The Fatal Gift of Beauty

The Trials of Amanda Knox

By Nina Burleigh | Publisher: Crown

About the book

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A compelling true-crime tale” (Elle) from an award–winning journalist about a murder in Italy and the controversial prosecution, conviction, and twenty-six-year sentencing of Amanda Knox—featuring a new epilogue
 
“Clear-eyed, sweeping, honest, and tough . . . This is what long-form journalism is all about.”—Tim Egan, author of The Worst Hard Time
 
The sexually violent murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, became a media sensation when Kercher’s housemate, Seattle native Amanda Knox, and her Italian boyfriend were arrested and charged with the murder. The story drew an international cult obsessed with “Foxy Knoxy,” a pretty honor student on a junior year abroad, who either woke up one morning into a nightmare of superstition and misogyny—the dark side of Italy—or participated in something unspeakable. 
 
The Fatal Gift of Beauty is Nina Burleigh’s literary investigation of the murder, the prosecution, and the conviction and twenty-six-year sentence of Knox. But it is also a thoughtful, compelling examination of an enduring mystery, an ancient, storied place, and a disquieting facet of Italian culture: an obsession with female sexuality.

Editions of The Fatal Gift of Beauty

Hardcover
ISBN 9780307588586
Paperback
ISBN 9780307588593
EBook
ISBN 9780307588609

Read an Excerpt

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A compelling true-crime tale” (Elle) from an award–winning journalist about a murder in Italy and the controversial prosecution, conviction, and twenty-six-year sentencing of Amanda Knox—featuring a new epilogue
 
“Clear-eyed, sweeping, honest, and tough . . . This is what long-form journalism is all about.”—Tim Egan, author of The Worst Hard Time
 
The sexually violent murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, became a media sensation when Kercher’s housemate, Seattle native Amanda Knox, and her Italian boyfriend were arrested and charged with the murder. The story drew an international cult obsessed with “Foxy Knoxy,” a pretty honor student on a junior year abroad, who either woke up one morning into a nightmare of superstition and misogyny—the dark side of Italy—or participated in something unspeakable. 
 
The Fatal Gift of Beauty is Nina Burleigh’s literary investigation of the murder, the prosecution, and the conviction and twenty-six-year sentence of Knox. But it is also a thoughtful, compelling examination of an enduring mystery, an ancient, storied place, and a disquieting facet of Italian culture: an obsession with female sexuality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Fatal Gift of Beauty about?

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “A compelling true-crime tale” (Elle) from an award–winning journalist about a murder in Italy and the controversial prosecution, conviction, and twenty-six-year sentencing of Amanda Knox—featuring a new epilogue
 
“Clear-eyed, sweeping, honest, and tough . . . This is what long-form journalism is all about.”—Tim Egan, author of The Worst Hard Time
 
The sexually violent murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy, became a media sensation when Kercher’s housemate, Seattle native Amanda Knox, and her Italian boyfriend were arrested and charged with the murder. The story drew an international cult obsessed with “Foxy Knoxy,” a pretty honor student on a junior year abroad, who either woke up one morning into a nightmare of superstition and misogyny—the dark side of Italy—or participated in something unspeakable. 
 
The Fatal Gift of Beauty is Nina Burleigh’s literary investigation of the murder, the prosecution, and the conviction and twenty-six-year sentence of Knox. But it is also a thoughtful, compelling examination of an enduring mystery, an ancient, storied place, and a disquieting facet of Italian culture: an obsession with female sexuality.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in The Fatal Gift of Beauty?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > True stories / true accounts of events > True crime > True crime: serial killers and murderers

Where can I read a sample of The Fatal Gift of Beauty?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780307588586

Who is/are the Author/s of the book The Fatal Gift of Beauty?

Nina Burleigh

Who is the Publisher of the book The Fatal Gift of Beauty?

Crown

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

The Fatal Gift of Beauty is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780307588586) and paperback(ISBN 9780307588593) and ebook(ISBN 9780307588609)

Where can I buy The Fatal Gift of Beauty online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy The Fatal Gift of Beauty from below

Where can I buy The Fatal Gift of Beauty?