ReQovery: How I Tumbled Down the QAnon Rabbit Hole and Climbed Out

Politics and religion are two topics that are best avoided during a conversation if you want to keep things light and friendly. There is a reason for this rule that allows all participants to feel safe and comfortable. Katrina learned this the hard way when she became involved with QAnon; swaying people’s opinions to her political and moral “truth” was the goal, and she was unapologetic. In 2020, when COVID-19 hit the United States, people struggled not only physically but also mentally and emotionally due to the lockdown, the isolation, and (for many) the results of the presidential election. The two major political parties were more divided than ever, causing people to be on the offensive while being more defensive at the same time.

Since she was in the wrong place, at the wrong time, and in an adverse emotional state, Katrina didn’t notice how deep she had fallen into the conspiracy theories until confronted by her fiancé, Stephen, and family members. Over the next six months, she grappled with intense emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger, paranoia, obsession, and depression, which threatened her relationships and mental well-being. Despite the difficult period, she managed to overcome these challenges, regain a positive outlook, and now sees herself as a stronger person as she continues to face the aftermath of the social, emotional, and mental backlash and scars of being involved with QAnon.

Vaillancourt’s experience, as depicted in ReQovery: How I Tumbled Down the QAnon Rabbit Hole and Climbed Out, is informative, insightful, timely, and humbling for all readers. She writes her story in a vulnerable and conscientious manner, understanding that there’s a fifty-fifty chance that her audience will correctly interpret and accept her information; knowing this, she is brave to “out” herself and shows her priorities by attempting to help others through her message. Her work shows how she’s human and capable of falling prey to the tricks and schemes that professionals create for an agenda.

I enjoyed several aspects of the book. I appreciated how the author presented political ideas in easy-to-understand language, even for readers who aren’t interested in this topic. She sticks to the main points and clearly states her intentions and plans for the book upfront. The story reads as a combination of memoir and research paper. She emphasizes the importance of finding credible sources and not taking information at face value; she includes numerous pages of references, including abundant journals, articles, and documentaries supporting her claims. I chose this book because I was semi-familiar with QAnon and wanted to learn more. Vaillancourt delivered the promised information and provided an experience that exceeded my expectations. I feel like a better informed and prepared person because of it.