Memory Sessions

Suzanne Farrell Smith's father was killed by a drunk driver and a fire nearly destroyed her house when she was eight. She attempts to excavate lost childhood memories through therapies, exercises, and research, creating an experimental memoir that upends our understanding of the genre.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 172 pages
\n Publication date: 30 August 2019
\n Publisher: Rutgers University Press
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Suzanne Farrell Smith's early life was marked by tragedy. When she was just six years old, her father was tragically killed by a drunk driver, leaving her with profound emotional scars. Just two years later, when she was eight, a devastating fire nearly destroyed her family's home, further adding to her sense of loss and trauma. Despite her young age, these two events would shape her childhood and leave a lasting impact on her memory.

While her three older sisters held on to rich and rewarding memories of their father, Smith recalls nothing of him. Her entire childhood seems to have been erased, leaving her with a void that she desperately tries to fill. In her quest to reclaim lost memories, Smith embarks on a remarkable journey in The Memory Sessions. She undergoes a series of therapies and exercises, including psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, somatic experiencing, and acupuncture, all in an effort to unlock the secrets of her past.

She delves into her mother's long-stored boxes, searching for any clues that might shed light on her forgotten childhood. She creates a physical timeline, using objects, photographs, and captions to compensate for the one that is missing from her memory. She even travels to San Diego, the place where her family vacationed with her father just before his untimely death, hoping to re-establish a connection with him through the memories of others.

Throughout her research, interviews, and meditations, Smith faces down the two traumatic memories that have defined her early life. She confronts the pain and sadness that accompanies the loss of her father and the fear and helplessness she felt during the fire. Through her unwavering determination, she manages to piece together fragments of her past, creating an experimental memoir that upends our understanding of the genre.

Rather than recounting a childhood, The Memory Sessions attempts to create one from research, archives, imagination, and the memories of others. Smith weaves together a tapestry of stories and experiences, drawing from various sources to piece together a vivid and compelling narrative. The result is a deeply personal and introspective book that offers a unique perspective on the power of memory and the resilience of the human spirit.

Published by Bucknell University Press and distributed worldwide by Rutgers University Press, The Memory Sessions has received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to memoir writing. Smith's bravery in sharing her story and her willingness to explore the depths of her trauma have resonated with readers, leaving them with a newfound appreciation for the complexities of memory and the importance of healing.

In conclusion, Suzanne Farrell Smith's journey in The Memory Sessions is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of memory. Through her experimental memoir, she reclaims her lost childhood memories and offers a profound exploration of the human condition. Her story reminds us that even in the face of tragedy, it is possible to heal, grow, and find meaning in the memories that shape us.

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Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781684481477\n \n