The Shape I Took to Survive

Synopsis

In a country where identity is policed and survival demands a delicate dance, 'The Shape I Took to Survive' chronicles the profound journey of a person forced to adapt to remain whole. From a young age, the author learned to internalize the world's expectations, bending her body and spirit to fit the spaces deemed safe. This is not a story of dramatic escape, but of the quiet, everyday acts of self-preservation: softening a voice, learning to disappear, and mastering the art of existing in borrowed forms. It's a testament to the body's innate intelligence, its ability to memorize the choreography of survival long before the mind can articulate the pain. This memoir explores the complex relationship between desire and safety, where wanting itself becomes a dangerous act for fear of what it might reveal. It delves into the experience of crossing borders, not just with physical belongings, but with the invisible weight of unspoken truths carried in the shoulders and the breath. 'The Shape I Took to Survive' is a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and the arduous, beautiful process of reclaiming oneself. It speaks to the LGBTQ community and refugees who have fled their homes, offering a mirror to their own struggles and a beacon of hope for finding a place where one can simply sit, without having to adjust.