Acne

A Memoir

By: Laura Chinn

Narrated by: Laura Chinn

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

From the creator and star of Florida Girls comes a hilarious and profound memoir about family, happiness, and really aggressive acne.

Despite having dirty-blonde hair and fair skin, Laura Chinn is mixed-race: the daughter of a Black father and a white mother, which on its own makes for some funny and insightful looks at identity. Laura’s parents were both Scientologists and nonconformists in myriad ways. They divorced early in Laura’s childhood, and she spent her teen years ping-ponging back and forth between Clearwater, Florida, and Los Angeles (with an extended stint in Tijuana for good measure).

Laura lived alone and raised herself for long periods of time, but don’t worry! Her mom’s alcoholic boyfriend was always nearby to supervise. She also lost family members to horrific tragedies, started drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes when she was eleven years old, and dropped out of school when she was fifteen, all the while completely obsessed with and scarred by her severe acne condition.

This is not a sad story. There is Jell-O wrestling. There is an abnormal amount of dancing. There is information about whether you can drink gallons of sangria while taking unregulated Accutane acquired in Mexico. But mostly there is love, and ultimately there is redemption. Laura explores her trauma through anecdotes riddled with grit and humor, proving that in the face of unspeakable tragedy, it is possible to find success, love, and self-acceptance, zits and all.

©2022 Laura Chinn (P)2022 Hachette Books

Critic reviews

“You know how people justify insane horrors by saying, ‘It was a different time’? Laura Chinn will transport you to that time. This book is funny and heartbreakingly honest.”—Tina Fey

"Brutally honest, hilarious and horrifying. Reading this book was like whispering late-night secrets with a long-lost best friend."—Jenny Lawson

“Chinn’s artistry, weaving the juxtaposition of devastating heartbreak and hilarious self-awareness, is masterful. If you are drawn to a sorrowful weep and snort laugh--this book is for you.”—Jessica Alba

Loved this book!

Powerful memoir- I laughed, I cried and finished with a new found perspective for life and this world

Great book and story

I was surprised by the great story telling skills. I recommend it! Looking forward to the next one

You can overcome many things, including acne.

Heard Laura in a interview with Luke Burbank talk about this book. You will find yourself cheering for Laura that she makes it out her broken family and poverty, and finally shine. It's a excellent book to share with the jaded teenagers and wise 40 somethings in your life.

Inappropriate poignant funny and heartbreaking

So funny. And sad and touching. I laughed and cried and was sad when it was over.

A Favorite

An all time favorite memoir
Captivating, poignant, funny
Wise and with some wonderful self help advice. I’m sad it’s over!

so genuine, thought-provoking and healing

I honestly didn't know who Laura Chinn was, so I don't even know if she's really famous or not. I just heard an interview with her about this book on NPR, and something spoke to me. She is a beautiful writer and she embodies the voice of the narrator so perfectly. I grew up very differently from Laura but the illustrations of her struggles, challenges, and just life felt like she was telling my story. As someone who has started my own healing journey a few years ago, I felt reading this book gave me so much comfort, healing and guidance. Thank you so much for sharing your story, Laura.

Brilliant memoir with humor and heart

Loved this books so much. It was honest, funny, painful and beautiful. Such a great job of turning pain into learning and self love. Wanted more!!! Fabulous new author! Can’t recommend enough!

Love this so much

I am part way through but I never want it to end. It’s so funny and honest and relatable.

Overwhelmingly honest

Filled with honest thoughts and emotions and experiences. I laughed, I scowled, I frowned, I hurt, I was in in awe of the author's attitude and self reflection.

Self-indulgent narcissistic dribble

If you want a memoir of a self-indulgent American millennial who has very little capacity for empathy for her dying brother and can think about very little besides her own skin, sexual adventures, and vanity - this is it. The book’s attempt to show spiritual enlightenment towards the end was meager and lacking. In the typical image-obsessed style from my degenerate generation, the only redeeming quality of this book is Laura’s honesty of her own personality defects.