Belonging: Learning to Exist in the In-Between

by Aurelia Durand

A poignant exploration of identity and self-discovery, this intimate memoir traces a transformative journey across borders; from the French periphery through Paris to Copenhagen. Through candid reflection and emotional depth, the author unveils the path toward authentic self-acceptance in unfamiliar territory.

Genres: Nonfiction

104 pages, Paperback

Published December 20, 2025

About the author

Aurélia Durand is a French artist and author living in Denmark. Known for her colorful and expressive work, she explores themes of identity, belonging, diversity, and creativity. She is the illustrator of the New York Times bestseller This Book Is Anti-Racist and the author of Belonging, a memoir about migration, mixed identity, and finding your place in the world. Through both art and writing, she creates work that encourages reflection, connection, and joy.

Reviews

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, concise, and straight to the point.
I loved the many expressions and found myself quoting several passages. I truly believe that many expats, immigrants—or simply humans—who have moved to Denmark and now call it home can easily relate to this short autobiographical book.
I appreciate how the author describes living in Denmark and elaborates so thoughtfully on many social aspects of the country. The way she weaves the past into the present, and explains how finding stillness and embracing silence helped her rediscover her voice, is beautifully expressed.
Some may say that this kind of book could have been published as a blog or a series of online articles, but I clearly see why—being an artist herself—she needed to present it as a physical book. I do not regret purchasing it, reading it, enjoying it, and relating to so many pages.
Thank you for a fresh and meaningful read.

[Arianna March · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really wanted to like this book. I picked it up during a low moment in my stay in DK - middle of February, darkness clinging to me inside and out, months of vain socializing efforts. I needed some hope.

Some lines reflect 1:1 my experience, holding up a beautifully worded mirror. Yet… I cannot help but take away that her answer to this tension is… giving up? No matter how much I tried, I could not find within her words the redemption story she seemed convinced she was laying out.

3 stars do not reflect her writing, nor her ability for self reflection. They reflect the bleakness I am left with after closing the back cover.

[Rima Dinbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really happy to have found a voice who helped me look for my own voice and strength in a society that requested me to be almost invisible in order to be accepted. I read this book like I would have read a letter from a friend or a sister who decided to light the way to my sovereignty.

[Janete Abrantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

So inspiring!

[Charlene Leroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'aurais voulu qu'il soit plus long. Sujet très intéressant qui aurait mérité qu'on aille encore plus en profondeur.