Make Me

Make Me by Lisa Stathoplos is a fascinating, energetic ride through a life packed with humor, heartache, and unflinching gusto. As a debut author, her voice bursts off the page with all-caps exclamations and a sarcastic wit that feels like chatting with a fiercely candid friend over drinks. Her memoir delivers revealing glimpses of her journey from an awkward child with scoliosis and identity issues to a dedicated artist thriving in Maine’s exciting regional theater scene. Stathoplos’s storytelling is deft, characterized by short vignettes, each adorned with photographs that anchor her rapid-fire shifts from childhood trauma to moments of triumph, from family dramas to her passionate activism. Her storytelling style is as lively and unpredictable as her personality, shifting quickly from topics like religion, sexual assault, and eating disorders to her love for shelter pets, sailing adventures, and a harrowing dance class nightmare. The result is a colorful mosaic that feels like a conversation with a friend who has seen it all and isn’t shy about sharing her truths.

Lisa Stathoplos captivated me with her voice, which was grounded, quirky, and proudly unique. The terrific descriptions, short chapters, and timely paragraph breaks make the reading enjoyable. Lisa Stathoplos boldly challenges the notion that artists must head to the big city for fame, choosing instead to forge her path in Maine’s local scene. Her passionate support for regional arts is infectious, and her journey toward physical and mental self—acceptance resonates deeply. Against a backdrop of era-specific music and the tumult of the Vietnam War, her story becomes inspiring. Make Me is a lively, heartfelt celebration of a life lived loudly and without regrets. This memoir is not a mere recounting of events but an expression of the author’s unique philosophy on life: you never allow life to happen to you. You create the life you want.