Jigsaw Puzzle in a Vortex (A Collection of Memoirs) by Aurora M. Lewis

First Impression: A book that touches your heart in just the right way, in just the right place. A must read for anyone with a heart.

…know you are not alone.

Seasoned writer Aurora M. Lewis has been writing for over 60 years and the talent is demonstrable in her latest offering, Jigsaw Puzzle in a Vortex (A Collection of Memoirs). Though aimed at individuals of all races and gender, the book is particularly a message to Black Women (I use the term ‘women’ in the loosest sense not meaning to cause offense to those who subscribe to different variations of gender terms) to let them know that they are not alone in the struggles akin to those of Lewis and the community she writes of.

I am still raving about this book and am truly grateful for the copy afforded my by Aurora M. Lewis in exchange for my honest critique. I am also grateful for the personal exchanges we have had since that have allowed me to share my own experiences of mental health as well as hear more about hers. I urge you all to add Aurora M. Lewis to your ‘author to watch list’ because her talent knows no bounds. As you will see, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Trigger warning: Before reading further, do be aware that the book homes in on traumatic experiences of sexual harassment, rape, racism, and Black Lives Matter protests that largely derive from intersectionality.

Jigsaw Puzzle in a Vortex (A Collection of Memoirs) is a collection of short stories interspersed with poetry. These are Lewis’s truths that span 2008-2022. They are uncomfortable, brutal in parts, and extremely moving. The fact is these stories are not unique and take a whole heap of courage to tell. Artfully applying her talent, Lewis tells them in a way that will make you feel, whether that be sad, angry, aggrieved, or cheerful, because there are some happy memories imparted.

How do I get it all out, concrete

something to leave as a legacy

I write poems and essays of

my memories, the goal to

have them published

memorialized for my

family and friends to see

The book opens with a poem that alludes to Lewis’s past. For those unfamiliar with the author, her writing journey has been marred with mental health. Treatment for her bipolar temporarily stole her voice, and when the treatment ceased, her voice returned somewhat altered. Different though her words may now appear on the written page, Lewis is definitely an author to watch out for in the future. The opening verses will give the reader a taster for the purpose of what’s to come without over-selling the content and her life experiences.

What was lovely and unexpected was that for the most part not all the stories were sad and distressing. There are beautiful stories and poems about the close bonds with aunts and grandparents, about the cultivating of an orange grove, the mis-purchase of a tree that died and returned to life, the glorious report card, and so on, and so on. However, there are equally sad pieces about sexual harassment, overt and covert racism, and rape. Whilst these despicable instances happened, Lewis does not tell them in a graphic way. Instead, they are part of a slightly longer narrative. It is clear to see why the book is aimed at all now, as there is no animosity displayed towards any type of demographic. In fact, the events are not written to shock, or deeply move you, rather they sit with you and allow the reader a moment of quiet contemplation.

Trigger Warning: One of the most poignant moments in the book is related to abortion. It brings to mind the current debate around the Roe v Wade reversal and what the lack of rights, societal pressure, and circumstance leads people to. Skip over the following quote if this is a sensitive issue.

In a dirty room across an alley

behind a liquor store, the bitch

jabbed a knitting needle inside her

splashed alcohol between her legs

and the baby was no more

There is a deep appreciation for the sharing of black and white photographs running from page 34 through 47. They gave many of the stories related to family members faces to their characters, that despite trauma and tragedy that befell them, did not take away their smiles. No doubt this is a feature that is far more suited to a physical copy of the book rather than an electronic one that requires circling back to the right place, which is dependent on font size. The book is more inspirational and transparent than doom and gloom. It is an absolutely beautiful mixture of life experiences told with the most beautiful phrasing given the circumstances of any of the prose or stories. However, with this book dealing with sensitive issues, albeit minus significant gore and horror, it is best suited for those who have come of age and older. Black sisters, you are not alone. Women, you are not alone. Humans, you are not alone. This is a thought provoking read for literally anyone with a heart.

Quick Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / R Rated

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