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STIGMATIZED: A Mongolian Girl's Journey from Stigma & Illness to Empowerment
“I could no longer be a part of the silence.”
STIGMATIZED: A Mongolian Girl's Journey from Stigma & Illness to Empowerment teaches that our struggles are our stories, and that accepting every part of who we are — even the parts we hide — is essential to growth. Handaa Enkh-Amgalan offers readers the tools to reflect on and articulate their previous experiences, while empowering them to rediscover who they are and find hope. Enkh-Amgalan intertwines her journey battling tuberculosis and the associated, pervasive social prejudice with stories of growing up in the nomadic country of Mongolia and pursuing education abroad. She chronicles:
* Her daily fight for a spot on the bus out of her shantytown in Ulaanbaatar
* Sleeping just two or three hours a night for years as she studied English
* Who she turned to the night she was evicted from her apartment a world away from home
* How she proved skeptics – including family members – wrong about her destiny.
In her debut book, Enkh-Amgalan deftly and earnestly combines storytelling with advocacy, drawing parallels to other stigmatized populations and embracing survivor identity.
STIGMATIZED: A Mongolian Girl's Journey from Stigma & Illness to Empowerment teaches that our struggles are our stories, and that accepting every part of who we are — even the parts we hide — is essential to growth. Handaa Enkh-Amgalan offers readers the tools to reflect on and articulate their previous experiences, while empowering them to rediscover who they are and find hope. Enkh-Amgalan intertwines her journey battling tuberculosis and the associated, pervasive social prejudice with stories of growing up in the nomadic country of Mongolia and pursuing education abroad. She chronicles:
* Her daily fight for a spot on the bus out of her shantytown in Ulaanbaatar
* Sleeping just two or three hours a night for years as she studied English
* Who she turned to the night she was evicted from her apartment a world away from home
* How she proved skeptics – including family members – wrong about her destiny.
In her debut book, Enkh-Amgalan deftly and earnestly combines storytelling with advocacy, drawing parallels to other stigmatized populations and embracing survivor identity.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 9, 2021
30 people are currently reading
1590 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 4, 2022
2.5, rounding up for its significance
Thank you to the Book Sirens for providing me with a free advance copy of this book! I am leaving this review on my own free will.
I think this was as fine as it could be. The book was insightful, informative and intriguing; it gives good pointers on stigma around TB whilst also offering solutions for dismantling it. The book is in itself good and it helps to start an important conversation around a very deadly disease that can affect every one in the world. It also gives a beautiful insight into the country and history of Mongolia, you can tell that the author loves that country with their whole heart and it really makes you wish to visit Mongolia despite its flaws.
That however I think is where I run out of praises. I won’t fault the writing and the prose because English is not the author’s first language, and English is a tough language so I won’t be harsh on the atmosphere of the book. I will however question who this book was made for - it has a message, but it doesn’t seem like it has an audience. A health professional isn’t going to pick up this book and think ‘yes, she’s right, let’s change the course of TB stigma’ - but the author tries to aim this at healthcare professionals whilst also aiming at the general public. This is a book - not a peer reviewed journal, it has to have an audience and it has to stick with it. It cannot be all for the general public, healthcare professionals and world leaders at the same time - it has to be separated for its audience. This is a memoir, and it has to stick to it; it is not a series of essays which picks apart society, it doesn’t present a theory and it doesn’t invoke insightful commentary. It is a memoir and it has to stick to it.
The author also really needs a team to help them research facts and numbers, the arguments that the book tries to start are lacking and they fall flat. There is no emotion with the argument, and that might be because of English being the author’s second language and they might not have a strong grip of it, but the emotion is not there, and for a memoir, emotion is important. Also I don’t like how much the author romanticises the US, it’s jarring to read and I also don’t like how they has no criticisms of how they were treated as a show pony when people find out they are Mongolian - like they’re only interested in you because you’re their first Mongolian and that doesn’t annoy you after the first few times? And they can’t see you beyond your Mongolian identity? They may have picked it up but the book doesn’t tell you otherwise. As an immigrant myself, I found this infuriating. I would hate it if the only thing that people found interesting about me was my race and nothing else. Please grow some brains.
