[4.5/5 stars]
This is the memoir of Susan Lieu, a daughter of Vietnamese refugees whose mother dies after a plastic surgery goes wrong.
From fleeing Vietnam War to owning two nail salons, this memoir is nothing short of inspiring. With her mother's death, a part of her family died together and they have been quiet about this incident. However, in a relentless search for answers, Lieu has to relive the pain of the past, of anger, shame and avenge about her mother's death, victim of classism and racism. Lieu rawly dissects intergenerational trauma, immigration, pursuing dream, mental illness and obsession about body image throughout the book.
While grieving, Lieu navigates through the family's story - memories are unburied and a shattered family is reunited. What I found the most precious is the fond family memories intertwined with food, making this a memoir that I would revisit for vulnerability and hope.
Emotionally laden, THE MANICURIST'S DAUGHTER is a journey of healing and forgiveness. A story that needed to be told.
This is the memoir of Susan Lieu, a daughter of Vietnamese refugees whose mother dies after a plastic surgery goes wrong.
From fleeing Vietnam War to owning two nail salons, this memoir is nothing short of inspiring. With her mother's death, a part of her family died together and they have been quiet about this incident. However, in a relentless search for answers, Lieu has to relive the pain of the past, of anger, shame and avenge about her mother's death, victim of classism and racism. Lieu rawly dissects intergenerational trauma, immigration, pursuing dream, mental illness and obsession about body image throughout the book.
While grieving, Lieu navigates through the family's story - memories are unburied and a shattered family is reunited. What I found the most precious is the fond family memories intertwined with food, making this a memoir that I would revisit for vulnerability and hope.
Emotionally laden, THE MANICURIST'S DAUGHTER is a journey of healing and forgiveness. A story that needed to be told.