I truly enjoyed reading Free by Amanda Knox. This is less true crime and more about the life long impacts and consequences from the wrongful conviction she experienced in front of the entire world. First, this is definitely a unique perspective. How often are you going to get to hear someone's story that went through something so public and so media influenced? I think the author did an amazing job conveying the stress and anxiety that she experienced throughout. This book covers a small part of the time that Amanda Knox spent in prison in Italy for a crime that she didn't commit. But it covers the story beyond that. The prison inflected by the media and constant paparazzi bombardment post the overturning of her conviction. This story and reflection really makes you think about how you consume and participate in social media and even news broadcast. We are so quick to convict and the news outlets are so quick to sensationalize and hearing this from Amanda's perspective is really eye opening. I loved to learn about her life and family outside of the 24/7 trial coverage. I hope that people can read this story and think before they jump to conclusions and impressions about people when they see coverage on the news.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. And thank you to Amanda Knox for providing this look inside her life and time beyond Perugia.

Amanda Knox's first memoir Waiting to be Heard was a harrowing tale of how someone's life can easily be turned upside down in a few moments. Amanda was young and naive when her roommate Merideth was killed while they were studying abroad in Italy. Due to many flubs by the Italian police and prosecutor, as well as the extensive media spotlight on the case, Amanda was charged and convicted of murder. Twice. She was also acquitted twice. The first memoir covers that part of her life in detail.

This book covers a little bit of her life and prison, but mostly the subsequent release and continued persecution by not only the Italian courts, but also the media. The girl cannot get a break. While I enjoyed the first book better, this one was still really good. It gives you a good understanding of how someone that is wrongly convicted can never go back to a normal life. Unfortunately, there were many victims in this case, not just Meredith and her family. I commend Amanda for trying to live a normal life under such dire circumstances.

This book provides a unique perspective of Amanda Knox’s time in prison and when she was freed.

Some of my favorite quotes:
“We live in houses made of stories. And sometimes, you need to knock your house down and build it again from the ground up.“

“Part of being human is confronting tragedy and getting through it. It’s easy to think you’re alone when you’re in the thick of it.“

“In that divide, loneliness grows like a weed that keeps returning no matter how many times you try to pluck it by the roots. But the weed shrivels when you recognize that other people do in fact know what it’s like, that you’re not unique in the hand life dealt you. However much it may feel that way, you are not, in fact, alone.”

“And looking squarely at what I faced, at what I could control and what I couldn’t, somehow gave me the will to make that promise to my younger self, even when it felt like a lie: You will survive this. You will!”

“You can’t choose your life, but you can choose how you feel about it, which will affect your life moving forward as you encounter an endless string of new challenges.”

Amanda Knox was wrongly convicted of killing her flatmate while studying abroad in Italy. What unfolded during this time changed the trajectory of her life. This book was written by Amanda, but it wasn’t really a memoir. She already wrote that after being released from prison. This book was more of a reflection on the time period after her release and how she moved on with her life. The media definitely put her on trial over and over. Everyone across the globe had an opinion of her guilt or innocence. The book was interesting, but not really something I would recommend to others as a “must read.” You definitely have to already know the story of Amanda Knox prior to reading to appreciate where this book picks up.

The back and forth between the Amanda and the prosecutor was a little bit desperate and unresolved. She is clearly very well spoken and bright it doesn’t translate to her writing and I struggled to get through this one. I love true crime but I didn’t really care?? She also already has a memoir so I’m unsure why she had to do another one.

I have always been fascinated by Amanda’s story and was looking forward to learning more about her life after prison. Her writing is extremely descriptive allowing you to see, feel and live through the experiences along side her. This worked for me at the beginning of the story of her life in prison and following. Towards the middle, things started to get repetitive in nature. No fault to her, as she was writing what happened in chronological order. For the reader however, it felt a bit excessive.

Overall I enjoyed learning more about who she is and what really happened. The book in some ways reads as a self help/professional development book as she dissects the medias role, our own psych and relationships with others.

Amanda Knox is a powerful voice for the wrongly accused.

