17 Jul Book Review of Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence and Grief
A Letter to Memory: Reflections on Victoria Chang’s Dear Memory
There are books that simply beckon to you from the shelf, whispering promises of connection and understanding. Victoria Chang’s Dear Memory: Letters on Writing, Silence and Grief was one of those books for me, its title resonating with a deep familiarity. As someone who often wanders through the labyrinth of memories—celebrating the joyous while grappling with the bittersweet—I was curious to see how Chang would navigate her own experiences of grief and silence through the powerful lens of letters.
This captivating collection, classified as essays but perhaps best approached as epistolary literature infused with a poetic sensibility, opens a dialogue that feels intimate and raw. Within its pages, Chang addresses a spectrum of voices, from her deceased mother to her father, who now resides in a care facility, stripped of his ability to communicate. These letters delve deep into the chasms of memory and grief, illuminating the complexities of her identity as a Chinese-American woman growing up in Michigan.
What struck me most was Chang’s fluid ability to weave poignant reflections on culture, race, and silence with personal anecdotes about her literary journey. In one of her letters to a past teacher, she writes about the moment she decided to pursue poetry, sparked by the joy in her teacher’s voice. The imagery she conjures—of writing transforming one’s very essence into letters—felt electric as I read, making me consider my own relationship with language and storytelling.
Each letter serves as a vessel for exploration. They are poignant yet brimming with raw honesty, touching on the intricacies of familial love intertwined with pain. Chang’s letter to the Ford Motor Company, a nod to her father’s former employer, felt particularly poignant, representing not just a workplace but the history and legacy that shaped her family’s narrative. It showcases her multifaceted views—how we are connected to our pasts, however complicated they may be.
The writing itself is thoughtful and lyrical, embodying the precision of a poet while inviting readers into the vulnerability of her thoughts. Chang elegantly balances emotions with introspection, and even as she grapples with heavy themes, there’s a lightness that can catch you off-guard. In her words, “When they burn a writer’s body, the smoke will be shaped like letters,” I found a beautifully haunting vision—an exploration of the ephemeral nature of life and legacy manifested in language.
Dear Memory is a book I would recommend to anyone grappling with loss, seeking understanding of their identity, or simply yearning for profound literary reflection. It resonates with anyone who has tried to engage with memory through the written word, reminding us of the power that lies within both language and silence.
Reading this collection was not just an experience; it felt like a journey through grief’s complicated landscape, one I found myself navigating alongside Chang. Her letters left impressions not just on my heart but also on my mind, urging me to consider my own memories and what they reveal about me. In a world where it’s too easy to silence the past, Chang’s work invites us to reclaim it, hold it dear, and ultimately find solace in our stories.
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