They Called Us Exceptional: And Other Lies That Raised Us

They Called Us Exceptional is a heartfelt memoir that delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and the dangerous model minority myth.

Prachi Gupta shares her personal story of growing up as an Indian American daughter in a family that embodied the American Dream, but struggled to find their place within the invisible traumas of immigration.

Through a blend of history, postcolonial theory, and research on mental health, Gupta articulates the dissonance, shame, and isolation of being upheld as an American success story while privately navigating hardships.

This searingly honest memoir is both a scalding indictment and a heartfelt love letter to her family, revealing the life-altering power of telling one's truth.