The Manicurist's Daughter

A Memoir

By: Susan Lieu

Narrated by: Susan Lieu

Long-listed, NPR Best Book of the Year, 2024

"Susan Lieu's narration of her memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter, adds to the already raw emotion that flows throughout her journey to know her mother."—The Berkshire Eagle

This program is read by the author.

An emotionally raw memoir about the crumbling of the American Dream and a daughter of refugees who searches for answers after her mother dies during plastic surgery.

Susan Lieu has long been searching for answers. About her family’s past and about her own future. Refugees from the Vietnam War, Susan’s family escaped to California in the 1980s after five failed attempts. Upon arrival, Susan’s mother was their savvy, charismatic North Star, setting up two successful nail salons and orchestrating every success—until Susan was eleven. That year, her mother died from a botched tummy tuck. After the funeral, no one was ever allowed to talk about her or what had happened.

For the next twenty years, Susan navigated a series of cascading questions alone—why did the most perfect person in her life want to change her body? Why would no one tell her about her mother’s life in Vietnam? And how did this surgeon, who preyed on Vietnamese immigrants, go on operating after her mother’s death? Sifting through depositions, tracking down the surgeon’s family, and enlisting the help of spirit channelers, Susan uncovers the painful truth of her mother, herself, and the impossible ideal of beauty.

The Manicurist’s Daughter is much more than a memoir about grief, trauma, and body image. It is a story of fierce determination, strength in shared culture, and finding your place in the world.

A Macmillan Audio production from Celadon Books.

©2024 Susan Lieu (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“A stunning, raw, brave memoir that wouldn’t let me go.”―V (formerly Eve Ensler), author of Reckoning and The Vagina Monologues

"With tenacity, wit, and fierce love, Susan Lieu reconstructs the mother she lost–from memory, through detective work, by spirit conjuring…defying all obstacles and naysayers. A high octane roller coaster to healing."―Thi Bui, author of The Best We Could Do, an American Book Award winner, a National Book Critics Circle finalist, and an Eisner Award finalist

"The quintessential story of an immigrant's kid―filled to the brim with heartache and hope."―Gene Luen Yang, author of American Born Chinese, a National Book Award finalist and Printz Award winner

Raw, emotional, and superb storytelling

Susan recounts a history encompassing 4 generations of Immigrants and revealing deep wounds not only within herself, but ones that impacted every member of her family on the surface and otherwise.

the energy she brings as the narrator is infectious, and demands your attention at every turn and new detail uncovered in her investigation of her mother's death, and trying to connect to her more deeply as her own journey into motherhood is on the horizon.

Worth every second of the recording, and it's a journey that will hopefully inspire reflecting on your own history as it has mine.

So glad Lieu brought her family's story to light!

I don't usually purchase a newly-released book until there are a few reviews to go off of, but the cover and description drew me in to Lieu's story. I'm so glad I didn't wait - I LOVE this memoir! What a compelling story with ALL of the feels...I adore Lieu's humor and narration...and wow, such heart to persevere for SO many years in the face of so much resistance to discover who her mom really was and what really happened. I'm so glad you took your mom's advice, Susan, and you did not cover up the story - thank you for sharing it with us!

Amazing memoir

I love how raw this memoir is. As an immigrant myself, I was able to connect with Susan’s story and family struggles.

Incredible emotional journey

The author was incredible. What a powerful story. When we feel we heal. Wow, can’t wait to see what she does next.

Among the best!

I’m into memoirs, and although this has some very big holes, it’s among the best I’ve listened to in a long time. Don’t get me wrong, the plot holes I found are probably among the things Susan didn’t feel comfortable talking about since everyone but her mother is still living. It was funny and sad and thought provoking and heartbreaking and healing all at the same time. Loved it.