Many thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Books for gifting me an ARC of this amazing memoir by Cheryl Diamond - 45 stars rounded up! Thanks for letting me be a part of the book tour for this memoir!
Cheryl's first memories are from when she was 4. At that time, her name was Harbhajan and her family consisted of her parents, her brother Frank and her sister Chiara. But that's just for now - her family is constantly on the run, changing identities, religions and locations constantly. All Harbhajan knows is that they are running from her mom's father. There is a set of rules they must obey and the most important thing is their family. Harbhjan is always treated as special - both her and Frank are strong athletes and get the best training available. She even becomes a model and writes a book about that experience. But as she gets older, she becomes more aware of the grave family dysfunction and realizes that she has no legal identity.
This is a wonderfully written memoir. Cheryl (her chosen identity) has laid out her childhood experiences in an orderly fashion as she grows older and lives in so many different areas. It's fascinating to go along to all the different locations as you read this book. We see Cheryl trying to fit in even when she knows she may be leaving soon. Her place in the family is to try and always make things okay and we see the toll that takes on her. It's amazing that her con man father treated the family like he did but it is more amazing that Cheryl has come out on the other side with such a strong character and sense of herself. With almost no formal childhood education, she is articulate, intelligent and wise - more so than most of her family members. It's heartbreaking to think that she missed out being a kid and a teenager with no worries - this book definitely will make you thankful for your own parents and childhood! In the vein of Educated and Glass Castle, this is a memoir not to be missed.
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