Trauma and shock turn us into imperfect victims. When Amanda didn't "act normally" after her roommate was murdered, she was immediately labeled as suspicious. How many of us would have reactions that appear odd? We'd like to think if we were in these situations that we would wail and mourn immediately, but I believe that shock makes that difficult for most. (In fact, I would be more inclined to think someone was more suspicious if they acted that way.)

Amanda has a strong writing voice and a powerful story.

Free is an excellent and thought provoking memoir with explorations of themes such as media influence, shame, and the court of public opinion. Knox doesn’t shy away from the horrors of her experience or her struggles moving past them, while maintaining a hopeful and optimistic outlook. Definitely an interesting read for anyone curious about Amanda Knox or the impact of false convictions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

This is the second memoir from Amanda Knox, but the first that I have read. Even though I haven't read the other memoir, I do not think that this book picks up where that one left off. Knox explains how the Italian police manipulated her into providing a false statement which was corroborated by the person who actually murder Knox's roommate.

Knox's retelling of events set the state for a story about forgiveness and redemption. I found her work with the Innocence Project to be one of the more intruiging aspects of the book and would've loved to have heard more about that experience in her own words - as well as more about the work the organization does.

I recommend this book whether or not you're familiar with the story. I think it would make a great audiobook - especially if she's reading it.

3.5/5

This book speaks to so many relevant themes for today: media influences, forgiveness, and perseverance. Amanda does not sugarcoat her experience, and she has had time to reflect on her story to bring a new perspective to the story. It is heartbreaking to read through the trauma that she has endured, and how it has continued to shape who she is today. I was especially moved by her relationship with the prosecuting attorney and how her view of him could change with time. Some of the chapters are framed where the intent is a life lesson, but this does not make it a self-help or feel good story. She has done a beautiful job pulling back the curtain on what was a media circus to let the reader see the human behind the story.

awesome memoir/autobiography with some really well done discussion of guilt, innocence, and recovering your identity. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Free by Amanda Knox is a powerful, raw, and deeply personal memoir that goes beyond the headlines to reveal the human story behind one of the most infamous wrongful convictions in modern history. Knox writes with honesty and introspection, detailing not only her time in prison but also the emotional toll of being vilified by the media.

Her resilience and self-reflection shine through, making this a compelling read for anyone interested in justice, media ethics, or personal redemption. A gripping and eye-opening memoir that stays with you long after the last page.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Important and complex story of someone we've heard so much about. It's valuable to read this story from Amanda's perspective. She provides thoughtful reflection on her experience and the book makes you think about media, justice, and coming into adulthood. Will definitely recommend, especially to readers old enough to have read her story and form an opinion.

Great read, really enjoyed hearing all about life when she got home and all the trials and tribulations that follow. Very well done!

I judged Amanda Knox back when this all happened. I remember the cartwheel in the interrogation room. I remember her kissing Raffael outside. I was young, too. I didn’t even realize my judgement until I read her first book. This one was even better. Way to go Amanda. Your words taught me how easily I am to judge. I’ll work on that going forward! I hope you have the beautiful life you deserve! Be free!

As a consumer of true crime, I had heard of Amanda Knox but I had no idea what she had gone through. This was such a well-written, introspective, inspiring memoir.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this e-book

Free: My Search for Meaning by Amanda Knox is a compelling exploration of self-growth and resilience in the face of intense public scrutiny. Knox’s journey of reclaiming her life is an inspiring testament to personal strength and perseverance. She demonstrates remarkable courage in her ongoing efforts to advocate against injustice and wrongful accusations despite the lingering doubts of many.

I followed this case closely as it was happening, and was very interested to read this second book from Knox’s perspective. It was interested to read her view of how she was treated aboard and at home, and how she is coping in the aftermath. I feel for her after all that she has gone through. I enjoyed the book, even if the writing wasn’t spectacular. The subject matter was very engaging.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this advanced copy! I've followed Amanda's story ever since the beginning and have found her poise and voice to be amazing. I loved reading her stories and can't wait to recommend this widely!

I was so excited to get this ARC from NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing because I follow true crime. What went from a curiosity in the Merideth Kercher case turned into an inspiring memoir that applies to my own life. Coincidentally, Amanda’s story of trauma and resiliency felt inspiring during a time that I’m also fighting false allegations. Thankfully, not as extreme as Amanda’s allegations, but I was able to take away her overall message.