The Woman Who Was Not There (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I vaguely remember hearing this story about the woman who was the poster child for the 9/11 survivors and battled for their rights, but was later exposed as a fraud who wasn't even in the US (never mind in the World Trade Center towers) on that fateful day.While I read the book I knew exactly how it would end, so I raced to find out who discovered that Tania Head fooled the world and how she was unmasked. The end was anticlimactic and disappointing. It was limited to a short amount of text about the people who noticed inconsistencies in her stories. I expected a lot more detail. Fascinating story about Tania Head (or whatever her name is...) and her years long fraud inside 9/11 survivor groups. As well as being a really interesting story, it was thought-provoking in the sense that all the while you are thinking 'what would motivate someone to do something like this'?? I didn't come out of it disliking Tania for what she did, so much as the impact her actions had on the genuine survivors she connected with; their devastation at her betrayal is heart breaking, and in some cases set them back many years in terms of their own recoveries. There is little can be done in terms of 'punishing' her - what law did she break? - but one does come to the conclusion that she needs to make some kind of recompense for her behaviour. The woman is clearly mentally ill herself - and has been for many years if her acquaintances in Spain are to be believed - but I certainly came out of this feeling little sympathy for Head, and more for the other survivors/victims who were so badly affected by her - not least the parents of Crowther Welles (the 'man in the red bandanna') to whom she blatantly lied about having seen on the morning of the tragedy. All in all, an interesting and thought provoking read, but one which will undoubtedly make you feel anger and sorrow in equal measure...
What do You think about The Woman Who Was Not There (2012)?
incredible story. surprised that it didn't get more press. Fast read too.
—angela
A great story -- but it read like an article stretched to book-length.
—Tom
After seeing the documentary, this is still such a horrific story.
—mms
Interesting read but the title ruined it for me. Why do that?!
—jhillie