As a TB survivor too, I didn’t feel empowered. And I think that’s the greatest sin this book has. It’s important, don’t get me wrong but it’s not impactful. If anything, the way the author tried to convince me that TB requires the same level of attention as HIV/AIDS fell flat, if anything their arguments were bottomless and couldn’t hold substance. As a TB survivor, I didn’t feel anything towards this book, hence the low rating.
It’s a shame, I can see the importance of this book, but the author should just focus on the things they are strong at: and that’s translating the beauty of Mongolia, criticising its flaws and telling her TB story. The reach to political powers, the general public and healthcare professionals just makes this book sound like an undergraduate dissertation and I know the author is capable of more than that.
Thank you to the Book Sirens for providing me with a free advance copy of this book! I am leaving this review on my own free will.
I think this was as fine as it could be. The book was insightful, informative and intriguing; it gives good pointers on stigma around TB whilst also offering solutions for dismantling it. The book is in itself good and it helps to start an important conversation around a very deadly disease that can affect every one in the world. It also gives a beautiful insight into the country and history of Mongolia, you can tell that the author loves that country with their whole heart and it really makes you wish to visit Mongolia despite its flaws.
That however I think is where I run out of praises. I won’t fault the writing and the prose because English is not the author’s first language, and English is a tough language so I won’t be harsh on the atmosphere of the book. I will however question who this book was made for - it has a message, but it doesn’t seem like it has an audience. A health professional isn’t going to pick up this book and think ‘yes, she’s right, let’s change the course of TB stigma’ - but the author tries to aim this at healthcare professionals whilst also aiming at the general public. This is a book - not a peer reviewed journal, it has to have an audience and it has to stick with it. It cannot be all for the general public, healthcare professionals and world leaders at the same time - it has to be separated for its audience. This is a memoir, and it has to stick to it; it is not a series of essays which picks apart society, it doesn’t present a theory and it doesn’t invoke insightful commentary. It is a memoir and it has to stick to it.
The author also really needs a team to help them research facts and numbers, the arguments that the book tries to start are lacking and they fall flat. There is no emotion with the argument, and that might be because of English being the author’s second language and they might not have a strong grip of it, but the emotion is not there, and for a memoir, emotion is important. Also I don’t like how much the author romanticises the US, it’s jarring to read and I also don’t like how they has no criticisms of how they were treated as a show pony when people find out they are Mongolian - like they’re only interested in you because you’re their first Mongolian and that doesn’t annoy you after the first few times? And they can’t see you beyond your Mongolian identity? They may have picked it up but the book doesn’t tell you otherwise. As an immigrant myself, I found this infuriating. I would hate it if the only thing that people found interesting about me was my race and nothing else. Please grow some brains.
As a TB survivor too, I didn’t feel empowered. And I think that’s the greatest sin this book has. It’s important, don’t get me wrong but it’s not impactful. If anything, the way the author tried to convince me that TB requires the same level of attention as HIV/AIDS fell flat, if anything their arguments were bottomless and couldn’t hold substance. As a TB survivor, I didn’t feel anything towards this book, hence the low rating.
It’s a shame, I can see the importance of this book, but the author should just focus on the things they are strong at: and that’s translating the beauty of Mongolia, criticising its flaws and telling her TB story. The reach to political powers, the general public and healthcare professionals just makes this book sound like an undergraduate dissertation and I know the author is capable of more than that.
July 20, 2021
Миний сүүлд уншсан монгол номнууд үг, үсгийн алдаатай нэг л тийм сэтгэлд хүрэхгүй яагаад энэ англи номнууд шиг яс хийж, хэвлэж болдоггүй юм бол доо гэж бодож байтал тэр зайг нөхөж сэтгэлд хүрэхээр бүтээгджээ. Бичилт, ишлэл зүүлт гээд ямар гоё юм бээ. Ийм сайхан цэгцтэй ном унших урамтай байлаа. Яг л бидний үеийн тухай үеийн бүсгүй бичсэн учраас сэтгэлд маш ойр. Аав ээжийн тэр их хайр, өөрийнх нь тэр их гайхалтай хичээл зүтгэл олон хүмүүст урам зориг өгнө гэж бодож байна.
