Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Stillness and Survival: A Life Between Trauma, Glitter, and the Echo of My Own Voice by Jacob Anthony Rose is a deeply personal and cathartic memoir about the loneliness, self-doubt, and trauma of a young boy growing up gay and too scared to embrace his true self and his sexuality. For the author, that freedom came when he moved to San Francisco and discovered the world of drag queens, performing on stage and receiving plaudits, applause, and community. Having created a character named Sheena Rose, widely loved and respected on the circuit, he threw himself into the world of performance and the validation it offered. The onset of Covid-19 and the enforced isolation, though, proved to be a trigger for him that would amplify the pain, unresolved childhood trauma, and clinical depression. This memoir unashamedly celebrates the joys and power the author found in San Francisco’s drag queen world, but it also highlights the depth of pain that “being different” can bring and how quickly those repressed feelings can reemerge.

Stillness and Survival is an incredibly powerful read for anyone who enjoys personal memoirs. Although this book is tagged as LGBTQ, it is actually a story applicable to all, especially anyone who has struggled with childhood abuse or rejection. Jacob Anthony Rose is open about what happened to him and also about his own struggles and failings. The writing is simple, straightforward, and easy to read. Readers will identify and empathize with the author’s pain, no matter what their background or sexual orientation. I found the included photos helpful as they allow readers a closer look inside the author’s world, one that few of us will have seen close up. I was particularly impressed with the author’s employers, who went above and beyond to keep Jacob’s day job open for him despite his many enforced absences due to his mental health issues. Given it was a job that he found deeply satisfying and one that he was clearly exceptional at, it was a win-win decision for everyone. The author’s strong, long-term personal relationship with his spouse was an enormous factor in his survival through the extremely tough times he was forced to navigate. For anyone struggling with their self, identity, or mental health issues, this is an extremely rewarding and positive read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.