Reviewed by Lily Andrews
Christina H. Wilson’s “Believe: A Memoir in Stories” is a moving and deeply inspiring collection of life stories that beautifully piece together the grueling journey of a woman who endures painful experiences and most notably continues to grow and believe in purpose, in love, in herself, and in a greater guiding force, amidst daunting odds. Told through short chapters, each giving away a vignette from her life, the book reads like a series of memories shared over a long, comforting conversation. Christina invites you on a journey into her life—from growing up in a large Chinese-American family to facing love, loss, betrayal, and finding peace. Purchase Here.
The memoir begins with Christina’s childhood in Philadelphia, the daughter of Chinese immigrants with very different backgrounds. Her father came from a humble, traditional family, while her mother grew up in privilege, being the daughter of a Chinese diplomat. Christina candidly details her severe childhood asthma, her close bond with her mother, and the strong values of family as well as responsibility that shaped her early years. Her gentle storytelling skills make you feel like you’re right there in the house, with the chaos of five children, a hardworking father, and a mother trying to hold onto her values while facing cultural clashes.
As the stories unfold, we follow Christina into young adulthood—college, love, heartbreak, and eerie encounters, like unknowingly befriending someone who may have been a serial killer. Here, she shares personal stories of betrayal, family drama, ambition, and resilience through stories that are strikingly honest and deeply vulnerable. One particularly moving segment is about her father’s gambling addiction, which cost their family a great deal, yet she never stops trying to understand him or honor his legacy. Later stories explore loss and grief, especially around the death of loved ones, but Christina always returns to her core belief, in purpose, in timing, in love, and in a higher power guiding our paths.
The book’s structure is unique—thirty-seven short stories that read like snapshots which makes it easy to pick up and digest one story at a time. Christina’s voice is warm, down-to-earth, and sincere, and she doesn’t try to glamorize or dramatize her life, and that’s exactly what makes the story so relatable. Her prose is simple yet effective and readers will appreciate how she makes small moments feel meaningful, for example, when she reflects on her childhood nickname “Tina” as well as when she remembers the exact moment she stood up for herself in a relationship.
Themes of identity, resilience, cultural heritage, and motherhood are present throughout. But the biggest theme is belief—believing in oneself, in love, and in the unseen hands that shape our lives. Her message is clear and will leave her audience inspired to see that things happen for a reason, and if you listen carefully, you’ll see the signs guiding you.
Overall, “Believe: A Memoir in Stories” is deeply enlightening without being preachy and is a book for anyone who’s gone through something hard and come out stronger, or simply wants to. Christina H. Wilson’s life proves that pain and joy often go hand-in-hand, and through it all, we just have to believe. Young and mature readers will greatly benefit from its priceless yet universal lessons.