Сүрьеэ гэдэг өвчнийг хүмүүс ингэж хүлээж авдаг гэж үнэхээр мэдсэнгүй. Юу ч мэдэхгүй надад энэ өвчний тухай маш сайн ойлголт өглөө. Монголын нөхцөл байдлыг үнэхээр бодитоор бичжээ. Мэдээж гоё сайхан зүйлсийг нь ч харамгүй харуулсан. Уншаад харамсахааргүй гоё ном болжээ.
Сүрьеэ гэдэг өвчнийг хүмүүс ингэж хүлээж авдаг гэж үнэхээр мэдсэнгүй. Юу ч мэдэхгүй надад энэ өвчний тухай маш сайн ойлголт өглөө. Монголын нөхцөл байдлыг үнэхээр бодитоор бичжээ. Мэдээж гоё сайхан зүйлсийг нь ч харамгүй харуулсан. Уншаад харамсахааргүй гоё ном болжээ.
September 9, 2021
Have you or your loved ones ever experienced any social forms of stigma, TB illness, discrimination, or trauma?
I highly recommend this book for you to be added to your reading list. The book is well-written and inspirational. In her book, she shared her journey about how she survived tuberculosis, overcame poverty, and went through stigmatization. Her book is available on Amazon and became a bestseller. From her book, you will notice the common backgrounds of Mongolian applicants, especially those who come from the ger district area. In her book, she is encouraging everyone to join to fight the tuberculosis-related stigma and other kinds of stigma too, and she recommends solutions to tackle social stigma. I was so shocked by the fact that there is only one TB vaccine available, while there are 5-6 COVID-19 vaccine types already nowadays.
According to our social norms, unless you hide your serious illness, you get to be stigmatized. Therefore, people are silent until they are fully recovered. She realized that keeping TB illness in private is not so good; it needs to be discussed openly and people should solve problems together. I congratulate her on being brave and honest enough and I think that the education and experience that she gained in Bulgaria and America pushed her to break the silence.
I highly recommend this book for you to be added to your reading list. The book is well-written and inspirational. In her book, she shared her journey about how she survived tuberculosis, overcame poverty, and went through stigmatization. Her book is available on Amazon and became a bestseller. From her book, you will notice the common backgrounds of Mongolian applicants, especially those who come from the ger district area. In her book, she is encouraging everyone to join to fight the tuberculosis-related stigma and other kinds of stigma too, and she recommends solutions to tackle social stigma. I was so shocked by the fact that there is only one TB vaccine available, while there are 5-6 COVID-19 vaccine types already nowadays.
According to our social norms, unless you hide your serious illness, you get to be stigmatized. Therefore, people are silent until they are fully recovered. She realized that keeping TB illness in private is not so good; it needs to be discussed openly and people should solve problems together. I congratulate her on being brave and honest enough and I think that the education and experience that she gained in Bulgaria and America pushed her to break the silence.
November 10, 2021
This is a very first Mongolian book that was written in English by Mongolian author for me. Once when I heard a book by Mongolian girl has gone viral and topped as bestselling on Amazon, I was really into pursuing to get a copy to myself, eventually I have found the one for me.
The young Mongolian girl named Handaa as simply calling, narrates her story of being a TB (tuberculosis) survivor who is a brave enough to come out, and being a girl from poor community background, whose family used to live in shanty outskirt ger town, has been flourished into an educated, independent, and promising young woman who has 0btained all her education in dreamland of America.
