Memoir Nation On the Merits of Not Letting the Past Stay in the Past, featuring Susan Lieu
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Jan 13, 2025 Susan Lieu, a multi-hyphenate storyteller and author of *The Manicurist’s Daughter*, shares her journey of exploring grief and trauma through memoir writing. She discusses how her mother’s death influenced her narrative and the complexities of family silence. Lieu dives into the emotional dynamics of love and loss within cultural contexts, particularly from a Vietnamese perspective. She emphasizes the transformative power of confronting painful experiences and how embracing uncertainty can lead to personal growth and deeper understanding.
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The Unspoken Loss
- Susan Lieu's mother died due to complications from a tummy tuck when Susan was 11, becoming a central figure in her work.
- Her family's silence about her mother's death motivated Susan to explore her grief through writing and performance.
The Walking Dead
- Not talking about the past can create a sense of being the "walking dead."
- Unresolved grief can manifest in dysfunctional relationships and other unhealthy behaviors.
From Stage to Page
- Susan's solo show, "140 Pounds," evolved through five iterations, each exploring different facets of her mother's death.
- The show became a "proof of concept" for her memoir, demonstrating the narrative arc and emotional depth of her story.