Book Review: "Body: My Life in Parts"
- marthaengber
- Jun 3
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 5
by Nina B. Lichtenstein
I’ve never read a memoir with a more unique and organic structure than BODY: MY LIFE IN PARTS. The concept of the author grouping the memories of her life via body parts is just brilliant!
Rather than be a gimmick, however, such an organization holds weight and depth due to studies that describe how we humans hold past experiences in our bodies, through muscle memory, synaptic connections and sensory memory.
As the author beautifully writes in her prologue:
“Each body part is a treasure chest waiting to have its lock picked and content discovered and examined, touched again, felt again, and maybe even understood from the point of view of the person I’ve become. What happened in and to the body of this woman, daughter, mother, wife, lover, friend, teacher, writer, and how do all these bodily life-moments become the building blocks of ‘me?’”
The author begins with essays of memories related to eyes and what she’s witnessed, and moves to her breasts, skin and onward. And so we see the the life of this Norwegian-born American turned Jewish mother of three fill out into a rich body of well-lived life where humor and love flourish.
___
For updates about Martha’s forthcoming books, news and giveaways, subscribe to her website: MarthaEngber.com.
SCATTERED LIGHT, a novel, sequel to WINTER LIGHT, (Nov. 2025)
THE FALCON, THE WOLF AND THE HUMMINGBIRD a historical novel
BLISS ROAD, a memoir
WINTER LIGHT, a novel, in paperback and audiobook
THE WIND THIEF, a novel
GROWING GREAT CHARACTERS, a resource for writers
Comments