About the Book
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERDr Jessica Taylor grew up on a council estate where brutality and coercion were normalised, and where substance abuse was a day-to-day occurrence. Now one of the UK's most spirited advocates for women's rights, and a leading chartered psychologist helping women and girls subjected to violence and trauma, Jessica shares her own personal journey for the very first time.Told through a series of absorbing vignettes spanning from her childhood days to gaining her PhD in forensic psychology, Underclass is a memoir about extraordinary strength, the complexities of belonging, and finding your power even when it feels as though the world is against you. Do you bend to fit in, or do you accept that you will always stand out? Do you run away from your roots, or love them for making you who you are? Do you fade into mediocrity, or do you change the world?Taylor recounts with dark humour and unflinching detail the various lives she's lived, covering the violence suffered at the hands of her abusers, the realities of becoming a mother in her teenage years, coming to terms with her sexuality, putting herself through university, and overcoming underhand discrimination at work. She poignantly delves into both the classist and misogynistic double standards that she has faced throughout her life, whether she was waking up on a roundabout by the estate or chairing a parliamentary conference. You can take the girl out of the council estate, but you can't take the council estate out of the girl. Especially when it made her who she is today.The result is deeply moving, searingly honest, horribly funny and, above all, unforgettable; a memoir that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.
About the Author :
Dr Jessica Taylor is a Chartered Psychologist, multi-Sunday Times bestselling author, and internationally recognised expert in victimology, trauma, and forensic psychology. Jessica has a PhD in Forensic Psychology from University of Birmingham and in 2019, she was awarded a Fellowship of Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) for her contribution to feminism and psychology. In 2023, she was awarded the Associate Fellowship of the British Psychological Society (AFBPsS) to recognise her contribution to the field of psychology. Her first book, Why Women are Blamed for Everything was published with Little, Brown in 2020. Her second book, Sexy But Psycho: Uncovering the psychiatric labelling of women and girls was published in 2022, and became a Sunday Times bestseller. In 2023, Jessica co-authored The Indicative Trauma Impact Manual with Jaimi Shrive, completing the first comprehensive textbook A-Z of trauma responses and coping mechanisms. In 2024, her memoir, Underclass: A Memoir was released, and became her second book to hit the Sunday Times bestseller list. Dr Jessica Taylor appears frequently in the media as a victim psychologist and academic speaker for documentaries such as BBC's Womanhood and ITV's When Nudes are Stolen and Celebrity Health Stories, regular radio, podcasts and TV interviews, as well as the #1 trending Netflix true crime series such as My Lover, My Killer and Meet, Marry, Murder. Jessica has also written numerous op-ed pieces for the Independent and the Guardian. She is a spirited and influential academic utilising social media to share her ideas and views, with half a million followers across her platforms. As CEO of VictimFocus, she leads the organisation's strategic direction, national influence, and international partnerships. Her work spans the development of evidence-based psychological theory, high-impact resources, service frameworks, and consultancy models used across health, justice, education and social care.Jessica specialises in anti-pathology, trauma-informed approaches to understanding and responding to trauma and abuse of women and girls, leading projects and lecture series in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and USA. With a wealth of frontline experience working directly with victims and survivors, Jessica brings a grounded, practice-informed perspective to her research, writing and leadership. A leading voice in the development of trauma-informed, anti-oppressive frameworks for systems and services, she has advised on national policing strategies, government VAWG and mental health policy, and institutional reform in the UK and internationally. Her expertise helps organisations stay
Review :
Underclass is at times comedy and at times tragedy. Jess deserves good things - and this memoir shows it
Underclass is more than a memoir; it's a testament to the power of one person's story to ignite change. Jess' unwavering determination and resilience leap off the pages, pushing readers to confront difficult truths and inspiring action. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking insight into the complexities of advocacy paired with experience and the enduring strength of the human spirit
