In Crescenciana, the book’s forward asks the reader to forgive the subject of the biography’s grammar. The apology is wholly unnecessary; Crescenciana bends the language to fit her emotional reality, turning the language into something that fits her perception. That adherence to direct transcription, and that voice that she brings, are what makes Tan’s biography so impactful. It serves as historical archive, transcription of immigrant experience and familial mythology, all in one. Crescenciana is a biography of the author’s lola (grandmother), following her life in the Philippines before coming to Canada and eventually the United States. The biography is a mixed-media work, combining first hand transcriptions of events told by his lola while also paring each instance with a piece of artwork created by either of the two. 

The biography is as much written as it is curated. The balance of writing and image makes the book feel like a gallery, only instead of an author’s note, each image is accompanied by a fully-developed literary snapshot. Kenneth Tan acts as a tour guide through the memories. He leads the reader and frames certain events, both stepping in and pulling away at key moments. Crescenciana is ultimately an impactful, lovingly written and illustrated book. Kenneth Tan will be in the Peninsula Book Collaborative on May 30th, to talk about his work.