This was a very interestin audiobook. I had never heard of Ariel's syndrom before and I feel like her narration style and story made it really easy to connect with her and her experiences. It was very inspiring <3

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was a very interesting read, never heard of Crouzon syndrome before so i learned a lot from this book. would recommend and reread.

I love the discussions about disability visibility. Some disabilities are invisible which has its own struggles, but having your disability plain to see to others creates a lot of opportunities for able-bodied people to question, discourage, and bully.
Love that this book was written accessibly for a teen+ audience which will hopefully draw younger people into discussions around disability and accessibility.
Great cover which doesn't hide Ariel's face nor use the author's disability to 'shock' readers into sympathy or morbid curiosity. Tasteful and hopefully what the author wanted.

A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley
Publication date: November 2, 2021

Date read: January 9, 2022



At eight months old, twin sisters Ariel and Alixandria Henley were diagnosed with Crouzon Syndrome - a rare condition where the bones of the head fuse prematurely. Because of this, the girls had to undergo multiple childhood surgeries in order to allow their skulls to grow along with their brains and to correct facial deformities. As children, they endured both the physical pain of the surgeries and the emotional pain of being bullied by their peers and looked at as mentally deficient by some adults. In this memoir, Ariel discusses what it was like for her growing up, as well as beauty ideals, mental health, and resilience.

This book was intense, but really worth reading. I had never heard of Crouzon Syndrome before this book, and it’s both really interesting and really sad. I can’t imagine having to go through the things that these kids had to go through, but Henley tells her story in a very practical way. She’s not trying to get sympathy from the reader - just simply explaining how things were.

Parts of this book are hard to read (the trigger warning section for this post is going to be a long one), including somewhat graphic descriptions of facial surgeries, so the extremely squeamish probably should avoid this one.

I thought Henley did an excellent job writing this book overall. She didn’t gloss over or skip the parts that cast her in a negative light, but chose to tell everything, making her seem very real. Some of the writing was a bit unpolished, in the way non-writer’s memoirs often are, but not to the point that it took away from the story. She actually wrote better than I was expecting from a debut author.

I listened to the audiobook for this one, and I’m kind of torn on it. On the one hand, having it read by the author gave it a nice touch, allowing the listener to really get a feel for her as a person. On the downside, she’s not a professional, and here (more than her actual writing) is where it was notable. She had a fairly dry, somewhat monotone delivery, and I really wanted more emotion from her. It’s an emotional, personal story, and she sometimes sounded as though she was talking about someone else.

Overall, though, this was a really unique, interesting story. Difficult at times due to the subject matter, but worth picking up. Ariel Henley is a fascinating person and I hope to hear more from her in the future.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Trigger Warning: bullying, eating disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, descriptions of medical procedures on the face and head, blood, anxiety, scenes involving throwing up and mucus, hallucinations of spiders, snakes, and mauling, mention of suicide, mention of child death, verbal abuse, ptsd

Additional trigger warnings, related to the discussions of Picasso, the artist, and his life: racism, misogyny, sexual manipulation, an affair with a minor, physical abuse

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook

What makes someone beautiful? Is it the shape of the eyes, the size of the nose, or the position of the mouth? Did you know that Picasso ( the famous painter) had a mathematical equation for beauty?

Ariel Henley tells her own story about living with Crouon Syndrome. Ariel and her twin sister Zen were diagnosed with this rare syndrome when they were eight months old. Crouzon syndrome is when the bones in the head fuse together prematurely leaving the face disfigured. Ariel and Zen underwent many surgeries throughout their lives to change the shape of their faces This story is Ariel’s account of how her “disfigurement” shaped her life in a world where beauty is highly valued.

Thank you @netgalley and @arielhenley and @macmillan.audio for the gifted copy of this book in exchanged for an honest review. I truly loved this story. I felt Ariel’s pain!!! I admire Ariel’s bravery in the retelling of her story!! Ariel is truly amazing!!

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A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Cruzon Syndrome

“I am ugly. There’s a mathematical equation to prove it.” - Ariel Henley.
That is how Ariel Henley begins her #memoir. Ariel, and her twin sister, Alixandria (Zan), were diagnosed with Cruzon Syndrome at 8 months old. This is Ariel’s memoir so I will only focus on her.

In #cruzonsyndrome, the bones of the skull fuse prematurely, resulting in facial disfigurement. Doctors had to repeatedly break and refuse Ariel’s cranial bones as she grew, but, not her prefused skull bones. Parts of her hip, for example, were used to expand her skull. Ariel also had many “cosmetic surgeries”, to “elongate” her jaw and “correct” the positioning and appearance of her eyes. The surgeries were done in two major stages in her life, early on at 3-4 years old, and at 12 yo, during middle school.

In her memoir, Ariel describes what it was like “living”/ growing up with, Cruzon Syndrome. It was so difficult 😞, due to the intense preoccupation society places on beauty.

A critical and significant moment for Ariel was when she found an article written about her (and Zan), in Marie Claire magazine. The caption under their picture read: “Their faces resembled the work of Picasso.” For most of her teen age life, Ariel grappled with this comparison, and it is a theme she weaves through her memoir.

