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saloniporwal's review
4.0
As toddlers, Ariel and Zan were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome- a condition where the bones of the skull fuse permanently. They were the first known twins to survive it. Due to this, they had repetitive surgeries to enlarge their skulls, which largely alerted their appearance. The procedures were physically painful, but this suffering was nothing compared to the emotional pain of being ridiculed for disfigured faces.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I first requested this book, I didn't realize that this was a memoir (a genre that I enjoy). Before reading, I had a vague idea that this would be a sob story about all the struggles faced by the author, but the book exceeded my expectations.
I got hooked on the first chapter, and I loved every bit of the book. The story starts from when they were diagnosed and the impact it had on their loved ones. One of my favorite lines from this book goes, "What hurts more than going through the surgeries yourself is seeing someone you love go through it." The family and friend aspect and makes it more touching and oddly relatable.
Unlike some other autobiographies, this one does not portray the writer as a perfect person. Ariel was not understanding and patient with the pain. She was angry, confused, fed up, and said things she didn't mean. This is what I loved about her writing. Her honesty when she wrote how messed up and at times lonely her life was, and how it could have been better with a little more acceptance and a little less judgment.
The book is not inspiring because it's about trauma (and neither was it marketed that way). It is inspiring because it's relatable, fun, and nostalgic. Although the twins had their struggles, they tried to laugh at them, show others that it was okay to laugh with them, blend in with others. This read is one of the best and most impactful autobiographies ever.
Parts of it can be disturbing for readers below 10, but most readers will love it. Even if you are not a fan of this genre, I think this is worth a read.
Note on Picasso- I wish I could give this a five-star rating, but this is where Ariel's writing drooped. The book is named so because of an incident in her childhood that impacted Ariel greatly, but it doesn't have a significant connection with him. There are references to him made throughout the book, which were educational regarding Picasso, but felt very out of place.
PS: I interviewed Ariel Henley on my blog if you want to check it out https://bookguru-bookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/11/interview-with-ariel-henley-author-of.html
Rating- 4/5
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
When I first requested this book, I didn't realize that this was a memoir (a genre that I enjoy). Before reading, I had a vague idea that this would be a sob story about all the struggles faced by the author, but the book exceeded my expectations.
I got hooked on the first chapter, and I loved every bit of the book. The story starts from when they were diagnosed and the impact it had on their loved ones. One of my favorite lines from this book goes, "What hurts more than going through the surgeries yourself is seeing someone you love go through it." The family and friend aspect and makes it more touching and oddly relatable.
Unlike some other autobiographies, this one does not portray the writer as a perfect person. Ariel was not understanding and patient with the pain. She was angry, confused, fed up, and said things she didn't mean. This is what I loved about her writing. Her honesty when she wrote how messed up and at times lonely her life was, and how it could have been better with a little more acceptance and a little less judgment.
The book is not inspiring because it's about trauma (and neither was it marketed that way). It is inspiring because it's relatable, fun, and nostalgic. Although the twins had their struggles, they tried to laugh at them, show others that it was okay to laugh with them, blend in with others. This read is one of the best and most impactful autobiographies ever.
Parts of it can be disturbing for readers below 10, but most readers will love it. Even if you are not a fan of this genre, I think this is worth a read.
Note on Picasso- I wish I could give this a five-star rating, but this is where Ariel's writing drooped. The book is named so because of an incident in her childhood that impacted Ariel greatly, but it doesn't have a significant connection with him. There are references to him made throughout the book, which were educational regarding Picasso, but felt very out of place.
PS: I interviewed Ariel Henley on my blog if you want to check it out https://bookguru-bookreviews.blogspot.com/2021/11/interview-with-ariel-henley-author-of.html
Rating- 4/5
theresa_timber's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
dallas_shattuck's review
5.0
Ariel and her twin sister were diagnosed with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare condition, as infants. Ariel’s memoir details her childhood and explains what it was like growing up with a facial difference when our society is so focused on toxic beauty standards.
This memoir is incredibly moving. I cannot even imagine the physical pain Ariel and her sister went through during numerous facial surgeries. Yet, it seemed like the emotional and mental tolls were even harder to endure. I was so sad and frustrated by the cruelness and ableist attitudes of others.
There was also a lot of interesting information about Picasso woven throughout the memoir. It made this a unique read, and I learned that Picasso was not a great person.
This is a phenomenal memoir that I highly recommend to others!! Thank you Ariel for sharing your story
This memoir is incredibly moving. I cannot even imagine the physical pain Ariel and her sister went through during numerous facial surgeries. Yet, it seemed like the emotional and mental tolls were even harder to endure. I was so sad and frustrated by the cruelness and ableist attitudes of others.
There was also a lot of interesting information about Picasso woven throughout the memoir. It made this a unique read, and I learned that Picasso was not a great person.
