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Reviewed by Iza Grek for Readers' Favorite
Liberated from Silence by Tessa Jensen is based on a true story, a gut-wrenching memoir about her struggles through early life and her psychological repercussions as an adult. Tessa is on a deep search for affection from any mother figure in her life who will fulfill the role, but they never step up to the plate. With the resulting mental health issues and the longing for meaning in the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she decides to see a psychologist. While wrestling with this conflict, she calls on her faith constantly. Eventually, she finds balance in her marriage that produces four children, while her husband provides unconditional love.
Tessa Jensen’s writing is rich and colorful and had me stopping to reread phrases on many occasions for the sheer luxury of them. For example: “I hate the feeling of hair on my neck – like a crawling lice infestation.” Much of her story is told through the essays she writes, prompted by her therapist’s encouragement. In her reading them to him, we learn about her pain and anger throughout her life. Describing her discomfort, she says, “… a straitjacket made with the fabric of fear and sewn together with guilt.” I was surprised by her dedication to finding meaning in the church, to the extent of undertaking The Book of Mormon in her quest for understanding. But she was resolute in all her undertakings, and this was just one more. It is an extremely well-written memoir that I thoroughly enjoyed despite the recounting of painful emotions.
