A Face for Picasso

By: Ariel Henley

Narrated by: Ariel Henley

Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

There was danger in the kind of beauty I was desperate to achieve.

At only eight months old, identical twin sisters Ariel and Zan Henley were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome — a rare condition where the bones in the head fuse prematurely. They were the first twins known to survive it. Growing up, Ariel and her sister endured numerous medical procedures to keep them alive. Doctors expanded the twins’ skulls and broke bones to make room for their growing organs. After each surgery, the sisters felt like strangers to each other, unable to recognize themselves in the mirror.

Their case attracted international attention. A French fashion magazine said Ariel and Zan “resembled the works of Picasso,” as if they were abstract paintings, not girls just trying to survive.

Later, plastic surgeons cut and trimmed and tugged their faces toward a tenuous aesthetic ideal. The girls dreamed of appearing “beautiful” but would settle for “normal.” Fighting for acceptance was a daily chore. Between besting middle school bullies, becoming a cheerleader in high school, and finding her literary voice in college, Ariel learned to navigate a beauty-obsessed world with a facial disfigurement to become the woman she is today.

From a resonant new voice, here is an unforgettable young adult memoir about beauty, sisterhood, and the strength it takes to put your life — and yourself — back together, time and time again.

©2021 Ariel Henley (P)2021 Recorded Books

world class writing

My heart is full and spilling over. These words should be mandatory reading. This was a transformative experience for me as a reader.

A “must read” for empathy development

I cried so many times during this book-every single moment the author made a decision to take up space and pursue her dreams, I cheered out loud and pumped my fists. The gift of such a vulnerably told story, by such a gifted writer, I am truly grateful for. Ariel, I dearly hope you keep writing: I want to read everything you create. You are the quintessential definition of an artist

A wake up call

A Face for Picasso is all it needs to be as a memoir. Engaging, touching, exposing us to a world most of us can’t imagine and bringing a new understanding about the human condition. But I think, even more than that, it is a call to action for humanity to reflect on and teach the history of our brutal and relentless judgement of how we look. As a teacher, it has had a profound impact on me and I will hold the lessons close to my heart as I enter my classroom each day.

Fantastic

Ariel welcomes the listener into her mind to see life experiences through her eyes in a deeply honest manner.

Raw and real

How can you rate anything but excellent when someone pours their heart out with real and difficult experiences. The reader could empathize with the writer. She is able to connect with her audience.

The Author's way if telling her story.

This Author's ability to put her emotions and experiences into words was remarkable. This book is incredibly well written.
I have to admit, I was very disappointed in the human race while reading Ariel's experiences growing up. I was appalled at how insensitive people are. How she handled herself while feeling angry, hurt and in pain was an inspiration to me!
I will recommend this book!

Masterful

As memoirs go this is a very compelling and honest dive that challenged me to do some of my own work around beauty and society. The reading was quite beautiful too :-)

Grateful for your vulnerability

This book will stay with me a long time…thanks for being vulnerable enough to write it

She ate this up

This is sooo so so so good and amazing and chefs kiss like ugggg it’s sooooo good READ IT NOWWW