your journey through different versions of yourself is both powerful and moving.

Add this to your reading list—out March 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for allowing me an e-ARC copy of Saving Five by Amanda Nguyen in exchange for an honest review.

This book is hard and hopeful. It is infuriating and informative. It is sad and strengthening. Amanda had already gone through so much in her life before she was assaulted. She participated in different groups, got excellent grades, was involved with NASA, and moved across the country by herself. Those are big things to be already processing at that age. Amanda also grew up in an unstable household with inconsistent parents. This fostered a breeding ground of trauma and abuse. Her assault, like all rapes, was senseless. What she went through after was negligent, selfish, unkind, and disappointing. The absolute lack of regard from the government was, frankly, disgusting. No survivor should have to desperately seek information about their case and make decisions before they are ready. Amanda set out to change that.

Amanda is the reason why rape kits legally have to be held until 20 years or the maximum statute of limitations, whichever is shorter. Her Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights included other benefits such as access to information about your kit, the right to free advocacy, timely notification of the assailant's location, the right to fair and equal treatment, and so much more. She got it passed federally and then again under the UN. The fact that she went on to continue her work with NASA and become an astronaut is so completely badass.

This book weaves the timeline of her assault with a dreamscape of her past selves working toward healing. I enjoyed reading these scenarios and talking about them during a session with my therapist. Thank you, Amanda - for sharing your story, for fighting for survivors, and for reminding us that the different stages of "us" all deserve space to be heard.