Travels Through Aqua, Green, and Blue: A Memoir by Mary E. Gregory – Review by Angela Hayes

Travels Through Aqua, Green, and Blue: A Memoir by Mary E. Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

I held on to this idea that someday I would look normal. I would analyze the faces of the kids around me, then look at mine and see the differences between what was normal and what I looked like. As an adult, I no longer do that. I find the faces that have genuine kindness in them, no matter what they look like. There is a kindness that shines through certain faces. I’ve analyzed the forehead, the chin, the cheeks, the nose, the lips, every inch of the human face all my life, and nothing conveys kindness like the eyes—especially the corners of the eyes. A face holds so much power, so much pain, so little regard, so little in vain. It does do what you want it to do, and I realized that it can do so much for good. It can have a kind smile, even if the lips are misshapen and scarred. It can have a kind profile, even if the nose is wide and flat. It can speak a kind word, even if teeth are missing. This is what I learned when I faced reality.”

Travels Through Aqua, Green, and Blue is the emotive debut novel by Mary E. Gregory. It is an inspiring memoir that chronicles her young life of upheaval, tension, trauma, adventure, family relationships, dysfunctional family dynamics, secrets, humorous anecdotes, and overcoming adversity. The author shares her memories, which read almost like journal entries. She has a lyrical and poetic style to her writing – if not a little wordy and drawn out in places.
Mary has been thorough a lot in her life- overcoming situations that would defeat many others. Her story is interesting and moving- many events made my heart ache for what she went through.
I applaud the author for sharing her inspiring story- it is apparent that she poured a lot of heart and soul into her work. I really do think this would make a great movie.

Thank you, Mary E. Gregory!

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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