As someone who is extremely passionate about the innocence project, restorative justice initiatives, and abolishment of the death penalty, this book struck an unexpected chord in me. Amanda is an engaging writer and engages in conceptualizing her experiences through the lens of a variety of philosophical lens. Many people do not spend a long time thinking about how we are only one incident away from the criminal justice system, and I think Amanda has incredibly valuable insights into how our social narrative about criminal justice, guilt, and punishment have long and spiraling impacts. The part of this book that most resonated with me was actually the chapter on the women of ill respite, she so beautifully articulated a lot of the complex feelings about how the media has eviscerated women in way that is uniquely critical and cruel. I also really enjoyed the commentary about victimhood, and her final thoughts about Meredith. Overall, I think this was a valuable contribution outside of the typical true crime genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Amanda Knox is just a couple years younger than me and I remember hearing about her arrest and conviction when it originally happened. I remembered hearing that she had been acquitted, but had not heard anything else about her in years. I few months ago I heard a podcast interview of Amanda and I first heard about this book. I found her book truly fascinating. It was devastating to learn about injustice that Amanda went through, and yet inspiring to learn about the steps she's taken to help others and heal herself. If you are in any way interested in stories about those who have been wrongly convicted, I think you will really enjoy this book!

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

I've always been intrigued by stories of young women who stumbled into big, public, messy, damning, life-altering situations and live to tell about it. Knox's resilience and bravery put her in a unique position to share her tips and insights on living a meaningful life and staying sane in intensely stressful situations. I didn't read her first book, but I think this new memoir Free gives just enough background on her case that readers don't necessarily need to go back and read the first book before diving in.

In this book, I liked how she pulled from the wisdom of various individuals and traditions, centered around the theme of freedom. Now that she is older, has children of her own, and is safely out of legal peril in Italy, Knox has the space and distance to center herself and help others. I think this book will be quite inspiring to people looking to find their way in a complicated and often painful world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

2 stars
Thank you netgalley for the chance to review
I, like so many other people my age, was completely transfixed by the Amanda Knox story, and therefore was really looking forward on a book that focused much more on her and less on her case. Don't get me wrong, I like true crime, but this sort of introspective view was way more up my alley. Only issue I found was it was TOO introspective...the chapters really dragged on and became repetitive. I loved some of her stories, but I found myself at the halfway point skimming to find juicy nuggets and coming up relatively empty.

This book was an interesting exploration of freedom/life after prison and an indictment of the media. I won't question Amanda's lived experience but at times it was very "woe is me" when she was the one putting herself out there as a public figure (but simultaneously saying she wanted privacy from the media attention).

Some parts about her healing journey and especially her relationship with her former prosecutor were very interesting.

As much as I loved this, and its message, I wish it didn't exist. Knox's repeated statement that she should've never been the narrative but a footnote resonates with me so hard. I hope that the more she shares her perspectives on peace and freedom, the more she does in fact impact the way cases are covered. Literally read an article this morning about a missing college student and thought completely differently about how the case and the person of interest were covered. That's impact.

This book goes more into her experience in prison and the impact it had on her mind and sense of self, the way she learned to survive, and especially how she learned to survive without losing her values. Then it's her choices after her release, where the prison is her mind and media, and the ways she both failed and succeeded in building a life for herself After.

While we share perspectives on kindness, her capacity for forgiveness is unmatched. Her capacity to demonstrate empathy for the people obsessed with her for good or ill, and the way she can think and logic her way out of it, are a reassuring perspective in strange and uncertain times.

I hope she keeps writing - not about her case, I think that can be laid to rest - but about survival, well-being, kindness, and incarceration.

Amanda’s experience and case have always fascinated me— we are exactly the same age and I remember very specifically immediately thinking that if this was two guy roommates and one of them was in a casual hook up relationship with someone while the other was randomly murdered NO ONE would bat an eye… but because Amanda was a FEMALE experiencing a healthy and NORMAL stage of curiosity and development in her young ADULT life she was vilified and sexualized beyond reproach by the Italian government, and the world. This was both a powerful and important piece of her journey and healing… proud of her.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I have followed Amanda Knox since the beginning so I knew I wanted to read her latest memoir. I especially enjoy reading a memoir that has allowed some time for reflection on a life lived. Nonetheless, I felt like Amanda Knox was out to fix her image. She was trying too hard to be understood and liked and it shined through in her writing. I was hoping I would have more compassion for her through reading this but I just find her to be a bit unlikable. Good for her for continuing to grow and reflect.

While I feel for the girl, as soon as she said this book was about her buddist awakening I was out. While interested in her life after the drama, I think a podcast would be sufficient rather than reading a whole book.