I was attracted to this book through posts on Instagram, many by Ariel herself that really made me want to know her story.

I was fortunate to receive a complimentary audiobook from #netgalley and @riverbend_media in return for my honest review. Ariel narrates the audiobook, bringing her own story to life with her own voice. Although this is classified as a YA memoir, (probably because a lot of the story happens in middle school), I recommend this book to anyone interested in Ariel’s story! #5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I want my story heard. Because, ironically, Picasso was right. I believe we could paint a better world if we learned how to see it from all perspectives, as many perspectives as we possibly could. Because #diversity is strength. Difference is a teacher. Fear difference, you learn nothing.” - Hannah Gadsby from #afaceforpicasso.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an audio-ARC of A Face for Picasso written and narrated by Ariel Henley.
An audio memoir narrated by the author is always a win. Ariel tells her story with the depth of feeling born from living life with Crouzon Syndrome. Heart wrenching yet hopeful, this is a book that everyone needs to read. The lack of compassion and ignorance in humanity is discouraging. I want everyone to read this book so they will learn how hurtful words and stares can be! Ariel and her twin sister Zan are fighters: fighters for equality, fighters for positive recognition, and fighters for life. Throughout the book, Ariel weaves a thread showing how art influences beauty. Her information about Picasso was fascinating and makes the reader understand how people perceive what is beautiful. This book is being listed as a middle-grade memoir, but I feel that it is better suited for young adults.

I knew nothing about Crouzon Syndrome before listening to the audiobook. I had never even heard of it. So this book was very informative as well as interesting. I want to say that at least Ariel had her twin sister to commiserate with, to relate to? A built-in support system of someone going through the same experiences as you. But still, super sucky all the procedures and operations. She's so honest and open, it was a touching memoir.

Oof this book was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. I originally heard about this book from an author I follow on twitter who retweeted a post by Ariel promoting the book. Shortly after it happened to pop up as an available request on NetGalley so I jumped at the change to request it (especially as it was an audiobook which are currently my saving grace reading-wise). While I wasn't familiar with Crouzon Syndrome at first, this book definitely taught me a good deal about it. But it's most effective teaching was about the ridiculous standards of beauty we have in our current society and how those who are "different" are treated because of it. There were many times as Ariel recounted stories of being stared at, being bullied and made fun of, being talked to like she was stupid, etc. where I wanted to jump into the book and punch whoever was being cruel to her and then turn around and give Ariel and Zan a big hug. It also made me look at my own life, at instances where I was cruel or uncaring to others because they were "different", and how far I still need to go in learning to move past my own biases.
While I can't ever comprehend the full scope of what Ariel and Zan and others with Crouzon Syndrome have been through, I could definitely empathize with feeling like my body wasn't "right" or good enough for society's standards. The anger that Ariel felt due to all the surgeries and trauma she had been put through resonated with me a great deal. I also love that Ariel was open and honest about everything she had been through and everything she had done, including the times she was angry and cruel and acted out due to the PTSD and pain she was going through. This book is about much more than just living with facial differences or Crouzon Syndrome; it's also about learning to see people for more than what they look like, learning how, in the author's own words, "loving and accepting yourself even when the world tells you not to is the greatest act of resistance."
Also the audio narration for this was so dang good! Ariel does a fantastic job relating her story and showing the audience an inside view of what it's like to grow up and live with a facial difference. I've often thought that author's are the best are knowing just how to convey what they've written, so I love when an author performs the narration for their own audiobook. Ariel does a fantastic job of this as she brings the words she crafted so beautifully to life.
All in all, this is a fantastic memoir that I highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

An eye opening and awe inspiring memoir of the challenges and obstacles faced by the author in their life so far. A truly powerful and evocative read.

Ariel’s story is one of strength, deep pain, trauma, courage, and vulnerability. Ariel and her twin Zan were born with Crouzon Syndrome, a condition where the bones fuse in the head prematurely. Ariel recounts the years of surgeries with sharp detail and beautiful prose. She uncovers the pain of what it feels like to be seen only for her facial difference instead of the person she is. She deconstructs beauty, how society views it, and how we view ourselves because of it.

I was deeply moved by Ariel’s story. Ariel reached out to me and offered a copy of her book, and I also got a copy of her audiobook through NetGalley. Ariel is the narrator herself which made the story so much more impactful to me hearing her tell her own story.

I felt her joy and felt her pain, and she had me weepy on my way to work because of how deeply her story moved me.

Memoirs are always interesting, but this one just stole my heart. I've decided to listen to A Face for Picasso knowing very little about Ariel and wow, this book is just so powerful. The details, the pain, the struggles not only physically but mentally. How to embrace being different, disability, in a world that you are constantly being judge. What an incredible author, so inspirational and real. Thank you for sharing part of your life and beautiful soul with us. Can wait to read your next book!

I can’t even begin to describe how this book made me feel. Finding a memoir that makes you feel like you experienced every step of their life with them is one of my favorite things, and Ariel Henley absolutely completely did that with hers.

