A Brave and Imaginative New Memoir by Nobel Peace Prize Nominee, Amanda Nguyen

In 2013, the trajectory of Amanda Nguyen’s life was changed forever when she was raped at Harvard.

Determined to not let her assault derail her goal of joining NASA after graduation, Nguyen opted for her rape kit to be filed under “Jane Doe.” But she was shocked to learn her choice to stay anonymous gave her only six months to take action before the state destroyed her kit, rendering any future legal action impossible. Nguyen knew then that she had two options: surrender to a law that effectively denied her justice, or fight for a change—not only for herself but for survivors everywhere.

A heart-wrenching memoir of survival and hope, Saving Five boldly braids the story of Nguyen’s activism—which resulted in Congress’s unanimous passage of the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act in 2016—with a second, beautifully imagined adventure, of Nguyen's younger selves as they—at ages five, fifteen, twenty-two, and thirty—navigate through dramatic incarnations of the emotional stages of her path toward healing, not only from her rape but from the violent turmoil of her childhood. The result is a groundbreaking work that seamlessly blends memoir with a moving journey toward acceptance and hope, forging a path ahead that is as inspiring as it is instructive.

From one of the most influential activists (and now astronauts) of her time, Saving Five is at once a tribute to resilience, a celebration of healing through action, and a resounding cry to change the world.

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING

  • “It takes a special kind of bravery to suffer what Amanda Nguyen has endured and not only survive, but become stronger through every slight, indignity, and betrayal by every power that you can imagine, be it governmental, administrative, institutional, or familial. I am in awe of her persistence, determination, and fortitude to fight for and win rights we as American citizens have mistakenly assumed were ours by birthright. Saving Five describes why she is my hero.”

    Terry Crews

  • "Brilliant. Amanda Nguyen is a compassionate, clear-eyed guiding force. Not only does she fight for survivors’ basic rights, but in Saving Five she also shows us how to reclaim the full spectrum of our lives, replete with pain, fury, creativity, and recovered dreams.”

    Chanel Miller

  • “Saving Five is an extraordinarily moving account of Amanda Nguyen’s pursuit of justice and healing for herself and for millions of survivors around the world. Amanda’s story—innovatively told by versions of herself at different ages—underscores the lasting power of speaking your truth, building a movement, and never losing sight of your dreams.”

    Melinda Gates

  • If Saving Five doesn’t inspire you, check your pulse. It is an extraordinary testimony of resilience, persistence, and ambition. While Amanda’s history-making journey alone could’ve carried this memoir, it’s also a feat of formal invention, lyrical prose, and a gifted storyteller’s sense of suspense. I was mesmerized from page one to its triumphant ending.

    Mitchell Jackson

  • “Amanda Nguyen’s journey from survivor to global advocate inspires and empowers us all to stand up and fight for what is right. Saving Five is truly a beacon of hope for anyone who has faced adversity, and Amanda’s voice is one that the world needs to hear.”

    Paris Hilton

  • “I am in awe of Amanda Nguyen’s courage in sharing her story and her fight to support survivors. As a survivor, I know how painful it is to revisit and recount the horror of rape and sexual abuse, along with the shame, stigma, and doubt that comes with it. Today, Amanda is more than just that story—she’s an astronaut, an author, an activist, and a champion for all.”

    Nadia Murad

AMANDA NGUYEN

Amanda Nguyen is an activist and astronaut. She will become the first Vietnamese woman to go to space when she flies on an upcoming Blue Origin launch on the New Shepard rocket. Amanda's activism focuses on the intersection of race and gender. She ignited the Stop Asian Hate movement and passed sexual assault survivor rights in the United States and United Nations through her work at Rise. For her work she was nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize and is a 2022 TIME Woman of the Year. 

Speaking and Media

For speaking inquiries and media requests please email below to connect with my team.

MY STORY