"Crying In The Bathroom": A Must-Read? Reviews & Insights

24 May, 2025

Can the past truly be resurrected, or does it forever remain a flickering ember in the vast expanse of memory? For some, the past is not merely a shadow, but a vibrant tapestry woven with threads of joy, sorrow, resilience, and a fierce, unwavering spirit.

Consider the story of a dancer, a woman who graced the stages of New York City in the electrifying 1970s. Her story, a testament to a bygone era, echoes through time, reminding us of the power of reinvention and the indelible marks we leave on the world. In 2020, on a Manhattan street, she was discovered. This encounter, shared on Stanton's Humans of New York Instagram page, unveiled the remarkable life of Johnson, then 76, a woman who danced under the stage name Tanqueray. She was a celebrated fixture in the adult theaters of midtown, a "fiercely independent" black burlesque dancer, embodying the spirit of an age defined by its boldness and its willingness to challenge convention.

Full Name	Johnson (Stage Name: Tanqueray)
Age (as of 2020)	76
Known For	Burlesque Dancer in the 1970s, Featured on Humans of New York
Occupation	Burlesque Dancer
Stage Name	Tanqueray
Key Characteristics	"Fiercely independent"
Notable Performances	Midtown adult theaters in New York City
Location of Discovery	Manhattan, New York City
Year of Discovery	2020
Reference	Humans of New York

The idea of resilience in the human spirit is a recurring theme. The journey is explored in "Crying in the Bathroom," a work that serves as a powerful reminder that hope can endure even in the bleakest of times. The book chronicles experiences with childhood depression, a "fraught" relationship with a grandmother, and the challenges of a marketing job. These experiences, and the author's choice to take on the life of a writer, are brought to life. The book delves into the author's journey through a violent and unpredictable past, but despite the horrors and the funny cringing combo storytelling style, the book highlights the resilience of the human spirit.

The author, S\u00e1nchez, reveals that the genesis of this book was an essay, conceived roughly seven years prior, focused on the theme of ambition. The book, available for download and reading across various digital platforms, utilizes features such as bookmarks and highlighting to aid in the reader's experience. The book is described as a meticulously reported account of the author's journey. The narrative style, marked by its honesty and rawness, is a hallmark of the work, offering readers an unvarnished view of life's complexities.

Within "Crying in the Bathroom," the realities of womanhood and feminism are not merely background elements but integral components shaping the author's life. The work also includes elements of humor and often presents itself in animated, and often hilarious, vignettes, offering insights into the author's multicultural youth. This creates a study of sacrifices that were made to enable the author to pursue her dreams. The book begins as a collection of topical essays that coalesce towards the end, offering unique structure.

The initial focus of the memoir delves into topics such as womens health, racism, and the uses of humor, which makes the book multi-faceted. S\u00e1nchezs writing is noted for its raunchy, insightful, unapologetic, and brutally honest tone. As a National Book Award finalist, S\u00e1nchez's journey encompasses a deep dive into her own Hispanic identity. The chapters focus on understanding the complexities of identity, navigating mental health, exploring family ties, finding strength in vulnerability, and reflecting on life's lessons. "Crying in the Bathroom" is an invitation to know the author in an intimate way.

The book's structure allows it to serve as a collection of essays. S\u00e1nchez describes growing up, entering womanhood, and fulfilling her dream of becoming a writer. The themes of the book include navigating mental health and wellness, exploring family ties, and finding strength in vulnerability, all of which helps the reader build a deeper connection with the author. The work is classified as belonging to the "confessional writing" genre, where the authors perspective is essential to its political nature. The exploration of reproductive health and the author's abortion are among the equally important topics touched on in the book.

In a different context, in a school setting, the focus is on the dynamics among students. The book's tone is often described as raunchy, insightful, and unapologetic. The impact of the book extends to her third book, following "Lessons on Expulsion" and "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," which follows a teenage girl through grief. For a summary of the work, as well as for writing lesson plans, it is perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes. For the writer, it is a lesson in nurturing a clear voice, and is a brutally honest and insightful love letter to her daughter. The memoir invites readers to a deeper understanding of motherhood, as it relates to the authors experience growing up.

The power of the story extends beyond the individual, resonating with anyone who has grappled with the complexities of life, the search for identity, and the courage to confront one's past. It's a tale of transformation, of finding voice, and ultimately, of finding hope even in the most challenging of circumstances.

Crying in the Bathroom Book Summary and Review

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Crying in the Bathroom A Memoir Amazon.co.uk Sánchez, Erika L

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Erika L. Sánchez on 'Crying in the Bathroom' It's Been a Minute NPR

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