A review by chelsn99
The Body Papers: A Memoir by Grace Talusan

challenging emotional inspiring medium-paced

4.0

This is an extremely honest, even at times uncomfortable, memoir written by a Filipino immigrant who came to the US with her parents when she was very young. She is blunt about her childhood experiences and growing up in the suburbs of Boston, feeling ashamed of her culture and trying her best to assimilate. Reading about Talusan’s conflicting emotions during her youth stirred some uncomfortable memories of my own, that desire to fit in, even if it meant distancing yourself from your culture. Talusan definitely does not shy away from any topics, including sexual assault and the deeply ingrained consequences that result from that. Her story is extremely vulnerable and relevant. As someone with a similar background, it was easy for me to emerge myself into Talusan’s life and feel these shared stories. 
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