This is a phenomenal memoir that I highly recommend to others!! Thank you Ariel for sharing your story
sn00pyk1d's review
4.0
This was a very well written memoir of growing up with Crouzon Syndrome (hence the title). I could have done without the detailed descriptions of the surgeries (because I have a weak stomach), but it was very eye opening to the struggles for survival that Ariel and Zan had to go through. It was also heartbreaking to read about all the bullying they were subject too. I don't understand why people are so awful to others that look different than they do, or don't fit the societal "norms" of beauty.
This was my book club's pick for August. I'm looking forward to hearing what other thought of it.
This was my book club's pick for August. I'm looking forward to hearing what other thought of it.
julenetrippweaver's review
5.0
"A Face for Picasso" is a well written memoir by Ariel Henley telling the story of her and her identical twin sister born with Crouzon syndrome. The chances of being born with this syndrome are one in 60,000.
She uses a thread about the artist Picasso, a misogynist, to highlight the concept of beauty; he took apart women's natural portraits and refigured them. Much like her and her sister's face had to be refigured through surgery. They were bullied in school and the disfiguring was painful physically and emotionally, despite this they became cheerleaders. The 'older' sister writing the book, born hours before her twin, went on to a four year college despite the guidance counselor suggesting she start at a community college.
Their experience highlights and shows how superficial people are and automatic biases based on appearance. The book is categorized Young Adult, but it's a book for everyone.
She uses a thread about the artist Picasso, a misogynist, to highlight the concept of beauty; he took apart women's natural portraits and refigured them. Much like her and her sister's face had to be refigured through surgery. They were bullied in school and the disfiguring was painful physically and emotionally, despite this they became cheerleaders. The 'older' sister writing the book, born hours before her twin, went on to a four year college despite the guidance counselor suggesting she start at a community college.
Their experience highlights and shows how superficial people are and automatic biases based on appearance. The book is categorized Young Adult, but it's a book for everyone.
jenlyn's review
5.0
Oof this book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. I originally heard about this book from an author I follow on twitter who retweeted a post by Ariel promoting the book. Shortly after it happened to pop up as an available request on NetGalley so I jumped at the change to request it (especially as it was an audiobook which are currently my saving grace reading-wise). While I wasn't familiar with Crouzon Syndrome at first, this book definitely taught me a good deal about it. But it's most effective teaching was about the ridiculous standards of beauty we have in our current society and how those who are "different" are treated because of it. There were many times as Ariel recounted stories of being stared at, being bullied and made fun of, being talked to like she was stupid, etc. where I wanted to jump into the book and punch whoever was being cruel to her and then turn around and give Ariel and Zan a big hug. It also made me look at my own life, at instances where I was cruel or uncaring to others because they were "different", and how far I still need to go in learning to move past my own biases.
While I can't ever comprehend the full scope of what Ariel and Zan and others with Crouzon Syndrome have been through, I could definitely empathize with feeling like my body wasn't "right" or good enough for society's standards. The anger that Ariel felt due to all the surgeries and trauma she had been put through resonated with me a great deal. I also love that Ariel was open and honest about everything she had been through and everything she had done, including the times she was angry and cruel and acted out due to the PTSD and pain she was going through. This book is about much more than just living with facial differences or Crouzon Syndrome; it's also about learning to see people for more than what they look like, learning how, in the author's own words, "loving and accepting yourself even when the world tells you not to is the greatest act of resistance."
Also the audio narration for this was so dang good! Ariel does a fantastic job relating her story and showing the audience an inside view of what it's like to grow up and live with a facial difference. I've often thought that author's are the best are knowing just how to convey what they've written, so I love when an author performs the narration for their own audiobook. Ariel does a fantastic job of this as she brings the words she crafted so beautifully to life.
All in all, this is a fantastic memoir that I highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
While I can't ever comprehend the full scope of what Ariel and Zan and others with Crouzon Syndrome have been through, I could definitely empathize with feeling like my body wasn't "right" or good enough for society's standards. The anger that Ariel felt due to all the surgeries and trauma she had been put through resonated with me a great deal. I also love that Ariel was open and honest about everything she had been through and everything she had done, including the times she was angry and cruel and acted out due to the PTSD and pain she was going through. This book is about much more than just living with facial differences or Crouzon Syndrome; it's also about learning to see people for more than what they look like, learning how, in the author's own words, "loving and accepting yourself even when the world tells you not to is the greatest act of resistance."
Also the audio narration for this was so dang good! Ariel does a fantastic job relating her story and showing the audience an inside view of what it's like to grow up and live with a facial difference. I've often thought that author's are the best are knowing just how to convey what they've written, so I love when an author performs the narration for their own audiobook. Ariel does a fantastic job of this as she brings the words she crafted so beautifully to life.
All in all, this is a fantastic memoir that I highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
rlwertheimer's review
3.0
Appreciate the author’s vulnerability in sharing her story. Wouldn’t recommend to middle schoolers because of the ED content and numbers. Felt repetitive at times.
keegan_rellim_taylor's review
4.0
Henley's story is powerful. I really liked how her relationship to Picasso & his art & his life helped provide structure to her own story. I appreciated her hard- eyed criticism of him and his misogyny and the way she recognized parallels between him and her own experience in a beauty-obsessed world.