Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for Acne by Laura Chinn - Available

Acne

A Memoir

by Laura Chinn
ebook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Read a sample Read a sample
1 of 1 copy available
From the creator and star of Florida Girls comes a hilarious and profound memoir about family, happiness, and really aggressive acne.

Despite having dirty-blonde hair and fair skin, Laura Chinn is mixed-race: the daughter of a Black father and a white mother, which on its own makes for some funny and insightful looks at identity. Laura’s parents were both Scientologists and nonconformists in myriad ways. They divorced early in Laura’s childhood, and she spent her teen years ping-ponging back and forth between Clearwater, Florida, and Los Angeles (with an extended stint in Tijuana for good measure).
Laura lived alone and raised herself for long periods of time, but don’t worry! Her mom’s alcoholic boyfriend was always nearby to supervise. She also lost family members to horrific tragedies, started drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes when she was eleven years old, and dropped out of school when she was fifteen, all the while completely obsessed with and scarred by her severe acne condition. 
This is not a sad story. There is Jell-O wrestling. There is an abnormal amount of dancing. There is information about whether you can drink gallons of sangria while taking unregulated Accutane acquired in Mexico. But mostly there is love, and ultimately there is redemption. Laura explores her trauma through anecdotes riddled with grit and humor, proving that in the face of unspeakable tragedy, it is possible to find success, love, and self-acceptance, zits and all.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    July 19, 2022

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9780306828904

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9780306828904
      • File size: 2082 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      July 1, 2022

      Chinn, a TV writer and actor, rivals the likes of Samantha Irby and Casey Wilson with her cringeworthy embarrassments, self-reflection, and self-deprecation while growing up a biracial Scientologist. If tragedy plus time equals comedy, then this book has that formula perfected. Chinn's memoir is surreal in its reality, offering a completely unique perspective of healing, both of the epidermis and the core. From underage drinking, Jell-O wrestling, and watching her teenage brother battle a brain tumor, to--as Chinn describes it--suffering from something worse than famine and nuclear war: severe acne through adulthood. Chinn's account of her formative years is as unique as it is tragic. This off-the-wall, borderline manic romp through unstable relationships and warped priorities is unlike most any other memoir headed for the shelves. VERDICT It should be a welcome addition to any collection seeking uncommon admissions of all-too-common trauma, suffering, and lessons learned. This is sure to speak to those who struggled with personal tragedy, dysfunctional family, and hormones.--Alana R. Quarles

      Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      Starred review from May 15, 2022
      Comedian and TV writer Chinn had her world turned upside down by two life-changing events when she was 10. Her parents announced they were divorcing, and she discovered her first pimple. The divorce led to a move across the country from southern California to Florida; the pimple led to years of serious cystic acne that Chinn would go to great lengths to battle. In Florida, Chinn finds herself among a tough crowd of girls who regularly drink, smoke, and fight. Chinn's world is once again shattered when her beloved brother Max is diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumor, which leaves him blind and, ultimately, in a slow physical decline. While shuttling between her parents in Florida and Los Angeles, Chinn tries all kinds of treatment for the skin condition that continues to plague her and exact a significant mental toll. She first decides to pursue an acting career, which is complicated by her skin condition, before discovering that her passion is writing. A natural-born storyteller, Chinn writes with humor and heart about the emotional burden of living with a conspicuous skin condition, the challenges of being a mixed-race person who appears white, and the tragedies her family endures. Readers will be rooting for her to find clear skin and happiness.

      COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Formats

  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading