Unearthed
Chanchal Garg
Independently Published (2025)
ISBN: 979-8998687501
Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro for Reader Views (2025)
The name bestowed upon her at birth was Nirmal, a name meaning purity. Nirmal was Indian by birth, but spent her formative years in the United States. She longed to feel closer to her heritage and learn more about Hinduism, as she was quite taken with the wisdom and teachings found in Ramayana. Nirmal was told early on in her life that her “body was a temple” and that her virtue was essential. She also felt the need to be protected and pined for the husband who would fill that need when she grew up.
As she grew up, Nirmal would be betrayed by a charismatic religious leader who violated her trust while fulfilling his own needs, and her first marriage would crumble as her husband proved abusive and untrusting. To reclaim agency over her life, Nirmal would need to confront the abuse she suffered, and once she did this, she was on the path towards becoming Chanchal.
Chanchal Garg’s transfixing narrative in her memoir, Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & the Truths They Bury, is told with a bold frankness from her humble beginnings to an empowering conclusion. In the story’s early stages, Nirmal attempts to strike a balance between her life at home and school, but the restrictions her father places on her allow for little social life. In the vivid recall of her adolescence, Chanchal’s anger and hurt at her father’s stubbornness are clearly imparted. Her desire for freedom and a chance to enjoy life resonates on a level that transcends the usual parent-child clash. There are moments of palpable poignancy when the disapproval of her father cuts deeply and deprives her of joy.
Faith became important to Nirmal (Chanchal) when she was in her impressionable years, and yet her faith was tested when she was subjected to multiple instances of abuse by the spiritual guru, Babaji. The ordeal she experienced was exacerbated by those who initially refused to believe her or blamed her for the religious leader’s actions. The judgment and contempt she was subject to by those closest to her serve as one of the most poignant aspects of this memoir. Chanchal’s resolve in not relinquishing her faith and sharing her story with other women marks a pivotal moment in the book.
Unearthed: The Lies We Carry & the Truths They Bury is a triumphant memoir about reclaiming one’s identity amid years of exploitation. While her life has been filled with tribulations & achievements, Chanchal’s reflections on her life are unvarnished and genuine. Author Chanchal Garg has penned a book that is moving and inspirational, a story of spiritual and psychological healing.
At a Glance: A memoir of spiritual betrayal, cultural identity, and personal recovery. An Indian American woman confronts religious abuse, family pressures, and an unhealthy marriage while rebuilding her sense of self and purpose. Contains discussions of abuse, trauma, and healing.
Best for Readers Who Enjoy: memoirs about resilience, recovery from religious trauma, women’s empowerment, Indian American experiences, spiritual healing journeys, overcoming abuse, self-discovery, faith and identity, personal transformation, survivor stories