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A review by burnedoutbookdragon
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting