Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope

This program is read by read by Sura Siu with an exclusive note written and read by the author.

One of TIME and Oprah Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2025


“Siu's measured, compassionate delivery honors Nguyen's story, which balances the raw emotion of trauma with the strength of survival.”-AudioFile

"Amanda's story-innovatively told by versions of herself at different ages-underscores the lasting power of speaking your truth, building a movement, and never losing sight of your dreams.” -Melinda French Gates


"In Saving Five, Amanda Nguyen shows us how to reclaim the full spectrum of our lives, replete with pain, fury, creativity, and recovered dreams.” -Chanel Miller, author of Know My Name

A brave and imaginative memoir by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, detailing her healing journey and groundbreaking activism in the aftermath of her rape at Harvard.

In 2013, the trajectory of Amanda Nguyen's life was changed forever when she was raped at Harvard.

Determined to not let her assault derail her goal of joining NASA after graduation, Nguyen opted for her rape kit to be filed under “Jane Doe.” But she was shocked to learn her choice to stay anonymous gave her only six months to take action before the state destroyed her kit, rendering any future legal action impossible. Nguyen knew then that she had two options: surrender to a law that effectively denied her justice, or fight for a change-not only for herself but for survivors everywhere.

A heart-wrenching memoir of survival and hope, Saving Five boldly braids the story of Nguyen's activism-which resulted in Congress's unanimous passage of the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act in 2016-with a second, beautifully imagined adventure, of Nguyen's younger selves as they-at ages five, fifteen, twenty-two, and thirty-navigate through dramatic incarnations of the emotional stages of her path toward healing, not only from her rape but from the violent turmoil of her childhood. The result is a groundbreaking work that seamlessly blends memoir with a moving journey toward acceptance and hope, forging a path ahead that is as inspiring as it is instructive.

From one of the most influential activists (and now astronauts) of her time, Saving Five is at once a tribute to resilience, a celebration of healing through action, and a resounding cry to change the world.

A Macmillan Audio production from AUWA Books.

1145919248
Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope

This program is read by read by Sura Siu with an exclusive note written and read by the author.

One of TIME and Oprah Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2025


“Siu's measured, compassionate delivery honors Nguyen's story, which balances the raw emotion of trauma with the strength of survival.”-AudioFile

"Amanda's story-innovatively told by versions of herself at different ages-underscores the lasting power of speaking your truth, building a movement, and never losing sight of your dreams.” -Melinda French Gates


"In Saving Five, Amanda Nguyen shows us how to reclaim the full spectrum of our lives, replete with pain, fury, creativity, and recovered dreams.” -Chanel Miller, author of Know My Name

A brave and imaginative memoir by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, detailing her healing journey and groundbreaking activism in the aftermath of her rape at Harvard.

In 2013, the trajectory of Amanda Nguyen's life was changed forever when she was raped at Harvard.

Determined to not let her assault derail her goal of joining NASA after graduation, Nguyen opted for her rape kit to be filed under “Jane Doe.” But she was shocked to learn her choice to stay anonymous gave her only six months to take action before the state destroyed her kit, rendering any future legal action impossible. Nguyen knew then that she had two options: surrender to a law that effectively denied her justice, or fight for a change-not only for herself but for survivors everywhere.

A heart-wrenching memoir of survival and hope, Saving Five boldly braids the story of Nguyen's activism-which resulted in Congress's unanimous passage of the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act in 2016-with a second, beautifully imagined adventure, of Nguyen's younger selves as they-at ages five, fifteen, twenty-two, and thirty-navigate through dramatic incarnations of the emotional stages of her path toward healing, not only from her rape but from the violent turmoil of her childhood. The result is a groundbreaking work that seamlessly blends memoir with a moving journey toward acceptance and hope, forging a path ahead that is as inspiring as it is instructive.

From one of the most influential activists (and now astronauts) of her time, Saving Five is at once a tribute to resilience, a celebration of healing through action, and a resounding cry to change the world.

A Macmillan Audio production from AUWA Books.

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Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope

Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope

by Amanda Nguyen

Narrated by Sura Siu

Unabridged — 6 hours, 5 minutes

Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope

Saving Five: A Memoir of Hope

by Amanda Nguyen

Narrated by Sura Siu

Unabridged — 6 hours, 5 minutes

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Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Faced with a system that would silence her voice and allow justice to go unserved, student-turned-activist Amanda Nguyen’s story of resilience, strength and defiance will illuminate and inspire.

This program is read by read by Sura Siu with an exclusive note written and read by the author.

One of TIME and Oprah Daily's Most Anticipated Books of 2025


“Siu's measured, compassionate delivery honors Nguyen's story, which balances the raw emotion of trauma with the strength of survival.”-AudioFile

"Amanda's story-innovatively told by versions of herself at different ages-underscores the lasting power of speaking your truth, building a movement, and never losing sight of your dreams.” -Melinda French Gates


"In Saving Five, Amanda Nguyen shows us how to reclaim the full spectrum of our lives, replete with pain, fury, creativity, and recovered dreams.” -Chanel Miller, author of Know My Name

A brave and imaginative memoir by the Nobel Peace Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, detailing her healing journey and groundbreaking activism in the aftermath of her rape at Harvard.

In 2013, the trajectory of Amanda Nguyen's life was changed forever when she was raped at Harvard.

Determined to not let her assault derail her goal of joining NASA after graduation, Nguyen opted for her rape kit to be filed under “Jane Doe.” But she was shocked to learn her choice to stay anonymous gave her only six months to take action before the state destroyed her kit, rendering any future legal action impossible. Nguyen knew then that she had two options: surrender to a law that effectively denied her justice, or fight for a change-not only for herself but for survivors everywhere.

