Juliane Corn Lee’s memoir defies easy classification. The book follows the author through a privileged childhood on Guam, her love affair with the city of San Francisco, and a romance that bloomed there. The focus then shifts to the loss of her family’s wealth and the illness that changed her life. "Thunderclap" tells the story of a naive girl who transforms into a strong woman during a time of catastrophic loss. When her world falls apart following a paralyzing stroke and leukemia diagnosis, Lee can no longer maintain her shallow worldview and live in silence—in the protective bubble that has kept her from acknowledging difficult truths. As she comes to terms with her new life, she makes agonizing decisions, finds her voice, and courageously breaks the silence that has haunted her family for generations.