Review of Nicole Hiser's "This Generational Curse Ends With Me" (2023)

Review posted on Goodreads and Amazon

"I may not be everyone's cup of tea, but not everyone likes tea."

-- Nicole Hiser, This Generational Trauma Ends With Me, p. 133

The precursor to Hiser's 2024 Lessons My Trauma Taught Me, This Generational Curse Ends With Me is a memoir spilling onto the page all that the author has fought through. For those who have faced familial abuse and dysfunction, Hiser's book says, "I see you," "I believe you."

From the beginning, Hiser refuses to allow domestic abusers, pedophiles, or inactive bystanders to hide behind obscurity or anonymity. She is upfront, saying that she will name who must be named. This Generational Curse . . . is as much a story about escaping seemingly inescapable conditions as it is a prime example of failure upon failure on the part of the judicial system, child protective service agencies, and the nuclear family concept.

On the formatting, Hiser gives the reader much white space, margin space, and entire blank pages. The pauses act as a breather in between much sensitive content. It also lends itself nicely to the stream-of-consciousness style that Hiser writes in. Sometimes Hiser goes on like a friend spilling their heart out to another, other times Hiser quiets the page and leaves us to think.

Even with this tell-all, I still have an inkling that Hiser isn't telling all. In many instances, she writes"but that's another story" or the like. I would be interested to see a part two that addresses those moments put on pause for the sake of progression. BUT, with that said, this is Hiser's life--her story. She gets to tell as much or as little as she wishes. I will just have to sit with the provided words until meantime.

This indie memoir tells real stories from real people in real ways. It's not trying to be fancy. Contrary, it is telling the dirty truth of how girls, especially in poor white communities, bear the brunt of families. Read with caution, but read with the intention of doing better for women and girls.

Keep up with Hiser at her website and Linktree!