Underclass cover art

Underclass

A Memoir

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Underclass

By: Dr Jessica Taylor
Narrated by: Dr Jessica Taylor
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About this listen

 THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

Dr Jessica Taylor grew up on a council estate where brutality and coercion were normalised, and where substance abuse was a day-to-day occurrence. Now one of the UK's most spirited advocates for women's rights, and a leading chartered psychologist helping women and girls subjected to violence and trauma, Jessica shares her own personal journey for the very first time.

Told through a series of absorbing vignettes spanning from her childhood days to gaining her PhD in forensic psychology, Underclass is a memoir about extraordinary strength, the complexities of belonging, and finding your power even when it feels as though the world is against you. Do you bend to fit in, or do you accept that you will always stand out? Do you run away from your roots, or love them for making you who you are? Do you fade into mediocrity, or do you change the world?

Taylor recounts with dark humour and unflinching detail the various lives she's lived, covering the violence suffered at the hands of her abusers, the realities of becoming a mother in her teenage years, coming to terms with her sexuality, putting herself through university, and overcoming underhand discrimination at work. She poignantly delves into both the classist and misogynistic double standards that she has faced throughout her life, whether she was waking up on a roundabout by the estate or chairing a parliamentary conference. You can take the girl out of the council estate, but you can't take the council estate out of the girl. Especially when it made her who she is today.

The result is deeply moving, searingly honest, horribly funny and, above all, unforgettable; a memoir that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.©2024 Jessica Taylor (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK Cultural & Regional Gender Studies Social Sciences Memoir Funny Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
very interesting and well read, an insight into real life, shocking but very interesting, I enjoyed it

very good

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This is an incredible survival story of someone who must be the most resilient and intelligent people I’ve ever heard speak. Great listen well read.

The honest truth about both of triumph and disaster

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I listened to this within a couple of days. It usually takes me AGES to get through a book but this one just captured me from start to finish.i absolutely love that the author voiced over it herself. She stood up against everyone that told her she couldn’t be someone, or get far in life. She’s incredible. An inspiration. I hope she continues to push back and stand up for herself and other women and girls. Also hope for more books in the future from Jess.

Engaging. Hard to put down

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It is particularly refreshing to hear a psychologist calling out the behaviour of other psychologists, a profession I have found during my career (generally speaking) to have far too much power and influence, placing themselves above others and lacking integrity.

Interesting listen

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I found this a brilliantly read memoir, the ‘snapshots’ of Dr Taylors life story will stay with me for a long time. Well written chapters of her life weaved into no bs explanations and examples of why she is who she is and why she fights so hard for justice for women and girls. Uncompromising, honest, maybe a hard read for some-but gave me hope that there are new people with new ideas within mental health sectors etc finally being listened to.

Thought provoking memoir from someone who will say what others will not

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I don’t think I’ve ever experienced such an emotional rollercoaster of emotions like I have with Under Class. Rage, sadness, rage, joy, more rage. I related to so much of Jess’s story and am blown away by this woman’s tenacity. Very inspiring and has definitely fanned the flames in me….finishing listening while opening the Open Uni website.

More working class voices please!

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I was expecting this to be depressing but it wasn’t. It was relatable and told in a way that makes you so invested that you may find yourself listening at 3 am willing the narrator on. This book is uplifting and inspiring. My take away if to learn to love my younger self to develop self love. I never knew how much I needed to listen to Jess and her story.

Gripping and uplifting

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To understand the world sometimes we need to hear another’s story. This is an eye opening journey into a grim world where too many people still live. But worse was the jealousy and bad practice she overcame as she rose to success.
Humour and love make it readable and ultimately a feel good story. Hats off to genuine genius.

A tough listen in places but brilliant and worth it.

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I couldn’t stop listening to this. Dr Taylor’s story is deeply compelling yet she tells it with humour which makes for easier reading/listening. The narration is clear and the language is easy to follow, which makes this book and its reflections accessible despite both the complexity and the harrowing nature of the subject matter in some places. Dr Taylor is incredibly brave for publishing a book which candidly discusses her own personal experiences of domestic violence and workplace bullying whilst also narrating too. This is a brilliant book, written and narrated by a remarkable working class woman.

Couldn’t stop listening to this, a brilliant book!

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Jess bravely, with humour, gives a snippet into her life so far. She certainly knows how to dig deep and stand by her instincts, challenge society and thrive as a result of her enormous amount of resilience, strength and humour. Her work, for victims, must of proven to be invaluable world over. I’d love to see her work rolled into the corporate world and empower people to whistle blow and challenge that brunch. Empower the everyday, bullied employees across the globe to call out the elite top lot- mainly men!
Well written and brutally honest. Every reader will come away with something positive after reading this painful story. Keep going Jess- your talents are very much needed in this world.

Hard hitting snap shot of a strong individuals short life …. So far

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