A review of “An Indian Among Los Indígenas” in 100 words by Catherine Stover
How much should a memoirist reveal? This is the most challenging question for the writers I work with. Too much information heightens vulnerability. Too little results in generic and unconvincing prose. This author shares her confusion, misunderstandings, and, yes, even her dangerous decisions, such as her suicide attempt. I imagine that she anticipated that some readers would judge her harshly while others would learn about the conditions that lead to her transformation. I found it riveting. The goal is to reveal, not to shock. Time and distance from the events helped this author add perspective and compassion to her story.
Work cited:
Pike, Ursula. An Indian Among Los Indígenas. Heyday, 2021, p. 114.