Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations – Mira Jacob
Mira Jacob lets you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into with the title — a tongue in cheek reference to awkward conversations you have with your parents about difficult subjects.
And there are plenty of good talks throughout this meme-like comic book of a memoir that explores her life growing up in New Mexico with immigrant parents to navigating the microaggressions of her adult life and career.
While that makes “Good Talk” sound like a heavy, depressing read it is anything but. Jacob writes with humor and sharp clarity that roots the situations presented (even those that may not be universal) in shared pathos.
The graphic novel-esque structure may give a light-hearted sheen to her cultural commentary, but Jacob knows precisely how to nail a point. There are few writers that can so deftly deliver an emotional punch in so few words.
While her more cringeworthy personal experiences provide many of the more interesting moments, the acknowledgement of her own shortcomings when interacting with others gives her even more relatability (and goodwill).
You could easily finish “Good Talk” in one sitting, but I’d recommend taking your time with it to give space to reflect on what she’s communicating. The sections that stuck out to me:
Discussing her parents’ arranged marriage and how it changed their view of love (love marriage!)
Winning an essay contest by the Daughters of the American Revolution only to have the honor revoked once they realized she wasn’t white
The challenges in having peers think she wasn’t American in the same way as them
Breaking into the literary world and frequently being compared to Jhumpa Lahiri, the only other mainstream South Asian-descent writer at the time
Reflecting on 9/11 and what it was like to be non-white in New York City during the aftermath
Every experience with Bree, who hires her to ghostwrite a novel about her Founding Family ancestors but instead uses Jacob to explore her grief, trust issues and casual racism
How Jacob and her husband grew up in the same New Mexico town but spent their entire childhood on the periphery of one another
The interstitials with her young son trying to make sense of Donald Trump’s campaign for president and his grandparents (father’s side) support of the candidate
In every instance, Jacob presents these topics in a way I hadn’t seen before. “Good Talk” is an incredibly well-crafted experience that pulls you in and keeps you engaged throughout.
It’s easily one of my favorite reads of the year.
Rating (story): 5/5 stars
Rating (narration): N/A
Formats: eBook (library loan)
Dates read: September 18 - 26, 2021
Multi-tasking: N/A
