tmchopra's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective medium-paced

4.25


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mariterenica's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

I loved this book. Even if it was hard to read. I think I’ve learned a lot about cptsd. 

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codemasterpi's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

4.5


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burnedoutbookdragon's review

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emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Rating: 5⭐
Diversity: Asian-American, immigrant life
Method: audiobook

This book talks about generational trauma and complex PTSD. Please check your trigger warnings before proceeding.

WHAT I LIKED & DISLIKED ABOUT IT:
WHHEEEW! This book is heartbreaking, poignant, and UTTERLY GUTTED ME! In the first few chapters, Foo shares her experience with childhood trauma (Although they are not graphic, there is mention of verbal and physical abuse, please check yourself if these are not what you're ready for.) and I was triggered. Although my personal experiences were not as extreme as Foo's, the gaslighting, the name-calling, and her mother's general frustration with life being taken out on her is something I unfortunately can relate to.

We follow Foo, a successful adult who cannot manage her emotions or keep close relationships. She goes through the journey of investigating her childhood, challenging what she remembers, learning about C-PTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Disorder), and sharing some of her lessons from therapy.

This book is heavy and I had to take it in sections and sit with it. I'm glad I read it. It helped me understand my childhood trauma, why therapy has only helped me so much, and help me not feel alone. I loved how the author shares how immigrant parents from war-torn or unstable governments harbor their trauma and if left unhealed can trickle down, not just through the relationship but through the DNA also. She humanizes her parents without the need (or excuse) to forgive them or excuse their actions. She's decided to take the steps to heal herself and give herself what she needs.

RECOMMENDATION:
There's a lot to learn from this book and the author's experiences. If love personal stories of resilience and the healing journey, and want to understand C-PSTD more, then this book is for you. 

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hanlhs's review

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challenging emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

best book i’ve read in a while. would recommend to anyone, whether they have c-ptsd or not! 

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thoughtsfromtheafro's review

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

3.75

This was a fascinating read as it relates to CPTSD; there aren’t always many books about it out there. The narrative of the author’s experience(s) with her parents needs countless content warnings. The latter part of the book where she details her therapy modalities and audio clips are included is quite helpful for one’s own reflection and consideration in types of healing. 



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erinmcav's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

4.5


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kerileilareads's review

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0


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emlev1995's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense

4.0


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meganbrinson's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

So so so important. Really helped me understand my intellectualizing tendencies. Foo also does a great job situating trauma in a larger context. “Love begets love” really did it for me <3

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