A heart-wrenching memoir of survival and hope, Saving Five boldly braids the story of Nguyen's activism-which resulted in Congress's unanimous passage of the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act in 2016-with a second, beautifully imagined adventure, of Nguyen's younger selves as they-at ages five, fifteen, twenty-two, and thirty-navigate through dramatic incarnations of the emotional stages of her path toward healing, not only from her rape but from the violent turmoil of her childhood. The result is a groundbreaking work that seamlessly blends memoir with a moving journey toward acceptance and hope, forging a path ahead that is as inspiring as it is instructive.

From one of the most influential activists (and now astronauts) of her time, Saving Five is at once a tribute to resilience, a celebration of healing through action, and a resounding cry to change the world.

A Macmillan Audio production from AUWA Books.


Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Poignant and imaginative . . . It is sobering to realize that the rape survival memoir has become its own genre . . . But as with accounts of grief, each writer’s story is vivid and necessary. Nguyen’s original contribution will, as its title promises, give both survivors and non-survivors some sense of hope for justice—and, now more than ever, such hope is essential." —Sylvia Brownrigg, The New York Times Book Review

"This intimate, grit-infused true story is a testament to the power of honesty in the face of great challenges . . . In a time where disenfranchisement and suffering may feel increasingly inevitable, it’s vital to witness and embrace the possibility of a better world. With Saving Five, Nguyen insists you join her in doing so." BookPage

"Saving Five is an account of trauma, rage and activism, and also a kind of guide through grief, which shows how every stage propelled Nguyen and served a purpose. More than this, though, the memoir goes further back to reveal how Nguyen became the person she is." —Anna Moore, The Guardian

"An introspective journey written with cinematic prose . . . This book is a testament to the resilience of survivors, showing that survivors can still shoot for the stars while giving themselves grace to process their trauma." —Katherine Ouellette, WBUR

"Affecting, informative . . . poetic . . . The rational and emotional sides of the story combine for a nuanced view of [Nguyen's] experience." Booklist

“Saving Five is an extraordinarily moving account of Amanda Nguyen’s pursuit of justice and healing for herself and for millions of survivors around the world. Amanda’s story—innovatively told by versions of herself at different ages—underscores the lasting power of speaking your truth, building a movement, and never losing sight of your dreams.” —Melinda French Gates, philanthropist and founder, Pivotal

"Brilliant. Amanda Nguyen is a compassionate, clear-eyed guiding force. Not only does she fight for survivors’ basic rights, but in Saving Five she also shows us how to reclaim the full spectrum of our lives, replete with pain, fury, creativity, and recovered dreams.” —Chanel Miller, author of Know My Name

“Amanda Nguyen’s journey from survivor to global advocate inspires and empowers us all to stand up and fight for what is right. Saving Five is truly a beacon of hope for anyone who has faced adversity, and Amanda’s voice is one that the world needs to hear.” —Paris Hilton

"If Saving Five doesn’t inspire you, check your pulse. It is an extraordinary testimony of resilience, persistence, and ambition. While Amanda’s history-making journey alone could have carried this memoir, it’s also a feat of formal invention, lyrical prose, and a gifted storyteller’s sense of suspense. I was mesmerized from page one to its triumphant ending." —Mitchell S. Jackson, author of Survival Math, winner of the Pulitzer Prize

“It takes a special kind of bravery to suffer what Amanda Nguyen has endured and not only survive, but become stronger through every slight, indignity, and betrayal by every power that you can imagine, be it governmental, administrative, institutional, or familial. I am in awe of her persistence, determination, and fortitude to fight for and win rights we as American citizens have mistakenly assumed were ours by birthright. Saving Five describes why she is my hero.” —Terry Crews

“I am in awe of Amanda Nguyen’s courage in sharing her story and her fight to support survivors. As a survivor, I know how painful it is to revisit and recount the horror of rape and sexual abuse, along with the shame, stigma, and doubt that comes with it. Today, Amanda is more than just that story—she’s an astronaut, an author, an activist, and a champion for all.” —Nadia Murad, recipient of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize

Kirkus Reviews

2025-01-16
A survivor of rape and childhood abuse chronicles her healing and her activism.

Nguyen arrived as a freshman at Harvard in 2009 under unusual circumstances—she had flown directly from the emergency room in California, where she was treated for injuries inflicted by her abusive father. When he flew to Boston, an injunction was issued to prevent him from stepping on campus. But her safe space of four years was shattered in October 2013 when she was raped by a classmate. Her memoir excludes almost all details of the event and its perpetrator, which seems odd since headings like “3 Hours Until the Rape” appear to lead up to an account. A friend asks her what she’s going to wear to a party, a question she says reverberated in her head for years, but we never find out the answer. Since she doesn’t explicitly state that she’s going to omit further details, one is surprised to reach the end of the book without ever learning more. What we do hear about is the incredible frustration she suffered trying to stop the state from destroying the evidence in her rape kit after a six-month waiting period, a fraught battle that drove her all the way to Congress, where she spearheaded the passage of the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act in 2016. The sometimes outrageous machinations this required are narrated in granular detail. Interwoven with it is an extended fantasy/adventure sequence where characters named 5, 15, 22, and 30—the author’s selves at these ages—go on a quest through the phases of grief (Denial, Anger, etc.), processing sorrowful memories and family history to arrive at healing. Meanwhile, there’s another curious omission. Since the whole purpose of preserving the rape kit evidence is to prosecute the rapist, it is perplexing that we hear nothing about whether any case ever went forward or is planned.

A troubling account of the obstacles our system places in the path of rape survivors.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940192499030
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Publication date: 03/04/2025
Edition description: Unabridged
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