Heart Berries Summary
Mailhot, Terese Marie

Heart Berries Overview

Heart Berries is a poetic memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot. In a non-narrative fashion, it explores elements of the author's childhood, her relationship with her eventual husband, Casey, and her struggles with mental health. The story is informed by the author's cultural identity as a Native American woman as well as by her identity as a professional writer. Mailhot writes about life on a reserve, in a treatment facility, as a mother, and as a native woman. Heart Berries explores themes of mental illness, cultural identity, generational trauma, shame, and the power of storytelling.