In this book, she would like emphasize the notion of TB, and a social discrimination, & a stigma towards its patients since it is highly risked contagious disease. When she firstly diagnosed with TB, she was only 15, just a teenager girl, for gods sake. Due to social stigmatism of the TB, she had been through traumatic health experiences physically and mentally. Once being a TB patient had left her its deep traits and even followed her in later. So that is why she wanted bring out this issue to outer world and vocal about TB patients who painfully hidden behind door.
The young Mongolian girl named Handaa as simply calling, narrates her story of being a TB (tuberculosis) survivor who is a brave enough to come out, and being a girl from poor community background, whose family used to live in shanty outskirt ger town, has been flourished into an educated, independent, and promising young woman who has 0btained all her education in dreamland of America.
In this book, she would like emphasize the notion of TB, and a social discrimination, & a stigma towards its patients since it is highly risked contagious disease. When she firstly diagnosed with TB, she was only 15, just a teenager girl, for gods sake. Due to social stigmatism of the TB, she had been through traumatic health experiences physically and mentally. Once being a TB patient had left her its deep traits and even followed her in later. So that is why she wanted bring out this issue to outer world and vocal about TB patients who painfully hidden behind door.
October 3, 2021
I’d recommend this book to anyone, first of all- anyone looking to explore a different culture, anyone looking to read an inspiring tale, or anyone just looking for a good story about life, really. Second- I’ve recently moved to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and the insights into the recent history and culture of the country were just fantastic. It was fantastic getting an outsider’s perspective on the US as well, because as negative as I am about my country- I loved reading the hope and promise the country represented to her. I love that Enkh-Amgalan chose to dedicate her studies towards bettering the plot of all people- not just people with TB, not just Mongolians, but just.. people. The writing could be seen as borderline preachy or repetitive, but personally I loved it. It’s so easy to fixate on what you’ve faced, your hardships, and to only battle for that- I have all day for an author who tells an interesting life story and extends it to compassion for all people. Seriously a must-read in my opinion- for anyone looking to bounce back from hardship, disappointment, or dashed dreams. For anyone looking to step outside themselves. For anyone looking to love humanity a little bit more. I’m really glad Enkh-Amgalan had the bravery to tell her story, and I’m so glad I randomly stumbled upon it.
June 19, 2022
I highly recommend this piece of invention that showed the resilience, and willpower of a truly heroic girl. Her higher sense of purpose, the rough patch she experienced to complete her journey, her commitments to her vision and cause, and her bravery to take bold steps despite the young age and socio-economical disadvantage are very inspirational. By sharing her story, she is galvanizing others who really want to make it out there into solid and meaningful actions. Personally, I had a chance to read her book during a time when I lost a sense of purpose in my life. Her story affected me so profoundly that it elicited creativity in me and made me rediscover my path. This book is just not about telling a story, it's also about empowering you, teaching you lessons, and helping you see your life from a renewed sense of perspective.
July 30, 2021
That rarest of beasts: the perfect mystery thriller. This extraordinary novel set my blood fizzing―I quite literally couldn't put it down. I told myself I'd just dip in; eleven hours later―it's now 5:47 a.m.―I've finished it, absolutely dazzled.
Hypnotic, rattling.... Time collapses as, minute by minute, krakauer rivetingly and movingly chronicles what ensued, much of which is near ecstasy to read.... A brilliantly told storyline that won't go begging when the year's literary honors are doled out
Hypnotic, rattling.... Time collapses as, minute by minute, krakauer rivetingly and movingly chronicles what ensued, much of which is near ecstasy to read.... A brilliantly told storyline that won't go begging when the year's literary honors are doled out
July 30, 2021
Five Stars
One of the best books I have read this month!
Highly recommend it! I only leave positive feedback and reviews when I love the book.
Feel free to ask anything regarding this book.
A must read for sure.
I'd recommend this book to everyone who would like to change something about the way they live and look at life.
The book is written in a very interesting way .
A must read for sure
One of the best books I have read this month!
Highly recommend it! I only leave positive feedback and reviews when I love the book.
Feel free to ask anything regarding this book.
A must read for sure.
I'd recommend this book to everyone who would like to change something about the way they live and look at life.
The book is written in a very interesting way .
