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Thunderclap: A Defining Silence
Juliane Corn Lee’s memoir defies easy classification. The book follows the author through a privileged childhood on Guam, her love affair with the city of San Francisco, and a romance that bloomed there. The focus then shifts to the loss of her family’s wealth and the illness that changed her life. Thunderclap tells the story of a naive girl who transforms into a strong woman during a time of catastrophic loss. When her world falls apart following a paralyzing stroke and leukemia diagnosis, Lee can no longer maintain her shallow worldview and live in silence—in the protective bubble that has kept her from acknowledging difficult truths. As she comes to terms with her new life, she makes agonizing decisions, finds her voice, and courageously breaks the silence that has haunted her family for generations.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 9, 2019
Having known Julie for a long time, I was very excited to hear that the book she had been writing with so much dedication and passion, the same book that we had talked about many times over coffee, dog walking and dinner was finally published. At her book signing this past summer, I purchased a copy of Thunderclap and with excitement, enthusiasm and pride for my friend's accomplishment, I started reading the book that same evening. I loved reading the first few chapters about Julie's childhood, teenage and young adulthood, which I knew little about. However, as I read and enjoyed those chapters, I also knew that I was getting closer to the parts of the story that I knew too well mostly through my cousin, Julie's best friend, and also some first hand. That's when all the feelings from the past started to bubble up and I couldn't find it in me to continue reading the book. The book sat on my night stand for days unread but all along it had a pull on me and I knew that if Julie had the courage to experience everything that she did and had the courage to write about it, then I should have the courage to read about it. It took me some time to get there but when I did, I couldn’t put the book down. The book is beautifully written. Julie's courage is inspirational.
July 16, 2019
I stumbled upon the memoir of Juliane Corn Lee while browsing the shelves of my local bookstore in Guam one afternoon. As I gravitate towards reading autobiographical stories about those who have overcome great challenges in life and have moved on with their own, I couldn't wait to read her very personal story upon returning home. And I wasn't disappointed; far from it. As I read her story from growing up in Guam to making San Francisco her home and the catastrophic events that took place in her life just as she was planning to embark on a new one, I was drawn in by her very personal narrative and admission of self throughout her memoir, at times drawing parallels to my own. Emotionally gripping and truly inspiring, I find myself wanting to read more from this author and the many other stories she has to tell and continue to share with us. Highly recommended!
January 14, 2020
JCL is a courageous soul as well as a talented storyteller. Her touching memoir of overcoming cancer and a stroke is an inspiring and easy read.
Having read it in a couple of hours, I thought of an exchange in a classic film where after crossing a treacherous desert, the main character is told - "truly, for some people, nothing is written, until they write it themselves". That is what JCL has done in life and print. this is what JCL has done both in conquering a double blow and now writing about it so beautifully.
Having read it in a couple of hours, I thought of an exchange in a classic film where after crossing a treacherous desert, the main character is told - "truly, for some people, nothing is written, until they write it themselves". That is what JCL has done in life and print. this is what JCL has done both in conquering a double blow and now writing about it so beautifully.
June 19, 2019
This is an incredible memoir of the author’s journey through surviving Leukemia and many personal tribulations along the way. It’s very well written and so compelling that I wasn’t able to put it down for long between reads. I highly recommend this book – it’s cathartic, inspiring, and deeply moving.
January 27, 2019
Wonderful heartfelt and bittersweet book. Highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews