Shigeko Ito grew up in a neglectful home in Japan. Her mother was narcissistic and cared more about her appearance and shopping habit than raising children. Her father was a workaholic and rarely home. As a 16-year-old exchange student, Shigeko experiences a functional family in Napa, California, and forms a strong bond with her exchange mother, Joanne. After receiving a foundation in the US, Shigeko returns for college at Stanford, meets her husband Peter, and soon starts a family. However, Shigeko's traumatic past affects her ability to connect with her family and raise her teenage son. In trying not to repeat her parents' mistakes, Shigeko realizes her mindset has regressed to her childhood.
The Pond Beyond the Forest is an honest and emotional memoir. Shigeko's emotional journey through highs, lows, and deeply personal moments is told with an astonishingly open and direct manner, even the parts that cast her in a negative light. At times, I almost forgot that I was reading a memoir and not fiction. The chapters alternate between Shigeko's childhood and adulthood, showing the correlation between her experiences growing up and the decisions she made as a wife and mother. Shigeko's parents' hands-off attitude clearly contributed to her being overly involved in her son's life. Shigeko's institutionalization in a mental health unit was also insightful. While she desperately needed help, the hospital made some questionable choices that led to more trauma. Conversely, the hospital stay also allowed Shigeko to relax away from her parents and find the root cause of her distress. After sharing everything she went through with her parents, husband, and sons, I was amazed that Shigeko emerged ready to rebuild, grow, and fix relationships. Ultimately, a transformative story of trauma, growth, and acceptance.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Pond Beyond the Forest is an honest and emotional memoir. Shigeko's emotional journey through highs, lows, and deeply personal moments is told with an astonishingly open and direct manner, even the parts that cast her in a negative light. At times, I almost forgot that I was reading a memoir and not fiction. The chapters alternate between Shigeko's childhood and adulthood, showing the correlation between her experiences growing up and the decisions she made as a wife and mother. Shigeko's parents' hands-off attitude clearly contributed to her being overly involved in her son's life. Shigeko's institutionalization in a mental health unit was also insightful. While she desperately needed help, the hospital made some questionable choices that led to more trauma. Conversely, the hospital stay also allowed Shigeko to relax away from her parents and find the root cause of her distress. After sharing everything she went through with her parents, husband, and sons, I was amazed that Shigeko emerged ready to rebuild, grow, and fix relationships. Ultimately, a transformative story of trauma, growth, and acceptance.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
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