Rachel Louise Snyder – Women We Buried, Women We Burned(Literature Review)

CW: The book featured in this review discusses domestic violence, religious fanaticism, homelessness and abuse.

Women We Buried, Women We Burned is an illuminating memoir of growing up in a household fuelled by domestic violence and religious fanaticism.

As a critically acclaimed author of both fiction (What We’ve Lost is Nothing) and non-fiction (No Visible Bruises) as well as the recipient of the Helen Bernstein Book Award for Excellence in Journalism, and finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, Rachel Louise Snyder is no stranger to the written word.

These accolades come in addition to the work she has published in many an illustrious US and worldwide publication, so it’s no surprise that her memoir Women We Buried, Women We Burned already comes with high praise from critics.

While Snyder’s previous work has focused mainly on telling the stories of other women who have grown up or lived through violent and abusive experiences, she has – until now – kept her own life fairly private.


Women We Buried, Women We Burned recounts Snyder’s own tumultuous childhood and the lessons she learnt growing up. In this book we follow the author from her mother’s deathbed to a life ruled by religion and unattainable restrictions, homelessness and, eventually, her return to college and the life of a journalist covering stories that mirror her own.

With a memoir such as this, it’s difficult to review and rate in terms of level of enjoyment. There’s no denying that Snyder’s voice is incredibly endearing, which makes reading the more heart-wrenching sections of her story a little easier to digest.  

But it is by no means an easy read (and this is something readers should take into account when picking it up). Snyder is very honest about what she went through, which means her writing style is very raw. She doesn’t sugar coat much, if anything, and certainly doesn’t shy away from the more horrific parts of her experiences.

While horrific, the story intriguing and captivating. Even when it’s at its darkest, the way in which Snyder writes allows readers such as myself – who haven’t had experience with domestic violence and abuse – to really connect with her and hope that she is able to overcome her circumstances.

Given its nature, Women We Buried, Women We Burned won’t be for everyone, and it is difficult to get through in certain parts. But it is a necessary read, especially when it comes to understanding what victims of domestic violence and abuse go through, and how that affects their future even if they are able to escape it.

Women We Buried, Women We Burned is out now through Scribe Publishing Australia.