I’ve never considered reading YA memoirs before, but this was so good I might have to look into the genre some more. The writing was well crafted and Henley’s narration was absolutely gorgeous (I highly recommend reading it as an audiobook if you’re into that).

I felt that a lot of this book was a deep dive into what being beautiful means to adolescent girls, how the ideals that we strive for make us hurt those around us, and most importantly how to recover from spending your entire young life chasing a standard you’ll never meet. Henley’s story is heartbreaking and the way she delivers it will make you cry.

My main takeaway from this book is just once again, kindness. It is something we should all strive for and do our best to accomplish.

This book was incredibly well written. It really made me feel like I was in Ariel's place during her childhood and following her through each surgery. And for that reason it was also a really hard read as it brought up my own insecurities surrounding the way I look. A good memoir is reflective as this was and should make me feel all the things as this did.

So an interesting story, and a great job incorporating a critical critique of beauty culture, but -- and maybe it was just the narrator -- this just didn't hold together as well as it should have.

Review copy provided by publisher.

I really enjoyed this book. A memoir to help students develop empathy and an engaging storyline with excellent characters who I was rooting for from the start? Sign me up! Highly recommended!

What a gorgeous memoir from Ariel Henley. I felt every emotion in the book (this one and the metaphorical one) while listening to her story. It was thought provoking and rage inducing throughout as she explained growing up with a facial difference and the never-ending surgeries, both life-saving and cosmetic.

By the end I felt like I truly knew Ariel. Her writing has a way of pulling you right in and making her very real, as if we are real-life friends. It didn't hurt that she went to college in the same city that I did during the same years that I did. I was really tied into all of the references she made to Burlington and felt like I was there with her. (Because I was - how wild!)

Ariel had experiences throughout life that I cannot fathom. However, she was able to make her story relatable no matter your circumstance by providing a commentary on society's obsession with beauty. There is not a woman in the world who has not felt the pressure to fit into the teensy tiny (and, let's be real, non-existent) box of perfection.

The ending gave me all the warm fuzzies as Ariel came full circle on her story and its connection to Picasso.

Love. Love love love. I'd highly recommend this one!

Format: audiobook
Author: Ariel Henley ~ Title: A Face for Picasso ~ Narrator: Ariel Henley
Content: 5 stars ~ Narration: 5 stars

I don’t read a lot of memoirs. But when I saw this, I knew I had to read it. I listened to the audiobook version. Here the author, Ariel Henley, is also the narrator.

A Face for Picasso is a coming-of-age story of twins: Ariel and Zan, two girls born with Crouzon syndrome. This is a rare condition where a person needs multiple face surgeries at different stages of childhood. Most of us can’t imagine what they went through. Especially in today’s world, so obsessed with beauty. And what is today’s perception of beauty? Who is beautiful? For most, this is a person with a symmetrical face and some standard body features.

Throughout this memoir, we read about their life, operations, and school years. In addition, we learn about the psychological burden of being different, especially in their teen years. Ariel is very open about her childhood memories. She speaks honestly about the negative side, too. The author also explores beauty standards. Her reflections on art and Picasso contribute a lot to the story.

The narration speed was faster than usual, but for me, it was perfect. I also like the fact that Ariel narrates her own memoir.

Thanks to Recorded Books for the ARC and the opportunity to listen to this! All opinions are my own.

Review of A Face for Picasso by @arielhenley

I really enjoyed this memoir a great deal. It was extremely well written and the story was very engaging. I leaned a great deal by it too but yet also felt very connected to this real people. I laughed and I cried. I want to be friends with the author.

It tells the true story of Ariel and her twin sister Zan who were born with Crouzon syndrome. It tells their story from childhood through college years and covers their many painful surgeries, fears of the unknown, and sorrow for feeling unlike their peers. But the best part is the lovely family they shared and some wonderful friends they’ve made along the way. There are huge accomplishments including making the very competitive cheerleading squad and winning many college scholarships, and even attending college across the entire country.

This is absolutely worthwhile the read and I highly recommend this book!

This audiobook was given to me in advance of publication by #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was masterly put together including the raw emotions that were felt at various times of their journey, the feelings of facing the surgery themselves and also having to be the strong one for their twin sister who is having the same surgery and then to navigate this life that has been dealt to each as well. They have to prepare for surgery, prepare to see how surgery has changed their appearance. Going to school and dealing with the looks, bullying and remarks of their peers, the class parents, teacher’s remarks. Noone can possibly relate to that form of bullying they together and apart had to deal with. The oldest twin took it upon herself to be the brave one. She decided one year if they shouldn’t be in the same classroom any longer. The other twin would tell the nurse his sister was the only person who could put her earrings in. Then it was easier to just pt them in class together again.. They refer to Picasso throughout the book in that their surgeries would sometimes make them look like one o his paintings until surgeons could perform the next step. I learned Picasso wasn’t such a nice man, he made fun of his X-wives by exaggerating their flaws..,thus causing the women to get upset and divorce him which was always the goal for each X-wife..they possibly suffered from the syndrome as well and he was just being mean. I want to thank #NetGalley, #ArielHenleymthe opportunity to read this. I would definitely recommend not one I would have assumed to enjoy but I absolutely loved it.