I am about the same age as Amanda Knox, and while I remember the news about her arrest and trial, it was never a story I researched with much thought. Which in a way, is what this book is about. Regarding hearing of the case - Amanda was just a normal, unknown college student when, due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time, she became an international media sensation - she didn't do anything do become a household name. It is an awful experience for anyone, but I am grateful to learn more about it first hand from someone so insightful and talented. Regarding bothering to learn what was really going on - shame on me. But much much much more shame on the media. All I remember is the accounts of her as a sexual deviant, I can't even remember if I thought she was guilty or not. Why wasn't I interested? If I had thought she was innocent, why wasn't I outraged?

I read Free without having read her first memoir, Waiting to be Heard, which I regret. This story is not about the crime or the trial, it is about her time in prison, her time trying to reclaim her life after being released, and her relationship to the man who worked so hard to convict her. She allows the reader to get to know her as a real person, and I personally found her to present as a person worth knowing. I am looking forward to reading her first book.

Beyond her personal feelings, the book has deeper themes such as how to be more than the worst thing that has happened to you and how to fight for justice in a world which was so unjust to you. It is a startling reminder that the hell she went through happened to an ordinary woman and that in some ways we are all one day away from having life as we know it taken from us.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Amanda Knox, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I admit that I was originally drawn to this book due to the spectacle, it's why I read her first book as well. I think that Amanda has truly given herself space to heal and reflect from 2007 and that is shown clearly in the book.
While she touches on the events of that night, and a little of her subsequent time in prison, the true story is in how she has rebuilt her life and is working on healing.
Reviewing non-fiction about someone’s tragedy is hard because it requires separating feelings about the author and her trauma from the actual writing. I read, listen to, and watch a lot of true crime, focusing on legal systems and the impact of crime, investigation, and conviction. Whether you believe she committed the crime or not isn't the point.
I think the highlights of the book were the reflection moments that Amanda comes around to, the introspection and the growth. While her acquittal or retrial will not bring back the life of Meredith Kercher, I don't think she dismisses that loss.
Amanda also spends a lot of time detailing the evolving relationship between her and her one-time prosecutor, and her drive to understand him and reconcile their adversarial positions. She accepts that though she may not ever get him to admit he was wrong or declare her innocence, she can meet him where he is and lead with empathy for his position. Empathy seems to be a main driver of most of her actions and interactions, and this informs her worldview and what she tries to communicate to us throughout this book.

I read Amanda Knox's first memoir over a decade ago when it first came out, and I was skeptical about a second memoir. After reading this one, I'm going to heavily advocate that anyone interested in hearing Amanda's story from her perspective pick this one up and not even consider picking up the first. I know I am not the only person who walked away from her first memoir thinking that she didn't do herself any favors, but this one, written with the benefit of time, healing, maturity, and perspective, does an excellent job communicating her experience and its lasting effects on her life and worldview.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

I was surprised when telling others I was reading this book, that not many people were familiar with Amanda Knox & her story. Amanda’s story is harrowing and powerful, and I invite you all to read her rendition of the injustices brought against her. I particularly enjoyed the way she describes the idea of being “free” as not starting when she was released from prison, but as a journey to finding her own freedom. I feel for this woman who had everything ripped out from under her at such a young, impressionable age. & I hope one day she finds the peace & freedom she so desperately deserves. Not to mention, she is a stunning, skilled writer.

This book described Amanda Knox's journey from an apartment in Perugia through her trial, imprisonment, and return to the US. She describes her experience with the Italian justice system, and the resilience that she developed in her quest to be free.
The story of her wrongful conviction was just heartbreaking - there was absolutely no evidence that she had anything to do with Meredith's murder, yet the Italian justice system did nothing to admit this to the court. She was a young college student in a foreign country, who was arrested and jailed on an unfair detainment, and spent 4 years there. Fortunately, in prison, she met a priest who provided a lifeline and some hope.
In addition, somehow the press got word of her soccer nickname- Foxy Knoxy- and smeared her reputation through documentaries and , tabloid stories. She became an unwilling celebrity and was constantly photographed by paparazzi here and abroad. Whenever she did something that she enjoyed, or tackled another life affirming event, she could only think...Meredith could never do/experience this".
She was able to marry a wonderful man and has 2 children. However, I don't understand why she reconnected with Guiuliano Magnini - the prosecutor who believed her incarceration was justified and who went after her so viciously. He never admits that the case was poorly handled, or that there was a lack of evidence. She and her husband did travel to Italy and met with him. I just can't imagine ever facing the man who ruined my life based on little or no truth. She maintains a relationship with him even today.
The book also describes the life she has today and her work with projects associated with wrongly accused and incarcerated people. Amanda Know is truly a woman, who shows strength and resilience, and who has learned how precious freedom really is.

WOW I am blown away by this book and beyond impressed at Amanda Knox's ability to articulate the ways she has processed her trauma and found her way back to her core values of compassion and kindness in a world that has largely shown her neither. I didn't read Amanda's previous memoir and I am sad to say that most of what I knew of her story was from the headlines, but I loved that this book was mostly about the aftermath rather than the true crime details. Her story didn't end when she was freed and it hasn't ended now. While the book has a structure and flow, it does often read like a journal, allowing you to process alongside her in a way that is really beautiful. My favorite parts were her reflections on grieving her past self, the one who went to Italy to study abroad, her journey to motherhood, and the ways she has found community. Highly recommend!

