Whisper Network

The novel features many facets of gendered violence and the systems that allow it to occur. Every female character experiences misogyny, sexual harassment, or sexual violence. Each handles this reality differently, but all feel disproportionate levels of fear and guilt.

The primary instigator of gendered violence in the book is Ames, a serial harasser and rapist. Despite the fact that many women in the office come forward about it, Ames maintains his position as President of Legal Affairs and is poised to become CEO. Truviv’s decision to protect Ames instead of the many women he has assaulted shows that women’s reports of gendered violence are often disbelieved. Institutions perpetuate abuse, excusing perpetrators: “Ames was a stand-up guy […] When I heard his name had been added to that stupid list circulating then, well, that was immediate proof to me that the whole darn thing was a load of crap” (242). The lack of punishment teaches Ames that he can get away with being a sexual predator. He weaponizes this invincibility against the women in the office, using his affair with Sloane against her, manipulating Grace into writing him a recommendation for the CEO position, paying Rosalita off to keep quiet about her rape, and openly insulting Ardie as a way to deflect that he raped her as well.