WINNER OF THE OTTAWA BOOK AWARD FOR NON-FICTION
CO-WINNER OF THE BRASS KNUCKLES AWARD FOR BEST NONFICTION CRIME BOOK (CRIME WRITERS OF CANADA AWARDS)
“Out of Darkness by Denise Chong deserves recognition for its honesty and unflinching portrayal of one of the darker sides of domestic life. Violence against women cuts across all segments of society. Denise Chong masterfully portrayed a love story that is shattered by violence and Rumana’s subsequent search for justice under the scrutiny of social media. Denise offers a powerful description of Rumana’s struggles that makes us feel as if we are sharing her trials and tribulations.” —Jury Citation, Ottawa Book Award
“In this gripping, moving account of human resilience, Denise Chong thoughtfully unwinds the cultural, political and personal circumstances surrounding the brutal attack on Rumana Monzur and her subsequent fight for justice. Dread builds slowly in these pages; Rumana is the steel spine that cuts through the story, standing at the end, unbowed.” —Stephanie Nolen, Global Health Reporter, The New York Times
“Out of Darkness unravels the full, terrifying story behind the headlines. Misogyny and the assertion of power over women’s bodies are on the rise. Chong and Monzur both insist we must speak out.” —Rosemary Sullivan, author of Where the World Was: A Memoir
“I hope this book will help many women see the world and their lives from a new perspective.” —Tanzimuddin Khan, professor of international relations, University of Dhaka
“Out of Darkness is an important read [for] anyone who cares about the violence perpetrated against women every day.” —Hana Shams Ahmed, former coordinator of the International Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission, and PhD candidate in Social Anthropology at York University