I would like to thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing me an eARC of this book.

I usually do not like to provide ratings for a memoir - who am I to rate someone's experience? Also, for context I did not read Amanda's first book so I do have a comparison between the two nor did I know the writing style of Amanda.

First - Amanda is an extremely talented writer, I hope she continues to write in some capacity. I started college when Amanda was first convicted, I was not someone to deep dive into the details of the case but I never understood why she was found guilty. Based off of what was provided here in 'Free' she has come a long way to reflect on her journey and attempt to find peace in the aftermath and is overall a much bigger person than 99% of the population. The lessons she has put forward in this book is a template anyone with hardship (of any size) can turn to to help them in their own personal journey.

Amanda - Cheers to your freedom and and your beautiful family

Thank you Net Galley, Amanda Knox, and Grand Central Publishing for an eARC of this book.

This is a very interesting and powerful memoir that recounts for Amanda Knox’s time in an Italian prison and as she adjusts to life when she is able to return home to the states. I recall all of the news stories and magazine articles on Amanda Knox and how absorbed I became with her story so I was quick to read her memoir. Themes of personal growth and justice are heavily felt through this book through her alluring writing as readers get to truly hear her side of the events from her trial cases.

I found this book a little hard to get through - there was a lot of repetition between chapters; Knox was saying the same thing over and over, but with different words. The pace felt really slow, but I don't feel like I can really fault that part too much, being that it's her story and not something that she made up.

I did find it interesting to read in depth from her perspective about her time in prison (I didn't read her first memoir) and her time trying to reintegrate into society in the US.

I'm giving it 3 stars because it was interesting, but it was too wordy, and I felt like she only glossed over the other victims of this tragic event.

**Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.**

Thanks so much to NetGalley for an advanced readers version of this book. In Free, Amanda Knox shares her life after spending nearly four years in an Italian prison for a crime she didn’t commit. While many know her story from the media, this book reveals a more personal side—her struggles to rebuild her life, find purpose, and move beyond her infamous past. Knox writes about her time in prison, the challenges of returning to “normal” life, and even her unexpected connection with the man who once helped convict her. Her story is both heartbreaking and, at times, surprisingly funny, showing her resilience and growth. This book isn’t about rehashing the trial—it’s about what comes after. It’s a powerful read for anyone interested in her case or stories of overcoming hardship.

Amanda Knox’s memoir, Free: My Search for Meaning, is an evocative exploration of her journey to self-discovery and healing following the tumultuous years spent wrongfully imprisoned in Italy. Beyond the specifics of her wrongful conviction and subsequent release, Knox delves into her personal evolution, focusing on the deep, spiritual path that helped her find peace and understanding both during and after the trauma of being wrongfully convicted, imprisoned, and constantly watched by the media. One of the most personally relatable elements of Knox’s memoir is the way she integrates Zen Buddhism into her narrative, creating a framework for reflection that resonates throughout her story.

At the heart of Knox’s spiritual exploration is the realization that true freedom and peace cannot be found in external circumstances, possessions, or accolades. This understanding is beautifully encapsulated in the quote from early in her memoir: “... any sustainable form of joy or peace must come from within. It can't be grounded in what you can hold, what you can buy, or what you can treasure.” This insight forms the foundation of Knox’s revelatory journey from victim to empowered individual. The idea that peace is an internal state—one that transcends someone's current circumstances and troubles—permeates her story, offering readers not only a glimpse into her personal growth and healing, but also a larger, more universal truth.

Incorporating Zen Buddhist principles is not just a backdrop for Knox’s story, but a deeply integral part of her healing. She utilized its teachings as a means of navigating the emotional and psychological turbulence that came with her wrongful imprisonment. The practices and philosophies allowed her to step back from the overwhelming noise of her past, helping her move beyond anger and resentment. Instead, Knox begins to focus on the present moment, embracing mindfulness as a way to heal, grow, and move forward. By turning inward, she unearths the quiet joy and peace that had previously seemed unattainable amid the chaos of her imprisonment. This also allows her to prioritize kindness and grace to many people that others would find it impossible to extend those things to, including her Italian prosecutor. It is through this philosophy that she is able to connect with him and continue her journey of healing.

As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, I too have found internal peace through meditation and trying to live more in the present. It was these shared truths about how healing those practices can be that really made me feel connected to Amanda as I was reading this memoir. I found her insights to be applicable to my own struggles and I can see myself revisiting passages from this book again and again in the future as I face my own struggles. l would recommend this to anyone who, like me, has had to learn to manage anxiety and/or depression because it details someone else's (Amanda's) thought process about the same things and can really help you to not feel alone.