Title
The Body Papers: A Memoir (Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant W),Used
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Winner of The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing, Grace Talusans critically acclaimed memoir The Body Papers, a New York Times Editors Choice selection, powerfully explores the fraught contours of her own life as a Filipino immigrant and survivor of cancer and childhood abuse.Born in the Philippines, young Grace Talusan moves with her family to a New England suburb in the 1970s. At school, she confronts racism as one of the few kids with a brown face. At home, the confusion is worse: her grandfathers nightly visits to her room leave her hurt and terrified, and she learns to build a protective wall of silence that maps onto the larger silence practiced by her Catholic Filipino family. Talusan learns as a teenager that her familys legal status in the country has always hung by a threadfor a time, they were illegal. Family, shes told, must be put first.The abuse and trauma Talusan suffers as a child affects all her relationships, her mental health, and her relationship with her own body. Later, she learns that her family history is threaded with violence and abuse. And she discovers another devastating family thread: cancer. In her thirties, Talusan must decide whether to undergo preventive surgeries to remove her breasts and ovaries. Despite all this, she finds love, and success as a teacher. On a fellowship, Talusan and her husband return to the Philippines, where she revisits her familys ancestral home and tries to reclaim a lost piece of herself.Not every family legacy is destructive. From her parents, Talusan has learned to tell stories in order to continue. The generosity of spirit and literary acuity of this debut memoir are a testament to her determination and resilience. In excavating such abuse and trauma, and supplementing her story with government documents, medical records, and family photos, Talusan gives voice to unspeakable experience, and shines a light of hope into the darkness.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Body Papers'? A: The main theme of 'The Body Papers' is the exploration of the author's life as a Filipino immigrant, focusing on experiences of trauma, abuse, and resilience, particularly in relation to her identity and family history.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Body Papers'? A: The author of 'The Body Papers' is Grace Talusan, who is recognized for her poignant storytelling and exploration of personal and cultural identity.
- Q: What type of book is 'The Body Papers'? A: 'The Body Papers' is a memoir, which means it is a personal narrative based on the author's own life experiences.
- Q: How many pages does 'The Body Papers' have? A: 'The Body Papers' consists of 288 pages.
- Q: When was 'The Body Papers' published? A: 'The Body Papers' was published on March 3, 2020.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'The Body Papers'? A: 'The Body Papers' is available in paperback binding.
- Q: Is 'The Body Papers' suitable for young adult readers? A: 'The Body Papers' contains themes of trauma and abuse, which may be more appropriate for mature readers; parental discretion is advised for younger audiences.
- Q: What awards has 'The Body Papers' received? A: 'The Body Papers' is the winner of The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing.
- Q: What topics does 'The Body Papers' cover? A: 'The Body Papers' covers topics such as immigration, family trauma, racism, and personal health challenges, including cancer.
- Q: Can 'The Body Papers' be used in educational settings? A: 'The Body Papers' can be a valuable resource in educational settings for discussions on immigration, personal narratives, and cultural identity.