A HISTORY OF SCARS

Narrator Emily Woo Zeller homes in on the powerful essence of the 12 interrelated essays that comprise Korean-American Laura Lee's memoir. As is the case with many nonfiction accounts of mental health struggles, traumatic subject matter risks oversaturating the listener in emotional pain. But Zeller's performance adroitly navigates this complicated terrain, adjusting voice to text; lacing optimism into explorations of gender, sexuality, travel, and cooking; and weaving subtle desperation into accounts of childhood abuse. Echoing the rock-climbing metaphor at the core of this heartfelt work, Zeller becomes the trusted belayer (the person controlling a climber's safety rope) who supports the listener throughout their journey. J.B. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2021]