Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing

Embark on a transformative journey of heritage, healing, and resilience with Jen Soriano's powerful essay collection, "Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing." This deeply personal and meticulously researched work explores the lasting impacts of transgenerational trauma on the body, mind, and spirit, weaving together Soriano's experiences as a daughter of Filipino immigrants with insights from science, history, and cultural analysis. "Nervous" isn't just a memoir; it's a profound exploration of the interconnectedness of personal pain and collective history. Soriano fearlessly delves into the origins of her chronic pain and mental health struggles, tracing them back through generations of silenced stories and the enduring legacy of colonialism in the Philippines. Drawing comparisons to acclaimed works like "The Argonauts," "The Woman Warrior," "What My Bones Know," and "Minor Feelings," Soriano crafts a narrative that is both deeply intimate and universally resonant. The essays in "Nervous" traverse continents and centuries, seamlessly blending personal anecdotes with historical context and scientific research. Soriano examines the impact of the Spanish-American War and subsequent U.S. colonization on Filipino identity and well-being, exploring the ways in which historical trauma can manifest in the body. She delves into the neuroscience of trauma, offering insights into how our nervous systems adapt to and carry the weight of past experiences. But "Nervous" is not solely focused on pain and suffering. It is also a testament to the power of resilience, healing, and connection. Soriano celebrates the inherited legacy of music as a source of solace and strength, highlighting the importance of chosen family and community in navigating trauma. Through her experiences with activism and community organizing, she demonstrates the potential for collective healing and the creation of a more trauma-informed future. Soriano centers the experiences of neurodiverse, disabled, and genderqueer bodies of color, offering a nuanced and intersectional perspective on trauma and healing. She challenges readers to reconsider their understanding of the human body and its relationship to larger systems of power and oppression. "Nervous" is a call to action, inviting us to examine the ways in which we can create more just and equitable societies that support the well-being of all. "Nervous" has been praised for its lyrical prose, its insightful analysis, and its unwavering commitment to truth-telling. Readers have lauded Soriano's ability to weave together seemingly disparate threads into a cohesive and compelling narrative. This book will appeal to anyone interested in memoirs, essays, Asian American literature, trauma studies, neuroscience, or social justice. Prepare to be moved, challenged, and inspired by this extraordinary work.