A must read for sure
October 26, 2022
FINISHED IT WITHIN A DAY! (i'm not usually a fast reader)
What an inspiring read from Handaa. Thank you for writing this book because it takes courage and bravery to share your story with the world.
Reading this book made me feel seen and represented because I could relate to her childhood so much living in a 'ger district'.
Although I didn't experience her pain of being stigmatized as a TB patient, I can feel her pain through her words and I definitely understand the stigma.
What an inspiring read from Handaa. Thank you for writing this book because it takes courage and bravery to share your story with the world.
Reading this book made me feel seen and represented because I could relate to her childhood so much living in a 'ger district'.
Although I didn't experience her pain of being stigmatized as a TB patient, I can feel her pain through her words and I definitely understand the stigma.
July 14, 2024
I learned a lot from this clearly written memoir, which is supplemented by properly cited statistics and facts. I did not realize, until reading this book, that tuberculosis was a worldwide health problem, and assumed that the vaccination that I had as a child was fully protecting me. I also knew very little about Mongolia. Handaa's story, about transcending poverty and overcoming illness, is inspiring, and motivating. I wish all health care professionals would read it.
August 13, 2021
This book was an eye-opening window into TB stigma, how we are all complicit in it, and how we can help dismantle it. It is a must-read for anyone working in TB, whether as a student, researcher, healthcare worker, caregiver or advocate - please read this book and carry its message with you in the work you do!
July 29, 2025
I would give this 3.5 stars. I read this after reading Everything is TB earlier this year. It was a recommended read by the author and I’ve purchased several of them because I’ve found the topic so fascinating. This memoir tackles the stigma associated with the disease and the ripple effect it has one’s treatment and survival, as well as the impact on family.
September 1, 2021
I cannot recommend this book enough. The story of Handaa's journey to overcome the stigma of tuberculosis is married perfectly with the thrilling adventures she embarks on in her worldwide journey for education. This book will make you think, make you laugh, and make you feel. Highly recommend.
November 9, 2021
Stigmatize means regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.
This book starts of with little bit of Mongolian history, culture and traditions. Author greatly resonates with her experience in childhood and overcoming TB. This memoir of a fighter and an extremely positive person.
This book starts of with little bit of Mongolian history, culture and traditions. Author greatly resonates with her experience in childhood and overcoming TB. This memoir of a fighter and an extremely positive person.
August 6, 2021
It is such a well written and emotional book. Highly recommend!
December 23, 2024
Really enjoyed this on multiple levels. For one, it provides a fairly straightforward tale of tuberculosis treatment - no anti-microbial resistance, one 6mo treatment course - from the perspective of the patient and shows vividly and personally how much that reverberates throughout a life. I also just really enjoyed reading about Handaa's personal and career journey throughout adolescence to adulthood, from Ulaanbaatar to New York with many turns in between. Her random jobs and experiences reminded me so much of growing up grasping for every opportunity and not really winding up in a straight line but being able to back-project a narrative. Read this while working on tuberculosis projects in Kyrgyzstan and am very glad I did.
September 25, 2021
A Mongolian girl’s experience having TB, recovering from the disease and the stigma associated with TB. Full of social science research as well as her personal experiences. Illuminating, I certainly learned a lot and feel much more knowledgeable and sensitized about the disease. Very well documented. I also learned a lot about Mongolian culture, which was fascinating. Not particularly compelling writing but I’m glad I read it.
If you’re interested in either topics I’d highly recommend.
If you’re interested in either topics I’d highly recommend.
January 6, 2022
Сүрьеэ гэх нийгэмд гадуурхагдал дагуулсан өвчний талаар бичихдээ хэт хүнд биш гэхдээ бас бусдад урам зориг өгөхөөр бичсэн нь таалагдсан. Илүү олон хүн унших хэрэгтэй санагдсан. Хүмүүст өвчний тухай мэдлэгээ тэлэхэд нь, ялгаварлаж гадуурхахыг бууруулахад хэрэгтэй ном.
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