Bassey Ikpi

Bassey Ikpi is a Nigerian-American writer, spoken-word artist, and mental health advocate who gained prominence through her performances on HBO's Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry and her New York Times bestselling memoir "I'm Telling The Truth But I'm Lying." Born in Ikom, Nigeria in 1976, Ikpi moved to Oklahoma at age four before later settling in Maryland. Her work spans multiple creative disciplines, including poetry performances that have opened shows for Grammy Award-winning artists. As a mental health advocate, Ikpi has been vocal about her experiences with bipolar II disorder and anxiety, which she explores in depth in her memoir. She has been recognized for her contributions to both literature and advocacy, including being named an OkayAfrica's 100 Women honoree in 2020. Her writings often examine the intersection of mental health, identity, and cultural experience, drawing from her background as both a Nigerian and American. The raw honesty of her work has established her as an important voice in contemporary creative nonfiction and mental health discourse.

Readers connect deeply with Ikpi's raw portrayal of mental health struggles in "I'm Telling the Truth But I'm Lying." Many praise her unique essay structure that mirrors the disorienting experience of anxiety and bipolar disorder. What readers liked: - Powerful descriptions of living with mental illness - Authentic portrayal of immigrant family dynamics - Innovative writing style that creates emotional impact - Representation of Black women's mental health experiences What readers disliked: - Non-linear narrative can be confusing - Some essays feel disconnected - Intensity of content challenging for some readers Ratings: - Goodreads: 4.3/5 from 2,800+ ratings - Amazon: 4.6/5 from 500+ reviews "Reading this felt like someone finally put my experiences into words," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another on Amazon writes: "The fragmentary style perfectly captures the chaos of anxiety." Some readers report needing breaks between essays due to emotional weight, with one noting: "Beautiful but exhausting - like looking directly at the sun."

I'm Telling the Truth but I'm Lying (2019) A collection of essays that chronicles Ikpi's experiences with bipolar II disorder, growing up in Nigeria and Oklahoma, and navigating life as a Nigerian-American while dealing with mental illness.

Roxane Gay writes personal essays exploring identity, trauma, and cultural criticism through a Black feminist lens. Her memoir "Hunger" deals with body image and personal trauma with similar unflinching honesty to Ikpi's work.

Kiese Laymon examines Black identity, mental health, and family relationships in his memoir "Heavy". His experimental prose style and exploration of memory mirror Ikpi's approach to storytelling.

Samantha Irby writes about chronic illness, mental health, and identity with raw authenticity in her essay collections. Her work combines personal narrative with cultural commentary in ways that parallel Ikpi's explorations.

Porochista Khakpour chronicles her experiences with illness and identity as an immigrant in "Sick: A Memoir". Her examination of chronic illness and cultural displacement shares thematic territory with Ikpi's writing.

Jenny Lawson writes about mental health challenges through personal narrative in books like "Furiously Happy". Her approach to discussing mental illness through memoir connects directly to Ikpi's work in mental health advocacy and personal storytelling.