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A review by jenlyn
A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley
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.